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Wondering what’s on in Toronto this summer? Whether you’ve visited ‘Canada’s Downtown’ before or it’s your first time in the city, there are plenty of new attractions and old favourites to keep you entertained. Toronto is buzzing with festivals and events, bars and restaurants and tons of activities. Simply put, you couldn’t find a more fabulously lively place to spend a few summer days. Here are our top five things to do:
1. Summerlicious
From July 6th to 22nd, Toronto will become a foodie heaven as restaurants offer their gourmet dining for a fraction of the price. Across town more than 200 restaurants will participate in the Summerlicious festival, opening their doors to diners with a three-course set menu at fantastic ‘prix fixe’ prices. Reservations started on June 21st, so it’s time to get planning!
Hotly tipped new restaurants to have joined Summerlicious include Figures, a colourful comic-book themed restaurant, and Northern Maverick Brewery Co., a hip brewery with house-made charcuterie, oysters and an al fresco terrace.
2. Beaches Jazz Festival
The Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside BLOCK PARTY is coming to #RiversideTO July 6-8! Over the next few weeks, we’ll be dishing out handy local guides for fab places to eat, drink & shop while enjoying the festivities: https://t.co/UvxoGAofQq @beachesjazz #beachesjazz #Toronto pic.twitter.com/57Li8zB56b
— RiversideTO (@RiversideBIA) June 19, 2018
There are three reasons why we love this summer festival: 1) it’s free, 2) it’s held on a beach, 3) it’s simply incredibly good fun. The Beaches Jazz Festival runs from July 6th – 29th and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, so it’s bound to be bigger and better than ever. Alongside amazing jazz bands, the festival highlights a range of musical genres, with Big Band, Swing, Dixieland, Smooth, Afro-Cuban, Fusion, Funk, R&B, Latin, Ska and Soul performers. You can even find a cappella singers.
Alongside the top-class concerts you’ll find music workshops, community events and even a half marathon along the Beach. Just head to the Beach neighbourhood of East Toronto to join in. Check out the Sounds of Leslieville Riverside Bloc Party from 6th – 8th July for a truly Canadian street party.
3. Baby rhinos at Toronto Zoo
It’s not every day that you can see adorable baby rhinos. Toronto Zoo has enjoyed a conservation success story after the births of their endangered white rhino and greater one-horned rhino calves in December and January respectively. It’s great news for both species – and for visitors.
The world-class facilities at Toronto Zoo have plenty of adorable animals you can meet, including a rare Western Lowland gorilla baby, giant tortoises, polar bears and pandas.
4. Canada’s Wonderland
One of the country’s best theme parks has just got two new rides. Thrill-seekers can strap into Lumberjack, a ride with two swinging axe pendulums that reach up to 75 feet high. Families will love the new Flying Canoes interactive ride that allows you to control the journey of your two-person canoe over the water.
Canada’s Wonderland is located close to Toronto and has over 200 attractions including 70 roller coasters and a 20-acre waterpark. There’s something for everyone, from extreme coasters like Leviathan and WindSeeker, to the gentler Planet Snoopy and “Dinosaurs Alive!” themed areas.
5. Enjoy Toronto from the water
Toronto boasts an enviable location perched on Lake Ontario and is surrounded by beaches, island lagoons, lakes and rivers. With average temperatures over the summer in the mid-to-high 20s, there’s no better way to explore than from the water.
Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is enjoying huge popularity at the moment thanks to being the perfect blend of fun and tranquil. Try it out on the gentle Humber River or the shores of Lake Ontario. There are also plenty of opportunities to paddle a canoe or kayak. The harbourfront has excellent views of the city’s famous skyline, while the Cathedral Bluffs have the most incredible views of the Scarborough Bluffs – cliffs you never knew Toronto had.
Tempted by Toronto’s sunny activities? See the city for yourself. We have flights, hotels and city breaks to get you there.
