Free things to do in Toronto this October go beyond Halloween. There's so much more to the city than end-of-month zombie walks and horror screenings. Award winning photo exhibits, markets, laser shows and rage room sessions will make this October an exciting one without draining your wallet. Get some sleep after Nuit Blanche, because there's lots more to do this month.

Here are my top free event picks for October in Toronto.

World Press Photo Exhibit (October 4-25)
This traveling exhibition of prize-winning entries assembled by World Press Photo is on display at Brookfield Place. It's the world's largest and most prestigious annual press photography contest and features everything from the beautiful to the disturbing. The building is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Bunz Flea Ep 1 (October 6)
The Bunz community is hosting a real life flea at the Gladstone Hotel! Drink, dance and trade or buy handmade, artisan goods from local vendors at this unique night market from 7 to 10 p.m. You'll be able to grab cupcakes, zines, artwork and a slew of other goods and services. Bring cash and your best trading items.

Monster Rock Orchestra (October 7)
From 7 to 11 p.m. at Yonge-Dundas Square, experience a "face melting roller-coaster of rock 'n roll and all-time favourite hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s and today." In addition to being a great big concert, there's a laser show. It's a hilariously big, noisy night out.

Progress of Place: Black on Earth Film Series (October 7)
Tickets to this amazing film series are free, but you have to book them in advance at the AGO here. In partnership with the Theaster Gates: How to Build a House Museum exhibit, this series questions the ongoing quest for Black freedom, histories and futures.

Rage Room Grand Opening (October 8)
The North York rage room has been smashing things to bits for a while now, but downtown is finally getting its own space and it's celebrating with free rage sessions all day on Oct. 8 from 1 to 11 p.m. You can smash up to five items for free.

Glow Sword Battle (October 8)
Formerly known as Lightsaber Battle Toronto (RIP), this new massive glowing sword battle is free. Bring your own sword, pick a side (good or evil) and battle it out (there are also swords available for sale). People will gather starting at 8 p.m. before the battle begins at 9 at Nathan Phillips Square.

Free Dancehall Class (October 11)
Not only is the Sony Centre offering free dancehall classes in one of its pro rehearsal studios, but it's also running free hip hop classes on Oct. 18. They're open to dancers of all levels and they begin at 5:30 p.m.

Fall Opening Party at the Power Plant (October 15)
Any excuse to get down to see this giant, waterfront space is a good one and its fall opening party is a goodie. Things are always free at this huge gallery, but this nighttime event is a bit more exciting. Be the first to experience three new exhibitions by artists Yto Barrada, Maria Loboda and Latifa Echakhch.

Talk with Mona Awad (October 19)
This author is the winner of the 2016 Amazon.ca First Novel Award and is long-listed for this year's Scotiabank Giller Prize. Awad's book 13 Ways of Looking At A Fat Girl is hilarious and touching, and she's doing a free Q&A at the Toronto Reference Library from 7-8 p.m.

Why The @#&! Do You Paint? (October 20-November 28)
This is the Gladstone's annual group painting show and you can see it all on the second floor gallery of the hotel. Curated by Spencer J, Harrison and Lukus Toane, this year's show - which is called Go Figure - features 37 figurative paintings with the intention of creating a reflective dialog about perceptions about the body.

Did I miss something free that you're excited about this October? Let us know in the comments!

Photo by Derek Flack.