Free events in Toronto this week are going to the dogs - free hot dogs, that is. Then there are indie music shows, film screenings, and street fests galore to entertain you if you lost all your money betting on A Horse Named Lightning at the Honda Indy. How were you to know Honda wasn't a breed of horses? It's not like you or your parents could buy a car with those TTC tokens desperately hoarded whenever the destination is within forty-five minutes walking, rain or shine.

Here's where to rest your weary, shoddily-adorned feet in Toronto for free this week.

Nerdy Talk
A free comedy show on the Danforth for geeks, lovers of geeks, and the tentatively geek-curious. Monday, July 21, 9:30pm, Black Swan Tavern (154 Danforth, 2nd Floor).

FREE SHOW!! W/ Freedom, Good Conduct, & Home Alone
Free music to be had at Sneak's, with "cheap booze, and free karaoke after." Monday, July 21, 8pm, Sneaky Dee's (431 College Street West).

BamBoo at The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern!
Local radio station Indie88, who promise Toronto no vanilla (and instead dish up something akin to French vanilla bean), are dishing out plaid wearing foursome BamBoo, who in turn want to give you free copies of their Mountains EP. Tuesday, July 22, 9pm, The Horseshoe (370 Queen Street West).

Fancy Franks' National Hot Dog Day: FREE Hot Dogs in Support of SickKids
Free food for a cause - National Hot Dog Day in Toronto are flipping dogs in support of SickKids charities on Wednesday. One free hot dog per person will be served on the Fancy Franks College Street patio (326 College Street) between 12-7pm on July 23rd.

Outdoor Screening of THE LUNCHBOX
Summertime free screenings continue with The Lunchbox, "a film about an unlikely romance between a lonely young wife and an accountant on the verge of retirement" from India. Bring some change for popcorn. Wednesday, July 23, Outside Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas Street East).

Post A Letter Social Activity Club
By donation letter writing supplies, and a free excuse to write a letter home to Mississauga. Stamps are also available by donation, but if you're truly scrappy you might just want to scan that letter and email it when you get home. Wednesday July 23, 7pm, Wise Bar (1007 Bloor St West).

FREE Drive-in and Sock hop in Downtown Markham
Sad that you're too broke to get out of Markham? Here's a free screening of Grease. Summer lovin' and a sock hop. Wednesday, July 23, 7pm, 85 Enterprise Blvd. Markham.

Field Trip Discovery Series III
Indie acts Grounders, Fresh Snow, Programm, and Dirty Frigs are all playing a free show at the Garrison this Thursday. Arrive before 9pm for a free beer. The catch? You have to RSVP with your SIN number (just kidding about that last part) online. July 24, 8pm, The Garrison (1197 Dundas St West).

Music in St. James Park: Nostalgia Chamber Ensemble
By now you know the drill - outdoor concert lawn chair/picnic blanket romance. This week Nostalgia Chamber Ensemble will be playing classical arrangements of musical, opera, ad oldie favourites. Thursday, July 24, 7pm, St. James Park (120 King Street East).

Cultura Festival
Cultura Fest is back at Mel Lastman Square for one more Friday. Performers, art installs, and film screenings are all free. July 25, Mel Lastman Square (5100 Yonge Street).

EASY LIFE
Show up at Parts & Labour before 11pm, and this party featuring Prince Innocence (DJ) and more is free (otherwise it's $5). Friday, July 25, 10pm, Parts & Labour (1566 Queen St. West).

Movie Night in Liberty Village Park
Head to Liberty Village for a free screening of Jurassic Park. That's Jurassic, not gentrifurassic. Friday, July 25, 8:30pm, Liberty Village Park (70 East Liberty St).

I HAVE EATEN THE CITY Tape release : first official show at RATIO!
A PWYC show (so bring some change) at Toronto's newest mixed-used art space in Kensington Market. Khora and Fake Humans (Carl Didur/ Colin Fisher) will play along with I Have Eaten the City, who are releasing their firstly album since 2007. Friday, July 25, 9pm, Ratio (283 College Street).

The Lab Cab Festival
One of the summer's most anticipated street fest's is Lab Cab in Parkdale. Check out one of Toronto's most creative neighbourhoods for music, readings, art happenings, food, dance, theatre, patio hangs, and more. Saturday, July 26, 2-9pm, Parkdale - over 75 venues on Queen Street West, between Dufferin St. and Roncesvalles Ave.

2014 North American Women's Parkour Jam
Literally feeling like you're climbing up the walls? Here's the sports event for you. The Monkey Vault Movement Training Centre is the headquarters of this event where all the workshops are free. Check out more here. Saturday, July 26, The Monkey Vault Movement Training Centre (100 Symes rd).

Indy Comics Showcase
Back Space (Comic Book Lounge and Temple of Toys) is taking their turn to showcase DIY comics this weekend. Saturday, July 26, 12-7pm, Back Space Toronto (587A College St.)

Taste of...
All of these neighbourhoods in Toronto are holding Taste of... celebrations this Saturday (lucky you) which are, of course, free to be wandered. The Junction; Cabbagetown; Beach Village; Riverside.

Animated GIF Workshop at Xpace
Xpace wants to teach you how to make animated gifts, and all they ask in return is that you remember to sign up and show up with your laptop and the video you want to make into a gif. You will be judged according to how cute/weird your provided video is. Saturday, July 26, 1-4pm, Xpace Cultural Centre (2-303 Lansdowne Ave).

MAN FINDS FIRE Presents a SUMMER SESH/BBQ @ GEARY LANE
If you've got a few dollars burning a whole in your pocket for a pay-what-you-can affair, check out this new DIY concert space on Geary and live music by Bile Sister, Mimico, Akua, and more. Saturday, July 26, 12-6pm, Geary Lane (360 Geary Street).

Unity Festival
Enough with the underground indie rock/psych smatterings and onto some hip hop. Catch Maestro Fresh Wes, Biz Markie, Raz Fresco, Airplane Boys, and more for free at Yonge-Dundas Square on Saturday. Learn more about Unity Festival here. Saturday, July 26, Yonge-Dundas Square, free.

White Picket Fencing then BBQ then Games
If you've never fenced before, here's a chance to learn for free. If you're a pro (or a middling enthusiast) the tournament is free to enter as well. You're advised to bring your own jacket if possible. Games will be on hand as well at this potluck/BBQ - potluck means bring something edible, cheapskate. Sunday, July 27, 4pm, 21 Trent Ave.

MATSURI 2nd Toronto Japanese Summer Festival by Kurakake
MATSURI is back to bring all things Japanese here to you in Toronto, which is lucky since you can't even afford gas to Montreal these days. From music and drumming to fashion and food, Yonge-Dundas Square will be showing its inner Tokyo on Sunday. July 27, 10am-9pm, Yonge-Dundas Square.

2014 Toronto Vintage Bicycle Show
Stroll through Trinity Bellwoods this Sunday to gaze at vintage bikes galore. Warning: if you're currently bike-less or yearning for a beautiful bike to replace your beat up embarrassment of a Craigslist find, this might be more of a tease than you can stand. Sunday, July 27, 10am-5pm, Trinity Bellwoods Park.

CPFF Days of Summer: Rear Window
Rear Window is this week's screening at Christie Pits. Bring a donation, a blanket, and someone to grip hands with during this Hitchcock flick. Sunday, July 27, 7:30pm, Christie Pits Park (779 Crawford Ave West).

• 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
• Free patio concerts, Thursday until Aug 7, Roy Thomson Hall
• 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).