Thursday, Aug. 8
TD Newmarket Music Series: Newmarket's free summer concert series takes place at downtown’s Riverwalk Commons on Thursday nights from 6 to 9 p.m. throughout July and August. The lineup features a mixture of local talent along with premier tribute bands offering a mix of pop, rock and soul. Bring a lawn chair and arrive early to secure a spot. Parking is limited due to volume. Bring non-perishable food items to donate to the Newmarket Food Pantry. Aug. 8 is Desire, a tribute to U2, with Honey Jack opening. You can see the full line-up for the summer here.
East Gwillimbury Farmers Market: Every Thursday, rain or shine, the farmers market features local vegetables, artisan vendors, meat, cheese, baked goods, honey, soaps until Sept. 28 at the Civic Centre at 19000 Leslie St. in Sharon from 2 to 7 p.m. Some vendors may only accept cash payments.
Richmond Hill Concerts in the Park at Mill Pond, Thursdays: Presented by Tim Hortons, July’s toe-tapping tunes include music by Groove Marmalade – Motown July 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Mill Pond. Concert-goers are encouraged to walk or cycle as nearby parking is limited. Attendees can leave their bike at the bike valet booth. Aug. 8 Fleetwood Mac Mania, Aug. 15 Epic Elton, Aug. 22 Chicago Transit.
Friday, Aug. 9
Southlake Artisan Market: Experience an evening of community spirit and fun at the Southlake Artisan Market. More than 20 local vendors will be in attendance, offering a variety of unique items including candles, homemade jewelry, art and more from 4 to 8 p.m. at Southlake Regional Health Centre, parking lot P10, 596 Davis Dr., Newmarket.
Sin Bin Comedy Show: Enjoy a night of laughter as Piazza Italian Eatery Mercato hosts the Sin Bin Comedy show from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. at 15198 Yonge St., Aurora. Seating is limited, tickets $27.96.
Celebrating the Arts: A Taste of Culture, Aug. 9 & 10: This free event experience is on Friday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the East Gwillimbury Civic Centre, 19000 Leslie St., Sharon., with entertainment including MUDMEN, Samba Squad, Mega Magic - Mike D’Urzo, Petty Nicks tribute, Queensville Players, Hong Luck Lion Dance Show, Ginalina - Family Folk Music, Glenn Marais, and Tributes to Taylor Swift & Shania Twain. Kids zone, artisan and community market also included. Vendors offer for purchase a variety of sweet and savoury options. To view the event schedule, vendors, and event details, visit www.eastgwillimbury.ca/TOC.
Stouffville Ribfest, Aug. 8 to 10: Celebrate the best summer has to offer with a free three-day festival that features award winning ribs, local breweries, food trucks, a kids zone, marketplace, and live entertainment all weekend long at Memorial Park. Friday 4 to 10 p.m. | Saturday noon to 10 p.m. | Sunday noon to 7 p.m. Grab a seat at a table or bring your own lawn chair to enjoy a picnic in the park.
Aurora Bridge Club: Play duplicate bridge weekly with the Aurora club at the Newmarket Veterans Association, 406 Millard Ave., from 12:15 to 4 p.m., open games Wednesdays and Fridays, Thursday 0-500. Price $6 to $10.
All You Can Pick at Lavender Polo Farm: The family lavender farm in East Gwillimbury offers weekly farmer/vendor markets, workshop sessions, monthly events, performances, natural products, and until Sept. 10, all-you-can-pick lavender, with no time limit, in six fields with four types of lavender totalling 100,000+ plants on 155 acres from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 20132 McCowan Rd. Admission ticket(s) required to enter the farm, and for $18 + tax, customers can pick as much lavender as they can fit into a designated bag. Standard bookings/ walkins accepted for $20 + tax/ person subject to last minute availability. Admission is free for children 12 and under. To book, visit: https://www.
Saturday, Aug. 10
Celebrating the Arts: A Taste of Culture: This free event experience from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the East Gwillimbury Civic Centre, 19000 Leslie St., Sharon., includes entertainment from Queensville Players, Hong Luck Lion Dance Show, Ginalina - Family Folk Music, Glenn Marais, and Tributes to Taylor Swift & Shania Twain, kids zone, artisan and community market. Vendors offer for purchase a variety of sweet and savoury options. To view the event schedule, vendors, and event details, visit www.eastgwillimbury.ca/TOC.
