Hello listeners, and welcome to another episode of Things to Do in Toronto with your globe-trotting host Oly Bennet—it's Saturday, November 8th, 2025, and Toronto is vibing with all the quirky energy of a pogo-stick marathon in a maple syrup factory. The city’s autumn air is downright crispy, with a cool 8 degrees Celsius this morning—perfect hoodie weather but still cozy enough to explore before the winter frost sets in.

Today’s Toronto is buzzing with everything from heartwarming cultural celebrations to full-throttle music and a pie-lovers’ paradise. According to Now Toronto, the annual Indigenous Veterans Day ceremony is happening at the Spirit Garden outside City Hall until around 12:30 p.m., with powerful traditions like a Sacred Fire and the Toronto Sign lit up in Medicine Wheel colours—honoring history and embracing community. There’s also the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair down at Exhibition Place, where you can marvel at show-jumping horses, be charmed by Rosie the miniature donkey, cheer on the SuperDogs, and fill up on Ontario’s tastiest treats. This year, the Fair even adds a holiday market smack-dab in the festivities—think gingerbread everything and more than enough local crafts to fill Santa’s sleigh.

For the artsy souls, E.T. in Concert with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra continues at Roy Thomson Hall—watch Spielberg’s classic while the orchestra plays the iconic score live. If you want your music a little louder, a Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute is bringing the funk to Sneaky Dee’s, and over at Massey Hall’s TD Music Hall, day two of the Tkaronto Music Festival is showcasing Indigenous talent with a who’s-who of genre-bending performers. For family fun (and fans of flaky pastry), swing by Dundas Street West for the Apple Pie Contest and Fundraiser from 1 to 3 p.m., where $5 gets you a taste, and your dollars go to help local families.

Now let’s shift gears to what’s fresh around the city. Destination Toronto reports the Distillery Winter Festival is almost here—get ready for twinkle lights, holiday shopping, and that enormous tree in the Distillery District starting next week. On the food front, Toronto Life says the much-anticipated Fried Yardbird has quietly opened near Ossington: think Southern-fried chicken from a chef whose grandma means serious business. If you’re venturing out, keep an eye on transit this weekend—TTC has a few minor disruptions on Line 1 northbound this afternoon, so check your route before hopping on board.

No Oly Bennet guide would be complete without a must-do list! Grab a photo at the Half House on St. Patrick Street—literally half a Victorian home, looking like it was karate-chopped by a giant. For a secret adventure, find the hidden graffiti alleys behind Queen West—Toronto’s unofficial outdoor art gallery is packed with dazzling murals, goofy cartoon monsters, and even a few hidden sporting scenes (I once saw a raccoon wrestling a slice of pizza there, true story).

A top tip for savvy explorers: skip the packed PATH tunnels for a break and use the free indoor art spaces at the Museum of Contemporary Art—today they’re also running a sculptural photography workshop with local legend Ryan Van Der Hout.

Before we wrap up, keep your eyes peeled for tomorrow’s events—there’s an awards ceremony capping off the Toronto International Music Video Festival, plus E.T. in Concert’s encore at Roy Thomson Hall. I’ll be back to help you plan the wildest day out, whether you’re into high art, low-key eats, or something in between. Thanks for hanging with Oly Bennet in the quirkiest corner of Toronto’s weekend!

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