Hot Toronto Deals.com

Toronto Symphony Orchestra presents January and February concerts for only $20.10 per ticket!

To celebrate the new year, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra is offering tickets to select January and February concerts at Roy Thompson Hall (60 Simcoe Street) for only $20.10 each!  Some of the composers whose work is featured in this promotion include Mozart, Verdi and Tchaikovsky.  But you must act quickly if you wish to take advantage of these amazing prices as this promotion ends January 5th, 2010 at 5 pm EST.  To purchase your discount seats just call 416-593-4828 or 416-598-3375 or go online at tso.ca and use the special promotion code 2010.  Please note that some restrictions apply and quantities are limited.  

For more information or to order tickets, click here.
For a map and directions to Roy Thompson Hall, click here.
And for a listing of some other great live entertainment productions currenly playing in Toronto, click here.

Bring the kids to Casa Loma and celebrate the holidays at Canada's foremost castle with two special shows at no additional charge!

Nestled in one of Toronto's most exclusive neighbourhoods, Casa Loma remains one of the city's most popular tourist attractions.  Finished in 1914, wealthy financier Henry Pellatt's luxurious castle (on Spadina Rd. just north of Davenport Rd.) is home to exquisite suites, hidden passageways, secret tunnels, elegant towers, functional stables and beautiful gardens.  Don't forget to ask about the informative self-guided audio tours which are available in eight languages.  And to celebrate the Christmas season, Casa Loma and The Toronto Star present two special shows just for the kids:   

• Storybook Magic - Inspired by famous children's storybooks like Aladdin and Pinocchio, award-winning magician Lawrence LaRouche and Majinx present a dazzling world of spectacular illusions that bring these classic stories to life
• Storytelling - Come to the Conservatory to hear an exciting retelling of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan - a mischievous boy who refuses to grow up.  Children are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite character from the story

Both of the above shows are included with regular admission prices.  These special performances run from November 30, 2009 to January 3, 2010.  Casa Loma will be closed at 1 pm on December 24 and all day on December 25.

Ontario Teacher Discount:  Ontario certified teachers who present their OCT card (or mention it when ordering by phone) are eligible for a 20% discount on regular admission prices at Casa Loma.

For more information on hours of operation, admission and parking fees, click here.
For a map and directions to Casa Loma, click here.

Disney on Ice presents "Princess Classics" coming to the Rogers Centre from December 18-27, 2009

Disney on Ice presents its annual Christmas song-and-dance revue at the Rogers Centre in Toronto between December 18-27, 2009.  This year the folks at Walt Disney are bringing their spectacular production of "Princess Classics" to the city so that friends and families alike can enjoy the magic of legendary characters like Snow White, Jasmine, Belle, Ariel, Cinderella and so many more! 

Tickets to this year's Disney ice skating extravaganza start at only $15 each and run to $90 a seat if you wish to sit at rinkside.  Meanwhile a Family Four Pack to Opening Night (December 18 at 7 pm) can be purchased for only $100 when you use the special Toronto Star promotional code "STAR" as long as you order online at disneyonice.com or ticketmaster.ca, by phone at 416-870-8000 or in person at the Rogers Centre Gate 7 box office.     

For more information about Disney on Ice's "Princess Classics," click here.
For directions and a map to the Rogers Centre, click here.
And for more details on some other amazing live music and theatre events currently playing in Toronto, click here.

Come celebrate the city's 175th anniversary with free weekend admission to the City of Toronto's Historic Sites on December 5 - 6, 2009

If you are looking for something to do on the weekend of Saturday, December 5th and Sunday, December 6th, 2009, why not celebrate the city's 175th anniversary with a free visit to some of the City of Toronto's Historic Sites.  The list of participating locations includes:

• Colborne Lodge in High Park
• Fort York National Historic Site
• Gibson House
• Mackenzie House
• Scarborough Museum
• Todmorden Mills Museum
• Montgomery's Inn
• Scarborough Museum

These sites will be offering free admission which may include tours, food and drink, decorations, special exhibits, galleries, and seasonal activities and traditions. 

Please be advised that not all sites are available for free tours on both dates.

For more information on participating sites, dates and times, and event details, click here.

Royal Agricultural Winter Fair promises fun for the whole family from November 6-15, 2009 at Toronto's Exhibition Place

Since 1922, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair has grown into the world’s largest indoor agricultural and equestrian competition.  The Fair, which runs from November 6-15, 2009 at Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto, attracts more than 300,000 visitors annually to witness thousands of unique entries from elite Canadian and international breeders and growers, not to mention a wide variety of exhibitors, special shows, country music concerts, celebrity chefs, shopping, dining and The Royal Horse Show.  This year, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, are in town to officially open the Fair on November 6th.  Special admission offers to this year's Fair include:

• Family Pass - any combination of four adults and children (min. one child) for $42
• 2-for-1 General Admission - available daily after 5 pm on tickets of equal or lesser value
• Opening Day Free Admission - free general admission before 9:45 am on opening day November 6th
• Buy online and save - buy your tickets online from Ticketmaster before November 6th and save $2 off general admission prices

For more general information about the Fair, click here.
For general admission and Royal Horse Show ticket prices, click here.
For a map and directions to the Fair, click here.

2009 Toronto Chocolate Festival is back for the week of October 19-25, 2009

As a Toronto city-wide event, the 2009 Toronto Chocolate Festival is back for its fourth year.  Chocolate Fest '09 will present several delectable, delicious and simply decadent events during the week of October 19 - 25, 2009.  

Signature events scheduled for Chocolate Fest '09 include:

• The Chocolate Ball at the Palais Royale on October 23
• Chocolicious where chocolatiers and pastry shops offer up special samplings
• Choc-elite where visitors can enjoy a full course dinner made with chocolate
• 911 Chocolate Relay on October 21 where firefighters, police and paramedics will try to beat the clock by devouring chocolate and more chocolate

For more information about Chocolate Fest '09, including dates and locations of main events, click here.

