1. NIGHT IT UP (FREE!)
The Toronto Night Market returns this year, and though it’s got a new name and larger entertainment program, the lineup-worthy street food remains. Try okonomiyaki, a hard-to-find Japanese dish of egg batter, special sauce and Japanese mayo, or sniff out the famous deep-fried fermented tofu. For dessert, delicate, bowl-shaped waffles filled with custard or red bean paste satisfy. July 10 and 11. Metro Square Plaza, 3636 Steeles Ave. E., Markham, nightitup.com.

2. BEATS, BREAKS AND CULTURE FESTIVAL (FREE!)
What started as a tribute to electronic music in 2003 has evolved way beyond one genre of music. The festival’s seventh edition still focuses on electronic, but punk, hip-hop and rock musicians are all represented. Don’t miss the semi-finals of Pop, Lock and Load, BBC’s breakdancing competition, not to mention a performance by Toronto’s Holy Fuck, a graffiti competition, family dance parties and hip-hop karaoke. July 10 to 12. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

3. AFROFEST (FREE!)
As the country’s largest African music and culture event, this 21-year-old outdoor fest packs in authentic arts and crafts, books and food. The real draw, however, is the entertainment. Big names from across the continent—including Mali’s Oumou Sangaré, Ghana’s Kwesi Selassie and Cameroon’s Idy Oulo—play on three stages at Queen’s Park. July 11 and 12. Queen’s Park, 416-469-5336.

4. DUSK DANCES
The open-air fest moves to Corso Italia’s Earlscourt Park this year for four evenings of choreographed dance works. Once dusk falls, the audience is guided to different areas of the park, viewing one performance at each location. Expect to find award-winning Latin percussion group Samba Squad, a never-before-seen work from Simply Swaag Dance Studio and a youth commission from Toronto choreographer Lady Noyz. To July 12. PWYC. Earlscourt Park, 1200 Lansdowne Ave., duskdances.ca.

5. BUBBLE BATTLE (FREE!)
Stockpile soapy suds for this bubble fight, the latest activity from Newmindspace, the group that has brought us subway parties and public pillow fights. Inspired by Dr. Seuss’s The Butter Battle Book, the war kicks off at the South African War Memorial on Queen. Bring a change of clothes and prepare to get down and dirty, or should we say clean? July 11, 3 p.m. Corner of Queen St. W. and University Ave., newmindspace.com.

6. STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES (FREE!)
Outdoorsy kids will love this afternoon visit to the Toronto Botanical Gardens, where they’ll take over the Teaching Garden to make clay creatures, build a bird feeder ball and learn about vermicomposting, a form of organics composting that uses worms. July 11. Toronto Botanical Gardens, 777 Lawrence Ave. E., 416-397-1340, torontobotanicalgarden.ca.

7. SUNDAY SERENADES (FREE!)
The annual summertime concert series kicks off its weekly performances on Sunday with the Philips Westin Orchestra, a local ensemble that describes its sound as “brilliant and majestic.” Look for swing, big band and jazz ensembles to appear throughout the season. July 12. Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St., toronto.ca/special_events/serenades/index.htm.