Toronto Summer Events 2007

Toronto has a ton of summer events for 2007, that may make your next business trip the best ever.

Rogers Chinese Lantern Festival: July 19 – October 7, 2007. Beginning July 18 and continuing through the rest of the summer, Ontario Place will host another breathtaking festival with more lanterns and a bigger and better traditional Bejing marketplace. The authentic Chinese lanterns will light up the park each evening from 6pm to 10pm. It is a separate ticketed event, featuring more than 40-illuminated lantern structures made from silk, porcelain and elaborate hand-painted Chinese murals. The festival includes live entertainment and an authentic Chinese foods and handicrafts. Please visit our website for more details. The festival takes place at Ontario Place, 955 Lakeshore Blvd West.

Summerlicious: July 6 – 8, 2007. With 130 of Toronto’s top dining establishments offering incredible value and exclusive prix fixe menus for this year’s promotion, Summerlicious is certainly on track to surpass all previous records.

Toronto International Film Festival: September 6 – 15. The glitterati and cineastes from Hollywood and around the globe descend on Toronto to fete and enjoy the latest uber-celluloid offerings from the world’s best auteurs. It is a week and half of parties, galas and intriguing films, documentaries and shorts.

Leaving Home: Through June 16, 2007. David French’s humorous and heartrending play represents the first installment of his seminal and very personal Mercer Family Saga. Set in Toronto, Leaving Home explores physical and spiritual dislocation in a tale of unrequited love between father and son. This astonishing play was instrumental in the establishment of Canadian home-grown drama when it triumphantly premiered in 1972. See it at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill St., Building 49.

Our Town: Until August 9, 2007. Thorton Wilder’s masterpiece, Our Town, is a gentle, humorous, poetic and theatrical meditation that provides us with a much needed reminder of how brief life is and how we must celebrate its blessings. See it at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill St., Building 49.

We Will Rock You: Until September 2 , 2007. From Olivier Award-winning playwright Ben Elton and QUEEN’s Brian May and Roger Taylor! The world-wide smash-hit musical in its Canadian premiere! In a future world – where globalisation is complete – we are all safe, happy, homogenised consumers. One giant corporation tells us what to buy, what to wear, what to believe, how to live, what to think… but, deep beneath the gleaming cities, there are rebels who remember the time they call The Rhapsody… and make their own forbidden music. See it at the Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria St.

Milk International Children’s Festival of the Arts: May 21 – 28, 2007. Eight great days of the world’s beset contemporary, professional performing arts for young audiences. Creative and diverse productions, many presenting in Canada for the very first time. Main stage productions showcase art and cultural experiences as essential for the development, enrichment, creativity and imagination of children, students, teachers, and adults of all ages. Daily shows, on-site interactive activities, drum spectacles and arts workshops. At the Harbourfront Centre.

Caribana Festival (Caribana Weekend): August 4 – 6, 2007. Dance and cavort in the summer heat with the sights and sounds of this Caribbean festival with its gorgeous costumes and brilliant mix of calypso, soca and reggae. Take in the parade along the swath of Lakeshore heading west of the Exhibition Grounds, or enjoy the music, arts, culture, and food of the West Indies during the final two days on beautiful Centre Island. This event takes place along Lakeshore Boulevard.
Location: Along Lakeshore Blvd.

Top Girls: June 26-August 4. Top Girls is both a delightful comedy peppered with some of history’s most compelling women, and scorching political examination of the role of women in contemporary society. This show takes place at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill St., Building 49.

Lerner & Loewe’s CAMELOT: June 27 – 30, 2007. Camelot is a magical musical setting of the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Coming to The Hummingbird Centre, this magnificent new production of Lerner and Loewe’s timeless masterpiece will star British stage and film legend, Michael York (The Three Musketeers, Cabaret and Austin Powers). See it at the Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front St. East.

Cirque du Soleil: August 9, 2007. This limited engagement will be presented under the blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (big top) at the Port Lands (on Cherry Street). From the 20 or so performers that the company featured when it all began in 1984, Quebec based Cirque du Soleil has become a leading provider of quality entertainment with over 3,000 employees, including 900 artists who hail from 40 different countries. See it at Under the Grand Chapiteau at the Port Lands.

