18 Things To Do in Toronto Today (April 16, 2026)
It might be a rainy Thursday in Toronto but that shouldn't stop you from having some fun! Do what you can to resist just doom-scrolling on the couch, and try your best to get out of the house. Whether you're looking to try something completely new or just want to do something fun without breaking the bank, today's lineup has you covered.
Tonight you could learn mahjong from scratch at Again Again, watch people share their biggest professional failures at Fuckup Nights, or bring those old jeans you never wear to a free denim workshop. Plus there's everything from AI dinners to domino culture nights happening across the city.
Left Field Brewery (Leslieville)
Thu Apr 16 · 6:00 PM
Free - $14
Left Field Brewery is breaking out the classic card games tonight, and honestly, when's the last time you played a proper round of cards with strangers? This isn't some high-stakes poker night. It's more like rediscovering games you forgot you loved while drinking really good beer in one of Toronto's best brewery spaces.
The Leslieville location has that perfect neighborhood feel where you can settle in for a few hours without feeling rushed. Bring your competitive side or just come to learn some new games from people who actually know what they're doing.
👉 Great for: anyone missing game nights from before everyone had phones, people who want to meet others without the pressure of speed dating, beer lovers looking for something different than trivia night
Again Again
Thu Apr 16 · 6:00 PM
$22
Never touched a mahjong tile in your life? That's exactly who this night is designed for. Again Again is hosting a proper beginner-friendly session where you'll actually learn the game instead of just pretending to understand while everyone else plays around you.
The clicking sound of tiles mixing on the table is oddly satisfying, and there's something really social about mahjong that's different from other games. You're not just staring at cards or a board. You're reading people, making quick decisions, and getting into the rhythm of a game that's been bringing people together for centuries.
At $22, you're paying for the instruction, the space, and probably some food. It's one of those skills that once you learn it, you've got it forever.
👉 Great for: people who want to learn something completely new, anyone curious about games from other cultures, groups looking for an activity that's social but not loud
Downward Dog Yoga Centre
Thu Apr 16 · 7:00 PM
Free
This weekly gathering on Ossington combines live music, guided meditation, and a free plant-based dinner. Yes, free dinner. The Downward Dog folks have created something special here that feels more like a community gathering than a typical meditation class.
You don't need any experience with meditation or mantras. You just show up and let the live music and guided session do the work. It's one of those rare events where you can actually reset your week instead of just saying you're going to.
The plant-based dinner afterward gives you a chance to talk to people if you want to, or you can just eat and head home feeling more grounded than when you arrived. Sometimes the best Thursday night plan is the one that leaves you feeling better than when you started.
👉 Great for: anyone whose week has felt too hectic, people curious about meditation but intimidated by formal classes, solo plans that don't feel lonely, vegetarians and vegans looking for free dinner and good community
9 Davies Avenue
Thu Apr 16 · 6:00 PM
Free
Got jeans sitting in your closet that you never wear but can't bring yourself to throw away? This free workshop is exactly what you need. You'll learn actual techniques to transform denim you've written off into pieces you'll actually want to wear again.
It's not just basic hemming or patching holes. This is about reimagining what those jeans could become with some creative cutting, stitching, and styling. You'll leave with new skills and probably some inspiration for other clothes that have been gathering dust.
The fact that it's free makes it a no-brainer, but even if they charged for this kind of hands-on workshop, it would be worth it. Bring your old denim and an open mind.
👉 Great for: people trying to be more sustainable with their wardrobe, anyone who's always wanted to learn basic alterations, creative types looking for a new medium to work with, anyone tired of throwing away clothes that could have a second life
Toronto, Ontario
Thu Apr 16 · 7:00 PM
$15
This isn't just about playing dominoes. It's about experiencing domino culture the way it exists across the Caribbean and Latin America, where the game is woven into social life, family gatherings, and community connection.
