1. CARIBANA PARADE (FREE!)
While Caribana celebrations have been happening for the past couple of weeks, the main event takes place this weekend. The parade, which is really best described as an extravaganza of sequins, feathered headdresses and some serious getting down, rolls along Lake Shore mid-morning. Reserve tickets for seating on the CNE grounds ($18), hit the route early to score a prime spot or grab a blanket and head to Marilyn Bell Park for a good view. August 1. Parade travels along Lake Shore to Parkside, 416-391-5608, caribanatoronto.com.

2. THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
The young thesps at the Toronto Youth Theatre takes on Richard O’Brien’s gender-bending cult musical where the newly engaged Brad and Janet unintentionally crash Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s Annual Transylvanian Convention. A midnight production on Saturday will please camp enthusiasts. July 30–August 8. $25. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington Ave., 416-915-6747, ext. 221, torontoyouththeatre.org.

3. ISLAND SOUL FESTIVAL (FREE!)
Harbourfront gets in on Caribana action with this celebration of all things Caribbean—food, dance and especially music. Look for a performance by Calypsonian The Mighty Shadow, a steel pan workshop and a vegetarian cooking demo. Hit Monday's Djollification with the family; it’s a kid-friendly dance party that caps off the long weekend. July 31–August 3. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com.

4. TORONTO TURKISH FESTIVAL (FREE!)
The Caribbean isn’t the only region being represented in Toronto this weekend. Yonge-Dundas Square hosts this year’s Toronto Turkish Festival, a two-day event that includes whirling dervishes, an Ottoman military band, folk dancers and a marketplace with hand-painted ceramics, copper crafts and silk scarves. August 1–2. Yonge-Dundas Square, torontoturkishfestival.org.

5. BEYOND THE RHYTHM
Caribana gets arty with this exhibit of work by 25 Canadian artists. Guest-curated by Toronto’s Joan Butterfield, the showcase includes work by Toronto artist Joy Andre, London native Angela Haynes and Jamaica-born Nicole Peña. July 24–August 3. $22. Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queens Park, 416-586-8000, rom.on.ca.

6. TELL ME ANOTHER
This adults-only production of three fairy tales is decidedly more Brothers Grimm than Disney. Red, a deliciously creepy take on Little Red Riding Hood ends in bloodshed. One-man puppet show Fox and Girl follows a father’s misguided attempt at a soothing bedtime story. There’s also The Juniper Tree, a gruesome Grimm tale of evil stepmothers and cannibalism that Walt wasn’t interested in. July 30–August 1. $15. Bread and Circus Theatre Bar, 299 Augusta Ave., blackcurrantproductions.blogspot.com.

7. ARTISANS AT THE DISTILLERY MID-SUMMER CRAFT SHOW (FREE!)
This outdoor marketplace features jewellery, art, ceramics, textiles and tasty homemade treats from a slew of all-Canadian crafters and artisans. Give the bedroom an Alice in Wonderland feel with a Wonky box cabinet from Guelph-based Masterpiece Cabinets, stock up on Mandelbroit cookies from Esther Gould’s Finest or splurge on a beautiful, architectural ring from Yolanda Pang. August 1–3. Historic Distillery District, 55 Mill St., artisansatthedistillery.com.

8. LAUGHTER YOGA CLUB (FREE!)
This Sunday afternoon yoga class is our kind of exercise. Leave the yoga mats and Lululemon at home and don’t expect to work up much of a sweat. The class, which is led by gallery owner and yoga instructor Ben Navaee, is a half-hour-long giggle-fest that seems to have real health benefits: studies suggest laughter sends blood pressure readings tumbling and increases the amount of oxygen that gets to the brain, upping energy. Registration required. August 2. Ben Navaee Gallery, 1111 Queen St. E., 416-999-1030, bennavaeegallery.com.