With Or Without Argos, Toronto Ready To Celebrate Grey Cup Weekend

Yeah, so the Argos won’t be participating in the 95th annual Grey Cup after a disappointing 19-9 East Division final loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The game still represents Canada ‘s biggest football event, and in the nation’s biggest city you can guarantee it’s going to be a party.

The Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders will square off in the big game Sunday, but long before all eyes turn to the gridiron, there’s plenty of action for fans to take part in.

There’s a vast array of free and ticketed events, including street festivals, concerts, awards shows and even pancake breakfasts. Check out our list.

Tuesday

• Noon : Grey Cup Week Kickoff, Toronto City Hall (free)

Wednesday

• 6:30-10 p.m. : Bob Rumball Gala – The First Fifty Years, Toronto Centre for the Arts ($250)
• 7-10 p.m. : Canadian Interuniversity Sport Awards Gala, Fairmont Royal York ($150)

Thursday

• 8:30-11:30 a.m. – Canadian Interuniversity Sport Coach of the Year Breakfast, Fairmont Royal York ($75)
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. : Calgary Pancake Breakfast, Simcoe Park — Front Street (free)
• 11 a.m.-5 p.m. : PokerStars Pigskin Classic, Metro Convention Centre (free)
• Noon-7 p.m.: Bremner Street Festival (free)
• 4-11 p.m. : Front Street Festival (free)
• 4 p.m.-1 a.m. : Spirit of Edmonton Hospitality Suite, Sheraton Hotel (free; 19+ event)
• 5 p.m. – midnight : Athletes in Action ProZone, Metro Convention Centre (free)
• 5:30 p.m. : Rush Hour Concert featuring Social Code, Front Street (free)
• 7-9 p.m. : Rogers CFL Players Awards: A Tribute to John Candy hosted by Dan Aykroyd, Roy Thomson Hall (from $174)
• 7-2 a.m. : Grey Cup Classic featuring Loverboy with April Wine, Trooper and David Wilcox, Metro Convention Centre ($35; 19+ event)

Friday

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. : Calgary Pancake Breakfast, Simcoe Park — Front Street (free)
• 11 a.m.-3 p.m. : Legends Luncheon, Windows Restaurant — Rogers Centre ($87)
• Noon-5 p.m.: Grey Cup Headquarters, Metro Convention Centre (free)
• Noon-7 p.m.: Bremner Street Festival (free)
• Noon-2 a.m.: Riderville, Metro Convention Centre, ($5)
• Noon-2 a.m.: TigerTown, Metro Convention Centre, ($10)
• 1-7 p.m. : Touchdown Manitoba , Hilton Hotel, ($10 advance / $12 door)
• 3-5 p.m. : Alan Frew (lead singer of Glass Tiger) Book Signing, Metro Convention Centre (free)
• 4-11 p.m. : Front Street Festival (free)
• 4 p.m.-1 a.m. : Spirit of Edmonton Hospitality Suite, Sheraton Hotel (free; 19+ event)
• 5 p.m. – midnight : Athletes in Action ProZone, Metro Convention Centre (free)
• 5:30 p.m. : Rush Hour Concert featuring illScarlett, Front Street (free)
• 7-11 p.m. : Ottawa Caravan and the Ottawa Caravan Band, Hilton Hotel ($5)
• 7 p.m.-2 a.m. : Atlantic Schooners Down East Kitchen Party, Metro Convention Centre, ($10; 19+ event)
• 7 p.m.-2 a.m. : Trailer Park Bash with Julian, Ricky and Bubbles, featuring Hinder with Thornley, Mobile and the Road Hammers, Metro Convention Centre, ($53)
• 7:30 p.m. : Vanier Cup Championship, Rogers Centre
• 8 p.m.-2 a.m. : Players Party hosted by Trish Stratus, CN Tower ($580; 19+ event)

Saturday

• 8-10:30 a.m. : Athletes in Action Grey Cup Breakfast, Metro Convention Centre ($60/person, $600/table)
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Family Day, Bremner Street (free)
• Noon-2 p.m.: Cheer Extravaganza, Metro Convention Centre (free)
• Noon-5 p.m.: Double Blue Bash, Metro Convention Centre (free)
• Noon-7 p.m.: Bremner Street Festival (free)
• Noon-9 p.m.: Front Street Festival (free)
• Noon-2 a.m.: TigerTown, Metro Convention Centre ($10)
• Noon-2 a.m.: Riderville, Metro Convention Centre ($5)
• 4-10 p.m. : B.C. Lions Den, Metro Convention Centre ($10)
• 4 p.m.-1 a.m. : Spirit of Edmonton Hospitality Suite, Sheraton Hotel (free; 19+ event)
• 5 p.m. – midnight : Athletes in Action ProZone, Metro Convention Centre (free)
• 6-10 p.m. : MontreALS Huddle, Circa nightclub, ($15; $19+ event)
• 7 p.m.-2 a.m. : Atlantic Schooners Down East Kitchen Party, Metro Convention Centre, ($10; 19+ event)
• 7 p.m.-2 a.m. : Molson Canadian Rocks Coast to Coast featuring Great Big Sea with Lowest of the Low, Emerson Drive and Spirit of the West, Metro Convention Centre ($53)

Sunday

• Noon-5 p.m.: Cross Canada Tailgate Party featuring Kim Mitchell, Bremner Street (free)
• Noon-5 p.m.: Countdown to Kickoff featuring Sloan, Front Street (free)
• Noon-5 p.m.: Grey Cup Tailgate Party hosted by Brent Butt featuring the Barenaked Ladies with Glass Tiger, Metro Convention Centre ($290)
• 6 p.m. : 95th annual Grey Cup Championship with halftime performance by Lenny Kravitz, Rogers Centre (sold out)

For more on the Grey Cup and Grey Cup festivities, click here.