Looking for ways to spend the unofficial end of summer around Toronto this Labour Day weekend? Here’s a look at what's open and closed this long weekend, as well as a round up of some of the events happening in the city:
What's open and closed on Labour Day Monday:
Open
- Malls: Eaton Centre Mall from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Vaughan Mills Mall from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Square One from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tourist attractions: The Toronto Zoo from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., The Ontario Science Centre from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., The Royal Ontario Museum from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Transit: TTC will be running on a holiday service schedule, GO transit will be running on a Sunday schedule
Closed
- banks
- government offices
- libraries
- LCBO and Beer Stores
Long Weekend Events:
Canadian National Exhibition
Squeeze in a visit to the
Canadian National Exhibition before it packs up for another year Monday night, and check out some of the CNE's concerts and shows, games, rides, and food.
Admission is $16 for adults and $12 for children and seniors. Kids under the age of four get in for free.
Canadian International Air Show
A Labour Day weekend classic, the CNE features the Canadian International Air Show on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 1 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. The show is included with the cost of admission to the Ex and features aerial stunts from the CF-18 Hornet, Trojan Horsemen and the Snowbirds, but those heading to the waterfront near the Ex may be able to catch a glimpse of the action without having to pay.
Unifest
Celebrate the launch of the new union Unifor – which combines the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions --during a free music festival at Nathan Phillips Square on Sunday.
Unifest will see the bands Stars, Les Colocs, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Sister Says and DJ Hedspin hit the downtown stage. The free show starts at 6:30 p.m.
Hot & Spicy Food Festival
The 16th annual Hot & Spicy Food festival takes over Harbourfront Centre this weekend. Visitors to the festival can expect to see music and dance performances, an international Iron Chef Competition featuring chefs from Mexico, Hawaii and Ecuador and sample some fiery foodstuffs.
The free festival begins Friday and runs through the weekend.
Hispanic Fiesta
Mel Lastman Square in North York is hosting the 32nd Hispanic Fiesta. Watch dance performances, listen to musical groups and taste some treats from a number of different Spanish speaking countries including Chile, Mexico, Colombia and Nicaragua.
The festival starts Friday night at 7 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Artfest
The Distillery Historic District is hosting the seventh annual Artfest this weekend, featuring paintings, photography, sculptures and fine crafts from some of Canada's top artists.
The free festival will also have live musical performances. ArtFest starts Friday and runs through the long weekend from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Woofjocks
Watch the Woofjocks, a group of professional dog trainers and their talented pups, when they perform a series of amazing tricks and feats at the PawsWay Centre at Toronto’s harbourfront.
Running Saturday through Monday, the Woofjocks will be doing daily demonstrations from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the show is free.
Farmers' markets
Check out one of the city's many farmers' markets to take advantage of the last of the summer harvest.
The St. Lawrence Market will be open Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. A separate farmers’ market open across the street from the main building on Saturday morning from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Sunday the antiques market will be open from dawn to 5 p.m.
Here are a few of the other farmers' markets taking place over the weekend:
- The Sherway Farmers' Market runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at Sherway Gardens Mall
- The Junction Farmers' Market runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Green P Lot at 385 Pacific Ave.
- The Weston Village Farmers' Market runs from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the TPA parking lot at 14 John Street
- The Withrow Park Farmers' Market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Withrow Park
- The Evergreen Brick Works Farmers' Market runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Evergreen Brick Works
- The Leslieville Farmers' Market runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Jonathan Ashbridge Park
Fireworks
Canada's Wonderland is putting on a fireworks display on Sunday, featuring 6,000 explosions and custom fireworks. The show starts at 10 p.m., weather permitting, and is included with the price of admission.
Niagara Falls
Make a day of it at Niagara Falls, with performances by buskers and an evening fireworks display.
The city will be hosting its second annual Buskerfest, with over 50 performances from buskers from around the world. The festival runs Friday to Sunday along Queen Street.
While in town, you can also catch fireworks at Niagara Falls. Watch the skies light up over the falls from Queen Victoria Park on Friday and Sunday starting at 10 p.m.
Admission to Buskerfest and the fireworks display is free.