The West End Raccoon
Posts
🦝 Street Festival Season Has Begun!

🦝 Street Festival Season Has Begun!

What's happening in the West End June 5th to 9th.

Xavier W
June 05, 2025

Happy Thursday Toronto and welcome to the first West End Raccoon of June!

In raccoon news, there’s this guy I keep seeing on Instagram Reels who plays jazz music for a raccoon. The little dude just chills calmly in his tree-hole and enjoys, it’s amazing. I need to reach that level of peace in my life.

In non-raccoon news: This weekend is Do West Fest! It has West right in the name! You definitely live close to it! You gotta visit!

Do West Fest

Friday 6PM to 11PM, Saturday and Sunday 11AM to 11PM

This is the 12th iteration of a legendary Toronto street festival that takes place every year on Dundas West between Ossington and Lansdowne. The event features over 200 vendors plus live performances across 3 stages. Last year the festival attracted over 750,000 visitors to the West End.

There’s something for everyone at this event. Kids playzones, vintage markets, and tasty treats during the the day - then music, drinks and dancing at night. Here’s a couple of things you should do at the festival:

🎵 Take In A Show

There’s gonna be a lot of live music this weekend. Like a lot a lot. From Friday night to Sunday afternoon, the festival will see more than 75 performances across its three stages. Samba at the internationally inspired Lulaworld stage, see local acts at the LiUNA stage, or sing with a big crowd at the Transmit stage. See the full musical line-up here

😃 Hippie Market

Dundas & Lansdowne

If there’s one thing I know about my readers it’s that they love a good market. The Hippie Market is a good market indeed. They pop-up across the city throughout the summer with a bunch of vendors selling cool vintage clothes and antiques. You need to stock up on vintage now if you want to get into one of those “What’s Toronto Wearing” videos this summer. Details

🎨 Live Paintings

Have you ever seen an artwork or mural and wondered “How do they do that?”. If you want to stop wondering that, check out some of the live painting going on this weekend. Artists will be creating masterpieces up and down Dundas W while a crowd oohs and ahhs with each brushstroke. Live painting schedule and artist line-up here.

West End Updates

Popular East End Bagel Spot Moving West

Did you hear about the bagel who lost a local election? He was the victim of a schmear campaign. Really sad stuff. Anyway, Bagels On Fire is coming to the West End. It’s a cool family-owned Montreal-style bagel joint that started in The Beaches. They’re known for their bagels of course but also for their extensive array of beverage options. According to my intense research (reading Google reviews), the hazelnut iced coffee is the big hit. Opening in Liberty Village this summer, read more.

Toronto Breakfast Sandwich Kings Make Triumphant Return

Did you hear about the breakfast sandwich who won a local by-election? Me neither.

ALMA+GIL is back! They were a super popular breakfast spot up by the Junction who had to close about a year ago. They’ve bounced around ever since doing pop-ups across the city. It was announced on IG this week that they’ve finally found a new home in Little Portugal at 396 Dufferin, not far from Queen.

The breakfast sandwiches they make are so so good. I’d definitely recommend the Pork Belly but you can’t go wrong with any of them. They’ll open next weekend, for more info here’s their Instagram.

Line 2 Early Closures Next Week

The TTC between Jane and Kipling will close at 11PM from Monday to Friday next week. Shuttle buses will available. This is a fun preview for a full closure between Jane and Keele next weekend.

Fancy House of the Week

Our fancy house this week is 528 Brock Avenue. The listing says it has 7 beds and 8 bathrooms. That’s luxury; one bathroom for every bedroom and an extra one for the dog. That said, this house has a lot of white. White floors, white walls, white couches, and white chairs. Looks great, but you probably don’t want a dog shedding hair and tracking mud around. Maybe that’s why he has his own bathroom to clean up. $2.6 million, check it out.

Fancy House of the Week is brought to you by your West End neighbour of over 20 years: Chris Alward, BMO Mortgage Specialist. Is your mortgage coming up for renewal or are you planning to buy? Don’t just take the first mortgage offer you receive. Contact Chris for expert advice and solutions to make your mortgage work for you, no matter where you bank.

Events

Not sure why but the majority of interesting events I found this week are on Saturday. If you want to do something fun on Friday or Sunday, Do West Fest is a great option in addition to the below.

If you have an event you’d like included in the West End Raccoon, please submit it here.

Thursday and Friday

Lulaworld 2025 @ Lula Lounge - Thursday 630PM
"A fresh, electrifying take on Bossa Nova—straight from Brazil." 3 course dinner + music, $85.

PA Day Screening @ Revue Cinema - Friday 130PM
Need an idea to keep everyone occupied during the PA day? Revue Cinema will be screening "A Goofy Movie" for the kiddos. $12

Another PA Day Movie @ Parkdale Library - Friday 2PM
If Goofy isn't your speed, Parkdale Library is doing a free screening of Moana 2. Details

Killer B Cinema Presents: Propane Fiends! @ SeeScape - Friday 8PM
Okay wow a lot of movies this Friday! This is a screening of an unintentionally hilarious 1930's film. However, the movie is not called "Propane Fiends". The actual title includes a different word (a white powder that rhymes with propane) but I can't include it or my emails will start going in the spam folder. $7

Indie Dance Party @ Ground Control - Friday 9PM
A big indie bash serving as an afterparty for the Metric concert at Budweiser. Details

