Events / festivals, Toronto

Halloween is just as popular in Canada as it is in its American counterpart. Adults and children love to celebrate. People decorate their houses, some going more 'all out' than others and get very elaborate costumes for themselves and for their kids. For the youth, its another excuse to drink, but in costume.
The North American tradition of "trick-or-treat" comes from the idea that you must be kind to dead ancestors or they will play a trick on you, however it is rarely talked about as being about that. The holiday is celebrated on October 31st every year. To children, it means they get to dress up in whatever costume they want, and go door to door in the evening with a pillow case that will be filled up with candy. It also means the costume parties, dances, and pumpkin-carving that will take place the week before Hallowe'en night. On the porch of many houses on October 31st, you will see a pumpkin with a face or some sort of a desing carved in it, with a candle inside so it lights up.
Hallowe'en is exciting, and meant to be "spooky" in a fun way but be careful as there is sometimes danger that can occur too. Its pretty common to hear of egging incidents, pumpkin smashing. Generally there will just be people doing things thay think they can get away with because it's Hallowe'en. There are usually police on the look out everywhere on this night.
Only children normally go door to door for candy (I could probably go if I wore a mask) It's common for them all to go together in a group with their friends, but the younger ones are guided by their parents.

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Come and experience the International AutoShow in Toronto. The 36-year tradition of celebrating Canadian's love of automobile is showcasing the new and the next in the fascinating era in automotive history.

This Year 2009, the event will happen from February 13-22 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and Rogers Centre.

The future of the automobile is up for grabs, so buy your tickets for Cdn$20 entrance. Buy online for a 10% discount at Cdn$18 only. For information and details about the show and to buy tickets, visit the link I provided below.

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CANADA DAY, Eh!
Celebrated every July 1st, highlited with performances by several Canadian musicians, dazzling and colourful fireworks show, choreographed to music.
Venue;
Mel Lastman Square
ALWAYS FREE ADMISSION.

Simultaneous parades, picnics, fireworks and family oriented events takes place across the city.

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Every year, Santa Claus visits the Toronto area and pass the busy streets joined by the community floats during the holiday season. This year, it will be held on November 15, 2009.

The Parade usually starts at the corner of Bloor and Christie Streets and runs east along Bloor to Avenue Road. It then proceeds south along Avenue Road around Queen's Park Crescent, and further south along University Avenue to Queen Street. At Queen Street, the Parade heads east to Yonge Street, south along Yonge Street and east along Front Street. The Parade ends at the corner of Front and Church Streets.

Your Kids will surely enjoy the fun seeing Santa in person. Every year, I watch the parade with their colourful floats and spectacular presentation of songs, music, and dances. To make sure you catch a glimpse and witness this event, get off at any of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) subway stations listed below:
Christie, Bathurst, Spadina, St. George, Museum, Queen's Park, St. Patrick, Osgoode, Queen & King

Please come, Admission is FREE.
For updated yearly schedule, please refer to the website provided.

Country music is far from being dead in Toronto and Canada Day (July 1st) proves that. The newest country music station in the Toronto area - ok, so it is almost 2 yrs old now - Country 95.3 FM - started a day out for Country Music last year, appropriately called "Canada Day Jam". Some great Canadian country musical artists, some new and upcoming, and some well established in the Canadian - and world - country music industry... and there is no admission fee to attend! That in itself is reason to go. There is a Brick Beer beer garden, and Maple Lodge Farms and Old South have stands for food and beverages - and there are other sponsors. For children there are some YTV characters around and a children's area.

This year's main talents are: Paul Brandt, Carolyn Dawn Johnson (CDJ), Jason McCoy, Aaron Lines, Deric Ruttan, Aaron Pritchett and Jimmy Rankin

I've paid good money to see CDJ & Jimmy Rankin in concert with Keith Urban (guess they won't get him to join them *sigh*) and the other gentlemen are great, especially Paul Brandt (particularly when he does those deep low notes). I understand that they will be also having some amateur talent from some CMT-sponsored country music talent shows.

It goes from Noon til 9pm (rain or shine) and afterwards there will be the fireworks from Ontario Place to enjoy.

Location is: Sunnyside Beach Park - located at Lakeshore Blvd West at Parkside

No, I don't have any connection with the radio station or sponsors, just a fan of them, and had a terrific time last year at Canada Jam 2003.