And as an added bonus, you can now download and print several coupons which can be redeemed at various participating retailers throughout Chocolate Fest '09 to obtain free chocolate samples and discounts.  Click here for your printable coupons.

Enjoy a Toronto Halloween tradition with thrill parks "Screemers" at the CNE and Canada's Wonderland's Halloween Haunt!

A Toronto Halloween tradition, Screemers thrill park is ready to terrorize your soul beginning October 16th, 2009 for 12 nights at the Queen (Scream) Elizabeth Building on the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition.  At Screemers, your pay-one-price admission includes six blood-curdling walkthrough attractions, one spooky slaughterhouse theatre presentation and several hair-raising carnival rides at the Field of Screams Midway.

Admission to Screemers is only $23.50 + GST with $5 printable discount coupon (see below) or $28.50 + GST without the coupon.  Discount coupon is not available on Friday, October 30th or Saturday, October 31st.  Special group rates are also available for groups of 15 or more when booked in advance.

For dates and times, general admission details, a map and directions to Screemers, and a link to a printable coupon redeemable for $5 off regular price admission when presented at the box office, click here.

For more information, contact Screemers at 416-979-FEAR.

Meanwhile, just northwest of the city, Canada's Wonderland Halloween Haunt is once again set to instill fear in the intrepid with ten spine-chilling mazes, a new live vampire show, and several of the park's thrill rides operating in complete darkness.  The park is open Fridays through Sundays in October and November from 7 pm till midnight (until November 1, 2009).

Online daily admission passes are $29.99 plus tax but 2009 or 2010 Canada's Wonderland Season Pass holders can purchase online daily admission passes to Halloween Haunt for only $24.99 plus tax.  Group discounts and dinner buffet/early admission passes are also available online. 

For dates and times, admission details, attractions information, a map and directions to Canada's Wonderland Halloween Haunt, or to purchase your tickets online, click here.

Girls Day Out! The National Women's Show is coming to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from October 23-25, 2009

 
The 2009 National Women's Show offers a wonderful Girls Day Out featuring everything from food and wine sampling to fashion and beauty.  This year's show, which runs from October 23-25 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, features celebrity guest speakers (Gilles Marini from Sex and the City and Dancing With The Stars), fashion shows, free makeovers, cooking demonstrations, tips for staying healthy, travel options and career advice.  You can also enjoy great bargains as you shop at over 425 exhibitors for well-known brands or unique pieces of clothing and jewelry.  And don't forget to arrive early for your free Goodie Bag filled with great samples, plus information on amazing promotions and giveaways available only at the show.

There is something for everyone at this year's National Women's Show.  To ensure a pleasurable shopping experience, the show is divided into the following zones:  Fashion & Style, Beauty & Wellness, Fitness, Travel & Leisure, World Of Taste and the Business & Career Centre.

Special online admission deals include:

• General admission tickets @ $12 (regular $14)
• Two general admission tickets @ $23 total (regular $28)
• Group discount: Buy 10+ tickets @ $10 each (regular $14)
• Children 12 and under are free

Toronto Star 2 for 1 Coupon:  You can also enjoy 2 for 1 admission to the National Women's Show on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 after 5:00 pm.  But there is one catch.  You have to get your hands on the hardcopy edition of the Toronto Star dated Friday, October 9, 2009.  Inside you will find a clip-and-save coupon good for two regular adult admission tickets to opening night for the price of one. 

To order your specially-priced online tickets to The National Women's Show, click here. 

For more information about show hours, admission prices, directions and parking, click here.

Come witness The Ten Commandments at the Royal Ontario Museum October 10-18, 2009 and enjoy half-price admission on select dates

 
Don't miss this rare opportunity to see the world's oldest and best preserved parchment scroll of the Ten Commandments on display at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto between October 10th and 18th, 2009.  The displayed scroll contains the text of the Ten Commandments from Deuteronomy 5 and is the best preserved of all the Deuteronomy manuscripts ever discovered.  This biblical scroll, written in Hebrew and dated to 1 BCE, was discovered in Cave 4 near the site of Khirbet Qumran in 1952. 

The Ten Commandments can be found on Level 3 of the Museum and is included with regular ROM admission prices.  To allow more time to enjoy this special exhibit, the ROM has extended its hours on October 10, 11, 16 & 17.  And during these special extended hours, you can take advantage of half-price admission after 4:30 pm!   Please note that half-price admission to the ROM on October 10, 11, 16 & 17 applies to same-day onsite ticket purchases after 4:30 pm only and excludes admission to the special ticketed exhibition Dead Sea Scrolls: Words That Changed The World.  

For more information on The Ten Commandments at the ROM, including details of extended hours and half-price admission deals, click here. 

And for information about ongoing admission deals to the Royal Ontario Museum, plus details of admission deals to other Toronto-area museums and galleries, click here.

Come spend Halloween at Toronto's historic Casa Loma and be sure to bring the entire family

Casa Loma Trick or Treat:  Bring your children to Casa Loma this Halloween (Saturday, October 31, 2009) for a Trick or Treat Kids Club Event that your family will never forget.  Special entertainment includes Magic Mike, the Sorcerer's Summer Safari, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow storytelling and a special holiday Scavenger Hunt for the kids.  All special presentations are included with regular admission.  Magic Mike is scheduled to appear at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1 pm and 2 pm.  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow storytelling is scheduled for 11 am, 12 pm and 2:30 pm.

Casa Loma Pumpkin Carving Contest:  And while your at Casa Loma this Halloween, don't forget to enter their first annual Pumpkin Carving Contest.  The contest is open to children 13 and under with adult accompaniment.  Pumpkins, markers and carving knives will be provided and all contestants are permitted to take their pumpkins home for Halloween.  All participants will also receive a Trick or Treat loot bag.  The grand winner will receive a family pass to Casa Loma's Christmas program.  The contest begins at 11 am.  Adult admission is $18 including GST while children 13 and under are only $15 plus GST.  Please note that this program includes admission to Casa Loma and all special events scheduled for October 31, including Casa Loma Trick or Treat.  To pre-register, call 416-923-1171 ext. 205 or 215.

