A Tale of Two Parks A Tale of Two Parks takes participants and audiences of all ages on a fun and artful exploration of wildlife, ecology and community in Crescent Town’s neighbouring parks, Dentonia and Taylor Creek. Join Shadowland Theatre’s artists for guided nature walks, Indigenous teachings, visual arts workshops, stilt-walking, music-making and processional performances. Over the course of three days in Dentonia Park creative activities will focus on themes of animal and plant life. Then we’ll move over to Taylor Creek Park for two days, where programs will focus on the creek, water life and the meandering side of nature. Each park residency will culminate in interactive theatrical walks where Nature’s characters come to life and tell their stories. Join us at Dentonia Park on Friday August 21 and Taylor Creek on Sunday August 23. Some of the artistic treats in store include: Indigenous nature expert, Alan Colley, will be your guide on nature walks to uncover hidden park creatures and plant medicines, and to share Medicine Wheel teachings. Shadowland’s team of visual and performance artists will run daily arts workshops that explore and celebrate the flora and fauna of each park. Create costumed and puppet characters based on local wildlife, create visual art installations to celebrate the plants and trees, learn some performance skills and join in the shows. The inimitable Njacko Backo will bring his love of community and rhythm and will invite participants of all ages to create music with him to accompany the final processions with Shadowland’s musicians. Drop in any day or join us for all 5 days, we’ll have lots going on. Bring your family and friends. All ages welcome!
A Tale of Two Parks A Tale of Two Parks takes participants and audiences of all ages on a fun and artful exploration of wildlife, ecology and community in Crescent Town’s neighbouring parks, Dentonia and Taylor Creek. Join Shadowland Theatre’s artists for guided nature walks, Indigenous teachings, visual arts workshops, stilt-walking, music-making and processional performances. Over the course of three days in Dentonia Park creative activities will focus on themes of animal and plant life. Then we’ll move over to Taylor Creek Park for two days, where programs will focus on the creek, water life and the meandering side of nature. Each park residency will culminate in interactive theatrical walks where Nature’s characters come to life and tell their stories. Join us at Dentonia Park on Friday August 21 and Taylor Creek on Sunday August 23. Some of the artistic treats in store include: Indigenous nature expert, Alan Colley, will be your guide on nature walks to uncover hidden park creatures and plant medicines, and to share Medicine Wheel teachings. Shadowland’s team of visual and performance artists will run daily arts workshops that explore and celebrate the flora and fauna of each park. Create costumed and puppet characters based on local wildlife, create visual art installations to celebrate the plants and trees, learn some performance skills and join in the shows. The inimitable Njacko Backo will bring his love of community and rhythm and will invite participants of all ages to create music with him to accompany the final processions with Shadowland’s musicians. Drop in any day or join us for all 5 days, we’ll have lots going on. Bring your family and friends. All ages welcome!
Free Edwards Summer Music Series: Latin Swing Orchestra Don’t miss this free outdoor concert series that showcases diverse, contemporary talent set within the natural beauty of Toronto Botanical Garden. Enjoy eight FREE concerts in the Garden on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. in July and August. July 16 | Latin Swing Orchestra Bass player Fhanor Molina began his musical training in Cali, Colombia. He is a highly recognized Latin artist and founder of the Latin Swing Orchestra, who carry forward the modern musical legacy of Salsa and Tropical Music and tour throughout Ontario. General seating is available on a first-come basis. Guests can also bring their own chairs. Concerts are held rain or shine. This is a very popular summer concert series, so we recommend arriving early so you can enjoy a relaxing experience, wander the gardens, register for a pre-concert guided tour or grab a BBQ dinner at the Dandelion Cafe. The Edwards Summer Music Series is generously supported by the Edwards Charitable Foundation and Presenting Sponsor Foresters Financial.