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Toronto comes alive with festivals in the summer. One of these is the Busker Fest, which is a 4 day extravaganza at the end of August that showcases street performers in the St. Lawrence Market / Downtown Core area. I went to the grand finale this year (August 29, 2010) and was blown away by the talent. Best of all, the performers are busking for change, so you pay what you feel the show was worth. Do bring lots of change though because they worked really hard to entertain us.

We saw everything from people juggling fire, living statutes, magic shows, and some serious acrobatic display. There were also aerial and circus shows on the main stage on the other nights, so you'll need to check the schedule. And as they said, things could happen anywhere, anytime during the festival. And to go with the street performance, vendors have also set up artisan stalls and food stands, so there's something for everyone.

Oh, the event is a fundraiser for Epilesy Toronto and the proceeds from busking during the main stage shows go towards the charity.

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They are called the Snowbirds. An air show is taking place during the Canadian Labour Day weekend each year.

It is called the Canadian International Air Show of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. To have a better view of the air show, you need to be in the Ontario Place, the CNE or many other lakefront sites with view of the water in front of Marilyn Bell Park. Admission fee is applicable at the entrance of Ontario Place and CNE.

The Ontario Place and Canadian National Exhibition or CNE are easily accessible via the TTC. Take the streetcar number 511 in Bathurst Street or the Number 29 Dufferin bus.

The Snowbirds airshow is offered free in addition to the CNE events and festival and is included with the admission price. Come and enjoy!

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It was the Salsa on St. Clair Street Festival in the Year 2005. This festival will be transformed into the Salsa in Toronto Festival

Salsa in Toronto this Year 2008 was held from July 12-13 and was a big success. The highlights include the inaugural all-day Salsa at Ontario Place on July 10 and the 4th annual Salsa on St. Clair on July 12. It was a lot of fun! Play, Dance, Sing, Eat, and Parade really was very entertaining.

Join the crowd and learn some basic Salsa lessons. Entrance is Free.

For more information on the details of Year 2009 event, visit the website I provided below

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Welcome to the Ex!
From August 21 to September 7, 2009.....
'The Ex' as it is popularly known is Exhibition Place to some, and officially known as Canadian National Exhibition. It is considered a world class venue to one of the largest fairs in North America, offering a variety of entertainment including shows and concerts, Kids' World, large carnival midway, a working farm, shopping, air show and more.

The Canadian National Exhibition address is:
Lakeshore Boulevard
Toronto Ontario
Canada M6K 3c3

The Ex is accessible to almost all Toronto Transportation Commission (TTC Facilities). To get to The Ex, please follow the following direction:

By Car:
From the east: Take the Gardiner Expressway west to Spadina/Lake Shore Boulevard cutoff and follow the signs for Lakeshore Boulevard. Take Lake Shore Boulevard to the Princes' Gates (just west of Strachan Avenue).
From the west: Take the Gardiner Expressway east to Lake Shore Boulevard or Jameson Avenue. There are three entrance points to Exhibition Place from Lake Shore Boulevard - British Columbia Drive, Ontario Drive and Newfoundland Drive.

By Transit:
Take the Bloor subway to Dufferin Station and proceed to street level. Board the #29 bus south to Exhibition Place.
Take the Bloor subway to Bathurst Station and proceed to street level. Board the #511 streetcar south to Exhibition Place.
Take the Yonge-University subway to Union Station and proceed to the Queens Quay platform. Board the #510 streetcar west to Exhibition Place.

Come to CNE and enjoy one of Toronto has to offer! For a detailed and updated information on Events, Festivals, Fairs, Films, & Exhibitions, please refer to the website provided.

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Yes, Toronto Pride Parade - the longest parade in Ontario. Come and see them along Yonge Street and some popular intersections in downtown Toronto. There are many floats and participants from all walks of life, including those who just come out of the closet. It is not surprising because Ontario has legalized same-sex marriage in Ontario few years ago. This celebration is celebrated yearly in June and goes for one week and highlited by this colourful parade. For more information on this event, you may log on to the organization's web.

TORONTO PRIDE PARADE - June 19 to 28, 2009
Direction:
Steps from Bloor-Yonge, Wellesley, College and Dundas subway stations

Website: www.pridetoronto.com