For general information about Casa Loma, including hours of operation, regular admission prices, directions and parking rates, click here.

Toronto Fall Home Show 2009 runs October 1-4 at the Better Living Centre and you can save up to $4 when you purchase your tickets online

The annual Toronto Fall Home Show makes its way to the Better Living Centre at Exhibition Place from October 1st to 4th, 2009 featuring more than 290 exhibitors.  This year you can see the latest in home and garden products including appliances, remodelling and renovation, electronics, doors and windows, home decor, garden and outdoor, heating and cooling, kitchen and bath, health and wellness and so much more.  Tickets can be purchased at the venue box office or online.  And when you purchase your tickets online using the link below, you can save $3 off regular admission prices.  But wait!  You can save $4 off regular admission prices when you buy online and use the special promotion code RENO. 

For a comprehensive listing of exhibitors scheduled to appear at this year's Fall Home Show, click here.
For show dates and hours, and directions to the Better Living Centre, click here.
For more information on the Government of Canada Home Renovation Tax Credit which expires on February 1, 2010, click here.
For more information on admission prices, or to purchase your tickets online and save $3 or $4 per admission, click here.

Scotiabank Nuit Blanche Toronto 2009: Get ready for an all-night celebration of contemporary art on October 3, 2009

Having firmly established itself as a Toronto institution since its extraordinary debut in September of 2006, this year's edition of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche Toronto is set to launch at exactly 6:55 pm on the eve of Saturday, October 3rd, 2009.  For one sleepless night, experience Canada's largest and most diverse city transformed by nearly 500 artists in Toronto's fourth annual sunset to sunrise celebration of contemporary art.  Chart your own path to featured art exhibits inside galleries, museums, churches, grocery stores, chimney stacks and bus stations.  Discover over 130 free and accessible contemporary art projects within three zones spread across this great metropolis.  Each zone features a mixture of Exhibition and Independent projects.  And the best part: this magical journey of artistic expression is completely free to all!  

For general information about how to plan and prepare for Nuit Blanche, including what to pack and when to go to the event, click here.
For a map of Nuit Blanche's three designated zones, plus an alphabetical index of featured artists and art projects, click here.
For directions on how to get around Nuit Blanche on foot, bike or by public transit, plus information on special all-night TTC passes and available parking lots, click here.
For information on food and drinking establishments open throughout Nuit Blanche, click here. 

Special Toronto entertainment discounts for the weekend of October 2-4:  And finally, for more information on special Nuit Blanche weekend discounts to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (20% off), CFL football featuring the Toronto Argonauts and Montreal Alouettes (up to $14 off), and Second City Comedy Theatre ($5 off), click here.

Downsview Park's Annual Trail of Lights begins November 27, 2009 and promises wonder and merriment for the entire family

Come and experience the wonder and merriment of one of Canada's largest holiday light shows at Downsview Park's Trail of Lights.  This Toronto family tradition stretches almost three kilometres in length throughout Downsview Park and the Canada Forest and features over 400,000 LED lights.  Many of this year's displays are animated and visitors will also be treated to themed light shows and holiday songs along the route.  You can drive through Downsview Park’s Trail of Lights in the comfort of your own vehicle or walk the trail on five Walk-through Wednesday dates in December.  (Please note that pedestrian traffic is permitted on Walk-through Wednesdays only.  At all other times, only vehicular traffic is permitted on the trail.)   Dinner reservations at the onsite dining establishment and local hotel packages are also available.  The Trail of Lights is open from 6 pm to 11 pm daily between November 27, 2009 and January 3, 2010. 

And when you buy your tickets online before December 1, 2009, you can enjoy big savings: 

• Receive a discount of $5 off per order when you purchase tickets for drive-through
• Receive a discount of $5 off when you purchase a minimum of four tickets (per order) for Walk-through Wednesdays

Tickets are on sale at the Downsview Park gate, online or by calling 416-952-2222. 

For more information about dates and times, discounts and regular admission prices (drive-through and walk-through) and a link to purchase your tickets online, click here.
For a map and directions to Downsview Park, click here.

Downsview Park's Annual Fall Fair set to touch down on Sunday, October 4, 2009 featuring fun and games for the whole family

Downsview Park (near the corner of Keele and Sheppard) presents their annual Fall Fair on Sunday, October 4, 2009 between 11 am and 4 pm and promising fun and festivities for the whole family.  And the best part: admission to the fair is free!  This year's scheduled events include:

• Lumberjack demonstrations
• Pumpkin carving
• Scarecrow making
• Petting zoo  
• Wagon rides
• Inflatable rides
• Roaming buskers on stilts and unicycles 
• Air brush tattoos
• Kite-flying demonstrations
• Food vendors

For more information about the Downsview Park Fall Fair, click here.
For directions and a map to Downsviw Park, click here.

Queen West Art Crawl set to roll on the hippest street in Toronto September 18 - 20, 2009

The Queen West Art Crawl celebrates its 7th year with nearly 500 artists exhibiting their works in locations along Queen Street West from Bathurst to Roncesvalles.  Parks, galleries, cafes, retail and design shops and studios will be getting into the act with superb art exhibitions and activities. The event's opening night party will be held at The Gladstone Hotel on September 18th at 7 pm.  Marquee events throughout the festival (including an outdoor art show and sale, crafters market, visual and musical artists and an interactive kids zone) will be held in Trinity Bellwoods Park and Parkdale Town Square.  The event will end in spectacular fashion with its first annual closing night party at The Drake Hotel on September 20th at 7 pm.  So come on out and hit the shops and galleries as you celebrate artists and art lovers on the hippest street in Canada.  And the best part: admission to the festival is free for all!

For a full list of Queen West Art Crawl events, including times and locations, click here.

And for information on some other great Toronto free street festivals in September, click here. 

