Toronto's Thriving Summer: Triathlons, Global Fests, and Lively Music Scenes

Welcome to Things to do in Toronto for Sunday, July 27, 2025! Thanks for joining us as we dive into the freshest happenings and hidden delights Toronto has to offer today.

Let’s kick off with today’s city snapshot: It’s midsummer in Toronto, and while the sun’s out in force, residents are navigating a mix of heat and recent wildfire smoke that could affect air quality—so if you’re heading outdoors, keep that in mind and don’t forget your water bottle and sunblock[2]. The city’s buzzing with energy as exciting festivals, big concerts, and sporting challenges fill the streets.

Here are some of today’s can’t-miss events:
- If you’re feeling sporty or want to cheer on some amazing athletes, head down to the waterfront for the Toronto Triathlon Festival. From sunrise until early afternoon, racers will swim, bike, and run across a stunning city route, making this one of Toronto’s most anticipated active events of the season[1]. Be aware: parts of the Don Valley Parkway, Gardiner Expressway, and Lake Shore Boulevard are closed this morning for the races, so plan your commute accordingly if you’re driving near downtown or the lakeshore[5].
- Celebrate global culture at the Canadian Multicultural Peruvian Fest, running from noon to 8 pm. Taste Peruvian cuisine, dance along to live performances, and take part in interactive arts activities. It’s a family-friendly highlight in the heart of the city and a lively way to mark Peru’s Independence Day with your community[4].
- Music lovers, take note: Toronto is absolutely stacked with concerts today. Legendary pop icon Cyndi Lauper takes the stage at Budweiser Stage, and hip-hop fans can catch The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, and Mike Dean at Rogers Centre. For those looking for something unique, ‘Summer Music in the Garden’ at Toronto Music Garden offers a more intimate outdoor music experience[10].
- For your dose of local flavor, the Toronto Festival of Beer continues at Toronto Event Centre—don’t miss your chance to sample craft brews, food, and live tunes with Five Alarm Funk as the headliner tonight[10].

In local news and announcements, public transit is your best friend today with road closures for the Triathlon Festival. Extra TTC service is running, so hop on the subway or streetcar to dodge the traffic and get closer to the action. Also, a handful of new restaurant openings in Queen West and a buzzworthy pop-up bakery on Ossington are drawing foodies from across the city—worth a detour if you love to eat local[3].

If you’re mapping out your Sunday, here are a few must-do Toronto experiences:
- Stroll through Queen’s Park or catch the ferry to the Toronto Islands for a relaxing picnic or a breezy waterfront walk—classic Toronto summer moves[6].
- Explore the city on foot or by bike; the waterfront and The Bentway are especially lively, and urban walks reveal street art and tucked-away patios perfect for people-watching[8].
- For a twist, seek out a neighborhood farmers’ market in Leslieville or join a guided food tour; these hidden gems will connect you with local makers and fresh Ontario produce[3].

Here’s a fun fact for the day: The Toronto Islands boasts more than just beaches and picnic spots—it’s also home to one of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in North America, Centreville. You can hop on the ferry and experience vintage carousel rides just minutes from the downtown core[6].

Before we wrap, mark your calendars for tomorrow. The Peruvian Festival continues with even more performances, and there’s the much-anticipated ‘Alchemy Festival’ kicking off at Winchester Street Theatre for fans of immersive arts. Make sure to tune in for more ideas on how to make the most of your Toronto adventures—see you tomorrow!

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is your Things to Do in Toronto podcast. Welcome
to Things to Do in Toronto for Sunday, July twenty seventh,
twenty twenty five. Thanks for joining us as we dive
into the freshest happenings and hidden the lights Toronto has
to offer. Today, let's kick off with today's city snapshot.
It's Midsummer in Toronto and while the sun's out in force,
residents are navigating a mix of heat and recent wildfire

(00:21):
smoke that could affect air quality. So if you're heading outdoors,
keep that in mind and don't forget your water bottle
and sunblock. The city's buzzing with energy as exciting festivals,
big concerts, and sporting challenges fill the streets. Here are
some of today's can't miss events. If you're feeling sporty
or want to cheer on some amazing athletes, head down
to the waterfront for the Toronto Triathlon Festival. From sunrise

(00:43):
until early afternoon. Racers will swim, bike, and run across
a stunning city route, making this one of Toronto's most
anticipated active events of the season. One be aware parts
of the Down Valley Parkway, Gardner Expressway, and Lake Shore
Boulevard are closed this morning for the races, so plan
your commune accordingly if you're driving near downtown or the

(01:04):
Lake Shore. Celebrate global culture at the Canadian Multicultural Peruvian Festival,
running from noon to eight pm. Taste Peruvian cuisine, dance
along to live performances, and take part in interactive arts activities.
It's a family friendly highlight in the heart of the
city and a lively way to mark Peru's Independence Day
with your community. Music lovers take note, Toronto is absolutely

(01:28):
stacked with concerts. Today. Legendary pop icon Cindy Lauper takes
the stage at Budweiser Stage, and hip hop fans can
catch the weekend Playboy Carti and Mike Dean at Rogers Center.
For those looking for something unique, Summer music in the
Garden at Toronto Music Garden offers a more intimate outdoor
music experience. Ten Now, for your dose of local flavor,

(01:50):
the Toronto Festival of Beer continues at Toronto Event Center.
Don't miss your chance to sample craft, bruise, food and
live tunes with Five Alarm as the headliner tonight. In
local news and announcements, Public transit is your best friend
today with road closures for the Triathlon Festival. Extra TCC
service is running, so hop on the subway or streetcar

(02:12):
to dodge the traffic and get closer to the action. Also,
a handful of new restaurant openings in Queen West and
a buzzworthy pop up bakery on Ausington are drawing foodies
from across the city. Worth a detour if you love
to eat local. Three. If you're mapping out your Sunday,
here are a few must do Toronto experiences. Stroll through

(02:33):
Queen's Park or catch the ferry to the Toronto Islands
for a relaxing picnic or a breezy waterfront walk. Classic
Toronto summer moves. Explore the city on foot or by bike.
The waterfront and the Bentway are especially lively, and urban
walks reveal street art and tucked away patios perfect for
people watching. Eight. For a twist, seek out a neighborhood

(02:53):
farmer's market in Leslieville or join a guided food tour.
These hidden gems will connect you with local makers and
fresh Onteriarra. Three here's a fun fact for the day.
The Toronto Islands boasts more than just beaches and picnic spots.
It's also home to one of the oldest continually operating
amusement parks in North America, Centreville. You can hop on

(03:14):
the ferry and experience vintage carousel rides just minutes from
the downtown core. Before we wrap, mark your calendars for tomorrow.
The Peruvian Festival continues with even more performances, and there's
the much anticipated Alchemy Festival kicking off at Winchester Street
Theater for fans of immersive arts. Make sure to tune
in for more ideas on how to make the most

(03:35):
of your Toronto adventures. See you tomorrow.