Much like Drake's giant ice block - Toronto is starting to thaw 😝
Last weekend we hit up the Good Friends outdoor market on Queen West and you could just see that people are ready for some good weather.
The world's a lil weird these days, but if you just step outside and go for a stroll - Toronto is bringing some seriously refreshing vibes right now.
Here's what's going on this weekend 👇
Toronto at a Glance
April 24-26
🚨 MAJOR ALERT - Gardiner fully closed this weekend: The Gardiner Expressway will be fully closed from the Humber River to Spadina Avenue from 11pm Friday, April 24th until 5am Monday, April 27th. This is a big one - the entire Gardiner, not just lane reductions. If you're driving anywhere east-west across downtown this weekend, plan well ahead.
🏀 Raptors Playoffs - Game 4, Sunday: The Raptors host Cleveland in Game 4 of Round 1 on Sunday April 26 at 1pm at Scotiabank Arena - with Cleveland leading the series 2-0, this is a must-win home game and the energy around Scotiabank Arena is going to be intense. Jurassic Park will be loud.
🕺 Khalsa Day Parade - Sunday: The Khalsa Day parade gathers at City Hall this year - one of the largest parades in Canada. Expect significant crowd activity around Nathan Phillips Square and along the parade route Sunday. Free, open to all, and maybe worth checking out.
⚾⚽ Jays + TFC both home this weekend: The Blue Jays host Cleveland all three days - Friday 7:07pm, Saturday 3:07pm, Sunday 1:37pm - with Y2K Weekend activations making it a bigger draw than a typical series. Toronto FC also hosts Atlanta United at BMO Field Saturday at 1pm. Two stadiums, one weekend, and the Gardiner fully closed on top of it.
🚧 Ongoing - Queen Street East: Construction between Davies Avenue and Broadview Avenue continues with one eastbound lane. Still slower than usual through that stretch.
🌦️ Friday: Around 7°C with a 35% chance of rain - layer up for the evening.
🌧️ Saturday: Around 7°C, 40% chance of rain. Indoor plans are your friend - OCAD Artist Alley is perfectly timed.
☀️ Sunday: Data still coming in but looking like it clears up!
On Our Radar
Friday, April 24
Head to RCHIVE on King West Friday night for a fun Earth Day celebration - live painters, sustainable fashion designers, DJ sets, a themed bar, and a responsible room full of people who actually give a damn. $20, capacity limited, grab your ticket now.
A no-frills monthly meetup for Toronto creatives - filmmakers, writers, musicians, actors, and more; kept intentionally small at under 20 people so you actually meet someone. Show up, grab a coffee, make a real connection.
Show up solo or roll deep - Board Game Friday is your excuse to actually do something this weekend - Catan, Avalon, Cards Against Humanity, and more. New friends guaranteed.
Trade your Friday night scroll for scissors and magazine clippings - c-suite creative's collage night is a screen-free, zero-experience-needed creative session designed to actually decompress you. Supplies included, chaotic or zen energy both welcome.
Coyote Ugly meets burlesque at Teddy Beer on Ossington - tabletop dancing, a live roaster, choreographed performances, and four hours of pure high-energy chaos. Western chic dress code, come ready.
Build a floral purse out of fresh blooms, then get photographed in it - Zahee & Co's Spring Bridal Edit at Preto Loft also has a fragrance bar, live oud station, permanent jewelry, specialty coffee, and edible flower desserts. Market is free, workshop requires a ticket.
Saturday, April 25
Start your Saturday at High Park with 8km of good conversation - the Mindful Miles crew meets weekly for a no-pressure walk with curious people who like to wander and talk. Coffee first at 8am, then the park.
Your new Saturday morning ritual - coffee, collage, zines, and zero pressure to call yourself an artist. Show up, make something small, leave feeling more like yourself. Materials provided.
Get into pickleball for $11 an hour - beginners welcome, with George and Gio on hand to show you the ropes.
Learn to make matcha the right way from Ao Cha - water temps, whisking technique, and everything in between, with all materials provided at Again Again's creative studio space downtown. Make a great cup, make a friend or two.
The Bored Ape Yacht Club turns 5 and Toronto's celebrating - optional Jays game at 3pm, pre-drinks at Corona Rooftop, then a YugaLabs-sponsored dinner at LOCAL Public Eatery Adelaide at 7pm. One for the Web3 crowd.
A comedy night where venting is the whole point - improv, crowd participation, and a room where you're genuinely allowed to not be fine. Snacks and drinks included, no experience needed.
We'll be at this one - a social night for people in their 30s and 40s built around a simple concept - one card is all it takes to start a conversation. No pressure, no performance, just good people in a room making it easy.
Miami-raised, Brooklyn-tested comedian Tatiana Frank brings her most awkward and shameful moments to Backroom Comedy Club for one night only - two shows, 8pm and 10pm, April 25.
Sunday, April 26
Chess, markets, bites, and games all in one spot - shop local vendors, eat well, and play some chess while you're at it at Wellington Market.
Pokemon trivia meets live comedy - three comedians battle through wild minigames and Pokémon knowledge, and when they don't know the answer the crowd gets to jump in. Top performer and top audience member both win a free month of Dropout TV.
A Sunday morning walk through Toronto's underground PATH network - same wandering conversation energy as the High Park crew, just allergy-friendly and underground. Meet at % Arabica at 8am.
This week's fun & free-ish picks 🎉
We did the digging so you don't have to - here are three things actually worth doing in Toronto this weekend.
Toronto's fashion & beauty scene never really sleeps 🌸
Some weeks it's a packed runway show, some weeks it's a clothing swap in a community hall. Either way we're rounding up what's happening every week - the good, the quiet, and the ones worth knowing about.
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