Toronto Maple Leaf fans are invited to attend the free Coca-Cola Zero Leafs Fans First Tailgate Party on Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

On Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 beginning at 4 pm on Bremner Boulevard just outside Gates 5 and 6 at the Air Canada Centre, come join Maple Leafs' alumni and thousands of fellow Leaf Nation diehards at the Coca-Cola Zero Leafs Fan First Tailgate Party.  You can enjoy a live performance by East Coast rockers Sloan and take part in loads of interactive games before game time.  Free Leafs swag and Coke Zero will also be handed out.  And more than one hundred tickets to Wednesday night's 7 pm exhibition match against the Boston Bruins will be awarded.  And even if you fail to win free tickets to the game, you can always watch the contest live on the Leafs' new Gate 5 big screen outdoor videoboard. 

For more information about the Maple Leafs tailgate party and a map to the event , click here.

Come to the Taste of the Kingsway Festival on September 12th and 13th, 2009 along Bloor Street West for food, fun and festivities

This weekend the Taste of the Kingsway Festival will take place along Bloor Street West between Prince Edward Drive and Montgomery Road from 11 am to 8 pm.  This annual fall festival is a food and entertainment smorgasbord with plenty of fun activities for the entire family.  In addition to the more than 30 local restaurants serving scrumptious samples of international cuisine, this year's festival will feature beer and wine gardens, live stage performances, a dog show, midway rides and games, martial arts demonstrations, exotic auto displays, two rock climbing walls, and much, much more.  The festival is also conveniently located along the subway line near the Royal York Subway Station.  And best of all, admission is free for all!

For more information about the Taste of the Kingsway Festival, click here.
For a schedule of stage performances and events, click here.
For a map to the event, click here.

And for a listing of some other free Toronto street festivals scheduled for the month of September, click here.

September 2009 is free street festival month in the City of Toronto where you can definitely find plenty of family fun at the right price !!!

The city of Toronto is home to hundreds of different cultures from around the world and every month, the residents of this great metropolis can enjoy everything these diverse and disparate cultures have to offer.  HotTorontoDeals.com has compiled a chronological list of five of the most popular street festivals scheduled for the month of September in Toronto.  The one thing each of these celebrations has in common:  admission to each festival is free for all.  Just click on the name of the festival that you are interested in attending and you will be linked to that event's homepage where you can find detailed descriptions of daily schedules, performances and maps and directions. 

Junction Arts Festival - September 9th to 13th on Dundas Street West from Keele Street to Quebec Avenue and featuring visual, musical, literary, performance and new media works in addition to a kids' playground, green village and food and merchandise vendors in a dynamic street celebration of the arts

Cabbagetown Festival - September 9th to 13th at Riverdale Park and on Parliament Street and various other streets and featuring arts and crafts, pub crawl, film festival, garage sales and walking tours in a celebration of this vibrant and unique east-end neighbourhood

Toronto Ukrainian Festival - September 18th to 20th in Bloor West Village between Jane Street and Runnymede Road and featuring festival parade, dancers, vocalists, musicians, interactive pavilions, kids' midway, art show, and food and souvenir kiosks in a celebration of the Ukrainian culture in Canada

Roncesvalles Polish Festival - September 19th and 20th on Roncesvalles Avenue and featuring dance troupes, musicians, local cuisine and street vendors in the largest celebration of Polish culture in North America

Life is Good Festival - September 19th in Coronation Park (near Exhibition Place) and featuring live music (Julian Marley, Carly Rae Jepsen et al.) plus loads of games, sports and activities for the kids all in support of the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada

Word on the Street - September 27th at Queen's Park and featuring book readings, discussion panels, cooking demonstrations, musical and spoken word performances, writing workshops, kids' activities and a publishers' marketplace in a celebration of literacy and the written word (and Margaret Atwood is scheduled to appear this year!)

Toronto Harbourfront Centre: Enjoy the Labour Day weekend with free theatre, interactive walks and canoe rides for the whole family

This Labour Day holiday weekend, Toronto's Harbourfront Centre offers up a plethora of free entertainment for young and old alike.  Some of the highlights of this last long weekend before school reconvenes include:

• Free canoe rides in the Natrel pond, September 5th-7th, 2009 @ 1 p.m.
• Free admission to Circus Alchemy on the Redpath Stage, September 4th-6th @ 9 p.m. 
• Free kids' interactive discovery walk around Harbourfront, September 5th-7th, 2009 all day

For a complete list of free activities scheduled for Harbourfront Centre this Labour day weekend, including musical performances, dance programs, book readings, art displays, film screenings, and cooking demonstrations, click here.

TIFF Now Playing: 2009 Toronto International Film Festival: Celebrate movies, celebrities and culture in Toronto

The 34th annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is considered one of the most influential film festivals in the world today.  Running from September 10th to 19th, this annual celebration of cinema and culture attracts some of the most recognized actors, directors, executives and critics from around the globe, not to mention the thousands of passionate cinemaphiles intent on viewing the finest works that Hollywood, independent studios and international filmmakers have to offer.  A special tribute to last-year's TIFF-premiered Bollywood blockbuster, Slumdog Millionaire, starring Dev Patel, Freida Pinto and directed by Danny Boyle, is also planned for this year's festival.

Of course, the best place to catch a glimpse of Hollywood royalty during the festival is in the trendy, tony downtown Toronto neighbourhood known as Yorkville.  Going one step further, HotTorontoDeals.com is pleased to bring our visitors the inside scoop on some of the finest Toronto hotels and restaurants where celebrity sightseeing will be at a premium.  We begin with a list of several local luxury hotels (and the name of the in-house bar/restaurant) that always seem to attract the lion's share of A-list Hollywood celebrities come festival time: 

Four Seasons Hotel (Avenue Bar & Lounge) - 21 Avenue Road
The Hazelton Hotel (One Restaurant) - 118 Yorkville Avenue
Park Hyatt Hotel (The Roof Lounge & Morton's Steakhouse) - 4 Avenue Road
The Sutton Place Hotel (TIFF Press Conferences at the back, Bistro 990 across the street and Accent's inside the hotel) - 955 Bay Street
Le Meridien King Edward Hotel (Victoria's) - 37 King Street East

