Dream in High Park, photo by Dahlia Katz courtesy of Canadian Stage
The summer of 2024 is in full swing! Are you making the most of the warmer weather by spending it outdoors? If not, there are many fun outdoor events you can add to your calendar to ensure you get outside. Whether you enjoy sports, music, art, or culture. This summer, going to different events across the city will also give you a chance to see the city’s unique neighborhoods and enjoy the fun that the city brings to a summer day or night. Let’s look at some of the biggest outdoor events in Toronto in summer 2024!
Keep reading to learn more about all the best arts and culture events, street fairs, and other things to do in Toronto this summer 2024. Keep an eye on these live music concerts and events, and plan your summer accordingly.
Come to the water’s edge on Thursday and Sunday nights in summer 2024 for small live music events in the Summer Music in the Garden series! Enjoy free concerts by musicians from Canada and around the world at the picturesque Toronto Music Garden. This wide range of acts — from jazz to classical to country and more — will make your summer nights sound beautiful as you spend the evening outdoors.
● When: Every Thursday and Sunday from June 21 to August 29, 2024,
● Where: The Toronto Music Garden, Harbourfront Centre
Toronto Food Truck Festival 2024
The food truck craze has taken over Toronto and there’s a good reason why. Enjoy the day outside while tasting a variety of cuisines from popular food trucks at the Toronto Food Truck Festival. The food truck craze has tried to take food from all over Toronto. A lot of tasty and unique snacks, like lobster rolls and tacos with a Vietnamese twist, will be available for you to try. On top of that, you can enjoy live performances, eating challenges, and more at the event, which is free to join.
● When: August 2–5, 2024
● Where: Woodbine Park, 1695 Queen Street East
The Toronto Food Truck Festival returns to Woodbine Park in 2024 from Friday, August 2, 2024 to Monday, August 5, 2024. Enjoy a wide variety of cuisine including vegetarian, vegan, Halal and gluten free options from popular Toronto Food Trucks, while listening to live music. Beer will be available for purchase. Some of the food trucks at the festival include Tornado Fries, Philthy Philly’s, Blue Claw Lobster Shack, Gourmet Guyz, Ali’s Wraps, Heavenly Dreams Ice Cream, Tut’s Egyptian Street Food, Greek Goat, Buster’s Sea Cove, HK Station, Ontario Corn Roasters, Cheesecake by Heirloom, Alifie’s Lemonade, Tropic Love, Super Churros, The Arepa Republic, Communal Eats, Rebozos Taqueria and Kathi Roll Express.
Contestants will be participating in eating challenges to win prizes. DJ and music performances by Pearl Jamming, The Hip Experience, Reckless Bryan and Monkey Wrench. SickKids Foundation is the charitable partner of Canadian Food Truck Festivals. Free admission. Please make a cash donation to the hospital at the entrance to the festival. Hours are Friday, August 2, 2024 from 5 pm to 10 pm Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 12 pm to 10 pm, Sunday, August 4, 2024 from 12 pm to 10 pm and Monday, August 5, 2024 from 12 pm to 8 pm Woodbine Park is located at 1695 Queen St. E. (Lake Shore Blvd. E. and Coxwell Avenue).
Dream in High Park, photo by Dahlia Katz courtesy of Canadian Stage
Dream in High Park 2024
Are you a theater lover? There’s nothing more exciting that watching a Shakespeare play outdoors in the evening. Canadian Internships Dream in High Park has been putting on live outdoor performances of Shakespeare’s works for more than 40 years. In 2024, the drama and deception of Hamlet will be performed at the High Park Amphitheater. Tickets for this famous and classic story of life, death, and payback are Adults $32; Child (16 and under) $19 and can be purchased online. High Park is located at 1873 Bloor Street West.
● When: From July 21 to September 1, 2024
● When: At the High Park Amphitheater
Toronto Caribbean Carnival Grande Parade 2024
The Grande Parade, the highlight of Toronto Caribbean Carvinal, will happen on August 3, 2024 at Exhibition Place and Lakeshore Boulevard. Enjoy a full day outdoors as you watch and listen to masqueraders and steelpan performers. The route begins at Exhibition Place and continues along Lake Shore Boulevard West. Watching the parade is free, but there is an admission fee to watch the parade of the Mas Bands.
