Five things to do in Toronto on the weekend of August 23–25
In this edition of The Weekender, the city’s annual busking festival, a beer-fueled party at Bar Volo and three more things to do in Toronto this weekend.
Fan Expo Canada
Toronto’s answer to Comic-Con returns with four days of animation appreciation and sci-fi star spotting. Over 90,000 enthusiasts are expected, plus a parade of celebs that includes comic book legend Stan Lee, Princess Leia portrayer Carrie Fisher, and the cast of The Walking Dead. With a speed-dating booth, you might even find more than an autograph. August 22–25. $25–$50 ($115 for four days). Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St. W., 416-585-8000, fanexpocanada.com
BuskerFest
This year, North America’s largest street performance festival abandons its usual spot outside St. Lawrence Market for a long stretch of Yonge Street south of College. More than 50 beatboxers, knife-tossers and otherwise awe-inspiring performers will descend on the area in hopes of leaving an impression and making a buck. Admission is pay-what-you-can, with proceeds going to Epilepsy Toronto. Aug. 22–25. By donation. Yonge St. from College St. to Queen St., torontobuskerfest.com
Chinatown Festival (FREE!)
The neighbourhood presents its annual celebration of Chinese culture with a dazzling range of food, music and traditional pastimes like Mahjong and Chinese chess. Live performances include dragon dancing, in which hundred-foot-long creatures are brought to life by a team of skilled performers—a sight not to be missed. Aug. 24–25. Free. Spadina Ave. from College St. to Dundas St. W., 416-260-9800, chinatowntcf.com
Wild Blueberry Festival
The Brick Works pays homage to a cottage country classic with a day of workshops, bake-offs, and more. Learn to plant and cultivate your own crop of berries, then watch some of the city’s most respected bakers go head-to-head in a blueberry pie bake-off (happily, sampling is permitted). Throw in live music and a selection of Ontario wines and you have a perfect summer Sunday. Aug. 25. $5 per tasting ballot. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave., 416-596-7670, ebw.evergreen.ca
Bellwoods Sunsplash at Bar Volo
Head to Bar Volo for a day of reggae, soul and beer as Bellwoods Brewery takes over all 26 of the bar’s draught lines (with six more options on cask). Regular favourites like Wizard Wolf Session Ale and Witchshark IIPA will be available alongside classics like Bring Out Your Dead, an imperial stout aged in cognac barrels. The $25 admission includes a booklet for tasting notes, a commemorative glass and five sample tokens. Additional tokens are $2.50 each with each beer costing 2–3 tokens. Aug. 24. $25. Bar Volo, 587 Yonge St, guestlistapp.com/events/176925
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/food/things-to-do-in-toronto-august-2/&title=Five things to do in Toronto on the weekend of August 23–25&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/the-weekender-aug-24-624x395.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_228983" align="aligncenter" width="656"] (Image: BuskerFest Toronto)[/caption]
In this edition of The Weekender, the city’s annual busking festival, a beer-fueled party at Bar Volo and three more things to do in Toronto this weekend.
CONVENTION
Fan Expo Canada
Toronto’s answer to Comic-Con returns with four days of animation appreciation and sci-fi star spotting. Over 90,000 enthusiasts are expected, plus a parade of celebs that includes comic book legend Stan Lee, Princess Leia portrayer Carrie Fisher, and the cast of The Walking Dead. With a speed-dating booth, you might even find more than an autograph. August 22–25. $25–$50 ($115 for four days). Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St. W., 416-585-8000, fanexpocanada.com
LIVE PERFORMANCE
BuskerFest
This year, North America’s largest street performance festival abandons its usual spot outside St. Lawrence Market for a long stretch of Yonge Street south of College. More than 50 beatboxers, knife-tossers and otherwise awe-inspiring performers will descend on the area in hopes of leaving an impression and making a buck. Admission is pay-what-you-can, with proceeds going to Epilepsy Toronto. Aug. 22–25. By donation. Yonge St. from College St. to Queen St., torontobuskerfest.com
FESTIVAL
Chinatown Festival (FREE!)
The neighbourhood presents its annual celebration of Chinese culture with a dazzling range of food, music and traditional pastimes like Mahjong and Chinese chess. Live performances include dragon dancing, in which hundred-foot-long creatures are brought to life by a team of skilled performers—a sight not to be missed. Aug. 24–25. Free. Spadina Ave. from College St. to Dundas St. W., 416-260-9800, chinatowntcf.com
FOOD
Wild Blueberry Festival
The Brick Works pays homage to a cottage country classic with a day of workshops, bake-offs, and more. Learn to plant and cultivate your own crop of berries, then watch some of the city’s most respected bakers go head-to-head in a blueberry pie bake-off (happily, sampling is permitted). Throw in live music and a selection of Ontario wines and you have a perfect summer Sunday. Aug. 25. $5 per tasting ballot. Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave., 416-596-7670, ebw.evergreen.ca
DRINKS
Bellwoods Sunsplash at Bar Volo
Head to Bar Volo for a day of reggae, soul and beer as Bellwoods Brewery takes over all 26 of the bar’s draught lines (with six more options on cask). Regular favourites like Wizard Wolf Session Ale and Witchshark IIPA will be available alongside classics like Bring Out Your Dead, an imperial stout aged in cognac barrels. The $25 admission includes a booklet for tasting notes, a commemorative glass and five sample tokens. Additional tokens are $2.50 each with each beer costing 2–3 tokens. Aug. 24. $25. Bar Volo, 587 Yonge St, guestlistapp.com/events/176925){kind=link}
Don’t forget RIOT FEST this weekend!