Looking for fun things to do in Toronto without spending a fortune? September is packed with free festivals, cultural celebrations, markets, art events, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities. Save this list of 15 free things to do in Toronto this September!

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Related Posts:    
Best Things To Do This September
Best Free Things To Do This Summer 

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1. TIFF Festival Street

TIFF’s street festival transforms King Street West into a pedestrian-only celebration with live entertainment, pop-ups, interactive activations, food, art, culture, and star sightings.

Where: King Street W

When: September 10th - 13th, 2026

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

2. Toronto Dragon Festival 2026

Toronto Dragon Festival returns for its 7th year, bringing spectacular lion and dragon dances, multicultural performances, Asian street food, night light shows, and an interactive AI showcase.

Where: Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St W)

When: September 4th - 6th, 2026

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website. 

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3. Smoke-A-Palooza

Smoke’s Poutinerie is taking over Sankofa Square for 12 hours of non-stop entertainment, featuring free fries, high-energy activations, prizes, and the World Poutine Eating Championship.

Where: Sankofa Square (1 Dundas St E)

When: September 19th, 2026 (11 am - 11 pm)

Category: Date-Friends

Click here for the website. 

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4. Liberty Village Art Crawl

Toronto Art Crawl is celebrating 13 years with a huge one-day outdoor market featuring 100+ talented local vendors. Shop Toronto-made art, fashion, jewellery, home décor, photography, paintings, body care, and pet accessories.

Where: The Bentway (250 Fort York Blvd)

When: September 12th, 2026 (12 pm - 5 pm)

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

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5. K-Travel Fest

Celebrate Korean travel and culture with K-beauty, K-food, K-crafts, traditional clothing, Personal Colour Analysis, live performances, immersive activities, and travel inspiration from across Korea.

Where: Sankofa Square (1 Dundas St E)

When: September 12th - 13th, 2026

Category: Date-Friends

Click here for the website.

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6. Toronto Garlic Festival

Toronto’s beloved garlic celebration is set to return for its 15th annual edition, bringing back garlic-inspired food, local vendors, and entertainment.

Where: Toronto, Details TBA

When: September 27th, 2026 

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

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7. Roncesvalles Polish Festival

Toronto’s huge Polish street festival returns to Roncesvalles for its milestone 20th anniversary, bringing Polish food, live music, cultural performances, vendors, and family activities.

Where: Roncesvalles Ave

When: September 19th - 20th, 2026

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

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8. Streetsville Butter Tarts & More Market

Spend the day browsing butter tarts, baked goods, sweet treats, artisan finds and local small businesses at this one-day market in Streetsville.

Where: 213 Queen St S (Mississauga)

When: September 19th, 2026 (10 am - 4 pm)

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

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9. Cabbagetown Art & Craft Show

Running since 1988, this longtime Toronto outdoor art show brings together local artists and makers for a weekend of handmade art, fine crafts, and unique finds.

Where: Riverdale Park West

When: September 11th - 13th, 2026

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

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10. Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Open House and Concert

Free live performances, instrument try-outs, creative activities, self-guided tours, and face painting, followed by a one-hour Toronto Symphony Orchestra concert. Tickets required for the concert only.

Where: Roy Thomson Hall (60 Simcoe St)

When: September 26th, 2026 (10 am - 1:30 pm | Concert: 2 pm)

Category: Date-Friends

Click here for the website.

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11. Indigenous Legacy Gathering

The 9th annual event celebrates Indigenous cultures, traditions and languages while honouring Residential School survivors and their families through workshops, ceremonies, teachings, music, and dance.

Where: Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St W)

When: September 28th - 30th, 2026

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

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12. Anatolia Fest

Celebrate Turkish culture and heritage with Turkish coffee, baklava, traditional crafts, art, live music, and cultural performances in the heart of downtown Toronto.

Where: Sankofa Square (1 Dundas St E)

When: September 20th, 2026 (12 pm - 8 pm)

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

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13. International Peace Festival

The month-long festival celebrates peace, culture and global creativity through film screenings, art exhibitions, live performances, conferences, cultural showcases and special events across Toronto and beyond.

Where: Toronto City Hall + select venues

When: September 21st - October 24th, 2026

Category: Date-Friends

Click here for the website.

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14. 8th Annual Hunger Relief Walk

Join Sai Dham Food Bank’s annual community walk supporting people facing food insecurity. Bring family, friends or coworkers and walk together to help provide nutritious meals to those in need.

Where: Sankofa Square (1 Dundas St E)

When: September 6th, 2026 (8 am - 2 pm)

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

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15. Celebrate Black Excellence

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A family-friendly celebration of Black excellence, featuring hands-on workshops, activities, and presentations highlighting Black scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.

Where: Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr)

When: September 26th, 2026 (10 am - 4 pm)

Category: Family-friendly

Click here for the website.

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