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- MAYHEM Weekly: June 12-18 (Toronto)
MAYHEM Weekly: June 12-18 (Toronto)
We love you, Dad! Father's Day weekend is here, and Toronto is celebrating the heroes who taught us how to ride bikes and perform legendary pancake flips! This special edition celebrates all the amazing dads, grandpas, uncles, and father figures who make our world brighter. From superhero celebrations in Bloor West Village to crafting perfect Father's Day cards at library branches across the city, plus dragon boat races, sizzling ribfests, and the enchanting Wizard of Oz under the stars - Toronto's got something special happening in every corner to honor the dads who deserve the world
In today's newsletter:
🦸♂️ Father's Day celebrations, exotic cars & library crafts across Toronto
🐉 Dragon Boat Festival, Island Eats & Toronto Beaches Ribfest
🦕 Dino Runs, outdoor movie magic & summer adventures
🍝 Taste of Little Italy, waterfront festivals & cultural celebrations
👨👩👧👦 Parent meetups, stroller walks & family connections
FATHER’S DAY CELEBRATIONS
🦸♂️ Superdad Saturday
Saturday, June 14 | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM | BIA Curbside Patio (next to Shakey's Bar & Grill), 2255 Bloor St W | FREE admission
Celebrating the real superheroes - dads, grandpas, uncles, and everyday heroes! Meet strolling Batman & Spiderman for photos and high fives, enjoy free family caricatures with professional artists (first-come, first-served), find chalk art Dad-jokes in superhero style, and enter to win a Super Dad Prize!
🔥 HOT TIP: Spend $20+ at participating businesses to boost Dad's chances to win the prize - shop local and be a hero!
🏎️ Yorkville Exotic Car Show
Father's Day, Sunday June 15 | 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Bloor Street, Yorkville | FREE admission
Shiny cars, good eats, and all the "I used to drive one like that" moments you can handle! This family-friendly car show features food trucks, giveaways, music, and classic rides. Perfect for dads who love cars and families looking for Father's Day entertainment.
🔥 HOT TIP: Park at Car Park 215 (74 Yorkville Ave) — just steps from the action! EV driver? 🔌 Enjoy FREE charging at this location on June 14 & 15.
🍴 Father's Day Food Tour
June 14 (12:00 PM - 2:30 PM) & June 15 (11:00 AM - 1:30 PM) | Kensington Market | $89 per person, FREE for kids under 7
Treat Dad to a culinary adventure through historic Kensington Market! Sample diverse cuisines while learning about the neighborhood's rich history and vibrant food scene. Perfect way to celebrate Father's Day with delicious food and cultural exploration.
🏝️ Centreville Amusement Park
Father's Day Weekend | Centre Island | Dads ride FREE with paying child
Individual All Day Ride Pass: Under 4ft $35.18, Over 4ft $44.25, Family Pass (4 people) $146.90
Special Father's Day weekend promotion - dads ride free when accompanied by a child with a paid admission! Enjoy 30+ rides and attractions plus free park and farm admission. Perfect way to celebrate Father's Day with thrilling rides and family fun on beautiful Centre Island.
FATHER'S DAY CRAFTS AT TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Toronto Public Library branches are hosting Father's Day craft sessions throughout the week! All activities are drop-in unless otherwise noted, with materials provided. Most programs are drop-in with no registration required - perfect for spontaneous Father's Day crafting with the kids! Find your local branch.
Thursday, June 12: Father's Day Card Making (6-7 PM, Cedarbrae) | After School Club craft (4-5 PM, Malvern)
Friday, June 13: Terrariums for Dads (1-2 PM, Maryvale) | Father's Day Crafts (3:30-4:30 PM, Weston) (1:30-2:30 PM, Dawes Road)
Saturday, June 14: Father's Day Crafts (2-3 PM, St. Lawrence, Annette Street, Ethennonnhawahstihnen') (11 AM-12 PM, City Hall) | Father's Day Storytime (2:30-3 PM, Parliament Street)
COMMUNITY FESTIVALS & MARKETS
🐉 Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival
June 14-15 | Toronto Centre Island | FREE for spectators
Toronto's largest celebration of dragon boat racing returns to Centre Island for an action-packed weekend! Watch competitive teams paddle their way to victory while enjoying cultural performances, authentic cuisine, and family-friendly activities. This spectacular festival combines thrilling water sports with rich cultural traditions, making it perfect for families looking to experience something truly unique.
