The 10 best things to do this week in Toronto

Summer is almost here and the city is alive and well with plenty of arts, shopping, food and more to enjoy! From a special edition of ROM After Dark to a decades-themed dance party, here are 10 things to do in Toronto this week. 

See Black Panther with a live orchestra

Black Panther has quickly become one of the most popular superhero movies of all time — and this week, you can enjoy it with an added, musical perk. On Thursday and Friday, The Toronto Symphony Orchestra will be playing the beautiful score while the film plays on the big screen.

Get a taste of Italian film culture

outdoor movie

Beginning this Tuesday, the Lavazza IncluCity Festival is bringing an open-air cinema to the Distillery District! Featuring mostly Italian contemporary films with some movies from other countries in the mix, the festival runs until July 1 and you can enjoy everything from horror to comedy to romance.

Enjoy a dog-friendly charcuterie class

If both you and your dog love snacking, there’s an event happening this Tuesday that you won’t want to miss! Head to BFFs & Barkuterie, a dog-friendly charcuterie class, and learn how to assemble a charcuterie board for you and your dog. Plus, enjoy two drinks, photo ops and, of course, plenty of doggy cuteness! And know that 100 per cent of the proceeds from the event will go toward supporting the development of animal wellness booths at Toronto youth shelters.

Celebrate the last day of Pride Month with a queer comedy show

Sure, the Pride parade was last weekend, but that doesn’t mean Pride Month is over yet! On Friday, the last day of Pride, head to Comedy Bar on Bloor West for Gay AF Late Nite: Pride After Party and get in some good laughs thanks to some of Toronto’s top queer comedians — including headliner Kyle Brownrigg, Inés Anaya, Keegan Hawkeswood and more. 

Fill up at Toronto Ribfest

@ribfestto/Instagram

For the rib lovers, there is perhaps no greater weekend than this one — the weekend of Ribfest. Happening all weekend long at Centennial Park Road in Etobicoke, the free festival will feature 10 of North America’s best rib teams ready to serve you the best of the best when it comes to ribs, plus some other classic festivals foods such as blooming onions and poutine.

Dance it out at a decades party

@decadesdanceparty/Instagram

If you’ve never been to a decades party, it’s pretty much exactly how it sounds: every hour, you can dance to the music of a new decade with a new DJ! Happening at Handlebar on Friday, you can dance to the music of the 1970s all the way to the 2020s! Dress the part by wearing the clothes of your favourite decade — as long as they’re comfortable enough for a night full of dancing!

Be yourself at ROM After Dark

ROM After Dark has been hosting some of the most incredible cultural events in the city, and this Friday is no exception. Enjoy an end-of-Pride-month extravaganza featuring live performances by queer artists, pop-up interactives, games, art, snacks and a dance floor. And if you want a change of scenery, take advantage of the event’s venue by touring any of the ROM’s exhibitions.

Poke fun at Canada at this comedy roast

Have some grievances about Canada you need to air out? Head to Comedy Bar East on Saturday and get ready to see this country roasted to shreds thanks to Roast Master Sebastiano “Bash” Fazio at the Canada Day Roast. The event promises to roast everything from poutine to prime ministers to convoys, so be prepared to laugh!

Shop the Ontario Artisan Market

@ontarioartisanmarket/Instagram

The Ontario Artisan Market has its first market of the summer happening this Sunday, so get some seasonal shopping in during the long weekend! Happening at Evergreen Brick Works, you can shop over 70 local vendors featuring handmade goods and products, plus some prepared foods to snack on after you’re done shopping.

See the spectacle of the Royal Canadian Circus

The Royal Canadian Circus has been around for over 10 generations, and this year, the family-owned and family-oriented organization is bringing the tour to the United States as well! Touring across North America, they’ll be stopping in Etobicoke from Thursday to Sunday, so grab ticket and bring the whole family along for an evening of fun (and most importantly, no exotic animals). 

For more events happening this month, click here.