Five things to do in Toronto on the weekend of August 1–4

Five things to do in Toronto on the weekend of August 1–4

Drake performs at OVO Fest 2013. (Image: Sonia Recchia/Getty)

In this Civic Holiday edition of The Weekender, two giant music festivals, a nice walk and three other things to do in Toronto this weekend.

PARADE

Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade
Formerly known as Caribana, the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade has an awkward name now, but it’s otherwise the same as it ever was: massive, loud, crowded and (weather permitting) deathly hot. Anyone willing to brave the discomforts associated with the event will be rewarded, though. The flamboyant costumes and elaborate floats are unlike anything else Toronto’s festival season has to offer, and the excitement of the largely Caribbean crowd is contagious. Aug. 2. FREE, or $20 for a bleacher seat. Exhibition Place and Lake Shore Blvd., torontocaribbeancarnival.com

MUSIC

VELD
One of the weekend’s hottest tickets, Veld, Canada’s self-proclaimed “largest electronic music festival,” brings a massive lineup of EDM performers to remotest Etobicoke, where the bass pumped out by their towers of speakers won’t bother anybody. Hometown hero Deadmau5 isn’t on the bill this year, but plenty of other big acts are scheduled to appear, including Dutch DJ Armin Van Buuren, Waka Flocka Flame and Calvin Harris. Aug. 2–3. $270. Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall Rd., veldmusicfestival.com

MUSIC

OVO Fest
Whatever cool kids aren’t heading to Veld this weekend are certainly planning on attending OVO Fest, Drake’s annual hip-hop festival. For fans, this is the concert of the summer—an unmissable two-day extravaganza of big headliners and surprise guests. Outkast anchors Sunday’s show, and Drake himself tops the bill on Monday. Aug. 3–4. Sold out, but tickets available on StubHub starting at $79. Molson Ampitheatre, 909 Lake Shore Blvd. W., stubhub.com

HISTORY

Chinatown: Then and Now
As part of Heritage Toronto’s summer walks program, Arlene Chan, of the Chinatown BIA, is leading groups on guided tours of the neighbourhood. Sunday’s walk is a nice opportunity to learn a little bit about the history of the city’s Chinese population while taking a relaxing stroll, and, when it’s all over, dim sum will be right next door. Aug. 3. $20. Meet-up location provided upon registration, heritagetoronto.com

SHOPPING

Artfest Summer Art and Craft Show (FREE!)
It can be hard to find excuses to spend a summer day in the Distillery District, because, despite all the good eating and drinking opportunities, getting there can be a bit of a trek. Artfest’s summer art-and-craft show may just be a good enough reason to brave the streetcars. Anyone with a bare condo to decorate will want to check out the array of high-design knick-knacks and wall hangings. Aug. 2–4. FREE. 55 Mill St., artfest.squarespace.com