Yorkville has many choices for a quick bite, Hemingway's, the Sushi Inn (both on Cumberland) and check out the new chocolate bar, Moroco's! And now a list of popular Toronto fine dining establishments where Hollywood bigwigs typically choose to chow down when in town:

Sassafraz - 100 Cumberland Street
Bistro 990 - 990 Bay Street (across from Sutton Place Hotel)
Rosewater Supper Club - 19 Toronto Street
Ultra Supper Club - 314 Queen Street West
Spice Route - 499 King Street West (try the Wasabi Shrimp! the later you stay, the cooler the place and guests get)

Hundreds of Hollywood and international movie stars are scheduled to make an appearance at this year's Toronto International Film Festival, among them:

George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, Matt Damon, Chris Rock, Drew Barrymore, Mariah Carey, Penelope Cruz, Megan Fox, Ewan McGregor, Jennifer Connelly, Keanu Reeves, Colin Farrell, Demi Moore, Rob Lowe, Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Natalie Portman, Jennifer Garner, Kevin Spacey, Snoop Dogg, Atom Egoyan, Edward Norton, Liam Neeson, Nicolas Cage, Noami Watts and many more.

 

Free festival festivities at Yonge-Dundas Square:

Everyone is invited to attend Yonge-Dundas Square for a series of free screenings, concerts, guest appearances and special events during TIFF.  For a schedule of free live events at Yonge-Dundas Square, click here for a link to the 2009 TIFF homepage and scroll down to the bottom of the page. 

2009 Toronto International Film Festival links: 

For a link to the 2009 TIFF homepage, click here.
For a complete list of 2009 TIFF films and public viewing schedules, click here.
For information on ordering tickets to 2009 TIFF screenings, click here.
For a complete list of 2009 TIFF contests and special promotions, click here.
The Toronto Star has a great interactive map of TIFF hotspots, just click here.
And for a comprehensive map of 2009 TIFF theatres, box office locations, restaurants and hotels, click here.

Hispanic Fiesta 2009 - Come enjoy Latin culture at Mel Lastman Square from Friday, September 4th to Monday, September 7th... and it's all free!

The 28th annual Hispanic Fiesta is set to touch down at Mel Lastman Square, located at 5100 Yonge Street in Toronto, featuring all of the unique sights, sounds and tastes that Hispanic culture is known for.  This year, Hispanic Fiesta will feature more than 300 Hispanic performers from over 20 countries around the world where Spanish is spoken.  The 2009 version of the festival will highlight Flamenco and Tango dancing, Mariachi bands, instrumental Andean music, and Latin bands performing the music of Salsa, Cumbia, Merengue and Vallenato.  Guests can also enjoy traditional Latin cuisine and handicrafts available for sale in the Latin American Marketplace on site.  And for families, a children's showcase featuring arts and crafts, puppets, clowns and magicians is scheduled for this year's festival.

Admission to this four-day event is, of course, free to all.

For a day-by-day schedule of events at Hispanic Fiesta 2009, click here.
For a map and directions to the event, click here.
For more information about Hispanic Fiesta 2009, call 416-240-9338 or click here.

Scotiabank Toronto International Buskerfest : Thursday, August 27th to Sunday, August 30th

Scotiabank and Epilepsy Toronto present the 10th annual Toronto International Buskerfest in the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood between Thursday, August 27th and Sunday, August 30th, 2009.  Every year this festival features hundreds of the best street performers from around the world and is now considered the largest festival of its kind in North America.  Buskerfest is held on picturesque Front Street between Yonge and Church Streets.  This year's festival is scheduled for the following times:

Thursday, August 27th 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday, August 28th  12 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Saturday, August 29th  11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Sunday, August 30th 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Come celebrate Toronto Buskerfest with more than 100 performers scheduled to take to the streets, including daredevils, magicians, comedians, clowns, contortionists, acrobats, aerialists, fire breathers and musicians, plus a whole host of eclectic acts that defy description.

Toronto Buskerfest also offers a wide array of international cuisine and a talented slate of local artists exhibiting their works.  During the day, there are shows and activities for the kids in the Scotiabank BuskerPlay area, but once the sun goes down, the streets will explode with fire and mystery during the much-anticipated After Dark performances.



While admission to the festival is technically free, donations to Epilepsy Toronto are greatly appreciated by the organizers.  Similarly, spectators can demonstrate their appreciation for this year's performers by contributing to a hat which is passed around the audience after each performance.

For detailed information about Buskerfest 2009, including a list of performers and a map and directions to the event, click here.

2009 Toronto Chinatown Festival - Saturday, August 22nd to Sunday, August 23rd

Come celebrate the 9th annual Toronto Chinatown Festival in the heart of Toronto's Chinese community on Spadina Avenue at Dundas Street.  The Festival gets bigger and better every year and last year over 100,000 visitors attended the celebration, making it one of the most anticipated cultural events of the summer.  The Festival runs Saturday between noon and 8 p.m. and Sunday between noon and 6 p.m.  The best way to get to the Festival is the 510 Spadina streetcar from Spadina subway station or the 505 Dundas streetcar from Dundas subway station.  Admission to the Festival is, of course, free.

This year's Festival Highlights

Filled with traditional cuisine and costumes from the eight provinces of China, Festival visitors will also enjoy multicultural music and dance performances, kung-fu shows, food sampling, a street market filled with unique Asian merchandise and crafts, and fun-filled interactive games for the children.

For more information and a map to the Festival, click here
For even more information about the Festival, click here
And for even more information about the Festival (including some superfluous sponsorship details), click here 

2009 TD Canada Trust Festival of South Asia - Friday, August 21st to Sunday, August 23rd

Come celebrate South Asian culture at the 2009 TD Canada Trust Festival of South Asia in the Gerrard India bazaar.  This annual festival takes place on Gerrard Street East between Greenwood and Coxwell Avenues in downtown Toronto.  Admission to the festival is, of course, free.  This year's three-day event highlights the unique and exquisite food, music and dance of South Asia. 

