Searching for some free things to do in Toronto this weekend? You can enjoy your time off to the fullest without spending all your savings with these activities.
Whether it's sipping high tea, exploring a flower trail, or immersing yourself in unique experiences, the city has a bunch of events to enjoy without splurging.
There are also several free Mother's Day activities going on in the city to enjoy with your mom.
Here are 13 free things to do in Toronto this weekend, May 10 to 12.
Get your hair done
Dove Hair Fix Mobile Salon.
Courtesy of Dove
Price: Free
When: May 12, 2024, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Address: 235 Queen's Quay W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Just in time for Mother's Day, the Dove Hair Fix Mobile Salon is offering complimentary hair treatments for moms.
You can head to the mobile salon, try out the new Dove Bond Strength haircare and enjoy a blow-dry.
While the pop-up is celebrating moms, it is open to everyone.
Experience a photography festival
Price: Free
When: Throughout May, 2024
Address: 80 Spadina Ave., Ste 205, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: You'll be feeling artsy at this giant international photography festival. The CONTACT Photography Festival fills Toronto's galleries and event spaces with pieces by thousands of photographers from around the world.
The festival includes artist talks, lectures, photography workshops and more.
Explore a flower market
Price: Free admission
When: May 11, 2024, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Address: CAMH, 1001 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: You can enjoy the 2024 launch of the Toronto Flower Market this weekend. The event is taking place on select dates until October and features a variety of gorgeous blooms from local farmers and florists.
You can shop for bouquets, wander through the blooms and find other items like vases and artwork.
Taste some tea
Price: Free
When: May 11, 2024, 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Address: 1628 Queen St. E., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Head to the Ethical Local Market for a tea tasting event. The Gems and High Tea experience is taking place this weekend and you can "sip on a variety of teas while indulging in scrumptious treats."
You'll be surrounded by colourful gems as you learn about the different flavours and origins of tea.
Check out a market
Price: Free admission
When: May 12, 2024, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Address: 2075 Queen St. E., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: The Beaches Artisian Market is taking place this weekend and it's a fun place to do some shopping. You can browse through handcrafted goods from over 50 artists, artisans, designers and more.
Children can enjoy free face painting and an extra treat.
Wander along a floral trail
Price: Free
When: May 8 to 12, 2024
Address: Bloor-Yorkville, Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Bloor-Yorkville is getting a floral makeover with the arrival of Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE, a "fresh floral trail inspired by remarkable artists spanning various disciplines, created by Toronto’s favourite florists."
You can wander past over 35 flower-filled installations inspired by artists throughout history.
The event includes floral refreshments, live music, a flower market, workshops and more.
Go on a stroll
Price: Free
When: May 12, 2024, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Address: 300 King St. E., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: You can explore a Toronto neighbourhood with ROMWalks, a "collection of guided walking tours that take participants on a unique journey of urban discovery."
This week, you can take a trip along Toronto's first main street with the King Street East, Newspapers and Newsmakers tour.
You'll learn about the characters who shaped the city and the unique newspaper stories dating back to the 1820s.
ROM website
Take a little trip to New Orleans
Price: Free
When: May 3 to June 16, 2024
Address: 55 Mill St., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: You can take a trip to New Orleans without leaving Toronto this weekend. The Distillery District is hosting the Bourbon Street North Festival and it will whisk you away to another city.
The New Orleans-inspired festival celebrates "the Sights, Sounds, and Sizzle of The Big Easy" and you can enjoy traditional jazz & blues music as well as food with creole flavours.
Go to a spring carnival
Price: Free
When: May 11, 2024, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Address: 180 Yorkland Blvd., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: You can head to the Joyful Spring Carnival for some fun this weekend. The event is celebrating the arrival of spring and Mother's Day and has " games, rides, delicious food, and live entertainment for the whole family to enjoy."
Celebrate birds
Price: Free
When: May 11, 2024, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Address: 1 Leslie St., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Head to the TRCA Spring Bird Festival this weekend to celebrate the return of 50 million birds journeying through Toronto.
Taking place in Tommy Thompson Park, the event seeks to "raise awareness of and celebrate the phenomenon of spring bird migration," according to the website.
Activities include bird banding demonstrations, presentations, shrub planting and more.
Go to a pop-up market
Price: Free
When: May 10 to 12, 2024
Address: 28 Bathurst St., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Bring your mom to Stackt Market this weekend for the free Mother's Day Pop-Up Market. The three-day experience features more than 30 vendors as well as a candle-making workshop, complimentary massages, face painting, photo ops and more.
Go on a distillery tour
Price: Free
When: May 2 to 12, 2024, 12 p.m.
Address: 28 Bathurst St., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: You can check out the immersive new Jameson Distillery on Tour at Stackt Market. The three-part experience takes you through a replica of the place Jameson was first distilled in 1780, as well as "Irish whiskey’s legendary story, triple-distillation process, and signature smooth taste."
It's a good idea to make a reservation in advance.
Stackt Market website
Go to a Comic Arts Festival
Price: Free
When: May 11 and 12, 2024
Address: 789 Yonge St., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: You can immerse yourself in the world of comics at the Toronto Comic Arts Festival. The event is taking place in the Toronto Reference Library and you can meet over 300 creators.
The event seeks to promote the "breadth and diversity of comics and what is considered comics as a legitimate medium of literary and artistic worth," according to the website.
There are a series of events taking place throughout the weekend, including workshops, drawings and talks.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.