Amelie CameronCalling all cinephiles in Toronto! This summer of 2025, the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS) returns, and it’s one you don’t want to miss.
Simply put, TOPS is a festival that lets you watch movies out in the park, sprawled on a picnic blanket. Screenings will be held across Toronto’s most beloved parks and always after sundown, so the vibe is chill and even romantic.
It’s an annual summer occurrence, and I always have it marked on my calendar every year. You can’t imagine just how excited I am for this year’s TOPS, and if you are as well, here’s an in-depth guide I made for you.
- Things to Know about TOPS 2025
- What is the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS)?
- How much is the admission fee for this event?
- What is the theme of TOPS 2025?
- When is TOPS 2025?
- Where is it held?
- How do I get to the event? Is there parking available?
- What time does it usually start?
- Will the event continue even if it rains?
- Are dogs allowed at the event?
- Should I bring my own seating?
- Will there be washrooms available on-site?
- Will there be food and drinks available for sale?
- Are all movie screenings accessible?
- What to Expect
Things to Know about TOPS 2025
What is the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS)?
– From: topictureshow
The Toronto Outdoor Picture Show is handled and operated by a charitable organization of the same name that’s passionate about bringing high-quality and diverse films to communities in the city.
The first-ever TOPS festival was held in 2011, under the name of Christie Pits Film Festival, and since then, it has grown popular. I’ve heard that in the past decade, the festival has managed an annual attendance of over 25,000.
How much is the admission fee for this event?
Good news: TOPS doesn’t require an admission fee! Since this festival is managed by a charitable organization, all TOPS events are free to attend.
That said, if you want to make a donation to support this endeavour, you can. You can even enjoy exclusive perks if you do donate. For example, you’ll be able to access an Insider’s Night Film event, which is invite-only and happens way before the start of the festival. You’ll also be able to vote on the festival’s closing night film.
What is the theme of TOPS 2025?
– From: topictureshow
The theme for TOPS 2025 is When We Were Young, which is in honour of the festival’s 15th birthday. It also honours the festival’s first-ever iteration, which featured films that tackled the theme of coming of age.
With this theme in mind, you can expect to enjoy films that explore what it feels like to grow up and the trials and tribulations that young people face. I love that the committee has made sure to incorporate a wide variety of films, from classics released in the 1940s to 21st-century favourites.
When is TOPS 2025?
TOPS 2025 will happen throughout the summer. The first showing will be on June 12, and the final one will be hosted on August 24.
Where is it held?
One thing that many people love about TOPS is that it’s held in three separate locations every year. These locations are Fort York, Corktown Common, and Christie Pits, and they’re all public parks with sprawling open lawns.
How do I get to the event? Is there parking available?
I recommend getting to the venues via public transportation. The three parks are conveniently located, so it’s easy to get to them via bus, streetcar, or subway. You can also bike to these places.
If you do insist on driving, you should visit this website to check if there are any Green P lots located near these venues.
What time does it usually start?
TOPS screenings vary in start times, but you can trust that they always begin sometime at or after sundown. I recommend visiting the page for each event to check the approximate start time for every film.
Will the event continue even if it rains?
TOPS is a rain-or-shine kind of festival, so even if it rains, the show must go on! It’s very rare for this festival to ever cancel, so be sure to be prepared. Pack some extra clothes and bring a raincoat and an umbrella to combat the weather.
If the weather is extremely bad that the festival has to be cancelled, you’ll know about it via their social media channels, especially Instagram. I’ve found that they usually post the news via Instagram stories first, so keep that in mind.
Are dogs allowed at the event?
Humans aren’t the only ones welcome at TOPS—your beloved pet dogs are encouraged to join as well! Just make sure that your furry baby is well-behaved, and after everything, pick up after any messes they’ve made.
Should I bring my own seating?
Yes, you have to bring your own seating if you want the best experience watching a movie at TOPS. The park venues all have flat ground, so a simple blanket will do, but if you want to be super comfortable, you can bring folding chairs instead.
That said, just keep in mind that chairs aren’t recommended for Christie Pits because of the lawn’s layout. So, if you choose to bring chairs here, make sure you set up on the flat surface at the top of the hill.
Will there be washrooms available on-site?
Yes, there will be washrooms available at all TOPS venues. These facilities are provided by the City of Toronto, so the hours of operation may change.
Aside from the washrooms, there will also be hand sanitizers readily available. Just in case they run out, I recommend bringing your own.
Will there be food and drinks available for sale?
All TOPS events will have concession stands available, and they’ll be offering snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. There’s no news yet which F&B vendors will be on-site on a particular evening, but you’ll learn soon if you follow them on their Instagram.
You’re also free to bring your own food and drinks if you want. Just make sure that you clean up after yourself to keep the park tidy.
Are all movie screenings accessible?
TOPS works to ensure that all screenings are accessible to everyone. That’s why the events have implemented several accessibility features. For example, all films will be screened with open captions, and some screenings might also feature live audio description upon request.
The organization is aware that they can still offer so many other options, so if you have any suggestions, you can send your request to [email protected].
What to Expect
Fort York Opening Weekend: June 12 to 17, 2025
– From: topictureshow
TOPS 2025 will kick off at Fort York first, and the opening will happen over the weekend from June 12 to 17. The opening ceremony is always special, which means there will be a pre-show program full of fun activities.
So far, I’ve heard that there will be lawn games, chalk art painting, and a costume contest, and that’s just scratching the surface! I admit these pre-screening activities have me super hyped.
