weekend events toronto

Weekend events in Toronto October 28-30 2016

Weekend events in Toronto mostly revolve around Halloween, even if the big day falls on Monday. That one's for the kids, though - as the city's best parties and events go down over the next few days. Better get your costume locked down! And, hey, not to worry if you're anti-spooky fun; there's lots of other stuff going on in Toronto this weekend as well.

Here are my top picks for events in Toronto this weekend.

HALLOWEEN

Halloweeen Parties (Oct. 28-31, various locations)
This full bodied list is your guide to Halloween parties and events leading right past Sunday to the big night on Monday, so forgive our excitement. It includes zombie walks, haunted dance floors, and trick or treating inside Ripley's Aquarium.

Day of the Dead (Oct. 29, various locations)
Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, celebrations in Toronto showcase a Mexican tradition rich with history, beautiful costumes, and face paint. There are massive showcases at Wychwood Barns and parties in restaurants across the city.

Devil's Night (Oct. 30, various locations)
Devil's Night is Halloween-eve, and historically October 30 is a night for tricks and pranks, whereas October 31 is reserved for treats. Toronto's version of Devil's Night is basically a free pass to an extra night of partying.

Halloween movie events and screenings (Various dates and locations)
From classic horror films to festive quote alongs, there's no need to sit on your couch watching Scream Queens alone. Get out to a theatre and be entertained with creepy horror or plain old, so-bad-it's-good hilarious kitsch.

EVENTS

Art Toronto (Oct. 28-31, Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
Take a stroll and fantasize about filling your walls and shelves with beautiful pieces at Canada's largest international fair for modern and contemporary art. Lots of Toronto galleries are participating, and there's also the Art Book Fair happening simultaneously. Tickets start at $20.

Canzine (Oct. 29)
This one-day festival of zine culture and underground art takes over the AGO from 1 to 7 p.m. Admission is free and you'll see workshops, a marketplace, and a live zine race. Spend the afternoon with some of the city's most creative and daring artists and authors while supporting the art of print.

Jane Jacobs Tribute (Oct.29, Harbourfront Centre)
"Robert Kanigel, Nathan Storring, and Samuel Zipp discuss Jane Jacobs' legacy and how she changed our perception of the neighborhood and the city with David Miller." This is one of the final events of the International Festival of Authors, which wraps up Oct. 30.

Final Pedestrian Sunday (Oct. 30, Kensington Market)
Take one final 2016 car-free stroll through Kensington Market. There will be a street dance party, lots of costumed freaks dressed up for Halloween and of course, the usual marathon of vendors, food, and special performances in the middle of the road.

STAGE

Lennon: Through a Glass Onion (Oct. 28, Isabel Bader Theatre)
The Off-Broadway show comes to Toronto celebrating the genius, music and phenomenon of John Lennon. Part concert and part biography, the play includes 31 iconic hits and will have you singing along the entire time,

That's My Drag! (Oct. 28, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre)
This will be a huge night of drag with a Halloween twist! Imagine all the hair and makeup! This evening features the talents of TroyBoy Parks, Sapphyre Poisone, Rachael Temptation, Xtacy Love, Nikki Chin, Ala Mode, Allysin Chaynes and Devine Darlin.

Past Dark: Halloween Edition (Oct. 29, Bad Dog Theatre)
Using Stranger Things as their jumping off point, Past Dark doubles back to embrace some of the show's popular influences, like adventure films such as IT, E.T., and The Goonies.

FILM

Moonlight opens in Toronto theatres
One of the best movies at TIFF this year is already being hailed by critics as the best flick of the year. It opens at the TIFF Bell Lightbox and Varsity this weekend.

Angry Inuk (Oct. 28-Nov. 3, Hot Docs Cinema)
The buzzed-about, top audience pick at this year's Hot Docs festival returns to reveal an important story of how Indigenous voices have been muffled by ostensibly progressive activism. It's getting rave reviews and quickly becoming a Canadian must-watch.

Phantom of Paradise (Oct. 29, Royal Cinema)
Watch Brian De Palma's "Faustian" glam-rock musical horror film on the big screen. It's like Rocky Horror, but a bit more hardcore and ... ummm real? This one's for loud Halloween lovers.

MUSIC

Tegan and Sara (Oct. 28, Massey Hall)
These twins will perform stuff from their new album Love You To Death as well as hits from their already impressive back catalogue. The duo wear their hearts on their sleeves and always give it 100, so seeing them at Massey Hall is a special pre-Halloween treat.

MORE MUSIC

DANCING

Death to T.O. 6(66) (Oct. 29, Lee's Palace)
We all know the Dance Cave is a legendary spot, but have you been to their equally awesome halloween bonanza? It's a costume party and live band attack, and this year it's a tribute to Bowie and Prince, among many other acts. It's a wild dance party and concert in one.

MORE DANCING

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

Photo of the Steam Whistle Halloween Party.


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