A Quick Look at Events in Toronto
By: Sabrina Fried
Toronto is a wonderful city, especially in the summer. In the months between June and September hundreds of events take place in and around the city. If you find while planning your trip that you are going to have a few extra days to spend in Toronto, I recommend arriving in the city a few days early to capitalize on the peak of the summer event season. September 1, the end of Worldcon, is also Labour Day, the traditional end of the summer event season, so most events that do not run year-round will be closed after that date. Below you will find a listing some of the summer events in the city that take place during the months of August and September. It's by no means an extensive list. There isn't enough space in the entire Progress Report for that. Throughout the article, I have quoted pricing information where it has been confirmed for the 2003 season already. The prices are in Canadian dollars and might change as the summer progresses. The first group of events is those that take place within the city of Toronto itself, and can be reached easily and quickly by public transit or car.
The Canadian National Exhibition
("The Ex")
Runs daily from August 15 to September 1
The Ex is a 125-year-old tradition located on the Toronto waterfront. With hundreds of rides, games and exhibits on its midway, the Ex is among the largest annual fairs in North America. It's the kind of fair where planners can put "babes-in-arms" on their ticket pricing signs. (Babes-in-Arms are admitted free with purchase of an adult pass, by the way.) The Ex is one of the largest events in Toronto, and attracts well over a million visitors each year. Easily accessible via public transit from the downtown core, the Ex will provide visitors with days worth of fun and excitement. In addition to its midway, the Exhibition grounds house an agricultural fair, an international bazaar and hundreds of shows by local performers ranging from demonstrations of Tai Chi to Skateboarding. Budget at least one or two days to see The Ex. Most of the events take place outdoors, although the international bazaar, food pavilion and some other events do take place in the permanent buildings on site.
Website: http://www.theex.com
Cirque du Soleil at the Ex
Selected Dates in August
If you have never seen the Cirque du Soleil perform, then I doubt I could accurately describe to you the sheer pleasure that is having the opportunity to take in one of their shows. Cirque du Soleil is a troupe of artists from Montreal who have single-handedly redefined the definition of a circus. Their shows feature everything from interpretive dance and song, to gravity defying acrobatics, and stunts. The troupe has established permanent shows in Las Vegas and Orlando. Its traveling shows are active on three continents. As part of an annual tradition, the Cirque du Soleil's distinctive yellow tent will be set up on the Exhibition grounds during the Canadian National Exhibition. This is a must-see show for anyone who manages to secure tickets. Information on dates, times and ticket prices will be posted on the troupe's official website in the next few months.
Website: http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/
The Skydome
Something interesting going on daily, year-round
The Skydome is Toronto's event stadium. Throughout the year it is home to various concerts and events. Playing in the Skydome, which is located just a walk down the street from the site of Torcon 3, the Toronto Blue Jays have been a fixture of summers in Toronto since 1976. The Jays will have 10 home games during the month of August. Ticket prices range from $7-60, excluding taxes. Tickets are available online through the Toronto Blue Jays' official website, or at the stadium's box office. Tickets are also available for the August and September home games of the Toronto Argonauts, our Canadian Football League team. Ticket prices for the Argonauts' 2003 season were not finalized before this issue went to print. Tours of the Skydome itself are available daily. The tours cost $12.50 per person and require approximately one hour. The tour itinerary varies based on what Skydome events are scheduled for the day, but can include tours of the stadium's media room, skyboxes, dressing rooms, and the playing field itself.
Website: http://www.skydome.com
The 10th Annual Taste of the Danforth
Festival
August 8-10
The Danforth is a part of the city that has the reputation of being one of Toronto's most cosmopolitan neighborhoods. It's the community where My Big Fat Greek Wedding was filmed. It is also considered the largest Greek neighborhood in North America. For one weekend in August, the Danforth is closed to road traffic for one of the best food fests in the city. Featuring showcases of Greek music, dancing, theatre and, of course, cuisine, the Taste of the Danforth Festival has something for everyone. Vendors representing the local community sell Greek crafts, clothing, and, you guessed it, food. Admission to the site of the festival is free.
