by Jenn Reid
It’s a long weekend across Canada for Thanksgiving (our Thanksgiving, not to be confused with that November holiday celebrated by our neighbours to the south), and there’s plenty of ways to be festive in Toronto. Whether you’re looking for a traditional turkey dinner, a night at the movies or a kid-friendly day out, we’ve got you covered! Check out these events and things to do for the Thanksgiving long weekend in Toronto. [Photo credit: iStock]
Thanksgiving dinner at Casa Loma
Why cook your own Thanksgiving feast when you can just have Casa Loma’s chefs do it for you? There will be a salad station, seafood bar and pasta options, plus the traditional turkey with cranberry sauce and stuffing. Afterwards you can walk off the meal by exploring the castle and grounds! Reservations are required.
Brewer’s Backyard
Brewer’s Backyard is celebrating the season with Torontoberfest! The Oktorberfest-style event will have beer from local brewers like Beau’s, Muddy York and Left Field, plus WVRST sausages and food trucks on site. And don’t be afraid to get there early - for the first hour, beers are $1 off!
Downsview Pumpkinfest
Don’t bother heading to the country for a day at a pumpkin farm, Downsview Park brings the whole experience to the city! Pumpkinfest has all the pumpkin fun you could imagine: a pumpkin patch, pumpkin bowling, a pumpkin carving contest, pumpkin pie eating contests and more. There’s also a midway with rides and games, arts and crafts and face painting.
Noshfest
Because not everyone likes turkey. Head over to Noshfest and eat your way through Jewish delicacies like knishes, smoked meat, matzah balls and more. Noshfest also has a vendor marketplace where you can shop and eat, plus cooking demonstrations and live performances.
Thanksgiving at the Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo celebrates Thanksgiving double-fold: it’s also the panda cubs’ birthday! Yueyue and Jia Panpan are turning two, and all weekend long you can get panda face painting between 10 am and 2 pm There’s also a special panda party with snacks, panda themed activities, crafts, races and more. Tickets are required for the panda party and must be purchased in advance.
Chau pop-up at Henderson Brewery
Celebrate the long weekend at Henderson Brewery. Chau will be popping up with bao and a few Thanksgiving-inspired menu items as well, while Henderson serves up fresh seasonal brews.
Thanksgiving Brunch Cruise
Take advantage of the fact that it’s still seasonably warm and head out on the water for a Thanksgiving cruise. The brunch menu includes fresh croissants, salads, French toast, scrambled eggs and a honey glazed ham, not to mention the dessert table! There’s also a fully licensed bar if you want a mimosa to go with the view. The cruise lasts approximately two hours.
Thanksgiving Dinner at One King West
For a gourmet meal, instead of home cooking, opt for One King West’s feast. The three-course prix fixe menu includes the classics like butternut squash soap, roasted turkey breast, pumpkin pie for dessert. Lunch and dinner seatings are available.
Cinefranco
What was once a spring festival has now moved to the fall! Cinefranco brings a selection of French-language films from around the world to Toronto, with comedies and dramas on the slate.
Thanksgiving Hot Dogs at the Steady
Vegetarians don’t need to feel left out at Thanksgiving! The Steady will be serving up seasonally-appropriate veggie dogs all day long. The menu includes a mac and cheese dog, a vegan stuffing and cranberry sauce dog and a sweet potato casserole dog with torched marshmallows.
Visit the ROM
The Royal Ontario Museum has the best kind of Thanksgiving celebration: a cheap one! All weekend long, enjoy $5 off admission to the museum. Use this chance to check out some soon-to-close exhibitions, including a look at Indigenous art in Anishinaabeg: Art & Power and Candians throughout history in The Family Camera.
