Things to do in Toronto this week: August 30–September 5
The Wiggles hit Meridian Hall Sunday morning; Isaiah Rashad brings hip hop to Rebel the same night; Ilana Glazer takes the stage Tuesday at the Elgin & Winter Garden.
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This week the 6ix trades summer warmth for a soggy stretch that stretches right through Wednesday—drizzle Sunday, proper rain Monday and Tuesday, then a break Friday onward. Plan indoor and covered accordingly, but the weekend clears just enough to salvage Saturday plans if you're flexible.
The Wiggles land at Meridian Hall on Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., a double header that means if you miss the first you've got a second shot. Sunday's wet but cool (18–22°C), so the kids stay dry indoors while you pretend you're not tired.
For the grown-up crowd still awake Sunday night, Isaiah Rashad brings hip hop to Rebel at 7 p.m.—the rapper performs with Alemeda, and the venue's indoor setup lets you sidestep the drizzle entirely. If you want food before the show, Fox on John sits close by on King West, casual enough to grab a drink and bowl without losing your window.
Ilana Glazer headlines the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre Centre on Tuesday, September 1 at 7 p.m. Glazer is a standup, writer, and producer with four Primetime Emmy nominations and a Tony Award—substantial credentials for anyone who knows comedy. Tuesday brings rain showers (19–24°C), so the downtown theatre loop keeps you sealed from the weather while catching a serious performer.
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, the American rock band formed in Florida in 2003, plays Phoenix Concert Theatre on Sunday at 8 p.m. if you're looking to stack the night with multiple shows.
KevOnStage (Kevin Fredericks) lands at The Royal Theatre on Friday, September 4 at 6:30 p.m., right as the rain clears and Friday settles into overcast (18–25°C, only 10% rain)—a cleaner evening if standup pulls you harder than any other draw.
Beyond the stage, new dining reshapes the city's eating map this fall. Casa Rubia, a Galician steakhouse from the Grant van Gameren team, opens on College and Palmerston—Spanish-inflected, built on vermouth and serious beef, landing just as the weather gets brisk enough for roasted meats and wine. If you're chasing something immediate and ready now, El Catrin on King West handles Mexican comfort (cocktails, mole, the full picture) through the wet stretch—loud enough to feel alive, sheltered enough to forget the rain. Willy Wacky Sweets, the online candy importer that's already amassed 360,000 Instagram followers, just opened permanent at 175 Harbord Street with rare global candy and bulk bins—a weird little gem if you're craving the absurd or nostalgic sweets you can't find anywhere else.
Lai Wah Heen, the storied dim sum institution, is running an $8,888 Qing Dynasty goose stuffed with Tibetan cordyceps, Alba truffles, and wild Yunnan mushrooms for TIFF's run—book three days ahead if you're serious. For banh mi, the city's standout spots span Chinatown to Yonge and Dundas, each with its own character; seek them out this week before the weather turns fully autumn.
If you've got one night to burn, Isaiah Rashad at Rebel on Sunday—hip hop in a tight room, the rain outside pushing the energy inward, the whole thing done before 10 p.m.
The facts
When does The Wiggles perform at Meridian Hall?
The Wiggles perform at Meridian Hall on Sunday, August 30 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Who performs at Rebel on Sunday night?
Isaiah Rashad performs hip hop at Rebel on Sunday, August 30 at 7 p.m., with Alemeda.
When does Ilana Glazer perform at the Elgin & Winter Garden?
Ilana Glazer performs at the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre Centre on Tuesday, September 1 at 7 p.m.
What are the new restaurants opening in Toronto this fall?
Casa Rubia, a Galician steakhouse from the Grant van Gameren team, opens on College and Palmerston. Willy Wacky Sweets, an online candy importer, opened a permanent location at 175 Harbord Street.