You'll hear stories about how different communities play, learn variations you've never seen, and understand why dominoes matter so much in certain cultures. The music and food that go along with it make this feel less like a game night and more like being invited into someone's cultural tradition.
For $15, you're getting education, entertainment, and probably some really good food. It's one of those experiences that broadens your perspective while being genuinely fun.
👉 Great for: people interested in Caribbean and Latin American culture, anyone who thinks they know dominoes but probably doesn't, groups looking for cultural experiences that aren't touristy, people who appreciate when games come with history and meaning
Star Songs
CMC
Thu Apr 16 · 7:30 PM
$10 – $15
The Canadian Music Centre is hosting an intimate evening of original songs, and for under $15, you're basically guaranteed to discover someone new worth following. These aren't covers or tribute acts. These are local artists performing their own material in a space designed for listening.
The CMC has great acoustics and a listening room vibe where people actually pay attention to the music instead of treating it as background noise. You might discover your new favorite local artist, or at least have a story about seeing someone before they got bigger.
At this price point and in this setting, it's the kind of night that reminds you why live music matters. Small room, original songs, artists you haven't heard before.
👉 Great for: music lovers looking for something intimate and original, people who want to support local artists, anyone tired of paying $30+ for concerts, date night that involves actual conversation between sets
IDK Social Bar and Cafe
Thu Apr 16 · 7:30 PM
$12 – $18
IDK Social Bar knows how to put together a comedy night, and Block Party Vol. 9 means they've figured out the formula. Good comedians, good drinks, and the kind of crowd that actually wants to be there instead of just happening to wander in.
The lineup features some of Toronto's funniest people doing what they do best in a space that's built for comedy. IDK has the right lighting, the right sound, and most importantly, the right energy for a night of laughs that'll make your Thursday feel like a Friday.
Comedy shows can be hit or miss, but when a venue is on their ninth Block Party, they've clearly figured out how to consistently book talent that delivers. Sometimes you need a night that's guaranteed to make you laugh.
👉 Great for: anyone who's had a week that needs laughing at, people looking for a night out that doesn't involve dancing, groups who want entertainment that brings them together instead of splitting their attention
1952 Danforth Ave
Thu Apr 16 · 9:00 PM
Free
Free comedy shows are rare, and good free comedy shows are even rarer. This weekly night features both professional comedians and up-and-coming talent in a laid-back pub setting where you can focus on the laughs without worrying about what you're spending.
The 9 PM start time makes it perfect for after dinner, and the pub atmosphere means you can grab a drink if you want but nobody's pressuring you to order bottle service. It's comedy the way it should be: accessible, unpretentious, and focused on making people laugh.
Sometimes the best nights out are the ones that don't cost anything upfront. You can buy drinks if you want to support the venue, but your biggest expense is getting there.
👉 Great for: people who love comedy but hate comedy club minimums, late night plans that won't break the bank, anyone who wants to see what Toronto's comedy scene is really like without the pressure of expensive tickets
Geary Avenue Warehouse
Thu Apr 16 · 8:00 PM
Free
This is something different: professional comedy followed by open deck DJ sets until 2 AM, all on a pay-what-you-can basis. The Geary Avenue Warehouse has the space and sound system to make this work, and the programming is smart enough to keep you engaged all night.
You start with Toronto's best comedians doing their thing, then transition into DJs who actually know how to read a room and keep people moving. It's not trying to be a comedy club or a nightclub. It's trying to be a good time that adapts as the night goes on.
The pay-what-you-can model means you decide what the experience is worth to you. That kind of accessibility makes for interesting crowds and usually better energy.
👉 Great for: people who want options instead of committing to one type of night, anyone curious about Geary Avenue's warehouse scene, groups where some people want to leave after comedy and others want to stay and dance
Spring Social
Toronto, Ontario
Thu Apr 16 · 5:00 PM
Free
CMCC Global is hosting Canadian crypto and tech folks for a relaxed spring social with free drinks and pizza. It's technically invite-only, but spots are still available, which usually means they want people there and the "invite-only" thing is more about planning than exclusion.
