What to do in Toronto this weekend: July 22-24

Toronto’s got a lot of fun to offer this weekend. Here’s a sampling of what’s on:

Toronto’s Festival of Beer: July 22-24

Beer enthusiasts and those who want to learn more — Bandshell Park is calling your name. Head down to the waterfront for Toronto’s Festival of Beer, the ultimate destination for beer lovers this weekend. Fifty breweries, from big names to local craft beer makers, will have booths at the festival offering a wide variety of beers to quench your thirst.

“It is a great time to be a beer drinker,” festival organizer Jon Sinden told the Star.

As much as it can be an opportunity to drink, the festival is also about tasting and exploring, with a range of brews on offer, from lagers to stouts to sours.

“It’s just endless,” Sinden told the Star. “There’s so many different diverse options to try, but it’s not a contest to try them all. You might just find something that you’ve never heard of or can’t pronounce and you’ll discover something new. That’s guaranteed.”

At each booth, festival-goers can exchange tokens — the festival’s special currency — for a sample. And, stop by “The Changemakers” section to discover how 10 Canadian craft breweries are creating social change in the brewing industry, with one using solar power in the brewing process, for example.

Beer won’t be the only thing you can experience at the festival. Musical performances this weekend include American rapper Nas on Friday, the Sam Roberts Band and the Strumbellas on Saturday and the Revivalists and Matt Mays on Sunday.

The festival taking place July 22-24 at Bandshell Park at Exhibition Place. One day tickets and weekend passes are available at beerfestival.ca

Here are 5 other events to check out this weekend:

Groovin’ in the Park: July 22-23

Head down to Woodbine Park for a weekend of music ranging from house to disco to funk, soul, latin, RnB and hip hop. Beaches Jazz Festival’s two-day dance party, Groovin’ in The Park, is happening Friday night from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. with Toronto DJ Starting from Scratch headlining Saturday. There will also be food vendors and a beer garden. The event is free. See the full lineup at groovininthepark.ca

Fun Philippines Street Festival: July 23-24

This Saturday and Sunday, explore the diversity and vibrancy of Filipino culture at Fun Philippines in North York. Bathurst Street between Wilson Avenue and Raeburn Avenue will be transformed into a colourful street festival celebrating all things Filipino. “It will be a real fiesta,” festival director Teresa Torralba told the Star.

One highlight to enjoy is the Kamayan Feast Pavilion, where festival-goers can eat in a traditional way — by hand — and sample a variety of delicacies prepared by local Filipino-Canadian chefs. In addition to food, the festival will showcase the diversity of Filipino culture — including traditional kids’ games like Piko, performances by members of the indigenous Ifugao people of the Philippines and a replica of the Philippine Eagle, the Filipino national bird and one of the world’s rarest.

The festival, which also features music and various cultural installations, runs from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday.

TD Festival of South Asia: July 23-24

The Gerrard Indian Bazaar is hosting the TD Festival of South Asia this weekend with food, drinks and entertainment celebrating the diverse cultures of South Asia. Over 100 artists will perform throughout the weekend — from traditional dances to Bollywood music. This weekend is the festival’s 20th iteration; it is also the 75th year of Indian independence. “This year is very special,” festival director Tasneem Bandukwala told the Star. “It’s not just an event, this is an emotion, an experience.” The festival will be held Saturday and Sunday from noon to 11 p.m. at the Gerrard India Bazaar on Gerrard Street between Glenside Avenue to Coxwell Avenue.

All Day I Dream of Terrific Toronto: July 23

An outdoor house and techno rave in picturesque Fort York? What’s not to like? British DJ Lee Burridge’s label All Day I Dream is on tour, bringing its programming to Toronto this weekend. All Day I Dream of Terrific Toronto is happening at Fort York National Historic Site Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are still available and start at $75.

Toronto Summer Music Festival: Now through July 30

Toronto Summer Music Festival, running through July 30, is bringing a program of classical music performances to stages across the city. This weekend, enjoy a Brahms quintet or discover Mozart and Shostakovich performed by up-and-coming classical performers. Learn more at torontosummermusic.com/events/

SHARE: