Looking for things to do this summer? We’ve started our summer ongoing fun listing with family-friendly events all around town. Much as we’ve tried, we’re pretty sure this list isn’t as exhaustive as it could be, so if you know of ongoing events we’ve missed do email us the info and we’ll be sure to add it!

Activities

Looking for ways to keep your kids busy? Check out these fun activities:

Ontario Place – 40th Anniversary!
Daily until September 5th, Ontario Place, 955 Lakeshore Boulevard West, Toronto
Come and celebrate Ontario’s 40th Anniversary with exciting events and live entertainment all summer long … for free! You can watch a variety of performances on one of the park’s three main stages, or one of the season-long shows such as Pipeworks, a new acrobatics show, or returning favourites such as the Extreme Wake Series, Earth Rangers and Treehouse Live! Get free admission to the grounds (thanks to CTV, the official television sponsor), but once inside the park, most rides and attractions are available on a pay-as-you-play:  www.ontarioplace.com

Close Encounters Of The Reptile Kind, Ontario Science Centre
Thursdays & Fridays, July 8th – September 2nd, 11 am, Ontario Science Centre, Level 6, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Curious about what types of reptiles might be lurking in your backyard, park, or wilderness area? Then come and meet some of Ontario’s local reptile species, learn some interesting facts about our native reptiles, ask questions, and engage in a live encounter with a reptile: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca

Timeless Tales, Black Creek Pioneer Village
Friday, July 8th – Wednesday, August 31st, 11 am – 5 pm, Black Creek Pioneer Village, 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto
Families will enjoy seeing 19th century stories come to life! Enjoy activities, performances, and adventures all based around the stories of Cinderella, Peter Rabbit, Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, and Anne of Green Gables: www.blackcreek.ca

Fort York Ongoing Summer Programming
Friday, July 8th – Sunday, July 31st, 10 am – 5 pm, Fort York National Historic Site, 100 Garrison Road, Toronto
Thrill to the booming of the cannon, the firing of muskets, the vibrant colours of the uniformed guard, and the lively music of fife and drum. Fort York visitors will enjoy hourly demonstrations of military music, drill, musketry and artillery performed by students representing the Canadian Fencible Regiment. And don’t miss the cannon firing at 12:30 pm! Program varies daily: www.toronto.ca

Fame by Frame! NFB Mediathéque
Saturdays & Sundays, July 2nd – August 28th, 12 pm – 5 pm, NFB Mediathéque, 150 John Street, Toronto
Kids can star in and make their own animated films! Join NFB for new drop-in pixilation workshop activities in their interactive lounge space. No reservations necessary, and a perfect idea for birthday parties! Themes vary week-to-week: www.onf-nfb.gc.ca

Summer In The 1850s Kitchen
Sundays until August 28th, 12 pm – 5 pm, Gibson House, 5172 Yonge Street, Toronto
This summer Sunday tours include an exploration of the busy mid-19th century kitchen. With seasonal recipes featured each week, you may encounter the preserving of vegetables, fruit, or dairy for the long winter months.  Discover methods for making refreshing drinks, or for preparing seasonings for cooking. You’ll also get to taste some treats from the kitchen! Kids can participate in hands-on activities in the Discovery Gallery: www.toronto.ca

Summer Fun Weekends, Scarborough Museum
Saturdays & Sundays until August 28th, 12 pm – 5 pm, Scarborough Historical Museum, 1007 Brimley Road, Scarborough
Celebrate summer with fun historic activities, and sample old-fashioned treats! Experience early life in rural Scarborough and stroll through Thomson Memorial Park. Admission is by donation: www.toronto.ca

Creative Science – Sponsored By Sony, Ontario Science Centre
Sundays, July 24th – September 4th, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm & 3 pm – 4 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
These Creative Science program offers you the opportunity to bring your imagination to life!  They’re running a series of hands-on workshops designed for kids ages 14+, but younger visitors with supervision are also welcome. Limited capacity; first come, first served:  www.ontariosciencecentre.ca

Family Fun Water Weekends, Royal Ontario Museum
July 23 & 24th, August 6th & 7th, August 20th – 21st, , 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm & 3 pm – 4 pm, Ontario Science Centre, 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
Water family programming showcases the universality of this magical substance. Special Water Weekends include opportunities for kids to make their own aquariums, discover ancient sea creatures, and learn about how water issues affect children around the world. From rain to mermaids to shell jewellery, families will want to dive right in:  www.rom.on.ca

Music, Dance, Entertainment & Culture

There is lots of summer entertainment for families all around town:

Canadian Stage Dream In High Park: The Winter’s Tale
Sundays, June 28th – September 4th, 8 pm (Gates open at 6 pm), High Park Ampitheatre, High Park, Toronto
Canadian Stage presents the 2011 Dream in High Park: William Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. This romantic comedy is filled with music, kings and queens, shipwrecks, statues that come to life, and even a bear! Family ties and love triangles are complicated by prophecies, perceptions and disguises. This adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s classic tales will be an enchanting, high-energy and celebratory tale for the whole family to enjoy. Also, bring the family to enjoy Family Day Sundays: a free, all-ages program for children, parents and families, featuring backstage tours, an opportunity to meet cast members, workshops exploring the language of the Bard and more.  From July 3rd – September 4th, Sundays, 5 pm – 6:30 pm, weather permitting:  www.canadianstage.com

Fresh Wednesdays, Nathan Phillips Square
Wednesdays, July 13th – August 31st, Noon – 2 pm, Nathan Phillips Square,  100 Queen Street West, Toronto
Head downtown on a Wednesday to enjoy shopping for locally grown fresh produce, flowers, and baked goods at the city’s famous weekly farmers’ market , and listen to great Canadian music at free noon-hour concerts:  www.toronto.ca

African Arts & Culture Festival, Toronto Zoo
July 2nd – September 5th, Daily 10 am – 6 pm, African Savanna, Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Avenue (Meadowvale Exit), Toronto
Back by popular demand, visitors can experience African Culture in the Zoo’s own African Savanna. Visit one of the many artist vendor booths and take home an article of authenticity, including handcrafted wooden masks, soapstone and ebony carvings, hand-woven textiles, painted candles, traditional African musical instruments and more! Traditional and contemporary visual artists and performers will transform the African Savanna landscape of the Zoo:  www.torontozoo.com

Sunday Serenades, Mel Lastman Square
Sundays, July 10th – August 21st, 7 pm – 9:30 pm, Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge Street, Toronto
Sunday Serenades features the very best in swing, big band, and jazz acts to compliment Toronto’s warm summer Sunday evenings! Come dance under the stars this summer and enjoy free outdoor concerts:  www.toronto.ca

High Park Family Fun Place, Movie Night!
Fridays, July 8th – July 29th (see website in August for that month’s movies), High Park Family Fun Place, 2968 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Make Fridays family movie night! Visit High Park Family Fun Place to see a different movie each Friday night – visit site for movie information:  www.hpfamilyfunplace.ca

Tasty Thursdays, Nathan Phillips Square
Thursdays, July 14th – September 4th, 11 am – 2 pm, Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto
The perfect lunch hour getaway this summer! Enjoy freshly grilled meals from a variety of Toronto restaurants, along with live concerts at noon featuring music from around the world, including roots, blues, reggae, and Latin sounds:  www.toronto.ca

Family Fun Summer Festival
Every other Thursday, July 14th – August 25th, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm, Earl Bales Park Amphitheatre, 4169 Bathurst Street, Toronto
Enjoy a variety of fun family events all summer long! Activities begin at 5:30 pm, and all concert performances run from 7 pm – 8pm. Concert and activities are moved indoors at the Earl Bales Community Centre on rain days:  www.toronto.ca

Free Outdoor Movies In Your ‘Hood

Bring your blanket and a chair and set up for some outdoor movie time all around town:

Movies Under The Stars, Downsview Park
Fridays, July 8th – August 31st, movies start at approximately 9 pm, Downsview Park, Sheppard Avenue West & John Drury Drive, Toronto
Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and munchies to enjoy a free, family-friendly movie outdoors at dusk at Downsview Park. Portable washrooms are on site, and leashed dogs are welcome. Check site for movie listings and schedule updates: www.downsviewpark.ca

Movies In The Park, Riverdale Park East
August 14th & August 21st, movies start at dusk, Riverdale Park East, 550 Broadview Avenue, Toronto
Movies In The Park is a series of free, outdoor movie screenings in Toronto’s beautiful Riverdale Park. Bring a picnic and enjoy great PG rated films under the stars – movies are best suited for the 14+ crowd, so it’s ideal for summer date night: www.moviesinthepark.wordpress.com

TIFF In The Park
Wednesdays, July 4th – August 31st, screenings start at sunset, David Pecaut Square, Simcoe Street & King Street West, Toronto
TIFF and the Entertainment District BIA present free outdoor screenings of classic screen musicals. Enjoy family favourites such as The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, and The Wizard of Oz. See website for movie information and updates: www.torontoed.com

Dancing In The Dark, Outdoor Movies At Yonge-Dundas Square
Tuesdays, June 28th – August 30th, screenings start at sunset, Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto
Another good grown-up night out to watch films that shake, shimmy, and swing in the spotlight! You can also enjoy double bills on select evenings – all for free. Make a whole night of it and take transit – Yonge-Dundas Square is right at the Dundas subway station, and where the 505 Dundas streetcar crosses Yonge Street: www.ydsquare.ca