🩝 Easter Weekend Fun in Toronto

What's happening in the West End April 17th to 21st.

Author

Xavier Post
April 17, 2025

Goooooood morning West End!

Welcome to the best type of day: the Thursday before a long weekend. Sun’s shining, everyone’s in a good mood. Tonight’s like a Friday night, but we also get to have another Friday night tomorrow.

Me after finishing work tonight

It’s also Easter weekend! This week’s newsletter has a ton of fun Easter events plus a ton of other fun stuff so let’s get right into it!

Featured Events

(Full list of events at end of newsletter)

🎹 Art Battle Toronto

Next Tuesday 730PM @ The Great Hall

Art Battle is a live competition where painters compete against the clock to turn blank canvases into masterpieces. "Like MasterChef for artists". The competition is touring around North America, and the Toronto stop is next week. Tix are $31

đŸŽ€ The Talent Show

Tonight 730PM @ Burdock Music Hall

A fun talent show with local acts performing. Think of your talent show growing up at summer camp, then imagine everyone super talented with less acne. Comedy, music, drag, poetry, and more! $23 Tickets.

West End Updates

New Walk-In Clinic on Bloor

Last month Honey Health opened on Bloor near High Park (across from the Petro-Canada). They provide same day medical consultations for urgent and non-urgent situations. In addition to being a walk-in clinic, the facility will also house two family physicians who are accepting new clients.

There’s no such thing as too many doctors in the neighbourhood! More information here.

Survey Says: Alcohol In Parks Program Was a Success

In 2023 the City of Toronto started a program to trial permitting alcohol within 27 city parks. Some parks included near us were McCormick, Christie Pits, Earlscourt, Campbell Ave, and Dufferin Grove.

A survey was presented to council that showed the program achieved a “high level of satisfaction”. 87% of people who visited during the program stated they were happy with their visit and 83% said they would describe the parks as clean. Additionally, 311 recorded a decreased number of service calls for amplified noise and behaviour at the included parks.

After receiving the survey results, city council voted to make the program permanent in all pilot parks. Thus going forward, all city wards will need to have at least one alcohol-permitted park.

Sponsored by Toques From The Heart

Toques From The Heart are a Toronto-based clothing company that give back to their community. For each article of clothing they sell, they donate another to a local support centre for Canadians in need. Since their launch in 2019 they’ve donated over 20,000 items!

They don’t just sell toques: the company has expanded their offerings to include mittens and even socks so you can support your community all year round. Their items are all super super comfy, and would make a great Mother’s Day gift a month from now (hint hint).

If you’re interested, you can learn more and shop here.

If you’re interested in having your business featured in The Raccoon, reach out to [email protected].

Fancy House of the Week

Welcome to 43 Riverside Crescent. As you may have guessed from the address, it’s basically right next to the Humber. On top of that it offers 3500 square feet plus an in-ground pool. On top of that, it features Travertine flooring throughout the home. Am I sure I know what Travertine flooring is? No. But I want it.

Asking $5.7 million, check it out.

Events

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🐰 Easter

Easter Afternoon Tea @ Old Mill - Thursday 3PM
Super late notice but if you're looking for some high tea this afternoon, Old Mill is hosting. $70

Easter Family Scavenger Hunt @ Bloor West Village - Saturday 10AM
The Bloor West BIA is putting on a scavenger hunt for the little ones this Saturday. If possible, bring a non-perishable food item for donation. Info

Easter Egg Hunt @ Carlton Park & Davenport Village Park - Saturday Morning
An easter egg hunt for the kiddies. Bring your basket! Details

High Park Eggventure @ High Park Nature Centre - Saturday 10AM
A kid-friendly nature walk in High Park. Guides will be showing you animals that lay eggs and the challenges they face. Tickets are $10

Easter Extravaganza @ C3 Church - Saturday 10AM
A big Easter bash featuring egg hunts, bouncy castles, face painting, and more! $10 tickets 

Easter Buffet @ Old Mill - Sunday All Day
Old Mill is also holding an Easter Bunny buffet this weekend, the Easter Bunny will be visiting all tables to say hi. $60 for adults, $25 for kids.

Thursday and Friday

MOCA Opening Weekend Events @ Museum of Contemporary Art - All Weekend
The Museum of Contemporary Art re-opens for the season today. They're kicking things off all weekend with new exhibitions and a bunch of events including a drop-in workshop, free tours, and a kids play day. Prices vary

Sand Art for Teens @ Parkdale Library - Thursday 330 to 7
A drop-in session for creating shadow box sand art, no registration required.

Art Exhibition Reception @ Gallery 1313 - Thursday 630 to 930PM
Reception for Alex Shifrin's Taking Pictures II. "The collection features work that is a collaboration with Alex’s older son Greg, who is non-verbal, and who has a flair for alphanumeric patterns as a form of communication." Details

Stand-Up Comedy Night @ BAR24 - Thursday 7PM
Another new comedy show starting up in the West End! This one is at Bar24 which just re-opened after a renovation. $12

Poetry Bash @ Henderson Brewing - Thursday 7PM
Pints and poetry readings by Anansi poets. Details

All That Glitters at My House @ MY HOUSE - Thursday 8PM
A live, interactive burlesque show in The Junction featuring lots of interaction with the performers. Tickets are $22

Tea4Tea @ Tallboys - Thursday 8PM
All Trans & Nonbinary comedy show. $23 tickets

Geary Warehouse Rave @ 209 Geary Ave - Thursday 10PM
A pop-up house music party in an industrial warehouse by Dupont and Dufferin. Free entry before 11pm.

Saturday

Badminton @ McCormick Rec Centre - Saturday 1PM
Free drop in session - go smack some birdies. Details

Double Poetry Launch @ Type Books Junction - Saturday 630PM
Zane Koss and Jessi MacEachern launching their new works. Details

Long Weekend Easter Dance Party @ Palais Royale - Saturday 7PM
Socializing and dancing event for local singles. Find some new friends, or find love? $28

Toronto Desi T20 Comedy Show @ Society Clubhouse - Saturday 730PM
A show with Desi comedians from around the GTA cracking jokes about cricket. Prices vary

Kumite Improv @ Assembly Theatre - Saturday 8PM
Three teams of comedians compete in improv competitions to see who will become the Kumite Champion. Tickets between $20 and $25

SPELLBOUND @ Ground Control - Saturday 9PM
Organizers claim this is Canada's ONLY dark music video dance party. Given that I've never heard of one, I have to agree. Tickets are $12

Sunday and Monday

Kitten Yoga @ Yoga Kawa - Sunday 430PM
Go do some yoga with little baby kittens. You deserve this. $59

420 Screenings @ Revue Cinema - Sunday at 420 and 930PM
Hey man let's chill and watch a movie maaaaaaaan. Screening Reefer Madness & The Big Lebowski. Prices vary.

Reverie @ BirdHaus - Sunday 6PM
Ambient, downtempo music in a chill setting. Read a book, chat, etc. Prices vary

Mario Kart Mondays @ Shakey's - Monday 10PM
Play some Mario Kart and have some drinks. No it doesn't count as real driving. Prizes for top places, details.

đŸŽ” Live Music Report đŸŽ”

  • Ale Nunes & Jesse White (Jazz) @ Neu Lokal - Thursday 7PM

  • The Release (Throwback Rock) @ Junction Underground - Thursday 9PM

  • FONTINE w/ Taylor Jackson & Justin Orok (Indie Rock) @ Burdock Music Hall - Friday 8PM

  • Friday Fusion Salsa & Bachata Night @ Dovercourt House - Friday 8PM

  • JambucĂĄ Brazilian Jams @ BSMT 254 - Friday 9PM

  • SUMMING II (House) @ Junction Underground - Friday 8PM

  • The Estrelas (Jazz) @ La Rev - Friday 9PM

  • Alaçatı Kafası Trio (Turkish) @ Neu Lokal - Friday 9PM

  • Saul Torres Band (Rock) @ Rosarios - Friday 10PM

  • Pressgang Mutiny (Shanties) @ The Local - Saturday 2PM

  • Olivia & The Creepy Crawlies (Folkpop) @ Burdock Music Hall - Saturday 530PM & 9PM

  • Fern Lindzon w/ George Koller (Jazz) @ La Rev - Saturday 530PM

  • Neu Turkish Night (Turkish) @ Neu Lokal - Saturday 9PM

  • New Ho Queen (House) @ Sounds Good Listening Bar - Saturday 9PM

  • Jon Maal @ Shakey's - Saturday 930PM

  • Gathurin' uf Soulz (House) @ Junction Underground - Saturday 10PM

  • Sex, Babes & Vice (Jazz/Bebop) @ The Local - Sunday 2PM

  • The Homebodies (Acoustic Folk) @ The Local - Sunday 9PM

  • Easter Sunday DJ Set @ Low Bar - Sunday 9PM

  • Sean McCarthy (Jazz) @ Steadfast Brewing - Monday 7PM

Thank you!

Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon!

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Have a great weekend, and talk to you next Thursday!
Xavier