Do West After Party @ Sixteen Eleven Studios - Friday 1030PM
Oasis House will have DJs playing all festival long at the St Clarens Parkette. That wraps up at 11PM every night - if you’re looking to go longer hit up this party at an event space afterwards. Details

Saturday

The Mennonite Experience @ St Jacobs - Saturday 730AM
Get picked up in a bus at the end of the subway line and drive out to tour Mennonite country. Includes a farmer's market, a traditional meal, and some art classes. $199

Humber River Walk @ 15 Jane St - Saturday 9AM
The "Canadian Company of Pilgrims" are running a free nature walk complete with a picnic by the river. All are welcome. Details

Urban Meditation Retreat @ Swansea Town Hall - Saturday 9AM
A one-day meditation retreat open to beginners and masters alike. $48

Give A Breath 5K @ Etienne Brulé Park - Saturday 915AM
5k fun run along the Humber, raising money for lung cancer. $45 donation

Roncy REmarket @ Roncesvalles United Church - Saturday 10AM
An eco-friendly market with up-cycled and earth-friendly products. Bring some old items to get recycled or some broken electronics to get fixed! Details

Drag Storytime @ High Park Nature Centre - Saturday 10AM
A drag storytime followed by a family hike. $20

Portugal Day Parade @ St Clair Ave - Saturday 10AM
The 38th annual Portugal Day Parade, a running tradition that celebrates the culture and heritage of the Portuguese population in Canada. This year, the route has been moved from Little Portugal to St Clair to accommodate Do West Fest. Details

Ghost Signs of Toronto @ 50 Wabash - Saturday 11AM
A guided walking tour taking you to faded advertisements from Toronto's past. Starts in Roncy, $10

All The Small Things Market @ Northern Contemporary - Saturday 11AM
Check out a new art exhibit and shop for some fun little handcrafted things. Details

Handbuild Ceramics @ MOCA - Saturday 1PM
This introductory class will take you through the basics of creating a ceramic cup or bowl. Parkdale Pottery will then toss your creations into their kiln to be finalized and picked up. $100

Vintage Record Sale @ Sounds Good - Saturday 1PM
A pop-up vintage record market at Lansdowne and Dundas coinciding with the festival. Details

Laneway Block Party @ Brock Ave Laneway - Saturday 3PM
A big grassroots BYOB party featuring local DJs in a laneway. Details

Sips & Scholars @ Junction Craft Brewery - Saturday 730PM
A new speaker series where you'll drink some craft beer and learn from an expert. This week's speaker is Dr. Micheal Inzlicht, a Professor of Philosophy at UofT. $22

Great Lakes Surf Battle @ The Dock Ellis - Saturday 9PM
A surf-rock festival celebrating its 20th year. Surfin’ G.T.A? Details

Live Band Karaoke @ Junction Underground - Saturday 930PM
Live out your rockstar dreams as you sing karaoke with a live band behind you. $10

Sunday and Monday

Sip + Shop Market @ Junction Craft Brewery - Sunday 11AM
Another market! "Kids clothing, sustainable gifts, toys, and more!" Details

Bilingual Storytime @ Type Books Junction - Sunday 1PM
Author Sandra Dumais will be reading her new children's book in both English and French, followed by some band-aid decorating art. This is a great opportunity to get your kids on the pathway to a cushy government job. Think of the pension! Details

Bingo Night @ Shakey's - Sunday 7PM
Fun bingo session in Bloor West Village. Bingo!

Shaken Not Stirred @ Casa Loma - Monday 730PM
A symphony under the stars in the Casa Loma gardens. This week the orchestra will be playing the music of the James Bond series. $45

🎵 Live Music Report 🎵

Live music at the festival not included.

🎵 Ale Nunez and Eric Liang (Jazz) @ NeuLokal - Thursday 5PM
🎵 Himalayan Pink (Psychedelia/Folk) @ Burdock Music Hall - Thursday 7PM
🎵 Liz & Mimi (Indie Folk) @ Bluebird Bar - Thursday 8PM

🎵 Turkish Night @ NeuLokal - Friday 7PM
🎵 More Noise Please! (Noise) @ Burdock Music Hall - Friday 7PM
🎵 Uno, Dos, Tres (Jazz) @ La Rev - Friday 8PM
🎵 Kellylee Evans (Juno Winner) @ Old Mill - Friday 8PM
🎵 Nick Fiorucci (Deep House) @ Junction Underground - Friday 9PM

🎵 North Atlantic Drift (Irish) @ The Local - Saturday 2PM
🎵 Wayne Petti (Country) @ The Brockton - Saturday 7PM
🎵 Florry (Indie) @ Baby G - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Beach Party Boys (Tribute) @ Old Mill - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Orchestra Suarriqui (Salsa) @ Rosario's - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Geneviève Cyr (Acoustic) @ Shakey's - Saturday 8PM
🎵 Dead Disco (Disco) @ Low Bar - Saturday 9PM

🎵 Lotus Wight w/ Bruce McKinnon (Jazz/Blues) @ The Local - Sunday 2PM
🎵 The Capys (Irish Trio) @ The Mezz - Sunday 3PM
🎵 Andy Stochansky (Drums) @ Catweazle Club - Sunday 730PM
🎵 Le Volume (Glitterfolk) @ Burdock Music Hall - Sunday 8PM

🎵 Eternal Requiem & Mochii (Indie) @ Burdock Music Hall - Monday 730PM

Thank you!

Thanks for reading the West End Raccoon!

As always, if you know a friend or family member who might be interested, please share the newsletter with them: www.westendraccoon.ca

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