The top free events in Toronto this week include a massive tree lighting ceremony, one of Toronto's biggest annual parades and a tribute to the late, great Leonard Cohen.

Here are my picks for the top free events in Toronto this week.

C! C! C! remembers Leonard Cohen (Nov. 16, Christie Pits)
Head to Christie Pits Park for 9 p.m. and join what is sure to be an impressively large group of people sing goodbye to Leonard Cohen. Keep an eye on Choir! Choir! Choir!'s Facebook page for exact location and song details and bring a candle if you'd like.

Lucas DiPasquale Live (Nov. 17, First Canadian Place)
He's a big thing on YouTube, so check him out in the flesh and see if he can sing just as well in real life at this free lunchtime performance in the Financial District. He's known for his covers of big reggae hits and now his own original stuff. The show starts at 12:15p.m.

MOCA x Akin Fall Gallery Crawl (Diaz Contemporary)
The new MOCA building may be far from ready, but that's not stopping art organizers from gathering the curious for this West end gallery tour. It's an insiders look at some of the coolest exhibits on right now at places like Paul Petro, Susan Hobbs and Katharine Mulherin. The tours start at Noon until 5 p.m.

Illuminite (Nov. 19, Yonge-Dundas Square)
There are lots of dazzling tree lighting ceremonies all over Toronto this month and into December, but Illuminite happens first. It starts at 5:30 p.m., and there are non-stop live performances and activations leading up to the tree lighting. It's all free, but bundle up!

Santa Claus Parade (Nov. 20, Various locations)
The 112th (!!!) Toronto Santa Claus Parade starts at 12:30 at Christie Pits Park and merrily makes its way through downtown to end at St. Lawrence Market. No matter how old you are, it's always worth taking a peak and the big man in red somewhere along the way.

Photo via A Great Capture in the blogTO Flickr pool.