free toronto

10 free things to do in Toronto this June

The top free events in Toronto this June make it easy for you to dance, eat, read and shop - all without bringing your wallet. I mean, bring it just in case you want to buy something, but no one will judge you if you don't have cards or cash on you.

Pride Month (June 1-31) (Various)
This year, Pride takes over the city for an entire month! That's a lot of gay. There are loads of ticketed events like the Bruce LaBruce launch party at AGO First Thursdays on June 2, but in addition to that, there is a human rights panel with Margaret Atwood, Dancing on the Pier with a gay flamenco dance show at Harbourfront, and a light parade on Ossington.

Afex Festival (June 12-18) (Various)
There are only two days with ticketed events at the 2nd annual African Experience Festival, and that's June 12 and 14. Otherwise, the entire thing is free, and it's pretty amazing. A photo exhibit, youth conference, soccer game and street festival on the final day.

Toronto Jazz Fest Free Friday (June 21) (Various)
Toronto Jazz Fests has a free-for-all Friday lineup! Smokey Robinson and Martha Reeves and Vandellas performed a couple years back in Nathan Phillips Square. The headliner hasn't been announced yet, but it will most likely be a goody. No admission fee. Jazz shows across the city are also free that day.

Toronto Art Book Fair (June 16-19) (Artscape Youngplace)
Celebrating print culture, in its most beautiful forms, it's the first ever Art Book Fair featuring national and international vendors, curated exhibitions, and community programming including a speakers series and workshops.

Junction Summer Solstice Festival (June 18) (The Junction)
Celebrate the longest day of the year from noon until midnight in the Junction with shows, workshops, laneway tours and a late-night projection show.

Toronto Etsy Midsummer Market (June 18) (Campbell House Museum)
Crafts, workshops, tutorials, snacks inside and outside of the Campbell House at Queen and Univeristy. A personal favourite, food jewelry by Candiware.

Day of Delight (June 19) (Dufferin Grove Park)
Join artists, puppeteers, actors, singers, circus performers and dancers as they frolic around Dufferin Grove park celebrating "courtship and desire." I think this means lots of people hanging from trees, flowing fabrics and kissy faces.

OM T.O. (June 19) (Distillery District)
A full day of free outdoor yoga in the Distillery District! Downward Dog your way around lost bridal parties as teachers from the city's top yoga studios from Moksha Yoga, Yoga Tree, The Yoga Sanctuary, Spynga, BeHot Yoga, Iam Yoga, Soghrati Yoga, Union Yoga and 889 Yoga teach and practice all over the place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tape condition: Degraded (June 16- Sept 8) (Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives)
Tape Condition: degraded is an immersive installation and community digitization station that engages with the CLGA's collection of more than 3,000 VHS tapes, about one-third of which are p0rn. The station is hidden behind a false wall. There's also a series of summer programs based around the station and a lot more.

Fresh City's Open Farm (June 26) (Downsview Park)
Free farm and greenhouse tours, a pop-up farmer's market, "farm flow yoga", live music and local beers and organic wine. Spend a day on the farm, in the city.

In an earlier version of this post, I stated that Smokey Robinson and Martha Reeves and Vandellas were performing at the TD Jazz Fest this year. That's not correct.


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