Free or Almost Free Activities in Toronto

A listing of things (permanent and recurring) around Toronto that are free or nearly free

Parks and Recreation

• All public parks in and around Toronto offer free admission
• All city public Pools and Skating rinks are free admission (bring your own swim wear or skates)
• Riverdale Farm - 7 acres of green space in downtown Toronto, complete with a petting zoo. Free admission.
• Cherry Beach - Promise Sundays: weekly beach techno party (free, but pwyc encouraged). See Facebook group for details
• Ashbridges Bay - Large beach area in the East End. Free beach volleyball space, but bring your own net.
• Toronto Islands - Large Island just off the lake accessible via boat ferry ($8 return). 600 Acres of recreational and green space including the kids park Centreville. Ferry ride offers great view of the Toronto Skyline
• Bixi Bike sharing - an inexpensive alternative to taking the TTC. 24 Hour rentals for $5 plus tax.
• Free Public skating at various rinks downtown Toronto including: Nathan Phillips Square and Harbourfront Centre

Entertainment

• Dundas Square - Free movies (Tuesdays) and concerts throughout the week during the summer. Other weekend events available in the winter.
• Toronto City Hall - Numerous free events during the summer and winter at Nathan Phillips Square. info here
• High Park - Free Shakespear Plays at the Ampitheatre. More info here
• Harbourfront Centre - Weekly Free Concerts on weekends
• Distillery District - Interesting boutiques and restaurants, with a large collection of preserved Victorian Architecture. An excellent place for photography.
• Free stuff can be won by entering weekly contests through Toronto's Weekly Newspapers
• Drake Hotel - Elvis Mondays: Free concert performance by local bands. Also free food served too.
• TIFF Bell Lightbox - "The Free Screen" series offers free contemporary films
• The Cinema Studies Student Union at the University of Toronto has free film screenings every Friday evening on campus at Innis College.
• Toronto Music Garden - FREE concerts take place in the Toronto Music Garden on most Thursdays at 7pm and Sundays at 4pm and are approximately one hour in length. Bench seating is available but limited, so feel free to bring a lawn chair – and don't forget your hat or umbrella and sunscreen as shade is also limited. - info here
• Air Canada Centre - Free movies on the outdoor TV in the summer. - info here
• Tap into TO - local volunteer "greeters" offer FREE tours of their favourite neighbourhoods. info here
• Woodbine Racetrack - Toronto - General admission and seating are free and horse betting is not required. Minimum bets are $2. There is both indoor and outdoor seating along with restaurants. Parking is free.
• Bowlerama West Toronto - 70s night on Wednesdays, games are $0.99 per person, hot dogs and fries are also $0.99 (5429 Dundas W, 416 239 3536)

Culture

• Art Gallery of Ontario - Free admission every Wednesdays from 6pm - close
• MOCCA - Museum of Contemporary Candian Art - Pay what you can admission. info here
• Royal Ontario Museum - Free admission every wednesdays between 3:30pm and 5:30pm; 1/2 price admissions on Fridays from 4:30pm
• Bata Shoe Museum - Thursdays from 5pm - 8pm admission is Pay-what-you-can, with a suggested donation of $5
• Canadian Opera Company - Free Lunch Hour performances at the Four Seasons Centre. Full schedule can be found here
• National Film Board - Access to 5,500 FREE NFB films at their digital viewing stations located at Richmond and John.
• Toronto Public Library - Free book rentals and internet access
• CBC Building - The CBC museum inside is free
• Hart House - Free concerts by Hart House Groups such as the Hart House Orchestra and free admission to the JM Barnicke Gallery
• Toronto Heritage Walks - Free guided tours of Toronto's historic neighbourhoods from May to October. info here
• Japan Foundation - Free library access to Japanese books, magazines, media and language studies material. Also art exhibitions film screenings and more. info here
• Luminato - Annual festival in June related to theatre, dance, music, literature, food, visual arts, fashion, and film with free and paid events. info on free stuff here
• Canadian Opera Company's Free Concert Series - The Canadian Opera Company has free lunch hour performances at the Four Seasons Centre. Enjoy a variety of musical style concerts in the sun bathed ampitheatre of the Four Seasons Centre

Others

• St. Lawrence Market - St. Lawrence Market is spread over 3 historic buildings in downtown Toronto. There is an antique market, food market and other public space.
• Kensington Market and Chinatown - Kensington Market and Chinatown are Toronto neighbourhoods. Find funky, organic, fair-trade coffee shops, retro furniture, vintage clothing shops and plenty of places to pick up a cheap take-out meal. Authentic Chinese food.
• Distillery District - This pedestrian-only village is set amidst fabulous heritage architecture that comprises the largest and best-preserved collection of Victorian Industrial Architecture. All the stores and galleries are one of a kind.
• Parking Republic - Find streets with free parking are the location and times where you want to park using their website
• The Bike Chain - University of Toronto operates a bike shop for members of the community. Free use of equipment for your own repairs. Parts and accessories for sale and for cheap.
• Bike Sauce - DIY repair space and community hub. More info
• Downtown Legal Services - Free legal services operated by the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto. It is a public interest clinic for low income individuals. Info here
• Flemingdon Community Legal Service - free legal service for tenant issues, immigration, social assistance, legal aid & appeals. More info
• Free WiFi Internet - At libraries, coffee shops and other places. See our Wi Fi Hotspots category
• Hassle Free Clinic - Free counseling and medical services related to sexual health. info here