TIFF · CNE Finale · Air Show · Blue Jays · Fall Festivals

September is Toronto's big turning point. The CNE wraps up over Labour Day weekend, the Air Show roars over the waterfront, TIFF turns downtown into the movie capital of the world, and the Blue Jays play out a busy home stretch. Add a full run of neighbourhood festivals and there is plenty to fill the calendar before fall settles in. Pack a lot in.

CNE Finale and Labour Day Weekend

The last long weekend of summer goes out with a bang. The Ex wraps up its 18 day run, the Air Show takes over the sky, and there is a festival for just about everyone.

Aug 21 to Mon Sep 7 (Labour Day) Canadian National Exhibition (The Ex) — Exhibition Place, Lakeshore Blvd. Open daily. Last day is Labour Day Monday, so this is your final chance for rides, food and the midway.
Sat Sep 5 to Mon Sep 7 (Labour Day weekend) Canadian International Air Show — over the waterfront near the CNE grounds and Marilyn Bell Park. Free to watch from the shoreline.
Fri Sep 4 to Sun Sep 6 Toronto Dragon Festival — Nathan Phillips Square. Free.
Fri Sep 4 to Mon Sep 7 BuskerFest for Epilepsy — Woodbine Park. Street performers, food and family fun.

Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)

One of the biggest film festivals in the world takes over downtown for eleven days. Expect red carpets, star sightings and screenings all across the core.

Thu Sep 10 to Sun Sep 20 TIFF — TIFF Lightbox, Roy Thomson Hall, Princess of Wales Theatre, Royal Alexandra Theatre and Scotiabank Theatre. Tickets and the full lineup are at tiff.net.

Blue Jays at Home

A big month at Rogers Centre as the season winds down, with three home series. First pitch times vary, so check bluejays.com before heading out.

Fri Sep 11 to Sun Sep 13 vs Baltimore Orioles — three game weekend series.
Mon Sep 14 to Wed Sep 16 vs Detroit Tigers — three game midweek series.
Fri Sep 25 to Sun Sep 27 vs Cincinnati Reds — final home weekend of the regular season.

Concerts

The music keeps coming across the city, from the waterfront to the classic halls.

Through September RBC Amphitheatre at Ontario Place — a packed month of shows including names like Erykah Badu, Logic, Pitbull and Wu-Tang Clan.
Select dates Scotiabank Arena — headliners including Robyn and Shreya Ghoshal.
Select dates Massey Hall, 178 Victoria Street — an intimate lineup including Sara Bareilles and Juanes.

Dates and openers change often, so double check the venue listings before you buy.

Festivals and Neighbourhood Fun

Toronto's street festival season keeps rolling right through the month.

Fri Sep 11 to Sun Sep 13 Southside Shuffle Blues and Jazz Festival — Port Credit Memorial Park, Mississauga.
Fri Sep 11 to Sun Sep 13 Philippine Festival — Celebration Square, Mississauga.
Fri Sep 18 to Sun Sep 20 Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival — Bloor West Village. Billed as North America's largest Ukrainian street festival.
Thu Sep 24 onward Just For Laughs Toronto — venues across the city. Comedy runs into early October.
Sat Sep 26 to Sun Sep 27 The Word on the Street — David Pecaut Square, 215 King Street West. A free outdoor book and reading festival.
Opens Sat Sep 26 Toronto Biennial of Art — locations across the city. A free contemporary art event that runs into December.

One thing to know

TIFF week (September 10 to 20) means heavy downtown traffic and street closures around King West and the Entertainment District, and the same goes for the CNE and Air Show over Labour Day weekend. If you are heading into the core, give yourself extra time and lean on the TTC and GO where you can. September is also back to school and one of the busiest months of the year in real estate, so open houses pick right back up. Always double check event dates and times before heading out.

See you out there!