Labour Day: the holiday that officially requires you to put away all your summer whites. Fun fact – it’s actually a holiday held in honour of working people so if you think about it, it’s basically a holiday just for you. With that in mind, go out and celebrate yourself with all your hardworking friends at one of the many events on Vv Magazine’s Ultimate Guide to your Labour Day 2015 Weekend in Toronto.
FREE CONCERTS
Looking for a more exciting date idea than going out for drinks or coffee? Try taking that hipster cutie you’ve been dying to ask out to a free Toronto concert! It’s an easy way to do something fun yet cultured and explore the talent of the city.
– Chris Robinson Trio @ Village of Yorkville Park—Friday, September 4 | 11:30am
– Edwin Yearwood & Special Guest Dr. Jay Soca Prince @ Yonge Dundas Square—Friday, September 4 | 8pm
– Akim Trio @ Village of Yorkville Park—Saturday, September 5 | 1:30pm – 4:30pm
– Gene Hardy @ McGill Parkette—Sunday, September 6 | 9am – 2pm
– Donald Guinn Trio @ Village of Yorkville Park—Monday, September 7 | 1:30pm – 4:30pm
ELECTRIC ISLAND
Monday September 7, 1pm – 10:30pm
Hanlan’s Point, Toronto Islands
Whether you missed out on VELD or you still can’t manage to get the EDM bug out of your system, you should head over to Electric Island! Come dance to Adam Beyer, Recondite, Jamie Kidd and many more in the sun with a perfect view of the Toronto skyline. Tickets range from $39.00 for general admission to $67.52 for VIP admission.
TALLEST MAN ON EARTH
Friday September 4, 8pm
Massey Hall
If you’ve never heard this Swedish sensation, you’re really missing out. He has released 4 full-length albums and two EPs since 2006, and the songs and sounds on his latest album were captured in various countries, studios, barns and carry a certain weather-worn quality to them. At $39.50-$49.50 per ticket, it’s a great way to see some awesome live music this weekend.
XTREME WHEELS STUNT SHOW
September 4 – 7, Daily at 3pm, 5pm, 7pm
Canada’s Wonderland
Maybe BMX is totally your thing – in which case, you should definitely check this one out. Watch some of today’s biggest extreme sports stars reach heights of up to 20 feet in the air while performing death-defying stunts!
FESTIVALS and PARADES
LABOUR DAY PARADE
Monday, September 7, 9:30am – 11am
Queen + University, proceeds down to CNE
Who doesn’t love a good parade? The annual parade, which celebrates the solidarity of workers, kicks off at Queen and University and enters the CNE around 11 am. Stop by and catch some of the action with bae or the whole fam.
OPEN STREETS TO
Sunday, September 6, 9am – 1pm
Bloor St from Annex to St. Jamestown, as well as Yonge Street
This one’s for those Torontonians looking to get active this long weekend or those who simply want to explore the great outdoors. Open Streets TO is a unique street festival focused on promoting physical activity. Streets are closed and bikers, walkers, rollerbladers, and runners take to the road to get their steps and strides in. There will be no outside vending. Rather, all purchases by participants will be made along the way at established local businesses. Give back to the local community and get some exercise while doing it!
FINE ART & CRAFT SHOW
September 4 – 7, 11am – 6pm
Distillery District
Artfest Toronto is now in its 8th year, and celebrates painting, photography, sculpture, fine craft, and even live music from Canada’s top artists against the beautiful cobblestoned background of the Distillery District. Bonus? Admission is free!
THE CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION (CNE)
September 4 – 7, 10am – 12am (early closing on Labour Day)
Have you lived in the 6ix your whole life but never made it out to the Ex? Well, now is the time! If you stop by after 6pm, it only costs $6 to get in. See a variety of carnival rides, try your hand at carnival games, and enjoy a slew of musical acts that you can totally get down and boogie to. And don’t forget to check out our roundup of new (and crazy) carnival foods available this year.