● When: August 3, 2024
● Where: Exhibition Place and Lake Shore Boulevard West, 15 Saskatchewan Road
Another popular outdoor music festival in Toronto is the Veld Music Festival, which returns to Downsview Park. The popular electronic music event will feature Martin Garrix, Marshmello, Alan Walker, Seven Lions, James Hype, Alok, Cheyenne Giles, Green Velvet, Ray Volpe, Max Styler, Le Youth, Cirez D, Subtronics, Alesso, Steve Aoki, Eric Prydz , Sam Feldt, Marsh, Jonas Blue, Fisher, and many others. However, not everyone can handle the loud music. If you have a hearing problem, you may need to obtain hearing aids and might want to pass on attending this event. General Admission Festival Pass is $421.60; VIP Festival Pass is $545.57; General Admission Friday Pass is $272.78; General Admission Saturday Pass is $260.39 and can be purchased online.
● When: August 2-4, 2024
● Where: Downsview Park, 70 Canuck Ave, North York, ON M3K 2C5
The Waterfront Night Market 2024
The Waterfront Night Market in Toronto is a thrilling outdoor summer event for food and arts & culture lovers. Try various culinary delights while enjoying musical and dance performances. Friday and Saturday are for Adults (19+) only while Sunday is all ages. Friday and Saturday tickets are $24.95 to $48.95; Sunday tickets are Adults (19+) $19.95; Youth (13-18) $16.95 and Family Pass (4 people) $45. All tickets include floating lantern and access to WNMFEST.
● When: August 9-11, 2024
● Where: Hotel
The CNE is open on Labor Day.
Spend all day outdoors at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE)! This major annual summer event in Toronto marks the end of summer with a rich mix of entertainment, Midway rides, games, live music, food, cultural exhibits, vendor marketplaces and of course, the popular Air Show featuring the Canadian Snowbirds. Attending “The Ex” is certainly a beloved tradition for many families. In 2024, some of the performers at the Bell CNE Bandshell include Paul Langlois Band, The Reklaws, April Wine, Big Boi, Jay Douglas, Boston Levi, Teigen Gayse, Farmer Nappy, Mackenzie Porter, Royal Tusk, Brittany Howard, Dr. Jay & Friends, Bahamas, Big Wreck, Half Moon Run and more. Bell CNE Bandshell concerts are included with CNE admission.
CNE Advance Admission Pass is $22.12 plus $2.99 processing fee and 13% HST; CNE Advance Ride All Day Pass is $44.25 plus $2.99 processing fee and 13% HST. CNE Advance tickets can be purchased online.
● When: August 16 to September 2, 2024
● Where: Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Boulevard
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wearing the City Connect Night Fashion Jersey
Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Center August 2024
One of the most fun outdoor events in Toronto in summer 2024 is a Toronto Blue Jays game at the Rogers Center with the dome open of course! The Blue Jays have several home games during August 2024. Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster or at the Rogers Center Box Office:
Tuesday, August 6, 2024, 7:07 pm – Baltimore Orioles
Wednesday, August 7, 2024, 7:07 pm – Baltimore Orioles
Thursday, August 8, 2024, 7:07 pm – Baltimore Orioles
Friday, August 9, 2024, 7:07 pm – Oakland Athletics
Saturday, August 10, 2024, 3:07 pm – Oakland Athletics
Sunday, August 11, 2024, 1:37 pm – Oakland Athletics
Monday, August 19, 2024, 7:07 pm – Cincinnati Reds
Tuesday, August 20, 2024, 7:07 pm – Cincinnati Reds
Wednesday, August 21, 2024, 7:07 pm – Cincinnati Reds
Thursday, August 22, 2024, 7:07 pm – Los Angeles Angels
Friday, August 23, 2024, 7:07 pm – Los Angeles Angels
Saturday, August 24, 2024, 3:07 pm – Los Angeles Angels
Sunday, August 25, 2024, 1:37 pm – Los Angeles Angels
This summer, seize the opportunity to enjoy outdoor events in Toronto as there are a range of exciting events taking place, whether you are interested in outdoor theatre, festivals, concerts or sports events. Even dealing with a hearing impairment, you can still enjoy many outdoor events in Toronto in August 2024!
