toronto: what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | September 8, 2011
Welcome to yoyomama’s weekend guide! Your go-to list of family friendly fun things to do with kids in Toronto and the GTA.
As families get back to school and back in the swing of things, weekend fun is going to be a welcome distraction from the structure of weekly schedules and busyness. This weekend T.O. has no shortage of family fun: catch a panto-style twist on the classic story of Rapunzel, take in some great culture, food, and entertainment at festivals throughout the city, see our big purple dinosaur friend at Ontario Place, or join in any number of charity events running in and around town.
Rapunzel – Unbraided!
Friday, September 9th (showtime 7:30 pm), Saturday, September 10th & Sunday, September 11th (Saturday & Sunday showtimes: Noon, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm), Cabbagetown Theatre Company, Necropolis Chapel, 200 Winchester Street, Parliament and Carlton, Toronto
The Cabbagetown Theatre Company presents the free-flowing version of Rapunzel – Unbraided!, a panto-style comedy for all ages! Join the adventures of the teenage Rapunzel as she tries to break free of her overprotective Mummy’s tower prison. With Mummy Witch’s ab-fabulous spell preventing Rapunzel from getting out and experiencing the great big world all she can hope for is that one day, her “Prince” will come and rescue her. And he does…but not in the way she thinks. Fun audience participation: www.cabbagetowntheatre.com
35th Annual Cabbagetown Festival
Saturday, September 10th – Sunday, September 11th, 9 am – 7:30 pm, Cabbagetown, Parliament and Carlton Streets, Toronto
Now in its 35th year, the Cabbagetown BIA is proud to host another successful event. Where else in the core of the city will you find a parade, street entertainers, wine tasting, corn roasts, and arts and crafts, running side-by-side with sophisticated house tours, an independent film festival, fun runs, theatre and dance? Join in the fun: www.cabbagetownfestival.blogspot.com
Queen Street West Sidewalk Sale
Saturday, September 10th, 11 am – 7 pm, along Queen St. West from Osgoode Subway Station to Bathurst Street, Toronto
Join in for great sales, fashion, food, and fun! There will be something for every shopper in the Queen Street eclectic neighbourhood: skincare specials, Star Wars wonders, snazzy water bottles and scrumptious snacks: www.queenstwestbia.ca
Toronto Walk For Muscular Dystrophy
Saturday, September 10th, 10 am – 3 pm (Participant Registration begins 10 am & Walk begins 11 AM), Cherry Beach Park, Cherry Street & Unwin Avenue, Toronto
Join the celebration and be inspired; help fight muscular dystrophy and provide support, education and essential medical equipment to families in your community. The Toronto Walk for Muscular Dystrophy is fun event that the entire family can participate in – regardless of fitness level. This year’s celebration will include activities for kids, snacks and refreshments, and more: www.muscle.ca
GWN Dragon Boat Challenge
Saturday, September 10th – Sunday, September 11th, 8 am – 7 pm, Marilyn Bell Park, Lake Shore Boulevard West & Jameson Avenue, Toronto
The 17th Annual GWN Dragon Boat Challenge is a two-day competitive event featuring dragon boat teams paddling down a 500m water course at Toronto’s Western Beaches. Teams of 20 paddlers race in 40-ft canoes decorated with Chinese dragon heads and tails. New teams are welcome and no experience is necessary! The event also features a bustling Vendor Village, Health & Wellness Zone, Kids Zone and a live concert by Spirit of the West: www.gwndragonboat.com
Taste Of The Kingsway
Saturday, September 10th (11 am – 8 pm) & Sunday, September 11th (11 am – 6 pm), Bloor Street West between Prince Edward & Montgomery Road, Toronto
This Annual Fall Festival, presented by Mantella Corporation and the Kingsway BIA, is a food and entertainment extravaganza with plenty of fun activities for everyone. Two main stages, at either ends of Bloor Street, feature continuous live entertainment from well-known artists, performers, and musicians. And enjoy treats from over 30 Kingsway restaurants serving delicious samples of International cuisines: www.kingswaybia.ca
Chinatown Festival
Saturday, September 10th (Noon – 11 pm) & Sunday, September 11th (Noon – 6 pm), Spadina Avenue between Dundas & College Streets, Toronto
Join the Chinatown BIA for incredible food, fun workshops, excellent shopping and amazing entertainment, featuring special Shaolin Kung Fu performances. The kids will love the activities, games, and treats available especially for their entertainment from Noon – 5 pm on both festival days: www.chinatownbia.com
Barney At Ontario Place
Saturday, September 10th – Sunday, September 11th, shows at Noon / 2 pm / 4 pm, Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto
Barney takes to the stage to delight preschoolers with well known songs from the Barney & Friends television show, including Fun, Fun, Fun; Happy And You Know It; If All The Raindrops; and I Love You. Barney offers young children a unique opportunity to sing and dance with one of their favourite television characters in an interactive and musical performance: www.ontarioplace.com
EMS Day At Toronto Zoo
Saturday, September 10th, Front entrance from 10 am – 4 pm, Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Avenue, Toronto
Have you ever wanted to ask a paramedic or an Emergency Medical Dispatcher just how they do their job? Take the opportunity to meet the men and women of Toronto EMS who proudly serve the citizens of our great city, and take part in our free CPR demonstrations as well as various other informative displays: www.torontozoo.com
Ballet Creole Open House
Saturday, September 10th, 1 pm – 4 pm, Ballet Creole, 375 Dovercourt Road – 2nd floor, Toronto
Come out and enjoy interactive and free dance and drum workshops, plus live performances, and a chance to meet the Ballet Creole staff. Registration will be open all day. Bring the family and try a free class together: www.balletcreole.org
RONA MS Bike Tour
Sunday, September 11th, 8:30 am – 2 pm, Centennial Park – 256 Centennial Park Drive, Etobicoke
Experience the camaraderie of riding together to help end multiple sclerosis! The Tour starts at Centennial Park in Etobicoke and continues along scenic trails and city streets. This Tour is suitable for all ages and fitness levels, is great for families, and features both a 30 km and 55 km route. Enjoy food and beverages, rest stops, cyclist support vehicles, and more: mssociety.ca/ontario
Farther Afield:
Players Edge Tennis Open House
Saturday, September 10th, Players Edge Tennis Academy, 470 Crossland Gate, Newmarket
Interested in winter tennis training for your child (ages 4-16)? Players Edge Tennis Academy is offering tennis lessons for all levels! Come to the open house to meet the coaches and learn more about the Academy: www.playersedgetennis.com
Ride For Karen 2011
Sunday, September 11th, Kids Fun Ride registration starts at 11:30 am (along with 25km ride) / Registration for 100km & 160km ride starts at 7:30 am, St. Joan of Arc High School, 1 St. Joan of Arc Avenue, Maple
This fully-supported, cycling event features a kid’s fun ride (ages 2-12), which will be held in an enclosed and safe area beside the start & finish section of the ride. The goal is for children to obtain sponsorship per lap they ride, and to challenge themselves to ride at least their age in laps: www.rideforkaren.com
Do you have an event you would like to see in our weekend guide? Then send us your details and we’ll help you get the word out. Looking for a feature listing? Contact Erin, our Director of Sales and Marketing, for more information.
And we wanted to remind you to always call or visit the website for event info before you head out just in case any changes have been made since we posted it. And of course, have fun!
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