Special Events in Toronto

January
Chinese New Year Celebrations, downtown. The year is ushered in with traditional and contemporary performances of Chinese opera, dancing, music, and more. For Harbourfront celebration information, call 416/973-3000; for SkyDome, call 877/666-3838.

February
Winterfest, Nathan Phillips Square, Yonge and Eglinton, and Mel Lastman Square. This 3-day celebration spreads over three neighborhoods. It features ice-skating shows, snow play, midway rides, performances, ice sculpting, arts-and-crafts shows, and more. For information, call 416/338-0338. Usually around Valentine's Day.

Toronto Festival of Storytelling, Harbourfront. This annual event celebrates international folklore, with 60 storytellers imparting legends and fables from around the world. For information, call 416/973-3000. Last weekend of February.

March
Canada Blooms, Metro Toronto Convention Centre. At this time of year, any glimpse of greenery is welcome. There are 6 acres of indoor garden and flower displays, seminars with green-thumb experts, and competitions. For information, call 416/593-0223. Usually the second week of March.

St. Patrick's Day Parade, downtown. Toronto's own version of the classic Irish celebration. For information, call 416/487-1566. March 17.

April
Blue Jays' Season Opener, SkyDome. Turn out to root for your home-away-from-home team. For information, call 416/341-1000; for tickets, which aren't too hard to get, call 888/654-6529. Mid-April.

The Shaw Festival, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Starting in mid-April and running through the fall, this festival presents the plays of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries. Call 416/690-7301 or 905/468-2172. Mid-April through October.

The Bloor-Yorkville Wine Festival, Yorkville. This 4-day gourmet festival brings together award-winning Ontario vintages, food from the city's top-rated chefs, and live jazz. For information, call 416/504-3977. Last weekend in April.

May
Milk International Children's Festival, Harbourfront. This is a 9-day celebration of the arts for kids: from theater and music to dance, comedy, and storytelling. For information, call 416/973-3000. Usually starts on Mother's Day.

The Stratford Festival, Stratford, Ontario. Featuring a wide range of contemporary and classic plays, this festival always includes several works by Shakespeare. Call 800/567-1600 or 416/364-8355. Early May through October.

North American Cycle Courier Championships, downtown. Part of Toronto's Bike Week, this unique race is really an obstacle course filled with all the things that can ruin a bike courier's day: traffic lights, road problems, and pedestrians. For information, call 416/539-7007. Last week in May.

June
Harbourfront Reading Series, Harbourfront. This annual festival celebrates the best of Canadian literature. Top writers such as Timothy Findley, Anne Michaels, and Barbara Gowdy flock here to read from their latest works. For information, call Harbourfront at 416/973-3000; for tickets, call 416/973-4000. Readings go on through most of June.

North by Northeast Festival, citywide. Known in the music business as NXNE, the 3-day event features rock and indie bands at 28 venues around Toronto. For information, call 416/469-0986. Second weekend in June.

Toronto International Festival Caravan, citywide. This popular 9-day event is North America's largest international festival. It features more than 40 themed pavilions, craft demonstrations, opportunities to sample authentic dishes, and traditional dance performances by 100 cultural groups. For information, call 416/977-0466. Usually third and fourth weekends of June.

July
Canada Day Celebrations, citywide. July 1 marks the nation's birthday. Street parties, fireworks, and other special events across town mark the day. For information, call Tourism Toronto 800/363-1990 or 416/203-2600 . Weekend of July 1.

The FringeToronto's Theatre Festival, citywide. More than 90 thespian troupes participate in this 10-day festival of contemporary and experimental theater. Shows last no more than an hour. For information, call 416/534-5919 First week of July.

Great Canadian Blues Festival, Harbourfront Centre. 3-day festival of Canada's best blues musicians. The Blues Festival coincides with a BBQ festival also at Harbourfront. For information, call Harbourfront 416/973-3000 ; for tickets, call 416/973-4000. Second weekend in July.

