Weekend events in Toronto are eclipsed by Nuit Blanche on Saturday night from 6:58 p.m. until sunrise. The all night contemporary art thing takes over all corners of downtown, including its bars (where you can take refuge if it rains cats and dogs). But don't worry, if walking around looking at installations isn't your thing, there are plenty of parties, food events and concerts to take in as well.

Here are my picks for top events this weekend in Toronto.

BIG NIGHTS

Nuit Blanche (October 1, Citywide)
If the top 20 exhibits to check out at the Scotia Bank-less Nuit Blanche 2016 are any indication, this year is one to brave the bustling city and get out and see. There are 90 installations scattered throughout the city from 7 p.m. on Oct. 1 until 7 a.m. on Oct. 2. Check out the official site for a full program list to this contemporary art takeover.

ROM Friday Night Live: Spark (September 30, ROM)
Kick off the new Friday Night Live season with a final look at the beautiful glass colour explosions of the Chihuly exhibit. Sean Jones, EastSideWest, DJ Sanga Genesis, DJ Misty, University of Toronto Faculty of Music are all on hand to entertain and never forget, there are bars and food throughout the Dinosaur house.

FOOD & (mostly) DRINK

International Sake Day tastings (September 30, Propeller Coffee)
This massive west end coffee shop celebrates the Sake Institute of Ontario's (SIO) International Sake Day and Toronto International Sake Challenge (TISC) with tastings and a competition with eight judges from Toronto, New York, and Vancouver including 2 Sake Samurais analyzing over 100 sakes. Get tickets here.

Oktoberfest
The annual celebration of beer and sausage and general happiness really kicks off this weekend. There are major events at Ontario Place, The Gladstone, and Bandit Brewery on Dundas West. Local beer specials and brews have been created, custom pint glasses will be given away, prost!

7th annual poutine eating championship (October 1, Yonge-Dundas Square)
Smoke Poutinerie presents this 7th annual eating event at Yonge-Dundas Square so poutine giveaways, and performances from Destroyer, Canada's official KISS cover band. This is the world's largest poutine eating contest, gulp, and free boxes of the wonderfully gooey stuff will also be given away.

PARTY

Spin Turns 5 (September 30, Spin)
It seems like only yesterday we got our first ping pong bar, doesn't it? We'll it's now been five years and we've come a long way. We now have another table tennis bar called Smash, but the OG deserves a big birthday bash. DJ Pham will spin alongside art installations, a photo booth and, duh, ping pong.

FASHION

Super Wonder Fashion Wars (September 30, Super Wonder Gallery)
Six designers will battle it out on the catwalk with creative street wear inside this giant Bloor West Gallery. The wilder the better! Tickets are $15 and DJ Stacie Ant spins.

SHOPPING

Uniqlo store opening (September 30, Eaton's Centre)
It's finally here! The Japanese retail store's two-storey mega shop inside the Eaton's Centre (beside H&M) opens its doors for you to buy all your perfectly plain coloured layers for fall and winter. Lots of opening day specials and a chance to win a trip for two to Japan. We've already had a sneak peek, but you can bet the opening will be slick and crazy busy.

Toronto Vintage Clothing Show (October 1-2, Heritage Court)
Toronto has a pretty fantastic collection of vintage stores, and many of them will have booths at this humongous vintage sale. Happening October 1-2 down on the Exhibition Grounds, shoppers will find vintage & retro clothing, accessories, jewelry, handbags and designer vintage from 10a.m. and admission is $10.

Really really really free market (October 1, Campbell Park)
In the spirit of community and trading and our recent Bunz obsession, this free market is more relevant than ever. Everything is actually free. If it is a rainy day, the Market will take place inside Campbell Park Community Centre where you can share, take, do both or neither; no barter, no money and a limit of one Ikea size bag per person.

FILM

Outdoor Titanic screening (and after party on a boat) (September 30, Gibraltar Point)
Never let go of this movie and it's romance. The weather is supposed to be nice for this beachside screening of the epic film at Artscape at Gibraltar point. There is an optional Titanic boat party that happens right after the film. Dress up is encouraged. A zero iceberg guarantee is in place. $10 in advance, $12 at the door and the movie starts at 7:15p.m.

Hard Day's Night (September 30, Hot Docs Cinema)
Featuring a slew of iconic pop anthems, A Hard Day's Night captures the astonishing moment when The Beatles officially became the singular, irreverent idols of their generation. Get there early as DJ Moe Berg (The Trans-Canada Highwaymen) spins a set of classic rock before the screening at 9:30p.m.

MUSIC

Temper Trap (September 30, The Phoenix)
So many concerts this weekend, I hope you have some fresh ear plugs. Australia's Temper Trap at The Phoenix is one highlight, remember "Sweet Disposition"? Imagine that live!? They're currently touring with their new, award winning new album. Doors are at 7p.m.

• Built To Spill (September 30, Danforth Music Hall)
• Elliot Moss (September 30, Drake Underground)
• Idioteque - Radiohead Tribute (October 1, 3030 Dundas Street W)
• Gooch Palms (October 1, Silver Dollar)
• By Divine Right with The Magic and Dave Schoonderbeek (The Monarch)
• Bakermat x Sam Feldt (October 1, Danforth Music Hall)
  Glass Animals (October 2, Rebel)
• Porches (October 2, Horseshoe Tavern)
• The Faith with Gang of Four (October 2, Danforth Music Hall)

DANCING

Loving in the Name Of (September 30, Great Hall)
When The Great Hall closed for major renovations, so did one of its biggest parties. Loving In The Name of returns wit DJ Scott Cudmore and of course, a crazy good live band. Doors are at 10p.m. and you'll hear the greatest hits of all time from genres all across the board in the big room with new sound and lights.

• More Boy Problems: Carly Rae Jepsen dance party (September 30, Gladstone Hotel)
• Rub (September 30, The Beaver)
• Guts does the internet (September 30, Geary Lane)
• Can You Feel It? 90s Rave/Early House (September 30, Round)
• A Stranger Things Event (October 1, Handlebar)
• Love Saves the Day (October 1, The Beaver)
• Even Stranger Things: Nuit Blanche Party (October 1, The Gladstone)
• Baltra & CL (October 1, Bambi's)
• Rebel Grand Opening Party (October 1, Rebel - formally the Sound Academy)
• With It! 60's Mod Soul Reggae dance party (October 1, The Piston)

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO Toronto events section and have a great weekend!

Photo from Nuit Blanche 2015 by Jesse Milns.