Kids Makers Market: Ignited Learning Centre, 18648 Leslie St., Sharon, holds a kids only makers market from 10 a.m. to noon with live music, community picnic, yoga circle and young entrepreneur booths.
Newmarket Farmers' Market: The Newmarket Farmers' Market at Riverwalk Commons, on Doug Duncan Drive, where you can connect with local farmers, enjoy delicious treats, discover unique artisans, take in some live music, and enter a draw for a market basket, while visiting with family and friends. The market is open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. until October.
Aurora Farmers' Market & Artisan Fair: Shop local, shop fresh at the Aurora Farmers' Market Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. until Oct. 26 at 49 Wells St. (northeast corner of Town Park) featuring artisans, farmers, food vendors and community groups.
Outdoor Meditation All Seasons: Join the meditation group every Saturday outdoors in the beautiful setting of Fairy Lake Park at 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., rain or shine. Some mats, cushions, and chairs will be available. Dress appropriately for the weather, and feel free to bring a mat, cushion or folding chair if you like, but not necessary.
Stouffville Ribfest, to Aug. 10: Celebrate the best summer has to offer with a free festival that features award winning ribs, local breweries, food trucks, a kids zone, marketplace, and live entertainment all weekend long at Memorial Park. Saturday noon to 10 p.m. | Sunday noon to 7 p.m. Grab a seat at a table or bring your own lawn chair to enjoy a picnic in the park.
All You Can Pick at Lavender Polo Farm: The family lavender farm in East Gwillimbury offers weekly farmer/vendor markets, workshop sessions, monthly events, performances, natural products, and until Sept. 10, all-you-can-pick lavender, with no time limit, in six fields with four types of lavender totalling 100,000+ plants on 155 acres from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 20132 McCowan Rd. Admission ticket(s) required to enter the farm, and for $18 + tax, customers can pick as much lavender as they can fit into a designated bag. Standard bookings/ walkins accepted for $20 + tax/ person subject to last minute availability. Admission is free for children 12 and under. To book, visit: https://www.
Sunday, Aug. 11
KAOS Pro Wresting and New Anthem: Pop punk music by New Anthem and KAOS pro wrestling are offered at this event from 4 to 7 p.m. at Ten Gallon Bar and Grill, 446 Davis Dr. in Newmarket. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased through Eventbrite or at the door. The show will be outdoors in a parking lot, rain or shine, with viewers encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs.
Newmarket Cycles Group Ride: Explore Newmarket by bike at Newmarket Cycles’ free family-friendly group ride from 3 to 4 p.m., starting and ending 470 Davis Dr. Rides are typically about 10 km long and explore trails, quiet residential streets, and local cycling infrastructure. No registration required.
Stouffville Ribfest: Celebrate the best summer has to offer with a free festival that features award winning ribs, local breweries, food trucks, a kids zone, marketplace, and live entertainment all weekend long at Memorial Park from noon to 7 p.m. Grab a seat at a table or bring your own lawn chair to enjoy a picnic in the park.
All You Can Pick at Lavender Polo Farm: The family lavender farm in East Gwillimbury offers weekly farmer/vendor markets, workshop sessions, monthly events, performances, natural products, and until Sept. 10, all-you-can-pick lavender, with no time limit, in six fields with four types of lavender totalling 100,000+ plants on 155 acres from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 20132 McCowan Rd. Admission ticket(s) required to enter the farm, and for $18 + tax, customers can pick as much lavender as they can fit into a designated bag. Standard bookings/ walkins accepted for $20 + tax/ person subject to last minute availability. Admission is free for children 12 and under. To book, visit: https://www.
Coming up:
Aurora's Concerts in the Park, Wednesdays: The Town of Aurora and TD Bank Group host free live music every Wednesday at Aurora Town Park from 7 to 9 p.m. in July and August. Bring a non-perishable food donation for the Aurora Food Pantry for a chance to win a prize pack. Bring your own portable chairs. Aug. 14 is Pearl Jamming, tribute to Pearl Jam. See the full line-up here. To check for inclement weather cancellations, call the 24-hour special events line at 905-726-4762.
