8 Things To Do in Toronto for Free

Ever find yourself stuck between classes with nothing to do, or trying to save money but still want to have a good time? Toronto has tons of free activities. You just have to know where to find them.

Here are some fun things you can do without spending a dollar or at a low cost – and I promise, they are actually worth doing.

1. Get a Library Card

Sign up for a library card at the Toronto Public Library and unlock way more than just books. You get access to free movies, music, online courses taught by certified instructors, and even creative tools.

Top Tip: Anyone who lives, works, or studies in the City of Toronto can get a library card, regardless of citizenship.

2. Attend Art Crawls & Local Shows

Toronto’s art scene is everywhere – gallery crawls, pop-up exhibits, and student showcases happen all the time, especially in neighbourhoods like Queen West and Kensington Market. Some universities, such as Toronto Metropolitan University, University of Toronto (St George), and OCAD University, showcase student art and are generally free to enter.

3. Free Events & Classes on Eventbrite

Check out Eventbrite – there’s so much to discover. You can find free workshops, classes, and events happening across the city, from networking opportunities to creative sessions

4. Free Workout Classes

Studios and community groups often offer free trial classes. If you’d prefer not to go alone, ask your friends that hold memberships if their gym or fitness class includes guest passes. It’s a great way to stay active without committing (or paying).

5. Explore Toronto’s Public Parks

Take a break and walk through beautiful spots like High Park or Rosedale Park, or check out our go-to-guide to Toronto parks for some more options. Perfect for relaxing, exploring, or hanging out with friends.

6. Ice Skating

Many outdoor rinks around the city are completely free to use, just bring your skates. If you don’t own your own skates, you can rent skates at a fee. If you’re wondering where to skate in Toronto, we’ve got you covered.

7. Visit Community Centres

The City of Toronto offers free and low-cost options at various community centres. You can find everything from fitness to arts and sports. Some offerings are fee-based, but they’re often at an affordable price.

8. Volunteer at Events

Want to go to cool events without paying and also feel productive? Volunteering is your best-kept secret. From film festivals at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to theatre and local pop-ups, you can help out for a few hours and get access to the event for free.

Volunteering is a great way to meet people, gain experience that boosts your resume, and sometimes even score free snacks or merch. Plus, you get to go behind the scenes, which instantly makes everything feel more interesting. Think of it as getting a VIP pass… without the VIP price tag.

Pro-tip from a TMU New Media student: you can get easy creative practice volunteer hours through some of these if you’re an RTA student.

Toronto doesn’t have to be expensive to be fun, you just need to explore what’s already available.