Dates and Event Hours:
Friday, August 21, 7-11 pm
Saturday, August 22, 2-11 pm
Sunday, August 23, noon-11 pm

• For a list of participating neighbourhood taste restaurants, click here
• For a list of musical and dance performers and performance schedules, click here
• For directions, parking and maps to the festival, click here

Teacher Deals - Toronto educators enjoy huge savings at various local attractions and retailers

Ontario College of Teachers - Did you know that OCT members are entitled to discounts at dozens of attractions and retailers throughout Ontario simply by producing their OCT membership card?  The list of organizations who currently offer discounts to OCT members includes:

• Art Gallery of Ontario (free admission)
• Indigo Books ($5 off IRewards card) 
• Cartridges2Go (10% discount on printer cartridges)
• Casa Loma (20% discount on admission)
• Hockey Hall of Fame (free admission)
• Lasik MD ($100 off Standard Lasik vision correction)
• Ontario Place ($14 off admission)
• Ontario Science Centre (free admission)
• Toronto Raptors basketball (20-30% discount on select tickets)
• Canadian Opera Company (50% off adult tickets)
• traveldiscounters.ca (5-10% discount on brochure prices)

This is just a brief sampling of the numerous deals that teachers can take advantage of as member of the Ontario College of Teachers.  For a complete list of participating attractions and retailers, click here  

 

Edvantage Card - You may be asking what is an Edvantage card?  Your Edvantage membership card is simply your federation/association card, e.g., OSSTF.  Participating businesses (or Partners) require your Edvantage number (the X digit number located on your card) and the name of your association in order to administer the discount.  Edvantage offers huge discounts to education employees and their families through partnerships with retailers and organizations throughout Ontario, including: 

• Apple
• The Brick
• MasterCard
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car
• GoodLife Fitness
• Hakim Optical
• Great Wolf Lodge
• New Balance
• Tip Top Tailors
• Pharmacy.ca
• Young Drivers of Canada
• Sleep Country Canada

For a complete list of Edvantage Partners with links to great offers, click here
For details of special offers currently offered by Edvantage Partners, click here

Perkopolis - Perkopolis, an Edvantage Partner, offers great savings at Toronto-area attractions, concerts, hotels, live shows, sporting events and movie theatres.  Perkopolis members can also enjoy huge discounts on magazine subscriptions.  In addition, Perkopolis members can take advantage of reduced prices at a number of Niagara Falls attractions, hotels and shows.  For complete listings and details of Toronto-area discounts, click below on the applicable category:

• Toronto theatre and shows
• Toronto attractions
• Toronto sporting events
• Toronto movie packages
• Toronto hotels
• Toronto concerts

Ontario Teachers' Federation - And as a special offer, Ontario educators can purchase tickets for only $15 to the Toronto Marlies' AHL home opener at Ricoh Coliseum on Sunday, October 4th, 2009 at 4 p.m.  As an added bonus, ticketholders can enjoy a free family skate before the game, a post-game autograph session for 150 people, and a free bobblehead doll for the first 2,500 fans.  Ticket prices include a $3.00 donation to an OTF charity.  For more details, including contact information, click here  

Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) - As owner of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (themselves owner of the NHL Leafs, NBA Raptors, MLS Toronto FC and AHL Marlies), the OTPP can offer its members huge savings on discounted tickets to major-league events involving Toronto's professional sports teams.  If you are not currently receiving periodic e-mails from the OTPP promotions department informing you of upcoming ticket offers for the Leafs, Raptors, Toronto FC and Marlies, you should contact the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan immediately (416-226-2700 or 1-800-668-0105) and ask to be placed on their promotions mailing list.  

Discount Tickets to Toronto's Best Attractions from Shoppers Drug Mart - Save up to 30%

       
Shoppers Drug Mart and TicketOps are now offering huge savings (up to 30% off) on admission prices to some of the most popular family attractions in and around Toronto.  These tickets can be purchased online and then delivered instantly via e-mail for printing.  Prices include all taxes but a small processing fee of between $0.99 and $1.99 applies to each online order.  Dozens of attractions are participating in this program and some of the more popular Toronto-area attractions include:

• CN Tower
• Casa Loma
• Toronto Zoo
• Black Creek Pioneer Village
• Medieval Times 
• Hockey Hall of Fame
• Royal Ontario Museum
• Centreville Amusement Park 
• Toronto Harbour Cruises

Click here for a complete list of attractions, ticket prices and online order form

Shoppers Drug Mart In-Store Ticket Sale:  You may also purchase discount tickets to a limited number of family attractions (including the CNE and Ontario Place) at any participating Ontario Shoppers Drug Mart.  This method allows you to purchase your admission tickets in person and avoid any online processing fees.  In-store ticket sales end September 30th, 2009 or earlier.  For more information, please see the in-store brochure.  
 

Free Weekends at Toronto's Historic Sites in July and August 2009

 

Did you know that every weekend this summer until Sunday, August 30th, 2009, visitors are invited to enjoy free admission and programs at Colborne Lodge, Fort York National Historic Site, Gibson House Museum, Mackenzie House, Montgomery’s Inn, Scarborough Historical Museum, Spadina Museum, and Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum and Arts Centre.

Programming at these historic Toronto locations includes music, drama, children's crafts, site tours and loads of fun for the entire family.

Click here for more information on specific programming at each site

For maps and addresses of participating sites, click here

Metropass Hot Dealz - Great deals on Toronto attractions with your current TTC Metropass

Just show your current Metropass at any of the below attractions and receive huge admission discounts for you and up to three guests, unless otherwise specified.  Discounts vary according to attraction and certain restrictions may apply.  This outstanding program runs until June 30th, 2010.  Just click on the links below to receive more information about each of the six participating attractions:

• Casa Loma (20% off) - click here
• CN Tower (20% off selected ticket packages) - click here
• Hockey Hall of Fame ($3 off adult tickets) - click here
• Ontario Place (save $5 per person with this coupon) - click here
• Ontario Science Centre (20% off general admission) - click here
• Toronto Zoo (15% off) - click here

Niagara Falls Discount Coupons, Fun Passes and Special Promotions - Great Deals on Niagara Falls Attractions and Restaurants

Make HotTorontoDeals.com your one-stop destination for every available Niagara Falls coupon, fun pass and special promotion.  