These industry meetups can be hit or miss, but when someone's providing free drinks and food at 5 PM on a Thursday, they're serious about creating a good networking environment. You'll meet people working on interesting projects without the pressure of formal presentations or pitches.
The crypto and tech crowd in Toronto is smaller than you might think, so events like this are where you actually get to know the people behind the companies and projects you hear about.
👉 Great for: people working in crypto or tech, anyone curious about Toronto's startup scene, professionals looking for relaxed networking that doesn't feel like work, people who appreciate free food and drinks with no strings attached
Steam Whistle Tap Room
Thu Apr 16 · 6:00 PM
Free
Product designers are gathering at Steam Whistle to talk shop and unwind, and even if you're not a designer, it's fascinating to hear how people think about the apps, websites, and products you use every day. Plus, Steam Whistle Tap Room is one of the better event spaces in the city.
These industry happy hours work best when they're at venues people actually want to be at, and Steam Whistle delivers on atmosphere and beer quality. You'll learn about design trends, hear war stories from different companies, and probably gain some insight into why certain apps work the way they do.
The design community in Toronto is pretty welcoming to adjacent fields and curious outsiders, so don't let the "product design" focus scare you off if you work in tech, marketing, or anything that touches digital products.
👉 Great for: product designers looking to connect with peers, people who work with designers and want to understand them better, anyone curious about how digital products get built, networking that happens over good beer instead of bad coffee
1RG
Thu Apr 16 · 6:00 PM
Free
Bring your laptop and work on that creative project you keep putting off. It's like a study group for adults who have ideas but struggle with follow-through. The optional show-and-tell at the end gives you a deadline and an audience, which is sometimes exactly what a side project needs.
1RG on Dundas West has the space and WiFi to make this work, plus the kind of creative energy that makes you actually want to open your laptop and do something interesting. You're not alone in a coffee shop pretending to work while scrolling social media.
The people who show up to these things are usually working on genuinely interesting projects, from apps to art to small businesses. Even if you don't finish anything major, you'll leave inspired by what other people are building.
👉 Great for: people with creative projects they can't seem to finish, anyone who works better around other productive people, entrepreneurs and makers looking for accountability, people tired of talking about ideas without executing them
30 Adelaide St E
Thu Apr 16 · 6:00 PM
Free
Trajectory Labs is diving deep into AI cooperation and safety research, exploring how AI systems work together and what that means for the future. If you're curious about where AI is heading beyond the hype and headline grabbing, this is the conversation you want to be part of.
This isn't about ChatGPT tips or productivity hacks. This is about fundamental questions of how AI systems can cooperate safely and effectively, which is becoming increasingly important as AI gets integrated into more complex systems and decision-making processes.
The crowd will be researchers, developers, and thoughtful people trying to understand AI's trajectory. It's technical enough to be substantive but accessible enough that you don't need a PhD to follow along.
👉 Great for: people working in AI or machine learning, anyone concerned about AI safety and development, researchers and academics interested in cooperation theory, people who want to understand AI beyond the marketing and fear-mongering
Toronto, Ontario
Thu Apr 16 · 6:00 PM
Free
Bagel Labs is hosting a dinner for Toronto's AI community, and free food plus smart conversations about artificial intelligence makes for a pretty compelling Thursday night. These dinners tend to attract people actually building AI products rather than just talking about them.
The AI scene in Toronto is surprisingly tight-knit, so events like this are where you meet the people behind the startups, research labs, and companies that are actually shipping AI products. You'll hear about what's working, what isn't, and what people are excited about building next.
Free dinners hosted by AI companies usually come with good food and better conversations. Even if you're just AI-curious rather than AI-professional, you'll learn more in one dinner than you would from weeks of reading articles.
