Essence of the Garden Celebrating Art, Nature, and Community — Essence of the Garden is the 2nd annual plein air art exhibition and sale featuring over 100 original artworks created outdoors at Toronto Botanical Garden and Edwards Gardens. This curated, site-specific show invites visitors to experience the Garden through the eyes of the artists who paint here—capturing moments of light, movement, and the essence of the natural world. Saturday, October 3 through 18, 2026Open Daily, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Free Admission This exhibition coincides with Toronto’s Ravine Days, an annual city-wide celebration of Toronto’s ravine system. Presenting Sponsor: Foresters Financial What You’ll See:Over 100 plein air paintings celebrating the Garden created by 46 talented local artistsArtworks displayed in public spaces across the Visitor Centre and are available for sale.Visit the Garden Shop for unique, artist-made gifts and mini worksEngage with the artist(s) who will be hosting workshops and will be onsite throughout the exhibition painting ‘en plein air’
TBG Fall Ravine Festival Celebrate the beauty of autumn in the heart of the city. Every year, Toronto Botanical Garden comes alive with seasonal experiences for all ages including a site-wide scavenger hunt, live music, hands-on nature activities, eco-stewards, and delicious fall flavours. Rooted in community and inspired by the changing landscape, this annual festival invites you to explore, connect, and embrace the vibrant colours and textures of the season in one of Toronto’s most beloved green spaces. This is a fantastic opportunity for families to get hands-on with nature and environmental stewardship. Saturday, October 3, 202612 to 4 p.m.FREE Admission
Free Edwards Summer Music Series: Joy Lapps Joy Lapps is a steelpan virtuoso, internationally lauded artist, composer, speaker, consultant and educator. Her repertoire blends Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Brazilian rhythmic and harmonic patterns while leaving “plenty space” for spontaneity. Joy activates spaces for community building and creative expression, using the steelpan as her primary tool for engagement.
Berczy Park in Motion Your Pre-Show Spark with Fall for Dance North Celebrate dance in the heart of downtown with free outdoor programming by Fall for Dance North at Berczy Park before select performances at the Bluma Appel Theatre. The park comes alive with an exciting festival atmosphere featuring electrifying pop-up performances. Bringing together artists, audiences, and curious passersby, these vibrant events showcase the energy, creativity, and diversity of Toronto’s dance community. Whether you’re heading to the theatre or simply exploring the neighbourhood, join us for an unforgettable celebration of movement and connection in one of the city’s most beloved public spaces. Oct 15-16 at 6:30pm Oct 17 at 1pm and 6:30pm Oct 18 at 1pm Oct 22-23 at 6:30pm Oct 24 at 1pm and 6:30pm Oct 25 at 1pm Photo by David Wong. Courtesy of Rock Bottom Movement. (Illustrative photo
Berczy Park in Motion Your Pre-Show Spark with Fall for Dance North Celebrate dance in the heart of downtown with free outdoor programming by Fall for Dance North at Berczy Park before select performances at the Bluma Appel Theatre. The park comes alive with an exciting festival atmosphere featuring electrifying pop-up performances. Bringing together artists, audiences, and curious passersby, these vibrant events showcase the energy, creativity, and diversity of Toronto’s dance community. Whether you’re heading to the theatre or simply exploring the neighbourhood, join us for an unforgettable celebration of movement and connection in one of the city’s most beloved public spaces. Oct 15-16 at 6:30pm Oct 17 at 1pm and 6:30pm Oct 18 at 1pm Oct 22-23 at 6:30pm Oct 24 at 1pm and 6:30pm Oct 25 at 1pm Photo by David Wong. Courtesy of Rock Bottom Movement. (Illustrative photo
Berczy Park in Motion Your Pre-Show Spark with Fall for Dance North Celebrate dance in the heart of downtown with free outdoor programming by Fall for Dance North at Berczy Park before select performances at the Bluma Appel Theatre. The park comes alive with an exciting festival atmosphere featuring electrifying pop-up performances. Bringing together artists, audiences, and curious passersby, these vibrant events showcase the energy, creativity, and diversity of Toronto’s dance community. Whether you’re heading to the theatre or simply exploring the neighbourhood, join us for an unforgettable celebration of movement and connection in one of the city’s most beloved public spaces. Oct 15-16 at 6:30pm Oct 17 at 1pm and 6:30pm Oct 18 at 1pm Oct 22-23 at 6:30pm Oct 24 at 1pm and 6:30pm Oct 25 at 1pm Photo by David Wong. Courtesy of Rock Bottom Movement. (Illustrative photo