Click here for printable coupons to the following Niagara Falls attractions and restaurants:

• Boston Pizza
• Kelsey's Restaurant
• Niagara SkyWheel Giant Wheel
• Movieland Wax Museum
• Dinosaur Park Mini Golf
• Galaxy Golf Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf
• Ghost Blasters Thrill Ride
• F/X Ride Theatre

Click here for more information about the following Clifton Hill Attraction Discount Combo Passes

Clifton Hill Fun Pass - $29.95/adult + tax (save $30) or $23.95/child 10 years and under + tax (save $18) - includes admission to Niagara SkyWheel, Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum, Dinosaur Park (or Galaxy Golf) Mini Golf, Movieland Wax Museum, Ghost Blasters Dark Ride, F/X Ride Theatre and Great Canadian Midway tokens

Midway Combo Pass - $9.99/person + tax - includes admission to F/X Ride Theatre and Ghost Blasters Dark Ride  

All passes can be purchased at any of the listed attractions except Ripley's.  Please note that Dinosaur Park Mini Golf is open seasonally. 

Click here to order online or to receive more information about the Clifton Hill Big Fun Value Pass

 
Save up to 50% when you purchase a Big Fun Value Pass for admission to three, four or six of the following Clifton Hill attractions:  Guinness World Records Museum, Bronto's Adventure Playland, The Fun House, Mystery Maze, Brick City and The Haunted House. 

Reduced rates apply to children 4 to 17 years, students and seniors.  Children three and under are free.  

 

Attractions Ontario:  Click here for a list of printable and online money-saving coupons to some of Niagara Falls top attractions

Enjoy huge savings on a variety of Niagara Falls attractions and shows including discounts on the Bird Kingdom at Niagara Aviary, Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, Greg Frewin Theatre, Niagara Helicopters, Nightmares Fear Factory, Oh Canada Eh? Dinner Show, Safari Niagara and Yogi Bear's Jellystone Parks Niagara. 

Click here to order online or to receive more information about the Niagara Falls and Great Gorge Adventure Pass

The Niagara Falls and Great Gorge Adventure Pass entitles holders to one admission to the Maid of the Mist, Journey Behind the Falls, White Water Walk and Niagara's Fury.  An adult pass (13+) costs only $42.71 including tax (a savings of $26.36) while a child's pass (6-12) costs only $26.68 including tax (a savings of $14.86).  This pass allows holders the option of purchasing additional tickets to the Butterfly Conservatory, Riverview International Buffet and an MP3 player, all at reduced prices.

Falls Avenue 2009 Big Time Saver Coupon Book:  Click here for 16 pages of printable coupons to some of Niagara Falls' top attractions and restaurants 

The 2009 edition of the Falls Avenue Big Time Saver Coupon Book contains 16 pages of money-saving coupons for some of Niagara Falls' best attractions and eateries, including:

• Rainforest Cafe
• Planet Hollywwod 
• Hard Rock Cafe 
• WWE Pile Driver
• Hershey's Store
• MGM Studios Plaza
• Adventure City Family Fun Centre
• Spongebob Squarepants 4-D 
• Fallsview Indoor Waterpark

Niagara Supersaver Family Fun Coupon Book:  Click here for money-saving coupons ($1 off per adult / 50 cents off per child) to several Niagara Falls' family-friendly attractions

This website contains loads and loads of printable coupons for some of the best Niagara Falls attractions and fun spots including:

• Brick City
• Bronto's Adventure Playland
• Crystal Caves Mirror Maze
• Dinosaur Park Mini Golf
• Ghost Blasters
• Guinness World Records Museum
• Louis Tussaud's Waxworks
• The Fun House
• The Haunted House
• Rock Legends Wax Museum
• Skylon Tower  

Shoppers Drug Mart Online Discount Tickets:  Click here to purchase online discount admission tickets to some of Niagara Falls' most popular destinations

Shoppers Drug Mart and TicketOps have teamed up to offer huge savings on several Niagara Falls' family destinations including:

• Fallsview Indoor Waterpark
• Imax Theatre
• Journey Behind the Falls
• Louis Tussaud's Waxworks
• Niagara Falls & Great Gorge Adventure Pass
• Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum
• Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory

Click here for printable coupons from www.saveabuck.ca to dozens of Niagara Falls attractions and restaurants

The Save-a-Buck website features dozens and dozens of printable coupons to some of Niagara Falls' top family attractions and dining establishments, among them:

• Skylon Tower
• Dinosaur Park Mini Golf
• Greg Frewin Theatre
• Mystery Maze
• The Fun House
• Bronto's Adventure Playland
• Brick City
• Souvenir City
• Keg Steakhouse
• Outback Steakhouse
• East Side Mario's
• Antica Pizzeria

Moreover, you can find The Biggest Money Saving Coupon Booklet and the Niagara Dining Guide at most hotels and attractions in and around Niagara Falls.  Both of these hardcopy coupon booklets are published by Save-a-Buck and feature many of the same coupon deals found on the website. 

Attractions Niagara Coupon Book

And finally, the hardcopy-only Attractions Niagara Coupon Book also contains coupons to some of Niagara Falls' most popular tourist destinations and can be found at most hotels and attractions in and around the city.  This booklet features money-saving coupons to attractions as varied as MarineLand, Strike Rock n' Bowl, Galaxy Golf, The House of Frankenstein, Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours, the Butterfly Conservatory and the Hershey Store. 

