Free events in Toronto this week have us living up to our rep for hiding out all winter and then never, ever leaving the sunshine in the summertime (so fleeting, so steamy!). While a couple of free events will put shade over your head this week, I'd recommend spending some cash on whatever sunscreen is on special. Your penny pinching won't mean much if you lose your health early to the sun's wicked UV rays, right? While Canada Day is going to be a full on party (just go outside and yell or something, America-style - or don't) there's plenty up this week that won't cost your a dime or require patriotism.

Here's how to fake a #richkidsofinstagram life in Toronto this week.

Fireworks
Check out our Canada Day fire works picks here. July 1.

Mandarin Canada Day Free Buffet
Free buffets on Canada at every Ontario Mandarin location. Is this a good use of your time? Probably depends on your lifestyle. Expect line ups. July 1, 12-8:30pm, Mandarin Restaurants.

THE HOUSE OF HAUNT. Free show at the Horseshoe Tavern
Wanna see some music for free at the Horseshoe Tavern (no longer the Bud Lime Tavern of sadness something something Music House something)? House of Haunt, Joyfelt Analog, and Control Room are on the line up. Tuesday, July 1, Horseshoe Tavern (370 Queen Street West).

Tell Me Something Good: JULY Sexy Storytelling Slam PRIDE edition
Pride is never over in Toronto, and we're all the more lucky for it. Post parade, you can get sexy literary style at this truth or dare loving celebration of erotica. Wednesday, July 2, 8pm, Gladstone Melody Bar (1214 Queen Street West).

TIFF in the Park
This week's screening is 20 Feet from Stardom. Check out the full line up for July and August here. Wednesday, July 2, David Pecaut Square (215 King St West).

Free Flicks
Need a laugh on the cheap? How about Free Flicks: Funny Girls, showcasing some seriously funny women on screen at Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay West). Wedneday, July 2, 9pm.

Music in St. James Park
The Wintergarten Orchestra is on this week in St. James Park. The music swinging 20s, playing by an 11-piece band, outdoors. I don't want to be weird or anything but I love you, summer. Thursday July 3, 7pm, St. James Park (120 King Street East)

Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition
Browse works by the 350-ish artists taking over Nathan Phillips Square this week for free. If you find something that will look just darling over your mantle, you get mad points for supporting the arts. July 4-6, Nathan Phillips Square.

Cultura Festival
Why do anything indoors? (I say this to my boss in a whiny voice - uneffective.) Cultura Fest is at Mel Lastman Square July 4, 11, 18, and 25. Performers, art installs, and film screenings are all free. Mel Lastman Square (5100 Yonge Street).

Taste of Lawrence
IFrom July 4-6 this street festival's sights and sounds will prove that Lawrence Ave is worth that arduous bike ride. Explore Toronto - unless this is your hood (then you've got it easy for once). July 4-6, Lawrence Ave E. from Warden Ave. to Birchmount Rd.

AFROFEST 2014
Stop by Woodbine Park for Afrofest, Toronto's celebration of African culture. Music, art, food, workshops and a marketplace and more await you in the east end. Woodbine Park (1695 Queen Street East), July 5-6.

A Public Conversation on Diverse Media Exhibition & Open Screening
Deep talks about film/video and media state of affairs and relationships going down at Cinecycle this weekend. Saturday, June 5, 5-11pm, Cinecycle (129 Spadina).

Geek Swap & Sale
Swap your geek stuff! Everything from VHS tapes to toys will be on offer here. While financial transactions are not discouraged, swapping is cheaper. Saturday, July 5, 12-7pm, Back Space Toronto (587A College Street).

Earl Bales Arts & Music Festival
If you live at Sheppard and Bathurst or haven't explored the north end of the city enough (you haven't), here's a free community fest to stroll through until you start to feel the sun's fierce death glare burning deep within your internal organs. Earl Bales Park Sunday, July 6, 11am-6pm, (4169 Bathurst Street).

Queen's Plate
What is the Hats & Horseshoes Party? It's free, there will be a red carpet, and this racetrack event has promised that you can "sample delicious food." Bukowski approved? No, doubt it. Sunday, July 6, Woodbine Racetrack (555 Rexdale Blvd).

Norwood to East Lynn Park Tree Tour
Hug a tree for free. Or several! Don't get strung by a wasp. Sunday, July 6, 10am, Norwood Park (16 Norwood Road).

Video Vengeance #8 - Robo Vampire - Free VHS Screening!
I don't know what Robo Vampire is about but I'm picturing Spike from Buffy wearing a really cyberpunk outfit. So I've gotta run - have fun at the screening. Sunday, July 6, 8pm, KITCH (229 Geary Ave).

• Elvis Mondays at the Drake
• Foosball Battle Royale, Monday, Disgraceland
• Art Gallery of Ontario free evening, Wednesday, 6-8:30pm.
• IFOA Weekly, free for supporters, students, & youth under 26, Wednesday, Harbourfront Centre
• Skin of My Nuts Comedy Show, Thursday, Sonic Espresso Bar
• Canadian Opera Company's Free Concerts series
• While nearly all art galleries in the city are free to enter, it's worth noting The Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA) is always PWYC.
• The ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) offers discounted tickets on Fridays ($10).

Do you want everyone to know about your kinda random free or pay-what-you-can event? Submit it to our event section. (You can also submit your for-money events here, greedy-pants.)

Photo: Music in St. James Park