🔥 HOT TIP: Take the Centre Island Ferry from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal - ferries run frequently throughout the weekend and the festival is easily accessible from the ferry ock!
🏖️ Toronto Beaches Ribfest
June 13-15 | Woodbine Park, 1695 Queen St E | $2 donation, Kids under 5 FREE
Friday 4 PM - 10 PM, Saturday 12 PM - 10 PM, Sunday 12 PM - 7 PM
Savour the best BBQ ribs at the Toronto Beaches leg of the Northern Heat Rib Series! Indulge in perfectly cooked ribs from the best BBQ ribbers around. Features live music including AC/DC Show Canada, Pearl Jamming (Pearl Jam tribute), and Wicked Truth. Beer market with ice-cold selection, plus voting for your favorite ribs and sauce!
🔥 HOT TIP: Pets welcome (must be leashed) and most vendors accept cash, debit, and credit cards with ATMs on-site!
🎨 Toronto Artisan Market
Sunday, June 15 | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Christie Pits Park, 750 Bloor Street West, Toronto | FREE admission
Join us for a special Father's Day celebration at the park! Shop one-of-a-kind handmade gifts from local Canadian makers while supporting the local community. Perfect opportunity to find unique Father's Day gifts while enjoying a beautiful day in the park with friends and family.
🏝️ Island Eats Food & Travel Festival
June 14-15 | Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge Street | FREE admission
Toronto's largest island food and travel show featuring over three dozen Caribbean food and beverage pavilions! Enjoy exotic cuisine from gourmet Caribbean chefs, live music, beautiful costumes, marketplace, and official island representatives providing travel information throughout the Caribbean.
🍝 Taste of Little Italy
June 13-15 | College Street (Bathurst to Shaw Street), Toronto | FREE admission
Three-day celebration of Italian culture, food, and community in the heart of Little Italy! Features authentic Italian cuisine from local restaurants, live entertainment, cultural performances, and family-friendly activities. Stroll along College Street and experience the vibrant atmosphere while sampling delicious food and enjoying live music.
🍽️ The Foodie Festival 2025
Friday, June 13 | 3:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Toronto Public Library - Albion Branch, 1515 Albion Road, Toronto | FREE admission (Registration required)
A community celebration for all ages, combining food with health and wellness! Features cooking demonstrations by renowned chefs, tasting stations with diverse local and culturally relevant dishes, health and wellness workshops with healthcare professionals, interactive exhibits, and live entertainment including music and dance performances.
🛍️ Bayview Leaside BIA – Sidewalk Sensation
Saturday, June 14 | 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM | Bayview Avenue (Parkhurst to Davisville) | FREE admission
Join the fun on Bayview Avenue for a day of family-friendly entertainment and amazing local shopping! Features FREE face painting for kids, colour-in greeting cards for any age, reusable shopping bags, coupons for FREE drinks or snacks, and delicious food samples from local restaurants. Perfect for Father's Day gift shopping while enjoying great community vibes!
ARTS & CULTURE FESTIVALS
🎬 Toronto Outdoor Picture Show - The Wizard of Oz
Saturday, June 14 | Gates 6:30 PM, Film at sundown ~9 PM | Fort York National Historic Site | FREE admission
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show's 15th anniversary season kicks off with an extended opening weekend! Enjoy pre-show fun including vintage lawn games, chalk art painting, celebratory photo booth, and costume contest. Follow the yellow brick road for a magical evening under the stars with this beloved classic.
🔥 HOT TIP: This event is for the big kids who can stay up past 9! Arrive early to enjoy all the pre-show festivities and bring blankets for comfort!
🌈 Terceradix Luminarium (Luminato Festival)
Ongoing through June 22 | Harbourfront Centre, South Lawn (235 Queens Quay W) | $20 GA, 2 and under FREE
Saturday & Sunday 9:30 AM - 8:50 PM
From the Guggenheim to the Sydney Opera House, this extraordinary installation by Architects of Air has transformed spaces around the world. Experience one of the most distinctive art environments ever created - a luminous, walkable sculpture that's perfect for all ages. This immersive experience offers a unique opportunity to step inside a work of art.