Attractions Ontario: Find Coupons to Toronto's Most Popular Attractions

Every year, Attractions Ontario offers money-saving printable coupons to dozens of Ontario's (and Toronto's) top attractions.  Some of the most popular Toronto destinations featured in this year's program include:

• Canada's Wonderland
• Casa Loma
• Art Gallery of Ontario
• Ontario Place
• Hockey Hall of Fame
• Centreville Amusement Park (Centre Island)
• Ontario Science Centre
• Upper Canada Village
• Toronto Harbour Tours
• 1000 Islands
• Spadina Museum
• Rogers Centre Tours
• Medieval Times
• Wild Water Kingdom
• Gray Line Toronto

Click here for the full list of printable coupons at Attractions Ontario 

Toronto CityPass: Save Big on Toronto's Top Five Tourist Attractions (Save $50/adult!)

See five of Toronto's most exciting tourist attractions for one low price.  An adult pass is only $59.00 (saving almost $50.00 per adult).  A youth pass (ages 4-12) is only $39.00 (saving over $30.00/child).  Children under 4 are always free. The Toronto CityPass entitles holders to one admission to each of the following destinations:

• CN Tower
• Ontario Science Centre
• Royal Ontario Museum
• Casa Loma
• Toronto Zoo

The pass is valid for 9 days from the date of first use.  Some restrictions may aply.  You can purchase CityPass online or at any of the five participating CityPass attractions. 

Click here for more information abouth the Toronto CityPass or to order a CityPass online.

Harbourfront Centre Summer Festival Series - August and September 2009

Harbourfront Centre offers up a variety of cultural delights featuring food, music and dance from around the world.  Each week brings a new festival to the Centre which highlights the unique sights and sounds of a featured region or cultural activity from somewhere around the globe in addition to the mainstay World Cafe and International Marketplace.  Admission to these weekend events is always free.  The summer festival season is well underway but still includes:

• Hot + Spicy Food Festival (September 4th to 7th)

Click here for more information on Harbourfront Centre's Summer Festival Series

FREE FLICKS:  Plus, don't miss Harbourfront Centre's 80's RetroReels Free Flicks Series featuring free movie screenings every Wednesday night at 9 p.m. in July and August.

Click here for more information on Harbourfront Centre's Free Flicks Series 

Come to the Canadian National Exhibition this Labour Day weekend to enjoy the International Air Show and many more great events

CNE ADMISSSION GATES CLOSED EARLY AT 5PM ON LAST DAY TO NEW VISITORS. A CNE tradition for years, to avoid rowdiness.

 
Come to the 2009 Canadian National Exhibition this Labour Day weekend and enjoy the best the CNE has to offer, including:

• Canadian International Air Show, September 5th to 7th at the waterfront, south of the Bandshell, from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm
• Movie Magic: Aerial Acrobatics and Ice Skating Show starring Elvis Stojko, daily at the Ricoh Coliseum at 2 pm and 7 pm
• Celebrate the Olympic Spirit: An Interactive Tribute to the Winter Games, daily on the west side of the Food Building from 10 am to 8 pm
• President's Choice SuperDogs Show, daily in the Direct Energy Centre, Hall D at 1 pm, 4 pm and 7:30 pm (final show on Labour Day Monday is 6:30 pm) 
• The Original Wheel of Thrills, daily on Princes' Blvd. at 2 pm, 5 pm and 7:30 pm

For more information about these and other special events, click here.

So bring the whole family to the 131st edition of the Canadian National Exhibition located on the CNE grounds in downtown Toronto.  Come celebrate Canada's oldest annual fair featuring a grand tradition of food, fun and festivities.  This year's fair features some of your favourite attractions from years' past plus a whole lineup of new and exciting adventures that are guaranteed to thrill your entire family.  Events and attractions scheduled this year include:

• Gates open 10 am to 10 pm
• CNE Casino (noon to 6 am daily)
• Midway thrill rides and games (until midnight!)
• Garden Show in the Direct Energy Centre
• Horse Show in the Horse Palace
• Food Building (until 10 pm daily)
• Monday, August 24th and Monday, August 31st are Kids' Toonie Days when kids 13 and under get in for $2.00 when accompanied by a paying adult
• Come to the CNE after 5:00 pm between Monday and Thursday and pay only $5 admission plus the first 1500 people through the CNE pedestrian gates will be given a $5 coupon for Subway Restaurants

Buy your tickets before Opening Day and save up to 31% on your CNE admission. The online ticket store is available here with bonus coupons for Pizza Nova and Tiny Tom Donuts. Until August 20th, Shoppers Drug Mart will sell discounted tickets in store. Plus, Opening Day admission is only $1.75 this year in celebration of Toronto's 175th anniversary.

For more information on the 2009 Canadian National Exhibition click here. 
For more information about CNE Special Offers, click here.

Taste of the Danforth Toronto Greek Festival - Celebrating Greek Culture (August 7th to 9th)

The 16^th annual Pilaros Taste of the Danforth street festival runs from Friday, August 7^th to Sunday, August 9^th, 2009 on Danforth Avenue in downtown Toronto.  The festival combines the best of Greek culture with a variety of family-friendly events, including:

• Broadway-style theatrical performances
• Traditional Greek dancers, vocalists and musicians
• Sporting activities including climbing walls and volleyball courts
• Beer gardens and a wine and spirits garden
• Street vendors offering up the finest in Greek and international cuisine
• To find out about events and "What's On?" click here
• To get a map and directions to Toronto's Greektown with TTC stations and Green "P" Parking shown click here. Wear comfy shoes and the TTC Subway (to Pape) is recommended!
• For a great Google map on restaurants participating click here

Admission to the festival is, of course, free to all.

Click here for more on Toronto's 2009 Taste of the Danforth street festival

PLAYHOUSE DISNEY LIVE! ON TOUR @ ROGERS CENTRE

Playhouse Disney will be appearing live at the Rogers Centre between January 22nd and January 24th, 2010.  Exclusive pre-sale tickets to this event are available between August 4th at 10 a.m. and August 7th at 3 p.m. from Ticketmaster.  

• Special offer only available online @ ticketmaster.ca or by phone at 416-870-8000
• Use code RC when ordering
• Tickets range from $25 to $70
• Service charges and other fees may apply

Click here for more information