Website: http://www.tasteofthedanforth.com
The 28th Annual Toronto International
Film Festival
September 4-13
In its 28 years of operation, The Toronto International Film Festival has gained a reputation for being the Canadian Cannes. With a special focus on Canadian films, the festival also features groundbreaking new work from directors around the world. Last year's event featured the theatrical debut of such films as 8 Mile, Bowling for Columbine, and Spirited Away. Most participating theatres are located in the downtown core. The films themselves are often only part of the evening's entertainment. The festival tends to attract celebrities from around the world; you just never know who you might end up sitting next to. Show and ticket information should go live on the festival's website in the summer. The festival recommends buying tickets as far in advance as possible.
Website: http://www.bell.ca/filmfest
The small towns and cities around the city are also very active during the summer. If you have the time, check out these wonderful events just minutes from Toronto:
The Ontario Renaissance Festival
Located in Milton, Ontario
Operates on weekends from July 19 - September 1
The Ontario Renaissance Festival is located about a 45 minute drive away from Toronto in the city of Milton, Ontario, or rather the city known as Milton on Monday through Friday. On summer weekends, the normal hustle and bustle of the city gives way to the excitement of Trillingham, a sixteenth century Tudor village. The village is located on 250 acres of wooded grove, with buildings and attractions in the renaissance style (and carefully concealed 21st century portable toilets). Trillingham is home to dozens of craft merchants, selling everything from tea to chainmail. You'll also find strange and wonderful performances by such celebrities as Zoltan the Adequate and the Theatre in the Ground acting troupe. You will need a car to get to the festival, and you'll need at least one day to take everything in. Special themed weekends occur during the summer months, including the Regional Jousting Championships. Check the faire's website frequently for listings of all special events as they become available.
Website: http://www.rennfest.com/orf
Paramount Canada's Wonderland
Located in Maple, Ontario
Operating Daily from May 23 - September 1
Canada's Wonderland features over 200 attractions sure to keep you and the little ones busy all day. The park boasts more than 60 roller coasters and all sorts of other devices designed to separate you from your lunch. You can also enjoy countless midway-style games, and entertaining shows ranging from stunts and Chinese acrobatics to dancing cartoon characters (I kid you not). The park also has a 16-slide waterpark that operates daily in the summer, weather permitting. Ticket prices for a full day of entertainment are $47.99 for adults and $23.99 for children and seniors. Taxes and parking fees are not included. Special pricing for guests with disabilities, guests who will not be riding the roller coasters, or guests in large groups, are also available. If you plan on visiting the park more than two or three times during you stay, a Season's Pass, priced at $92.99 may be a worthwhile investment. The park is conveniently located not far from the highway. Many hotels in the greater Toronto area also have shuttle services to the park. You can travel to the park by public transit, but it's quite time consuming.
Website: www.canadaswonderland.com
The Stratford Festival Located in
Stratford, Ontario
Runs from April to November
Each year, the Stratford features new productions of some of the most famous plays in the history of theatre. The festival has been host to some of the greatest actors of the theatre, including the late Sir Alec Guinness. This year's list of plays include a wide range of plays, from the Shakespearean classic, the Taming of the Shrew to Roger and Hammerstein's The King and I. The festival recommends that tickets are purchased as far in advance as possible, since they tend to sell out quickly. Ticket prices vary depending on the show, venue and seating, but start at about $40. For those who do not wish to drive up to Stratford, the festival operates a coach servicing selected matinee performances between June and September that can transport patrons directly from Toronto's Yorkdale Mall to Stratford and back again. Round trip tickets on the coach cost $35 per person in addition to your performance tickets. A trip to Stratford will require an entire day.
Website: http://www.stratfordfestival.ca
Last updated: 16 March 2003
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