Folks, I’m broke. And having fun when you’re broke, as we all know, can be a struggle. Because of this, I present to you: a curated list of the most fun you can have with the least dollars spent!

Toronto during the Summer is incomparable. People are out, there are gatherings, concerts, and everything you can imagine happening on every street—but what about when fall rolls around?

The crisp air and back-to-school vibes change the city completely. All the free events and spontaneous hangs go into hiding but that doesn’t mean they are gone for good, it just means you have to try a little harder to find them.

If you, like me, are not ready to embrace the stay-at-home months that are fast approaching, check out these free and fun activities all around the city!

Hang out at the park 

We’re starting with my personal favourite, an evergreen activity you can do until it’s literally a nightmare to step outside. Toronto is full of parks, more than 1,500 to be exact. From the big staples like High Park and the popular Harbour Front by the CN Tower. Nothing beats bringing a blanket, a book if you’re taking some alone time or a speaker if you’re going with friends, and a good meal to take in the beauty and disconnect from our hectic lives. 

Not many people know, but Bickford Park is the best park to hit up near the midtown/downtown area. Located at 400 Grace St, a 5 min walk from Christie Pits Park, Bickford is a hidden treasure with plenty of trees to sit under and tons of dogs to hang with. This park tends to be less busy during the week but on weekends you’ll find a big community coming together, with families and friends sharing alike.

Honorable mentions:

• Sunnyside Beach (The Queensway and Lakeshore Blvd W)
• Trinity Bellwoods (790 Queen St W)
• Christie Pits (750 Bloor St W)

CineFam Film Festival (October 22 & 23)

CineFAM celebrates the limitless creativity and original film stories of Canadian women and non-binary creators of colour, coming back stronger than ever for its 6th-year edition. I’m really looking forward to attending for the first time and so should you! All you need to do is register for free and you’re set to enjoy 10+ amazing films by women and non-binary BIPOC creators.

CineFAM is a Haitian Creole word meaning “films by women”.

Frances-Anne Solomon, the non-profit’s founder.

The movies range in genre and duration so if you want to know the full schedule head to the Festival Entries and plan the perfect weekend!

Canadian Opera Company – FREE Concert Series

And finally, I’m closing the list with an event series that expands from now through June 2023. The Free Concert Series by the Canadian Opera Company brings artists from all around the globe to perform in one of Toronto’s most breathtaking and intimate spaces, the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre.

The artists will be sharing their immense talent and passion at the Four Seasons Centre, within the Isadore and Rosalie Sharp City Room: a gorgeous, glass-enclosed space that connects the building to its surroundings and the greater community. 

Notable presentations coming up soon include An Afternoon of Mozart and Chopin with Su Yeon Kim on the piano (October 18 at 12 pm) and Collaborations through Jazz with the Mike Downes Trio (November 1 at 5:30 pm). To check the full schedule and take advantage of these amazing series head to the calendar section of their site.

Access to these programs is first-come-first-served so make sure to get there early if you’d like to snag a good spot!

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Now that you know what’s affordable and happening in the city in the next few months, let me know in the comments which one of these activities calls to you the most!

And stay tuned for a review of the Mozart and Chopin concert in the coming weeks 🙂