weekend events toronto

Weekend events in Toronto April 1-3 2016

Weekend events in Toronto will fill your schedule with concerts, beer fests and trips to pop-up shops. Good news: it looks like we've managed to ditch the sleet and snow for good now, so you probably won't have to put your winter jacket to use (though there may be a little rain).

For more events this weekend click on over to our events section.

MUSIC

Soundtrack Of The City (March 31-April 3)
Spring festival season kicks off today with the local-focused Soundtrack Of The City. 60-plus bands play over four days at several clubs on Queen St., all within walking distance of one another. It's a great way to discover new bands you may not have heard of: $25 gets you a wristband covering every show in the festival, or it's only $10 per concert.

Pusha T (April 2)
Pusha T is hitting the Danforth Music Hall this Friday to perform his latest and greatest. As with all highly anticipated concerts tickets sold out in a flash, so you'll have to turn to StubHub if you want to see him live.

O-Town (April 3)
Throwback to the early 2000s and hit up Lee's Palace to rediscover your love for American boy bands. Fingers crossed that All Or Nothing is on the setlist.

Iron Maiden (April 3)
If pop hits aren't your jam, Iron Maiden is hitting the ACC for The Book of Souls World Tour. Expect a healthy dose of head-banging and thrashing. There are still a few tickets left, but you'll want to scoop them up ASAP.

FILM

Canadian Film Fest (March 30-April 2)
The Canadian Film Fest kicked off on Wednesday and is running up until Saturday evening. As per usual, the fest showcases a roster of features and shorts from homegrown rising cinematic talents. If you want to plan your weekend early, check out the schedule here.

Human Rights Watch Film Festival (March 30-April 2)
The Human Rights Watch Film Festival has taken over the TIFF Bell Lightbox and is showing films that "bring to life human rights abuses through storytelling in a way that challenges each individual to empathize and demand justice for all people". Check out all the festival details here.

FOOD & DRINK

Canada's First All Ladies Craft Beer Festival (April 1)
Canada's first female-centric craft beer festival is hitting the Evergreen Brick Works on April 1. The Society of Beer Drinking Ladies - who are known for putting on monthly bevies for broads in Toronto - is hosting the event and promising a night of bonfires, beats and plenty of booze.

Cameron's Cask Night (April 1)
If you want to get in on Cameron's Cask Night, you'll have to make the trek to Oakville - but for craft beer lovers, the journey is well worth it. The brewery is bringing in Wellington, Black Oak, Trafalgar and Orange Snail to share their brews and serving beverages from its own casks.

ENTERTAINMENT

House of Vans (March 16-April 2)
Regardless of if your a skateboarding fanatic, live music lover or are just really into the Damn, Daniel phenomenon, you'll probably want to hit up the House of Vans. This weekend, catch Most Things Haven't Worked Out, a new film by Devin Guiney, or head to the closing concert this Saturday - Kool Keith, Tommy Kruise and Bambii will be playing.

April Fools: An Evening of Comedy at Massey Hall Hosted by Gilbert Gottfried (April 1)
After you've spent the day playing practical jokes on your coworkers and friends, head to Massy Hall for an evening of lols. Gilbert Gottfried is hosting a comedy show featuring Nikki Payne, Zabrina Chevannes, Jeff Elliott, Darren Frost, Mayce Galoni, Matt O'Brien and Richard Ryder.

Pillow Fight Toronto 2016 (April 2)
You may want to schedule laundry day before April 2, because the massive annual pillow fight hits Nathan Phillips Square this Saturday. More than 2.4 thousand people have RSVP'd so you can bet on quite the showdown - bring your finest cotton-filled weapon and prepare yourself for a battle royale.

The Toronto Storytelling Festival (April 1-10)
This weekend you can catch storytelling events at Glad Day Bookshop, Innis College, Dufferin St. Clair Library, Bata Shoe Museum and more for the annual Toronto Storytelling Festival. There's also a kickoff party at The Centre for Social Innovation Annex on Saturday, if you want to get a little boozy.

NSYNC vs BACKSTREET : A Dance Party (April 2)
Backstreet's back, alright - and NYSNC is coming along for the ride. Unfortunately, neither boy band will be at Studio Bar in the flesh, but you'll get to dance to all your favourite pop songs with a host of other fangirls and fanboys. Remember to brush up on the groups' most memorable choreography.

POP-UP SHOPS

P.O.P Pop-Up Shop (April 1-3)
At the beginning of April the P.O.P Pop-Up Shop will take over a spot in Mirvish Village, selling a bevy of paintings, jewellery, bags, soaps, candles and more. If you want to party while you shop, head there on April 1st for the opening night bash.

La Playa Pop-Up Shop (April 1-30)
La Playa Pop-Up Shop will help you prepare for the impending days of beach bumming and rooftop tanning. Melmira is bringing high-end designer beachwear pieces from its home at Yonge and Lawrence to 12 Ossington Avenue for a month-long pop-up running seven days a week. Expect to find labels like Cool Change and Josa at 40% off.

The Bespoke Pop-Up Shop (April 2-3)
Head to Love & Greed on the first weekend of April to up your menswear game. While the store is already known to stock some pretty stellar duds, it's about to get even more fashionable. Toronto-based designer Tre Paul will be hosting a Bespoke Pop-Up Shop for one weekend only, so save your dollars.

Ice Cream Pop-Up Shop (April 3)
In the market for some brand new bling? OCADU Material Art and Design students are hosting an event showcasing their jewelry and textile creations. In keeping with the iced-out theme, there will also be vegan ice cream making and tasting activities.

Old Book and Paper Show (April 3)
Hit up Artscape Wychwood Barns this Sunday to check out (and/or purchase) old paper, ephemera and vintage books. You'll be able to get your hands on vintage concert and movie posters, photography, brochures, sewing patterns, postcards, prints, maps, magazines and more.

For more events this weekend click on over to our events section. Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit it for free using this form.

With contributions by Matt Forsythe. Photo by Jesse Milns.


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