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Toronto event weekends: what to do between sessions

Canada's biggest city: the CN Tower, Kensington Market, the islands and Niagara Falls 1.5 hours away.

Events we cover in Toronto

7 Jun 2027*University of Toronto Convocation
Toronto, CanadaGraduation 9 Sept 2027*Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto, CanadaCulture 15 Oct 2027*Toronto Waterfront Marathon
Toronto, CanadaMarathon

Arriving

Pearson (YYZ) has the UP Express to Union Station in 25 minutes.

Where to stay

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Annex and Chinatown	Cheaper hotels.
Mid-range	Entertainment District	Walk to TIFF venues.
Splurge	Yorkville	Luxury hotels.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Planet Traveler
Mid-range: Bisha Hotel Toronto
Splurge: Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Tours

Full day · Family

Niagara Falls day trip

Boat to the falls and wine country.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

CN Tower EdgeWalk or lookout

Views from 553 m.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Low walking

Toronto Islands ferry and bike

Skyline views.

See times and prices

Half day · Food

St Lawrence Market food tour

Peameal bacon sandwiches.

See times and prices

Evening · Low walking · Nightlife

Harbour cruise

Sunset on the lake.

See times and prices

Where to eat

St Lawrence Market Food hall
Pai Thai
Kensington Market Street food

With kids

Ripley's Aquarium.
Ontario Science Centre.

Rainy-day backups

Royal Ontario Museum.
Art Gallery of Ontario.

Free things to do

Distillery District.
Kensington Market.
Graffiti Alley.

Getting around

TTC subway, streetcars and Presto or contactless.