As for the movie lineup, here’s what you can expect:
| Date | Movie Name | Short Films |
| June 12, 2025 | Romeo + Juliet (1996) | When Love Came to Kill Us (2020) |
| June 13, 2025 | Lovers Rock (2020) | Motherland (2015)Nouvel An (2023) |
| June 14, 2025 | The Wizard of Oz (1939) | Winds of Spring (2017) |
| June 15, 2025 | Y Tu Mamá También (2001) | July’s Wet Dreams (2003)Say Uncle (2022) |
| June 16, 2025 | I Saw the TV Glow (2024) | Inkwo for When the Starving Return (2024)Glow (2014) |
| June 17, 2025 | Clueless (1995) | Hair! (2024) |
I recognize some of the names here because I’ve watched them before; in particular, I remember being so obsessed with Romeo + Juliet, The Wizard of Oz, and Clueless back in the day. I can’t wait to rewatch them!
Of course, there are also some titles I haven’t watched yet. I’m very curious about Y Tu Mamá También. July’s Wet Dreams also intrigues me because it’s an experimental take on the central threesome featured in Y Tu Mamá También.
Corktown Common: July 3 to August 7, 2025
– From: topictureshow
TOPS at Corktown Common has me excited simply because of the lineup.
From July 3 to August 7, 2025, expect to laugh until your stomachs hurt with movies that are mostly silly (in a good way) or cry your heart out with emotionally charged films that have garnered countless awards.
| Date | Movie Name | Short Films |
| July 3, 2025 | Dazed and Confused (1993) | The Fake Calendar (2019)Chesterfield (2021) |
| July 10, 2025 | Moonlight (2016) | More Than Hair (2023)Fish Boy (2023) |
| July 17, 2025 | Speed Sisters (2015) | Mawtini (My Homeland) (2024)Unibrow (2023) |
| July 24, 2025 | Stand by Me (1986) | N’xaxaitkw (2021) |
| July 31, 2025 | Challengers (2024) | Haus (2022) |
| August 7, 2025 | Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) | The Women’s Hour (2020)Baby Shower (2016) |
From this lineup, I’m excited to see Moonlight the most. I’ve heard a great deal about it, but I’ve yet to watch it—I know, I know, it’s basically a cinephile sin or something. I will rectify that mistake, I promise!
Mawtini (My Homeland) and Unibrow have also piqued my interest because they tackle the topic of people of colour dealing with identity issues. To be specific, Mawtini (My Homeland) features a young Palestinian woman and an older Indigenous woman, while Unibrow is all about a young Iranian-Canadian teen feeling shame around her heritage.
Christie Pits: July 6 to August 24, 2025
– From: topictureshow
If you’re in the mood to get into your feelings, then you’ll love the Christie Pits lineup. The movies for this part of TOPS have one thing in common: they vividly portray what it’s like to grow up during specific moments in time.
Considering the lineup of movies, I can expect viewers to get nostalgic, especially if you’re someone born before 2000. In fact, I can already feel myself yearning back to my childhood in the early 2000s just seeing the list of movies.
| Date | Movie Name | Short Films |
| July 6, 2025 | Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) | Weekends (2018) |
| July 13, 2025 | The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) | Life Doesn’t Frighten Me (2013)The Skates (2023) |
| July 20, 2025 | Before I Change My Mind | Death to the Bikini (2022)I Like Girls (2016)Goblin High (2023) |
| July 27, 2025 | Past Lives (2023) | Don’t Forget the Water (2021)Distant Cousins (2021) |
| August 3, 2025 | Lady Bird (2017) | In the Shadow of the Pines (2020)For Nonna Anna (2017) |
| August 10, 2025 | When Morning Comes (2022) | On a Sunday at Eleven (2024)Déraciné (2021) |
| August 17, 2025 | Flow (2024) | Starlight Sojourn (2023)Lichen (2020) |
| August 24, 2025 | To be determined | |
I remember the first time I watched Lady Bird—it rewired my brain chemistry, and I’ve never been the same. Seeing this title on this lineup for this year’s TOPS, I got excited. I can’t wait to feel like my heart is being ripped from my ribcage again!
I’m also excited to see Flow. I love animated films, and when I heard it won the Oscar over established animation giants like Disney and Dreamworks, I was intrigued. I haven’t had the chance to see it in full yet, so I think this summer is finally the time.
For the final day of the festival, exciting things are bound to happen because the last movie hasn’t been chosen yet! Anyone who dates to this year’s TOPS will have the opportunity to vote for the final movie, and I’m excited to see what they’ve chosen.
Spotlight Filmmaker: Kelly Fyffe-Marshall
– From: topictureshow
TOPS isn’t just a film showing at the park; it’s a celebration of film in general. So, the organization has incorporated two special segments to honour the wonder and beauty of filmmaking.
One such event is Spotlight Filmmaker, which allows TOPS to shine the spotlight on a local filmmaker. For this year’s TOPS, the filmmaker to be featured is Kelly Fyffe-Marshall.
She’s the director of When Morning Comes, a movie that’s also on the lineup at Christie Pits. This film was one of the standouts of 2022 for me, and I’m excited to hear her talk about her creative process and her background.
Regional Spotlight: Southwest Asian and North African Filmmakers
– From: topictureshow
This 2025, TOPS is ready to unveil a new special segment that celebrates film as a medium, and that is Regional Spotlight. This segment curates films by filmmakers from certain regions; it’s meant to honour diversity and inclusion in film.
For this year, the Regional Spotlight is on Southwest Asian and North African filmmakers, and some of the ones to be featured are Canadian-Palestinian director Fateema Al-Hamaydeh Miller and Iranian-Canadian filmmaker Nedda Sarshar.
I’m intrigued to learn more about them. I can’t wait to see the short films curated for this segment!