👉 Great for: people working in AI or machine learning, entrepreneurs interested in AI applications, researchers and academics in related fields, anyone who wants to understand AI from people actually building it
BrainStation
Thu Apr 16 · 6:00 PM
Free
ProductTank is showing how AI moves beyond buzzwords into actual productivity tools. You'll see how founders are using AI agents to build and ship real products, not just generate content or answer customer service emails.
BrainStation on Front Street is the right venue for this kind of technical demonstration, and ProductTank consistently books speakers who show real implementations rather than theoretical possibilities. You'll leave understanding how AI agents actually work in business contexts.
This is for people who want to understand AI as a business tool rather than a curiosity. If you're tired of AI hype and want to see practical applications that are working today, this is your crowd.
👉 Great for: product managers and founders interested in AI implementation, entrepreneurs looking for competitive advantages, people who want to see AI applications beyond chatbots, anyone tired of AI theory and hungry for real examples
When AI Takes the Wheel
Toronto, Ontario
Thu Apr 16 · 6:30 PM
Free
The AI Collective is exploring how artificial intelligence is changing transportation and mobility, from self-driving cars to smart transit systems. It's about understanding the technology that's going to change how we move around cities, including Toronto.
Transportation AI is one of those areas where the technology is advancing faster than most people realize, but the implications are huge for urban planning, personal transportation, and how cities function. You'll hear from people working on these systems about what's possible now and what's coming.
These AI Collective events usually feature people working on real projects rather than academic theories, so you'll get insights into what transportation technology is actually being deployed and tested.
👉 Great for: people interested in urban planning and smart cities, anyone curious about autonomous vehicles and their timeline, transportation professionals looking at future trends, tech people who want to understand AI applications in mobility
clubhouse @ STACKT market
Thu Apr 16 · 6:30 PM
$34
Successful people share their biggest professional failures at STACKT Market, and it's refreshingly honest in a city where everyone's usually selling their wins. These aren't humble brags disguised as failure stories. These are real failures with real consequences and real lessons.
The format works because it's structured storytelling rather than open networking. You hear three or four detailed failure stories, then talk to people afterward about what resonated. It's more inspiring than most success stories because it shows how people actually work through setbacks.
STACKT Market provides the right atmosphere for this kind of honest conversation, and the $34 ticket price ensures people are committed to being there rather than just dropping in. Sometimes the most valuable networking happens when people aren't trying to impress each other.
👉 Great for: entrepreneurs and startup founders, people dealing with professional setbacks, anyone tired of LinkedIn-style success theater, networking that's actually honest about the challenges of building careers and companies
The Dopamine - Pub & Lounge
Thu Apr 16 · 8:00 PM
$18 – $23
A social experience designed specifically for Toronto's creative community, bringing together artists, filmmakers, writers, and other creative professionals at The Dopamine on Yonge Street. It's networking for people who usually hate networking, with the focus on creative work rather than business cards.
These creative meetups work best when they happen at venues that understand the crowd, and The Dopamine has the right atmosphere for conversations about projects, collaborations, and the business side of creative work. You'll meet people working on interesting projects across different mediums.
The creative community in Toronto is large but can feel scattered across different scenes and industries. Events like this are where filmmakers meet visual artists, writers connect with designers, and collaborative projects start taking shape.
👉 Great for: artists and creative professionals looking to expand their network, filmmakers and media creators, people working on creative side projects, anyone who wants to talk about creative work with people who understand the challenges and opportunities
Looking for More Things to Do in Toronto?
If you like this kind of list, that's exactly what we're building with PlanMyFun - a simple way to find things happening around you without digging through a bunch of different sites.
👉 Click here to download the PlanMyFun app
Want This Sent to You Each Week?
We send a short weekly roundup of things actually worth doing in Toronto - no spam, no filler, just good options to keep on your radar.
👉 Click here to join the PlanMyFun Weekly newsletter and stay in the loop
Until next time ❤️