Toronto's about to get loud, cultural, and very well-lubricated. This weekend packs in a two-day Lunar New Year festival in Chinatown, Polaris Prize-winning hip-hop, Tony Award-winning musicals, gypsy punk from Gogol Bordello, and an outdoor craft beer fest where you'll need layers and enthusiasm in equal measure. If you're looking for things to do in Toronto this weekend, you've come to the right place.
Look, some weekends in Toronto are just okay. This is not one of those weekends. February's been building toward this moment: Lunar New Year lands right in the heart of our Friday-to-Sunday, KUUMBA Festival continues its month-long celebration of Black excellence, and we've got Canadian legends (Big Sugar! Shad!) sharing stage time with international acts and a beer festival that takes the phrase "drink local" very seriously.
I've dug through AllEvents, cross-checked venues, and done my homework so you don't have to doom-scroll through five apps wondering what's actually worth your time. The result? A mix of free cultural festivals, intimate club shows, big theatre energy, and yes, enough TSO for the classical heads.
How this list works: Events are organized roughly by vibe and timeline. Each pick includes the what, why, who, when, and need-to-know basics. Check AllEvents for tickets and last-minute changes.
What: A massive two-day street festival marking the Year of the Fire Horse, with lion dances, dragon parades, cultural performances, food vendors, and family activities transforming Spadina Avenue and Dundas into a celebration zone.
Why go: This is one of the largest Lunar New Year celebrations in Canada, and it's completely free. The energy on these blocks is unmatched, with the sounds of drums, the colors of traditional costumes, and the smell of fresh dumplings and scallion pancakes hitting you from every direction. It's not just a photo op, it's a community coming together.
Who it's for: Families, culture enthusiasts, anyone who wants to kick off their weekend with something genuinely festive and doesn't mind navigating crowds for the experience.
When: Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22, 2026. Activities typically run 11 AM - 5 PM, with key performances throughout.
What: Canadian rock legends Big Sugar, the band that spent the '90s fusing blues, rock, reggae, and dub into something genuinely original, return to Toronto with Wide Mouth Mason opening.
Why go: Gordie Johnson's guitar tone is still one of the most distinctive sounds in Canadian rock. If you grew up with "Diggin' a Hole" or "If I Had My Way," this is a pilgrimage. If you didn't? It's a masterclass in how to make roots music interesting. Wide Mouth Mason opening means the whole night leans into that '90s Canadian alt-rock golden era.
Who it's for: Rock fans who remember when MuchMusic mattered, anyone who appreciates musicians who can actually play, and younger fans curious about why their Gen-X coworkers won't shut up about this band.
When: Friday, February 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM.
What: Polaris Music Prize winner Shad celebrates 20 years in hip-hop with an intimate hometown show, performing material spanning his entire career alongside newer cuts.
Why go: Shad is one of Canadian hip-hop's most important voices, and this anniversary show is the kind of thing that doesn't happen every year. His wordplay is dense without being inaccessible, his live shows are warm and engaging, and The Mod Club's size means you're getting something closer to a conversation than a stadium flex.
Who it's for: Hip-hop heads who care about lyrics, fans of thoughtful rap that doesn't sacrifice groove for message, and anyone who's been following Shad since his early days.
When: Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM.
What: Eugene Hütz and his gypsy punk collective bring their legendary live show to Toronto, mixing Eastern European folk traditions with punk rock energy and theatrical chaos.
Why go: There is no other live experience quite like Gogol Bordello. It's a party, it's a mosh pit, it's a cultural statement, and it's one of the most physically exhausting shows you'll ever attend. They've been doing this for decades and somehow keep finding new reserves of intensity.
Who it's for: Anyone who wants to sweat, dance, and possibly crowdsurf. Not a sit-down-and-appreciate-the-artistry kind of night. Wear comfortable shoes you don't love.
When: Friday, February 20, 2026. Doors at 7:00 PM.
What: Steam Whistle Brewing's annual outdoor beer festival brings Ontario's best craft breweries to Roundhouse Park for an afternoon of cold-weather drinking, food stations, and live entertainment.
Why go: Honestly? Because drinking local craft beer outdoors in February while surrounded by the CN Tower feels weirdly triumphant over winter. Over 30 Ontario breweries pouring, seven food stations, and the kind of crowd that treats beer like a personality trait (meant affectionately).
Who it's for: Craft beer enthusiasts, people who think "embrace the cold" is a lifestyle, and anyone looking for a Saturday afternoon activity that comes with built-in social lubricant.
When: Saturday, February 21, 2026. Early Entry 11 AM, General Entry 12 PM - 6 PM.