Free Edwards Summer Music Series: MESSENJAH Don’t miss this free outdoor concert series that showcases diverse, contemporary talent set within the natural beauty of Toronto Botanical Garden. Enjoy eight FREE concerts in the Garden on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. in July and August. July 9 | Messenjah Messenjah is a Canadian-based reggae group that has now become one of the most successful reggae groups in Canadian music history. Formed in Kitchener, Ontario in 1981, the founding members are Rupert “Ojiji” Harvey on lead guitar and vocals, Errol “Skippah” Blackwood on bass and lead vocals, Eric “Baby face” Walsh on rhythm guitar and vocals, and Ray “General” Ruddock on drums. General seating is available on a first-come basis. Guests can also bring their own chairs. Concerts are held rain or shine. This is a very popular summer concert series, so we recommend arriving early so you can enjoy a relaxing experience, wander the gardens, register for a pre-concert guided tour or grab a BBQ dinner at the Dandelion Cafe. The Edwards Summer Music Series is generously supported by the Edwards Charitable Foundation and Presenting Sponsor Foresters Financial.
Ward’s Island Fire Parade The 39th annual Ward’s Island Fire Parade is a celebration of light and community with spectacular outdoor performance, lantern parade and beach finale on Toronto Island. Performance on Friday July 31 2026 at 8.30pm. Join in a week of community workshops from Sunday July 26 to Friday July 31. Learn about outdoor theatre, lantern-making and puppet animation. Be in the show! Workshop details at Ward’s Island Fire Parade Take the ferry to Ward’s Island
So You Think You Can Tweet? Ahead of The Tweetations Presents: The Love Nest, young artists and anyone curious about singing and performing are invited to take part in So You Think You Can Tweet?, a free vocal workshop and mentorship session led by vocal coach and performer Camille Harrison. Participants will build confidence, explore their voice, and connect with other young artists in a supportive space. Space is limited, registration is required, and food will be provided. Click here to register Exact location to be shared with registered participants.
The Tweetations Present: The Love Nest Hatched by filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist Fraser Collins, The Tweetations takes audiences on a fantastical journey celebrating the connection between Black music, nature, and our most glamorous, unusual, and iconic friends: birds. Blending playful performance with music, dance, comedy, and storytelling, the event brings to life a diverse cast of birds portrayed by a team of fabulously feathered performers. The Tweetations Presents: The Love Nest is a free, family-friendly, interactive musical revue at sunset, transforming Memorial Park into a harmonious retreat. The event is designed to spark community connection and shared cultural experiences while exploring the many shades of love – romantic, platonic, familial, self-love, and love for the natural world.
Pride At The Garden Looking for a Pride experience that’s a little more relaxed, a little more green, and full of good energy? Join us for an afternoon celebration that blends live music, nature, and community in a beautiful garden setting—perfect for first-time visitors and longtime garden lovers alike. Drop in anytime to experience Pride at your own pace. Stretch out on the lawn with a picnic blanket (bring your own or borrow one of ours), enjoy a curated line up of Queer music artists, and connect with friends and chosen family in an open, welcoming space. What to Expect: Live Music + Sofar Sounds: A series of intimate outdoor performances with surprise queer musical guests.Queer Plant Swap: Bring plants, cuttings, or seeds to trade. Take your plant to the swap table when you arrive and take a ticket to swap. If you don’t find something right away, come back to check for something else as new people and plants arrive throughout the event.TITA at Our Garden: Spend time with TITA (she/they), your Filipina Auntie, exploring queer plants, self-expression, and the joy of drag.Sparkle Bloom Bar: Stop by and get blinged up and bloom with pride. Connect with circus fairies who will bedazzle your look with glitter, gems, and fresh floral hair accents.Food + Drinks: Visit the Dandelion Café for picnic fare, light bites, and refreshing drinks.Community Partners + Free Family Activities: Drop-in to the Children’s Centre for themed make and take crafting. This event is supported by the City of Toronto’s Music Office.
Weston Sings! Weston Sings is an outdoor choir festival designed to showcase the cultural diversity, pride, and talent of Weston Village. The Weston Village Community Association is bringing together multiple communities through the shared joy of music. The event will feature Echo Choir (folk), Alt Vox (pop), and the Toronto Community Gospel Choir. Join us as our three choirs, local students, and the audience are invited to sing in a collaborative finale!
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