6 of the best things to do in Toronto this weekend

We’re roughly halfway through November, which means the city is about to get a lot more festive. Opportunities for merry-making, holiday shopping and other seasonal activities abound and this weekend is no exception. From markets and holiday pop-ups to winter-themed festivals, there’s plenty to choose from in Toronto. Here are six of the best weekend events to check out.

Shop the Riverside Market

Jump start your holiday shopping this weekend (if you haven’t already started) at the Riverside Market by The Leslieville Flea happening Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The market will be popping up at the Opera House, showcasing a curated selection of vintage and handcrafted goods perfect for gift giving (or just a bit of Sunday self-care).

Get in the mood for snow


Whether or not you’re ready for it, winter is coming. You can start making the best of it this Friday at Ontario Place. Snow Magic is an immersive drive-through experience at Ontario Place’s East Island featuring eighteen vibrant art installations, crystal caves, illuminated art projections, state of the art pyrotechnics and a forest of light. And $1 for every Snow Magic ticket sold will be donated to SickKids.

Check out Winterfest


Another chance to get into the winter spirit comes courtesy of Canada’s Wonderland. The amusement park will once again be home to Winterfest, a family-friendly holiday experience featuring a skating rink, over a dozen live shows and holiday entertainment, millions of lights and hundreds of Christmas trees throughout the park, including two 50-foot Christmas trees on International Street.

Head to the fall Cottage Life Show

Canada’s largest cottage and outdoor living event is back this weekend at the International Centre and while lounging on the dock might be a distant memory at this point, you can always plan ahead for next year. The fall Cottage Life Show will feature seminars with Cottage Life magazine’s editorial team alongside several guest speakers, as well as lots of shopping and exhibitors to check out. Bonus: the show will run concurrently with the Seasons Christmas Show and one ticket gets you into both shows.

Pick up some plants


Brighten up your abode (or someone else’s) with a visit to a pop-up plant sale happening Saturday and Sunday courtesy of Be Leaf Plant Store. Shop everything from starter plants to tropical and more unique items, all grown in Canadian greenhouses. There will be experts on site and plants are organized by light, care requirements and more specifications, making it easy to pick the perfect plant for however green (or not-so-green) your thumb may be.

Check out the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival

There’s still time to catch a movie or two at the 25th installment of the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, which started on November 10 and runs until the 19. This year’s festival lineup consists of 81 films from all over the world, including Canada, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Pakistan, India, Norway and the United States, with 59 per cent directed by women and non-binary filmmakers.

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