OUTDOOR & ADVENTURE
🦕 Dino Runs @ The Bentway
Saturday, June 14 | 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM | The Bentway Skate Trail, 250 Fort York Boulevard | $25.57 for kids, Parents FREE
If your kids love dinosaurs, they'll love Dino Runs! Morning starts with costumed Dino Specialists teaching participants about dinosaurs through song, dance, storytelling, and games. Then kids become Dino Explorers on an exciting, non-competitive chase to recapture runaway dinosaurs around the 220m figure-eight skate trail. All participants receive a race bib and roaring Dino Medal!
🦆 Duckie Hunt at Bob Acton Park
Friday, June 14 | 4:00 PM | Bob Acton Park, 45 William Hancox Ave | FREE
Come out for a fun duckie hunt where little ones get to hunt for duckies - bring a basket or bag to collect them! Children can enjoy the playground before, during, or after the hunt. Fun for all ages and stages, with age groups separated if there's a mix of participants.
🔥 HOT TIP: Hosted by Nest and Bloom Mom Village - perfect opportunity to connect with other local families!
🎣 Free Family Fishing Weekends
June 14-15 | Various locations across Ontario | FREE - No license required
Get hooked on a new family activity during Ontario's Free Family Fishing Weekends! Fish without a license while all other fishing regulations still apply, including catch and size limits. Take advantage of the free online Learn to Fish program to get tips and techniques for the whole family.
🦓 Toronto Zoo Splash Island & Pride Events!
Open for the season | Toronto Zoo, 2000 Meadowvale Rd | Included with Zoo admission
Weekends & Holidays: 10:30 AM - 6:00 PM (weather permitting)
Summer 2025 season is officially open! Enjoy 2 acres of fun featuring spouting animals, misting stations, waterfalls, and tipping buckets - all included with Zoo admission. Perfect way to cool off while exploring the zoo with the family. 🌈PLUS - Saturday, June 14, celebrate pride at the Zoo with Drag Queen Storytime (2:00-3:00) & Evening Show (6:00-7:00).
🔥 HOT TIP: PRESTO Card holders get 20% off general admission when shown at the gates, plus 10% off annual membership!
MOMMA MEET-UPS
💃 Boogie Baby
Friday, June 13 | 1:00 PM | Goh Ballet Studio, Bayview Village | FREE Class
Boogie Babies DanceFit class is baby-wearing fitness for moms! Wear your baby in a carrier and take a super fun, low impact, high energy class. Perfect way to stay active while bonding with your little one in a supportive community environment.
👥 Mamas in the Park
Thursday, June 12 | 1:00-4:00 PM | Trinity Bellwoods Park | FREE to join
Chill Thursday afternoon in the park with Queen West Mamas! Because honestly, a relaxed Thursday afternoon in the park is basically the weekend, right? Perfect opportunity to connect with other local moms in a laid-back setting. Mama & baby workout happening from 1:00-1:30.
👶 Mamas & Minis
Friday, June 13 | 1:00-4:00 PM | Stackt Market, 28 Bathurst St | FREE to join
Double the sunshine, snacks, and stroller chats! Grab your iced coffee, toss snacks in the stroller, and come meet your summer mom crew IRL. No RSVP needed - just drop by anytime and let the babies roll while moms mingle and sunshine does its thing.
🚶♀️ Mommunity Walking Groups
Multiple locations | FREE to join
Join these community walking groups for fresh air, friendly chats, and meaningful parent connections! Weekly Schedule: Tuesdays at 12 PM – Yorkdale area (timing may change week to week). Wednesdays at 10 AM and Sundays at 8 AM – Shops at Don Mills
COMING UP NEXT WEEK
🍓 Pick Your Own Strawberry Season
Stay tuned for our top picks of the best family-friendly farms within driving distance of Toronto!🎵 Toronto International Jazz Festival
June 20-29 | Various venues across downtown Toronto | Ticketed shows and FREE outdoor concerts🏖️ Port Union Waterfront Festival
Saturday, June 21 | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Port Union Village Common Park, Scarborough | FREE admission, rides ticketed🚢 Toronto Waterfront Festival with Tall Ships
June 28-29 | Sugar Beach, 11 Dockside Drive | FREE festival, $15 for ship deck tours
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