Berczy Park in Motion Your Pre-Show Spark with Fall for Dance North Celebrate dance in the heart of downtown with free outdoor programming by Fall for Dance North at Berczy Park before select performances at the Bluma Appel Theatre. The park comes alive with an exciting festival atmosphere featuring electrifying pop-up performances. Bringing together artists, audiences, and curious passersby, these vibrant events showcase the energy, creativity, and diversity of Toronto’s dance community. Whether you’re heading to the theatre or simply exploring the neighbourhood, join us for an unforgettable celebration of movement and connection in one of the city’s most beloved public spaces. Oct 15-16 at 6:30pm Oct 17 at 1pm and 6:30pm Oct 18 at 1pm Oct 22-23 at 6:30pm Oct 24 at 1pm and 6:30pm Oct 25 at 1pm Photo by David Wong. Courtesy of Rock Bottom Movement. (Illustrative photo
African Dance with Pulga This immersive, community-driven project will take place over five weekly programs that include African dance classes, with live music, followed multi-disciplinary performances by musicians, dancers, choreographers, and visual artists in Walter Saunders Memorial Park. July 4 of 2026/ Session 1: African Dance Workshop with Pulga Muchochoma followed by Performance of Ngoma solo and choreographic exploration by Pulga Muchochoma. July 11 of 2026 / Session 2: African Dance with Aisha Nicholson followed with performance by Musician Moyo Rainos Mutamba who sings and plays a traditional instrument called Mbira from Zimbabwe. July 18 of 2026 / Session 3: African Dance with Mafa Makhubalo followed with performance by Musician Moyo Rainos Mutamba who sings and plays a traditional instrument called Mbira from Zimbabwe. July 25 of 2026 / Session 4: African Dance by Aisha Nicholson followed with a visual Arts Presentation and Exploration with Hans Poppe. August 1, 2026 / Session 5: African Dance with Pulga Muchochoma followed with a drum circle led by Cece Haba & Walter Maclean( We invite all the participants to bring drum (Jembe) or any instruments that they wish to play outdoors (pots, cans, flutes etc.). Rain Dates: August 8 and 15, 2026
We Must Love and Support One Another We Must Love and Support One Another is a forthcoming temporary public artwork that invites community connection, reflection, and joy. Set along the fence at Raymore Park in Toronto’s Weston neighbourhood, the project will feature a 200-foot text-based installation in English and Spanish, created from messages developed during a series of community sign-making workshops. Throughout three weekends in June, park neighbours, passersby, friends, and strangers are invited to join drop-in workshops held directly in the park. Participants will be encouraged to paint bold, heartfelt signs responding to simple prompts: What do you love about this neighbourhood? What does the Humber River give to the community? What brings you joy in this park? These public workshops aim to create space for neighbours of all ages to connect, slow down, and express themselves through accessible, collaborative making. From these collective efforts, one message will be selected—something that resonates with the spirit of the conversations and contributions that emerged across the workshops. This selected text will be transcribed and installed along the length of the park’s chain-link fence, forming a temporary artwork visible to all who pass by. The final installation will be unveiled on July 25th from 6pm – 8pm will remain on view 24/7 until late-November 2026. if it rains, we’ll meet on Sunday instead, same time. Rooted in care, solidarity, and radical optimism, We Must Love and Support One Another is both a physical artwork and a record of collective authorship. It honours everyday expression and neighbourhood wisdom through creative, joyful acts of making together. Everyone is welcome. Rain Dates: workshops will be shifted to Sunday
Free Edwards Summer Music Series: Mimi O’Bonsawin Mimi O’Bonsawin is an award-winning contemporary roots singer-songwriter from Northeastern Ontario and a member of the Odanak First Nation. Blending W8banaki (Abénaki) and French Canadian heritage with story-driven songwriting, her music combines uplifting melodies, acoustic instrumentation, and a deep connection to the natural world. Named Solo Artist of the Year at the 2025 Prix Trille Or Awards, Mimi has toured across Canada, Australia, and France. Her acclaimed albums Willow, Boréale, and Live In Concert have earned national recognition and multiple award nominations. Performing as a duo with percussionist Ryan Schurman, she creates intimate, joyful, and inspiring live performances.