Weekend events in Toronto suggest that as much as Torontonians love summer, we really, really enjoy fall as well. There are so many exciting festivals and parties happening inside and out, it'll be hard to remember the last season altogether!

Here are my top picks for events on the first weekend of fall in Toronto.

FESTIVALS

in/future (September 23-25, Ontario Place)
By far the most unique thing to happen at Ontario Place since the log ride, the in/future arts festival has been a hit. The Small World Music festival runs throughout, while performances and films in the Cinesphere change everyday. Get there before it's over!

World Cup of Hockey (September 23-25, Hockey Fan Village)
Green Day may have cancelled, but it's all good, Lenny Kravitz stepped in and everyone's excited again. Seeing folks walking around the city with jerseys from around the has been pretty fun and the games have been packed. Head down to the Fan Village near the distillery district to watch games, pose with the Stanley Cup and see pop up performances.

JFL 2016 (September 23-October 1, Sony Centre)
The Just for Laughs Festival takes over the stages of comedy clubs and concert venues all across Toronto. Big name comedians like Roseanne Barr, Trevor Noah and Tig Notaro are all set to make you laugh on opening night. Get your butt to the official website for all the acts performing during the fest.

Word on the Street (September 25, Harbourfront Centre)
Book and magazine lovers unite! The annual Word on the Street fest returns with hundreds of author events, presentations and workshops, and a marketplace that boasts the best selection of Canadian books and magazines you'll find anywhere. There loads of deals to be had and great nerdy people to meet.

YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) (September 24, Metro Hall)
100 community groups from across Toronto at your fingertips in a social space to learn about what's happening, exchange ideas and strategies to make change, and turn the tables on politicians and policy makers. This one's for the city lovers.

Pedestrian Sunday (September 25, Kensington Market)
OMG, it's the second last Pedestrian Sunday. You already know what to do. Get over to Kensington, walk around, eat, drink, people watch, dance and just enjoy being outside in one of the city's most colourful neighbourhoods.

Christie Crawl Fest (September 25, Christie Pits Park and area)
This is a new festival combining four annual events into one epic day at Christie Pits Park. The David Suzuki Foundation, Laneway Project, Bells on Bloor and Friends of Christie Pits Park
team up for a musical parade led by Lemon Bucket Orkestra, a pop-up art market, laneway crawl and a celebratory bike parade. There's also lots of food and wine.

FOOD & DRINK

Toronto Donauschwaben (September 24, Toronto Blue Danube)
Head east to the Toronto Blue Danube in Scarborough for this sausage fest. Expect a bit of an older crowd, but also some amazing traditional German food and dance group performances. Start scarfing from 4p.m. to midnight. Tickets for members are $18, guests $24 and $28 at the door.

Oktoberfest at Wonderland (September 24-25, Canada's Wonderland)
Entrance to Canada's Wonderland for this two-day beer bash is free with admission to the park. Just make sure to ride the rollercoasters before you visit. There's lots of food, beer, bands and games; all you need to do is provide the lederhosen. A day ticket to the park is $27, and festivities happen all day.

Farm to Fork (September 24-25, Fork York)
Maybe the cutest food fest all year, this one includes talented local musicians, dance, art, workshops, as well as heritage apple pie making workshops, biodynamic wine tastings, seed saving and daily tours of the Fort's on-site heirloom garden, community gardens and beehives. An Ontario organic farmers' market and a speaker series are also happening.

2nd Annual Great Lakes Brewery Pig Roast (September 24, Great Lakes Brewery)
Celebrate the final day of Toronto Beer Week with a giant pig roast. With music from Tommy Youngsteen and activities like bocce ball and cornhole toss, how can you miss this? Especially when it's combined with $5 beers and unique cask ales all day.

SHOPPING

Toronto Comic Book Show (September 25, Toronto Plaza Hotel)
Taking place on Sunday, this is the place for comic book lovers. 60 vendors, prizes given away every hour and over a million dollars worth of the very best in new and vintage comics books. There are rare comics and books, as well as dollar bins, and it's billed as "the hottest single day pure comic book show in Ontario."

• Etsy Made in Canada (September 24, OCAD)
• Craftadian (September 24, The International Centre)
• Marjory Makers Market (September 24, Grinder)

ART

Surface II art party (September 24, Artscape Sandbox)
This very big and fun collective art gallery show and party proves that the state of the Toronto art gallery is a good one. Get to know five of Torontos best independent art galleries as they join forces for this one-night-only art fair. Everything you see is for sale.

• Emerging Toronto Artists (September 23, Super Wonder Gallery)
• Canadian Art presents free gallery talks and fall issue launch (September 24, various galleries)
• Junction Artists' Exhibition (La Revolucion)

FILM

50 years of Star Trek (September 24 - December 30, TIFF Bell Lightbox)
Star Trek talks, a full film retrospective and free marathon screenings of the original Star Trek episodes happen all fall at the Lightbox. There's also an exploration through film of sci-fi movies influenced by Star Trek. Don't forget the big Boombox party at the end of October which will be heady on the Trekki tip.

• Toronto Palestine Film Fest (Until September 25, TIFF Bell Lightbox)
• Progress of Place: Black on Earth Film Series - Program 1 (September 23, AGO)
• Free Outdoor Zootopia screening (September 24, Ashbridges Bay Green P Parking Lot)

MUSIC

American Lips feat. Sebastien of DFA1979 (September 23, Silver Dollar)
Canadian rock thing Sebastien Grainger of DFA1979 returns from L.A to introduce a new band called American Lips w/ MTL's Adrian Popovich (ex-Tricky Woo) and Jessica Bruzzese, as well as their new label, Ancient Fashion Records. This is going to be a loud one, but something fun and fresh from a long-lost local music fave.

• Canada's Walk of Fame Festival (September 23-25, Yonge-Dundas Square)
• Streetlight Manifesto (September 23, Danforth Music Hall)
• Zoo Owl / Slow Down Molasses / Hush Pup / Mother Tongues (September 24, The Baby G)
• Humongous Music Sale (September 24, St. Andrew's United Church)
• Tribute to Crytuff Sound System (September 24, Bandit Brewery)
• The Proclaimers (September 24, Danforth Music Hall)
• Rhythm Express And Heavyweights Brass Band (September 25, Lula Lounge

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Runway Run (September 24, Toronto Pearson International Airport)
Get up close and personal with airplanes and go behind the scenes at Canada's largest airport at this unforgettable, one-of-a-kind run. Run a 5k or walk a 2k on the runway. Bring your bags in case you're inspired to fly away after. Hurry up and register here.

DANCING

The Big Sound (September 23, The Great Hall)
DJs Wes Allen (Under the Influence) and Matt Cully (Goin' Steady DJs/Chronologic) spin before and after the big show from The Big Sound! If you've never been to this dance night of live soul music, a celebration of the Motown era of soul, you don't know what you're missing. It's a wild dance party with ultra talented musicians and dancers.

• Watcha Sayin' (September 23, Bambi's)
• Flashing Lights (September 23, Unlovable)
• Feministry (September 23, Round)
• The Rent: Fade to black (The Beaver)
• Hey Girl Hey (September 24, The Steady)
• Electric Circus (September 24, The Garrison)
• Equinox with Dennis Cruz (September 24, Sunnyside Pavilion)
• Nerdgasm (September 24, WAYLA)
• Dudebox presents: Tutu (September 24, 6 Noble Street)
• Tenderness (September 24, The Emmet Ray)

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events section and have a great weekend!

Photo of PS Kensington by Hector Vasquez.