Famous PEOPLE Players Dine & Dream Theatre Alice In Funky Land: February – June, 2007 and Good Rockin’: July – October, 2007. From Broadway to Sea World, from Las Vegas to Radio City Music Hall, Canada’s internationally-renowned black light theatre company has become an inspiring national treasure. This shining jewel of family entertainment has its own special home, minutes from downtown Toronto, where children and adults alike can experience dazzling world-class artistry through a feast of all the sense. Experience the shows at the Famous PEOPLE Players Dine & Dream Theatre, 110 Sudbury St.

Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre: GodFather Knows Best!: June 8 – July 14, 2007. Murder On Sunset Blvd.: July 20 – August 25, 2007. A Clue To Murder: August 31 – September 29, 2007.
The mood is set as you enter the elegant, tiered-level dinner theatre and enjoy a fabulous, three-course, gourmet meal. The intrigue begins around dessert time, where you meet some colourful characters. The plot thickens when someone you’ve just met…dies, or a body is discovered! A detective leads the investigation. The suspects are spread throughout the room, sitting right at the tables with you, so you get to participate and see if you can solve… See it at the Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre – 2026 Yonge St.

Stage West Dinner Theatre: California Dream 2: The Beat Goes On: Nov. 30, 2006 – Feb. 18, 2007. The Full Monty: May 3 – July 8, 2007. Nunsense: July 12 – September 16, 2007. A World-class theatre, sumptuous buffet…a great night out! Stage West has a lively calendar with performances to suit every taste and age. Whether you like musicals, comedies, drama, big band or tribute bands, we have something for you! Regular dinner shows are from Tuesday through Sunday evenings, with brunch matinees on Wednesday and Sunday mornings. Find it at the Stage West Dinner Theatre – 5400 Dixie Rd. (Mississauga)

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition: June 2, 2007 – January 6, 2008. The story of the Titanic had been told and retold, but never more poignantly and passionately than by the artifacts and personal stories presented in the exhibition. Come on a journey of the RMS Titanic – from its design and construction, to its fateful maiden voyage. See it at the Ontario Science Centre.

The Charm of Rococo: Feminity and Footwear in the 18th Century: Through June 2007. Featuring some of the Museum’s most magnificent and lavish footwear, The Charm of Rococo transports visitors into a world of opulence in the age of Louis the XV. Emanating from the French court, the Rococo aesthetic infused a sensuous charm and delicate grace into fashion in the 18th century; it also defined femininity in new ways. The quality of artifacts in this exhibition showcases the exquisite craftsmanship and eclectic imagination of the era of Rococo. Find it at the Bata Shoe Museum – 327 Bloor St. West

Toronto Botanical Garden: Open for its first spring and summer in 2007, the Toronto Botanical Garden is a stunning array of contemporary gardens spanning nearly four acres designed to inspire and educate. Innovative indoor and outdoor garden-related programs/events for all ages offered year-round. See it at the Civic Garden Centre- 777 Lawrence Ave. East

Pride Festival: June 15 – 24, 2007. Pride Week is the fun and fabulous arts and culture festival that happens each year in Toronto. Pride Week celebrates our diverse sexual and gender identities, histories, cultures, families, friends and lives. It culminates in the annual Pride Parade. It happens throughout The Village and downtown core

TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival: June 22 – July 1 at Various Venues

Canadian National Exhibition (CNE): August 17 – September 3, 2007. The Canadian National Exhibition is one of the summer’s last hurrahs for those both young and young at heart. There are a plethora of things to see and do: the International Marketplace; the Coliseum’s horse shows; the Midway; games of chance; a casino; the Food Building; the Horticultural Building; the Automotive Building; the petting zoo; the sports complex; and much more! Location: Exhibition Place

Toronto Fringe Festival: July 4 – 15. Toronto’s largest summer theatre festival and the third largest Fringe in Canada.

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition: July 6 – 8, 2007. The largest outdoor art exhibition in North America, the TOAE serves as a fresh-air alternative to conventional art shows and galleries. The work of established artists, undiscovered talents and innovative students is featured side by side. An estimated 100,000 visitors attend the exhibition over the three days. Location: Nathan Phillips Square

19th Annual Beaches International Jazz Festival: July 20 – July 29, 2007. Location: The Beaches Neighbourhood

Shoppers Drug Mart OMNIMAX Theatre: June 2007. Titanica – explore the world’s most famous shipwreck 12,500 feet below the icy waves of the North Atlantic. State-of-the-Art submarines outfitted with robotic cameras examine the wreckage. The IMAX film opens June, 2007. See both the exhibition and film when you visit the Centre from June 2-January 6, 2008. Location: Ontario Science Centre.

