1. TASTE OF THE DANFORTH (FREE!)
After 16 years, the street festival has become something of Toronto institution. The main attraction is definitely the food, which include Greek, Japanese, Thai, Indian and Cuban fare. Between bites, catch performances from Jersey Boys and The Sound of Music, take the kids to The Olympiad, where they can scale the Mount Olympus Climbing Wall and compete in Olympic-style activities. August 7–9. Danforth Ave., between Broadview and Jones, tasteofthedanforth.com.

2. SUNDAYS @ THE YOUNG
This concert series and arts festival is the perfect way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon (chilling on Cherry Beach is another good option—see below). This weekend’s installment is titled From the Nile to the Don, a look at the African diaspora’s influence on Toronto culture. The main event, the Sistahs concert, features solos, duets and group numbers by Molly Johnson, Jackie Richardson, Kellylee Evans, Ada Lee, Divine Brown, Toya Alexis, Alana Bridgewater and Shakura S’aida. August 9. $20. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 55 Mill Street, Bldg. 49, 416-866-8666, youngcentre.ca.

3. CHERRY BEACH SUPERMAN DAY (FREE!)
According to the organizers of the popular Sunday afternoon Cherry Beach shindigs, we are a city that loves superheroes (Joe Shuster Way is named after the Toronto-born creator of the Man of Steel), which is why this weekend’s dance party is hero themed. Playing dress-up is heartily encouraged, as are kites, friendly dogs and Frisbees. August 9. Cherry Beach (10 minute walk east of the Cherry Beach parking lot), ilovepromise.com.

4. ARE WE THERE YET?
This weekly kid-friendly production at The Second City is a combo of songs and comedy sketches about summertime, friends and the family. Actors encourage kids to stretch their improv muscles by making up scenes on the spot and inviting audience members onstage to help act them out. To September 4. $12, or $40 for a family four-pack. The Second City, 51 Mercer St., 416-343-0011, secondcity.com.

5. BLINK-182
These rockers have had a tough time of it over the past few years: feuding members, a hiatus that turned into a breakup and a plane crash last year that left drummer Travis Barker with burns on his arms and torso. With their recent reunion and tour, things have been looking up. Tickets are getting scarce for this Saturday’s show, which features Chester French and Fall Out Boy as openers. Bring a blanket if you’re stuck on the lawn, hit the beer tent and party like it’s 2004. August 8. $32.50–$79. Molson Amphitheatre, 909 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 416-870-8000, ticketmaster.ca.

6. SUMMERWORKS
This annual indie theatre festival has a lineup of 42 plays, plus concerts, workshops and even a few freebie events. While there’s plenty to see and do, the main draw is, of course, the theatre. Don’t miss Misha Shulman’s Apricots, about a Palestinian family that must raze their apricot orchard to make room for an Israeli sewage system; XXX Live Nude Girls, an opera using Barbie dolls by Irish composer Jennifer Walshe; and benu by d’bi.young, who starred in Trey Anthony’s ‘Da Kink in my Hair in 2005. August 6–16. $10. Various locations, 416-504-7529, summerworks.ca.

7. BEERLICIOUS
It’s halfway through the summer and the mercury is finally (finally!) rising. Keep cool at this annual festival, where more than 250 lagers, stouts, wheat beers and pale ales are on tap. As if the beer wasn’t enough, there’s also a southern barbecue, grilling demos and live entertainment by B.C. rockers 54-40 and alt hip-hop group Arrested Development. August 6–9. $45–$50. Bandshell Park, Exhibition Place, 200 Princes' Blvd., 416- 960-8499, beerfestival.ca.