Free events in Toronto this week include flower markets, film lectures, and big names at the Contact Photography Festival. While you could easily keep your chequing account intact by staying in all week, there are plenty of budget-friendly options worth leaving the house for.

Here's a roundup of free events in Toronto this week.

Contact Photography Festival (May 1-31)
The Contact Photography Festival stretches across the entire month of May, bringing out the best of the best in international photography. There are 20 free public installations on tap, including SPOTLIGHT, Alliance, Further Clarities and Convolutions and an Alec Soth opening this week.

Through The Lens of a Female Cameraperson (May 3)
Cinematographer Kirsten Johnson is headed to the Lightbox on Tuesday for a talk on gender representation in the documentary industry. If that's not your thing, the venue is also hosting another talk on Wednesday, which will bring out Turning Tables' CEO and two filmmakers to chat about "how documentary and music video shooting can be a vehicle for change in Syria, Myanmar and Africa."

GradEx 101 (May 4-8)
In its 101st year, GradEx will be a five-day exhibition across the OCAD University campus. Over 900 young artists and designers will showcase their work, including thesis work by graduating students. Over 18 different programs' work will be representing including photography, material art & design, printmaking, illustration and environmental design.

Fameless Karaoke (May 6)
Let out your inner star by belting out high notes at the Gladstone Melody Bar this weekend at the hotel's newest event series. On the 6th the hits will be strictly 90's, so prepare your best Mariah cover. You'll probably need a little bit of liquid courage, so I suggest pre-gaming for this one.

Blossom and Bloom (May 6-7)
The newly renovated West Wing and Oak Room of Union Station will be transformed into a floral wonderland for May 6 and 7. While you'll have to shell out some cash if you want to purchase any flora or fauna, there will be live music, a complimentary henna station and large scale sculpture flower garden which you can enjoy for free.

Have a free event you'd like to plug? Submit it to our Toronto events calendar using this form.

Photo of Grad Ex by Natta Summerky.