Free events in Toronto this week let you snoop around heritage buildings at Doors Open, hang out and eat some grub with circus folk (and maybe try tome tumbling, if you ask nice), pet lots of adorable and possibly costumed doggies at Woofstock, and of course soak up some free comedy and music. Don't forget that Contact is still on around the city, too - including an impressive show at MOCCA.

Here's how to have the world in your lap in Toronto this week if you can't afford to keep a lap dog.

Toronto International Circus Festival - Community BBQ
What better way to spend Victoria Day Monday than at an east end circus centre with a bunch of freaks? Kidding, these aren't freaks (or they're nice, if they are), and this is is a family friendly event. With snacks. Monday, May 19, 6pm, Centre of Gravity (1300 Gerrard Street East).

Nerdy Talk
Fan Fiction The Show performers/comedians Jeff Clark, Justin Ecock, and Dale Wells will tell stories about video games (Lana Del Rey?), dating, Star Wars, and more. Monday, May 19, 9:30pm, Black Swan Tavern (154 Danforth Ave).

Rad! Punk! Rawk!:: HERVANA, SPOILS, Filthy Liars and Zoey
Here's a chance to see Hervana for PWYC - it's suggested $5, but Kurt Cobain would have let you get in for a buck behind his manager's back, and so will these Nirvana coverin' women. Tuesday, May 20, Handlebar (159 Augusta Ave.)

COSMIC SLOP
Local bands Prince Ness and Little Ghost, plus host Tom Joliffe, are all throwing a free show just for you. Thank you based surreal sci fi internet art blogs. Thursday, May 22, Handlebar (159 Augusta Ave.)

The 3rd Toronto Smartphone Film Festival
Thursday's your chance to catch free flicks at Scotiabank Theatre. The catch? They were all made by smart phones. The catch to that? Some will be interesting (I guess). The fest also promises short funny comedy skits, and music. Click the link above to learn more. Thursday, May 22, 6:15pm, Scotiabank Theatre (259 Richmond Street West).

Exposure Photo and Video Imaging Show presented by Henry's
Camera nerd? us too. Don't just show up! Free tickets to this show and sale featuring 60 exhibitors and 80 seminars can only be gripped at Henry's locations or by signing up for the Exposure newsletter. May 23-25, The International Centre (6900 Airport Rd).

Doors Open Toronto 2014
One of Toronto's best free events is Doors Open Toronto - if you like to snoop around historic sites (if you don't, what is your deal?). Learn more about what's on from their website. Saturday, May 24, 10am-5pm.

Woofstock
North America's largest outdoor festival for dogs is part doggie socializing extravaganza, part expo for fancy pooch accessories, and part meet and great for pet lovers. Think designer dogs, handbag sized animals in costume, free swag, and pugs, pugs, pugs. It's also a great chance for the city's dog rescues to get exposure and link up with people looking to foster or adopt dogs in need (they're poor like you). Saturday, May 24, Woodbine Park.

SlowPitch Live In-Store
We've featured sci-fi loving turntablist SlowPitch in our Breakout Band series, and here's a chance to see him work those decks live and for free. Bring some cash to grab his album - trust me, you'll want it. Sunday, May 25, 3pm, Sonic Boom in Kensington Market (201 Augusta Ave).

Also, check out these regular free events in Toronto

• Elvis Mondays at the Drake
• Foosball Battle Royale, Monday, Disgraceland
• Art Gallery of Ontario free evening, Wednesday, 6-8:30pm.
• IFOA Weekly, free for supporters, students, & youth under 26, Wednesday, Harbourfront Centre
• Skin of My Nuts Comedy Show, Thursday, Sonic Espresso Bar
• Canadian Opera Company's Free Concerts series
• While nearly all art galleries in the city are free to enter, it's worth noting The Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA) is always PWYC.
• The ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) offers discounted tickets on Fridays ($10).

Do you want everyone to know about your kinda random free or pay-what-you-can event? Submit it to our event section. (You can also submit your for-money events here, greedy-pants.)

Photo of City Hall observation deck by Scott Snider