estival Organizers are a lot like bears; every winter they go into hibernation. It's hard to find a single thing to do on a regular weekend in January, but once summer rolls around Torontonians become compelled to choose between multiple events on any given weekend. Between music, parades, theatre, and culinary festivals, the summer months mean an overloading of the senses and a crowding of the streets. There's so much going on, that it's truly difficult to keep abreast of everything. That's why Martiniboys has got your back. Here's a list of events you won't want to miss.


If Toronto is a microcosm of the world, then Worldfest is a microcosm of Toronto. Each cultural community will be represented by what they call "a pavilion-style geographical zone without borders." In each one you will find local shopping, music and entertainment, but the real draw of these kinds of festivals is the food. It's like taking all the "tastes of…" (eg. Little Italy, The Danforth, etc) and putting them together. It all runs from July 18 to July 20. - R.T.


For 14 years, the World Electronic Music Festival has been a chance for hippies in all shapes and sizes to travel to the middle of the woods, set up camp, listen to some trance, drum 'n' bass, techno and house, and – let's face it – do a shit-ton of drugs. But after this year, the dancing stops as WEMF celebrates its final performance ever. Andy C, Christopher Lawrence and Freq Nasty stand at the top of a line-up that is literally pages long. If you've ever felt like you need more giant 3 day outdoor raves in your life, this is your last chance. - R.T.


People who live in the Beaches love three things: fireworks, ice cream, and jazz. Seriously, those are their only interests. But when they do indulge in one of those things, they go all out. That's what makes the Beaches International Jazz Festival such a successful event. From July 18 to July 27 over 700 jazz artists and bands play at any available open space: parks, bars, coffee shops, the street, kitchens, bathrooms – anywhere. It's worth the trek to the Beaches. Don't worry, you won't have to go back until Victoria Day. - R.T.


If Yogi were a music geek, he and Boo Boo would salivate all over this big gig. Belying its bland corporate moniker, the Rogers Picnic has a varied and tremendous line-up. From my sometimes-crazy crush, Chan Marshall (aka Cat Power) to the UK’s grime hero, Dizzee Rascal, this eclectic July 20 bill is stacked. The local representation is stellar, with Toronto’s own ebullient polka-dot rock purveyors, the Born Ruffians, and Newmarket/Japan’s favourite sons, Tokyo Police Club, on the docket. Buzz-kings, the will-be gigantic Vampire Weekend, will suck the post-post punk out of rock, replacing it with joyous world-friendly sounds, while fellow Brooklynites, Animal Collective, could steal the day with their sublimely shambolic racket. Chromeo and City and Colour are also on the bill. –S.T.