What: Music Director Gustavo Gimeno leads the Toronto Symphony Orchestra through Mahler's monumental Ninth Symphony, a 90-minute journey that's considered one of the greatest farewells in classical music.
Why go: Mahler's Ninth is the kind of piece that changes you if you're open to it. It's about mortality, about letting go, about finding beauty in the face of ending. Gimeno's been building something special with this orchestra, and this is repertoire that rewards a great conductor-orchestra partnership.
Who it's for: Classical music devotees, anyone curious about dipping into orchestral music at its most emotionally intense, and people who want a counterweight to the weekend's party energy.
When: Saturday, February 21 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, February 22 at 3:00 PM.
What: Indonesian-born rapper and producer Rich Brian brings his introspective new album tour to Toronto, blending hip-hop, R&B, and electronic elements in his signature genre-fluid style.
Why go: Rich Brian has grown from internet meme to genuine artist, and his live shows reflect that evolution. The new material is more personal and musically adventurous than his earlier work. History's the right size venue for this, big enough to feel like an event, intimate enough to feel connected.
Who it's for: Fans of genre-blending hip-hop, 88rising loyalists, and anyone curious about where rap's headed when it stops caring about traditional lane-staying.
When: Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM.
What: The Max Martin jukebox musical that asks "what if Juliet didn't die?" and answers with wall-to-wall pop hits including "Larger Than Life," "Since U Been Gone," "Roar," and "I Want It That Way."
Why go: This show is pure joy. It's not trying to reinvent theatre, it's trying to make you dance in your seat and leave humming. The songs are genuinely great (Max Martin basically wrote the soundtrack to the last 25 years of pop), and the production values are top-tier Broadway touring quality.
Who it's for: Theatre lovers who don't need everything to be serious, pop music fans, groups celebrating birthdays or bachelorettes, and honestly anyone who needs a serotonin hit.
When: Friday, February 20 at 7:30 PM, Saturday, February 21 at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM, Sunday, February 22 at 1:30 PM.
What: The Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of the classic Billy Wilder film, set in Prohibition-era Chicago with two musicians hiding from the mob while disguised in an all-female band.
Why go: This won four Tonys for good reason. The score is fantastic, the choreography is old-school showstopping, and the updated book handles the gender-bending comedy with more grace than the 1959 film managed. It's a big, Broadway-style musical that delivers exactly what it promises.
Who it's for: Musical theatre traditionalists who want real dancing and big production numbers, film buffs curious about the adaptation, and anyone who appreciates comedy that actually lands.
When: Performances throughout the weekend. Check Mirvish for specific showtimes.
What: A month-long celebration of Black excellence and creativity featuring music, art, poetry, dance, and family programming. This weekend includes Power Kids on Sunday and ongoing exhibitions.
Why go: KUUMBA's "Sounds of Blackness" theme this year focuses on music as a connective thread through Black history and culture. It's educational, celebratory, and consistently features programming you won't find elsewhere in the city. Plus, Harbourfront Centre's waterfront location is genuinely beautiful, even in February.
Who it's for: Families, art lovers, anyone interested in engaging with Black Canadian culture beyond surface-level acknowledgment.
When: Throughout February 2026, with Power Kids on Sunday, February 22 from 12 PM - 4 PM.
What: A photography exhibition featuring Paul McCartney's personal photographs from 1963-64, capturing the Beatles' rise to fame from an insider's perspective you've never seen before.
Why go: This is opening weekend for a major exhibition. These photos haven't been seen publicly before, and they document the most explosive period in pop culture history from inside the hurricane. McCartney's eye is surprisingly sharp, and the intimacy of these images is striking.
Who it's for: Beatles fans (obviously), photography enthusiasts, anyone interested in the 1960s cultural moment, and people who appreciate seeing history through unexpected lenses.
When: Opens February 18, 2026. Regular museum hours, but expect opening weekend to be busier.
What: Rising Canadian pop-folk artist Goldie Boutilier headlines the Danforth on her breakout tour, bringing earnest songwriting and a voice that's earned her a loyal and growing fanbase.
Why go: Catching artists on their first headlining theatre tours is one of music's genuine pleasures. Goldie's got the songs and the stage presence to grow into bigger rooms. This is the "I saw them when" show you'll tell people about later.
Who it's for: Singer-songwriter fans, supporters of Canadian talent before the algorithm discovers them, and anyone who likes their pop with some emotional honesty.
When: Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM.
What: British dubstep producer Zomboy brings his heavy bass assault to the Phoenix for a night that's going to rattle your skeleton and leave your ears ringing (in a good way, kind of).