HISPANIC FIESTA
September 4 – 7, 3pm – 8pm
Mel Lastman Square
Celebrate the splendid sounds, treats, and colourful culture that Hispanic heritage is famous for. The weekend will feature the best known local and international Hispanic performers from over 20 different countries. Catch a folklore exhibition, take in some tango, or eat some salsa!
HOT & SPICY FOOD FESTIVAL
September 4 – 7, Times vary based on day
Harbourfront Centre
This year, the Hot & Spicy Food Festival celebrates its 18th anniversary. Come out and enjoy the spiciest food from a variety of different cultures, with markets, live cooking shows, cooking secrets from Vikram Vij, and DJ dance parties on the waterfront.
VIETNAMESE LANTERN FESTIVAL
Saturday, September 5, 2pm – 8pm
Dufferin Grove Park
The Vietnamese Lantern Festival (also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival) is a time to say goodbye to summer featuring a showcase of handcrafted lanterns, a competition of traditional Vietnamese fashion, and mooncakes! This family-friendly event will also features games for the little ones.
FAN EXPO CANADA
September 3 – 6
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Looking to channel your inner comic book fan before summer fades away? Fan Expo Canada is the event for you. Featuring exciting family-friendly activities and celebrity guests (Mike Tyson, The X-Files‘ Gillian Anderson, Rupert Grant from Harry Potter, and more), Fan Expo Canada is the 3rd largest of its kind in North America. Tickets range in price from $25 – 60, depending on how VIP you want to go.
SPORTS
THE TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Friday September 4, 7:07 pm; Saturday September 5 – Sunday September 6, 1:07pm
Rogers Centre, Toronto
What better way to enjoy the sun than to kick back at a Jays game with some pals and some brews? The Jays are absolutely unreal right now so expect a packed (if not sold out) crowd, and a dome full of energy. Make sure you back your standard Blue Jays hat so that you’re ready for game day. For the schedule, check out their website. Tickets range in price from $19.50 – $281.25 so you can definitely do this on the cheap if you want (and don’t forget to check out Stubhub if the boys in blue sell out.)
2018 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
Friday September 4, 7:30pm
BMO Field
Come out and watch Canada and Belize go head to head in this exciting match. Tickets range in price from $24 – $59.
FREE OUTDOOR MOVIES
Who doesn’t want to enjoy a movie under the stars? Bring a blanket and some snackage to one of these Toronto parks and bask in the glory of a warm summer evening that’s totally free.
– Satellite Boy @ Prairie Drive In Park, Scarborough—Friday, September 4 | 8:30pm
– The Spongebob Squarepants Movie @ Garden Square, Brampton—Saturday September 5 | 9pm
COMEDY AND THEATRE
SPIEGELWORLD’S EMPIRE
September 4 – 7, 8pm
Corner of Rees and Queens Quay West
This 90 minute adventure features some truly daring feats, all under the Spiegeltent big top! MCs Oscar and Fanny steer the show while an eccentric cast of characters all somersault, slapstick, and striptease their way through their acts. Completing the cast is a sultry songstress and guitarist. Tickets range in price from $45 – $144.50.
THE ODDBALL COMEDY & CURIOSITY FESTIVAL
Sunday, September 6, 5:15pm
909 Lakeshore Boulevard West
Come and see some of the funniest acts in the world on one stage. They’re sure to have you roaring with laughter and slapping your knees. Did we mention the evening features Aziz Ansari and Amy Schumer? Tickets range in price from $50.75 – $167.50.
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: VAREKAI
September 4 – 6, Various times
Air Canada Centre
Varekai is set within an enchanted forest, and tells the story of a young man who falls from the sky and embarks on an incredible journey. Don’t miss this all ages event that’s fun for the whole family! Prices range from $65 – $183.25.
Related Link: Top 10 Toronto events: September Edition
Did we miss any Labour Day Events? Let Vv Magazine know in the comments below, or tweet us @ViewtheVibe.