Aurora’s Movies in the Park, Thursdays, Aug. 15, 22 and 29: The Town of Aurora transforms Town Park, 49 Wells St., into an outdoor cinema for it Movies in the Park. Residents and visitors are invited to enjoy free movies on a large inflatable screen with surround sound. Arrive early for pre-movie activities, as each film starts at dusk. Bring a blanket, lawn chair, and your favourite snacks to enjoy classic movies under the stars. Enjoy complimentary movie-quality popcorn while supplies
A food donation for the Aurora Food Pantry is appreciated. To check for weather-related event closures, call the 24-hour special events line at 905-726-4762.
Brownman Ali Trio, Friday, Aug. 16: Internationally acclaimed Brooklyn, N.Y. jazz trumpet player Brownman Ali — a recent Juno Award nominee for Jazz Album of the Year — brings modern electric jazz to Newmarket — colliding Black American music art forms such as funk, soul, R&B, hip-hop, drum ’n’ bass with classic jazz language. The trio features Ali, heralded by NYC's Village Voice as “Canada’s pre-eminent jazz trumpet player,” and features Josh Cohen on bass, first-place winner of the NAMM 2020 PJB Solo Bass Competition, and 22-year old Toronto drumset phenom Adam Mansfield. The Newmarket concert will take place Friday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. at Old Flame Brewing Co., 140 Main St. S. Tickets here.
Aurorapalooza, Saturday, Aug. 17: The vibrant celebration of music, art, and food returns to Town Park, showcasing an impressive lineup of headliners, emerging talents, homegrown artisans, and delectable food vendors. Bands include the Free Label, the Lemon Pistols, Rubber Tire Peep Show, Black Paint, Glenn Marais & the Mojo Train, Yellow Magnolia, Tangent and singer-songwriter Boy Wonder, Bijaan and Dom, headliner neo-soul sensation Katie Tupper. A portion of ticket sales support the Southlake's mental health program. Doors 2 to 11 p.m., after party 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets $25 to $35.
Bradford West Gwillimbury Carrot Fest, Aug. 16 and 17: The award-winning Carrot Fest returns to Bradford West Gwillimbury Friday, Aug. 16 from 4 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with more than 150 vendor booths, music and entertainment, a kids zone and more. For the full event schedule and information, click here. The festival takes place along Holland Street, Barrie Street, Simcoe Road, and at the Bradford and District Memorial Community Centre. Parking is limited. BWG Transit will be offering free bus services.
Georgina’s Field to Table Event, Saturday, Aug. 17: The seventh annual Field to Table Event celebrates 201 years of local agriculture. Here’s your opportunity to visit some of the area’s biggest and most diverse farms. The day includes self-guided tours between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. where visitors will enjoy samples and various educational experiences.
Markham Jazz Fest, Aug. 16 to 18: The Markham Jazz Festival features more than 30 free jazz, blues, soul and related acts on three stages, as well as along charming Main Street Unionville and in area restaurants. Experience award-winning music (Grammy and Juno winners) in Unionville's charming heritage village setting. Headliners include New York-based Duchess, and Grammy winner Nicole Zuraitis (Best Jazz Vocal Album 2024) on Friday evening. Saturday evening includes Jackie Richardson, Juno winner Dominique St Fils, plus the amazing U.N. Jefferson. Sunday, Hilario Duran's Big Band (2024 Juno winner for Jazz Album of the year) closes off the show. Friday 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., Saturday noon to 10 p.m., Sunday noon to 6:30 p.m. There is a free continuous shuttle from Markham Pan Am Centre, 15 Main St. near Unionville GO, and free parking. More information at markhamjazzfestival.com
Aurora’s Ribfest, Aug. 23 to 25: Ribfest is a paradise for foodies, with top-tier ribbers serving up finger-licking ribs, smoky pulled pork and juicy chicken, as well as roasted corn on the cob, bloomin’ onions, churros and classic Canadian beavertails. Entertainment includes: on Friday, SAGA, known for their innovative sound and electrifying performances; on Saturday, the Northern Pikes bring their platinum hits and timeless tunes to the stage. There's a children’s zone packed with free activities, and for the adults, a beer garden. Friday 4 to (beer garden 5 to 10); Saturday 11 to 11 (beer garden: noon to 10, children’s zone 2 to 5); Sunday 11 to 8 (beer garden noon to 7 p.m., children’s one 2 to 5) at Machell Park at Yonge Street and Aurora Heights Drive. Parking is limited.