Molson Indy, the Exhibition Place Street circuit. One of Canada's major races on the IndyCar circuit. Away from the track, there's live music and beer gardens. For information, call 416/922-7477. Third weekend in July.

Caribana, citywide. Toronto's version of Carnival transforms the city. It's complete with traditional foods from the Caribbean and Latin America, ferry cruises, island picnics, children's events, concerts, and arts-and-crafts exhibits. This festival draws more than 1 million people from across North America and Britain. Call 416/465-4884 for more information. Late July to early August.

August
Festival of Beer, Fort York. More than 70 major Ontario breweries and microbreweries turn out for this celebration. There's also a wide selection of food from local restaurants, and live music of the blues, swing, and jazz persuasions. For information, call 416/698-7206. First weekend in August.

Canadian National Exhibition, Exhibition Place. One of the world's largest exhibitions, this 18-day extravaganza features midway rides, display buildings, free shows, and grandstand performers. The 3-day Canadian International Air Show first staged in 1878 is an added bonus. Call 416/393-6000 for information. Mid-August to Labour Day.

Du Maurier Ltd. Open, National Tennis Centre at York University. Canada's international tennis championship is an important stop on the pro tennis tour. It attracts players such as Sampras, Agassi, Seles, and Sanchez-Vicario. The Open runs in conjunction with a tournament in Montreal during the middle of August. the women play in Toronto and the men in Montreal.This format alternates each year. For information, call 416/665-9777. Mid- to late August.

September
Toronto International Film Festival, citywide. The stars come out for the second-largest film festival in the world. More than 250 films from 70 countries are shown over 10 days. For information, call 416/967-FILM. Early September.

PGA Tour Canadian Open, Glen Abbey Golf Club, Oakville. Canada's national golf tournament 905/844-1800 has featured the likes of Greg Norman and Tiger Woods in recent years. It's almost always held at Glen Abbey, though Montreal played host in 1997. First or second weekend of September.

Word on the Street, Queen Street West between Simcoe Street and Spadina Avenue. This street fair celebrates the written word with author readings, discounted books and magazines, and children's events. Other major Canadian cities hold similar events on the same weekend. For information, call 416/504-7241. Last weekend in September.

October
Oktoberfest, Kitchener-Waterloo, about 1 hour 60 miles from Toronto. This famed 9-day drinkfest features cultural events plus a pageant and parade. For information, call 519/570-4267. Mid-October.

International Festival of Authors, Harbourfront. This renowned 11-day literary festival is the most prestigious in Canada. It draws more than 100 authors from 25 countries to perform readings and on-stage interviews. Among the literary luminaries who have appeared are Salman Rushdie, Margaret Drabble, Thomas Kenneally, Joyce Carol Oates, A. S. Byatt, and Margaret Atwood. For information, call Harbourfront 416/973-3000 ; for tickets, call 416/973-4000. Third weekend of October.

November
Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and Royal Horse Show, Exhibition Place. The 12-day show is the largest indoor agricultural and equestrian competition in the world. Vegetables and fruits are on display, along with crafts, farm machinery, livestock, and more. A member of the British royal family traditionally attends the horse show. Call 416/393-6400 for information. Mid-November.

Santa Claus Parade, downtown. A favorite with children since 1905, it features marching bands, magical floats, clowns, and jolly St. Nick himself. American visitors are usually surprised that the parade's in November, but really, it's better than watching Santa try to slide through slush. For information, call 416/249-7833. Third Sunday of November.

Canadian Aboriginal Festival, SkyDome. More than 1,500 Native American dancers, drummers, and singers attend this weekend celebration. There are also literary readings, an arts-and-crafts marketplace, and traditional foods. Call 519/751-0040. Last weekend in November.

December
First Night Toronto and New Year's Eve at City Hall. First Night is a nonalcoholic family New Year's Eve celebration. A button admits you to a variety of musical, theatrical, and dance performances at downtown venues. To celebrate New Year's Eve, Torontonians gather in Nathan Phillips Square and in Mel Lastman Square in North York, where concerts begin at around 10pm to usher in the countdown to the New Year. December 31.