Why go: If you're into bass music, Zomboy's live shows are benchmark stuff. The sound design is aggressive, the drops are massive, and the Phoenix can handle the low-end frequencies without the whole building vibrating apart. Saturday night release valve energy.
Who it's for: EDM/dubstep fans, people who measure good times by decibel levels, and anyone who needs to dance until their legs hurt.
When: Saturday, February 21, 2026. Doors at 9:00 PM.
What: Canadian comedian Ian Bagg brings his unpredictable crowd-work-heavy style to the Bluma Appel Theatre for a stand-up special that promises to go off-script constantly.
Why go: Bagg's material is fine, but his real skill is working the room. He'll spend half the show talking to audience members, and somehow it's funnier than most comedians' prepared bits. If you want a scripted comedy experience, look elsewhere. If you want to watch someone think on their feet while making a theatre full of people lose it, this is your night.
Who it's for: Comedy fans who appreciate improvisational skills, couples looking for date night with potential for being roasted, and anyone who finds crowd work more engaging than set lists.
When: Friday, February 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM.
What: Ukrainian acoustic duo 5'nizza (Pyatnitsa), who pioneered a reggae-folk-hip-hop fusion that defined a generation of Eastern European alternative music, celebrate 25 years with their North American tour.
Why go: 5'nizza's influence stretches far beyond their modest international profile. Their sound, two guys with acoustic guitars making music that bounces between reggae, folk, and hip-hop, was ahead of its time. This anniversary tour is a rare opportunity to see them live in North America.
Who it's for: Eastern European music fans, the Ukrainian diaspora community, and anyone curious about sounds that exist outside the Anglo-American mainstream.
When: Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 9:00 PM.
What: Cantopop superstar Janice Vidal brings her world tour to Toronto's Great Canadian Casino Resort Theatre, performing hits spanning her two-decade career.
Why go: Vidal is one of Hong Kong's most acclaimed singers, and her Toronto shows draw from the city's significant Cantonese-speaking community. The production values on these tours are consistently impressive, and the Great Canadian's theatre is purpose-built for this kind of show.
Who it's for: Cantopop fans, the Hong Kong diaspora, and anyone interested in experiencing pop music from outside the English-language bubble.
When: Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 7:30 PM.
What: Iranian pop sensation Milad Bagheri performs at the Aga Khan Museum's stunning auditorium, bringing contemporary Persian pop to one of Toronto's most architecturally beautiful venues.
Why go: The Aga Khan Museum is worth visiting for the building alone, but catching a concert there adds another dimension. Bagheri's romantic pop style plays beautifully in the acoustically-refined space, and the museum setting adds cultural context that a generic concert hall can't match.
Who it's for: Persian music fans, the Iranian diaspora community, and anyone who wants to experience music in a genuinely special venue.
When: Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 8:00 PM.
Emo Night Toronto at Sneaky Dee's (Feb 20) - Your mid-2000s MySpace playlist, live and loud.
NUBIAN SHOW at Yuk Yuk's (Feb 22) - Uncensored comedy showcase spotlighting Black comedians.
Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra 35th Anniversary Gala (Feb 22, Meridian Arts Centre) - The next generation of classical talent.
Morrissey Blvd. at The Garrison (Feb 22) - Indie rock vibes in a great Queen West venue.
Modern Wedding Show at International Centre (Feb 21-22) - If you're engaged and want to see everything in one place.
What's the weather like in Toronto in late February? Cold. Average highs around -1°C (30°F), lows around -8°C (18°F). Snow is possible, ice is likely, layers are mandatory. If you're doing outdoor events like the Craft Beer Fest or Lunar New Year, plan accordingly.
Best neighborhood for a pre-show dinner? Depends on your show. For Danforth Music Hall, Greektown has excellent options along Danforth Avenue. For downtown venues, King West and Queen West have range from casual to upscale. For Chinatown, obviously, Chinatown.
Do I need to book theatre tickets in advance? Yes. & Juliet and Some Like It Hot are popular, and good seats go fast. Mirvish sells directly and that's usually your best bet.
Is the TTC reliable for getting to shows? Mostly yes. Subway runs until about 1:30 AM on weekends, and major venues are accessible. For the Great Canadian Casino, give yourself extra time as it's near the airport.
Any AllEvents picks I should bookmark? Check AllEvents for last-minute additions and ticket availability. The site's particularly useful for finding smaller shows and community events that don't make the mainstream listings.
From gypsy punk to Polaris Prize hip-hop, from craft beer in the cold to Cantopop at the casino, this weekend's got range. Pick your vibe, layer up, and get out there. Toronto's waiting.