Distillery Blues Festival: June 15-17, 2007. Distillery Blues Festival takes place at the Historic Distillery District in the heart of Toronto! It’s the only celebration of the Blues in Metro Toronto, providing Blues you can use. Find it at The Distillery Historic District — 55 Mill St.

Masala! Mehndi! Masti! 2007: July 27 – 29, 2007. The largest multi-disciplinary South Asia inspired arts festival outside of South Asia. Established and emerging international artists in traditional and contemporary spheres of music, dance, film, theatre, literature and poetry, natural health practices, social issues, cuisine, arts & crafts and much more. Over 80 performances and events completely FREE. Located: Exhibition Grounds

BrazilFest 2007: July 29, 2007. Itabras Entertainment Productions will be hosting the 4th annual Brazilian Summer Festival (BRAZILFEST – Festival de Verao: Toronto) July 29, 2007, Toronto Centre Island from 2:00-9:00pm. Brazilians, Portuguese and any other nationality that enjoys Brazilian culture will have an opportunity to take part of a spectacular moment of pleasure. Location: Toronto Centre Island

Canada Dry Festival of Fire: June 29, July 1, July 4, 2007. The Canada Dry Festival of Fire is back! Four nights of spectacular fireworks choreographed to music from around the world. Each night will boast a different international theme on June 29, July 1, July 4, and a dazzling Grand Finale on July 7. See it at Ontario Place.

Krinos Taste of the Danforth: August 10 – 12, 2007. Modelled after Taste of Chicago, Krinos Taste of the Danforth celebrates Hellenic culture and cuisine. Take a stroll down the beautiful Danforth Ave. while you taste and savour some of the finest Greek food this side of paradise.

Beer Festival: August 10 -12, 2007. The Festival is a celebration of Canada’s rich brewing history, hosted by experts of the brewing craft from around the country. Featuring more than 200 brands of beer on-site, this is Canada’s premier celebration of the golden beverage, complete with real southern BBQ, live entertainment, grilling demonstrations by TV personalities and of course beer. Taste away at Fort York.

Canadian International Air Show: September 1 – 3, 2007. Location: Exhibition Grounds.

Word on the Street: September 30, 2007. Canada’s largest, annual outdoor book and magazine festival – The Word On The Street Toronto – is your ticket to family fun this fall. Find it at Queen’s Park.

Toronto In-Water Boat Show: September 13-16, 2007. The 10th annual Toronto In-Water Boat Show is the Ontario’s largest in-water boat show. Visitors can get a first glance at new boat models for 2008, purchase current models at reduced prices, check out marine accessories, gifts, nautical clothing and footwear, write the Pleasure Craft Operator Card Test, enjoy a free boat ride at the Discover Boating Centre, and much more. Location: Ontario Place.

BASEBALL: The Blue Jays play 81 regular season games from April to September (inclusive). Group rates available.

19th Toronto International Dragon Boat Race: June 16 – 17, 2007 at the Toronto Centre Island.

HORSERACING: The Queen’s Plate. June 24, 2007 at Woodbine Race Track.

FIFA Under-20 World Cup: July 1 – 22, 2007. The biennial event is second only to the FIFA World Cup in size and scope and will showcase the most talented under-20 soccer players in the world. The tournament has been the coming-out party for some of the game’s top players.

Grand Prix of Toronto: July 6 – 8, 2007. Get revved up for three days of fast-paced excitement! See the big names in car racing burn up the track along Lakeshore Blvd and the Exhibition Grounds.

Rogers Cup Tennis: August 11 – 19, 2007

Roncesvalles Village Polish Festival: Sept 15 – 16, 2007. Enjoy the largest Polish festival with tastes for $1-$5, live Polish music and dancing. Authentic Polish foods and Tyskie Beer and Luksusowa Vodka Gardens. Polka under the Stars on Saturday night at the Roncesvalles Village.

Toronto Waterfront Marathon: September 30, 2007 along Toronto’s waterfront.