Blogging Groups Toronto

☕ Coffee, 🥐 Bakery Hopping & 🍂 Fall Colours: Midtown Toronto v6

☕ Coffee, 🥐 Bakery Hopping & 🍂 Fall Colours: Midtown Toronto v6 Join us for a relaxed afternoon of coffee, pastries, and fall colours as we explore Midtown Toronto! ☕🥐🍂 We’ll visit cafés and bakeries, stroll through leafy neighbourhood streets, and enjoy a stretch of the Beltline Trail along the way. 📅 **Date:** 24 Oct 2026 (Sat) ⏰ **Time:** 2:30PM 📍 **Meeting point:** Outside Eglinton Station, at Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue 🗺️ **Entire route:** [https://maps.app.goo.gl/E9PDDxtp4u4xTWLAA](https://maps.app.goo.gl/E9PDDxtp4u4xTWLAA) Our planned route will be: 1. 📍 **Eglinton Station** – [our meeting point](https://maps.app.goo.gl/rRt2jM3P8cqbCiFR8) 2. ☕ **Crosstown Coffee Bar** – our first coffee stop, tucked just off Eglinton on Highbourne Road 3. 🥐 **Goûter** – a French bakery offering croissants, pastries, and sweet treats 4. 🍂 **Forest Hill Road Park & the Beltline Trail** – a relaxed stroll to enjoy the trees and autumn scenery, continuing through Oriole Park 5. ☕ **Circles & Squares Bakery Café** – another stop for coffee and baked treats near Davisville 6. 🥖 **Thobors Bakery** – finish with French pastries and breads on Mount Pleasant Road 🚶 **Walking distance:** Approximately 4.6 km ⏳ **Walking time:** About **an hour,** plus time for café stops, photos, and enjoying the scenery. Allow around 2 hours for the full outing. Come for the coffee, the pastries, the fall colours, or simply a little company. Talk as much or as little as you like—there’s no pressure to socialize in any particular way. You’re welcome to join for part of the route or stay for the whole afternoon. Purchases are optional, and everyone pays for their own food and drinks. 🍁 Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Fall colour will depend on the weather and conditions on the day. Looking forward to a cozy autumn afternoon together! ☕🍂

Saturday Writing Meetup – near Bloor-Yonge

\*\*NOTE: This meetup currently lacks a regular host. (The current hosts are volunteers for online organizational purposes; they show up in person occasionally.) If you arrive and there is no host, don’t worry. Whoever is the longest-running member (or whoever wants to) can set the timer for the writing session. In this way, the meetup is self-sustaining, and not dependent on any one person. Thanks for your understanding.\*\* Join us for an hour of quiet writing, followed by an hour of (optional) socializing. \*\*SILENT WRITING BEGINS AT 1:15 PM. IF YOU'RE LATE, WELCOME! WE WILL IGNORE YOU (BECAUSE WE'RE BUSY WRITING) UNTIL 2:15 PM.\*\* This meetup is open to everyone, whether you’re writing a novel, blog, class paper, or journal entry—or something completely different. Anyone interested is welcome to attend :) LOCATION: 5 Elements Cafe, basement level RSVP: Please be advised that seating is first-come, first-served, even if you have RSVP'd. Seats are not reserved and we can't control how many other people are in the cafe. We recommend coming down to the basement to grab a spot before you buy anything, just in case. SCHEDULE: 1:00 to 1:15 PM: Arrive and get settled in. 1:15 to 2:15 PM: Write in silence for an hour. \*\*If you arrive after 1:15, please silently find your own place to sit. We'll welcome you to join the group at 2:15.\*\* 2:15 PM: Introduce yourself. We'll go in a circle; just say your name and 1–2 sentences about what you're writing. (E.g., "I'm Rudolph and I'm writing a non-fiction book about reindeer.") 2:20 PM onwards: Chill/leave. Chat, hang out, keep writing if you want, leave whenever.

⭐Toronto AI Social Walk | Founders Builders & Business Owners

**🔥Everyone is talking about AI. Let's talk about what we're actually doing with it.** At our last Founder Walk, something unexpected happened. The conversation kept coming back to AI. One person was exploring AI agents for businesses. Someone else was thinking about automating workflows for small and medium-sized companies. We talked about using AI to evaluate employee onboarding, browser agents that can operate websites for you, AI-generated music, investing, software development and where actual business opportunities might be emerging. Nobody planned an AI discussion. It just happened. **🚩Important: Meetup RSVP ≠ confirmed spot** **Keep your Meetup RSVP as Going so the event stays visible here. You will get link to a short application after you RSVP.** So this Sunday we're leaning into it. **⭐Toronto AI Walk⭐** A small group of founders, builders, professionals and curious people walking Toronto's waterfront and talking about: **What are you actually using AI for?** **What have you built?** **Which tools are genuinely useful?** **Where is AI still overhyped?** **What business opportunities are appearing?** **What workflows should already be automated?** **What will become possible if today's AI gets 10× better?** This is **not a presentation or AI conference.** There are no speakers. No panels. No sitting through someone's 45-minute pitch. And you don't have to be an AI expert. We're deliberately keeping the group small enough that everyone can participate. **Some of the conversations from our last walk** 1. One attendee was exploring creating custom AI workflow systems for small businesses. 2. Another wanted to better understand how AI could solve problems outside the traditional technology industry. We discussed using AI to evaluate sales training and employee onboarding, AI browser agents, automation, music, investing and entirely new businesses. This week we'll use a few prompts to take those conversations further. 📍Meetup Location: Simcoe Wavedeck sign **📅Sunday schedule** **🕛4:45 PM — Arrive / check in** **🕛5:00 PM — Introductions** Tell us who you are, what you're working on and one interesting way you're using—or want to use—AI. **🕛5:15 PM — Walk begins** We'll rotate conversations and introduce a few AI discussion prompts along the route. **🕛Around 6:15 PM — Official finish** Many stay afterwards to network. Some people may grab food or a drink afterward. **🏃Running late?** Don't give up on coming. Approved guests can join our Sunday Walk WhatsApp group. Once we're moving, we'll share our live location so late arrivals can catch up. **❓Who should come?** You might be: * building with AI; * using AI inside an existing business; * working in technology; * exploring an AI startup; * trying to automate your work; * curious about where the opportunities are; * simply interested in learning from people experimenting with it. You do **not** need to be an AI expert. Come curious. Bring one thing you've learned and one thing you're trying to figure out. **No hard selling.** **💌RSVP: [https://superr.ca/msevent](https://superr.ca/msevent)** We're also using the Superr Social WhatsApp Community to announce upcoming walks, dinners, sports, activities and other casual gatherings first: 👉[https://superr.ca/mwa](https://superr.ca/mwa) #TorontoEntrepreneurs #TorontoFounders #FounderWalk #EntrepreneurCommunity #TESSocial ***📸Photo, Video & Audio Notice:*** *By registering for or attending this event, you acknowledge that photos, video and audio recordings may be captured during the event. You consent to Superr / TES Social using your image, likeness, voice and comments in event recaps, social media, promotional materials and other community content. If you prefer not to be photographed, filmed or recorded, please let the host know before the event and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.*

Toronto Vegan Climbing - Basecamp Bloor

Join us at our vegan-friendly social climbing session! We welcome all vegans, vegetarians, or anyone who is curious about the lifestyle and/or interested in eating more plant-based. No climbing experience is necessary. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-time climber, all are welcome. We will be bouldering, top roping, and using autobelays - feel free to join whichever activity you're interested in! For those who are climbing for the first time, not to worry as it is quick to pick up and we are happy to provide some pointers on technique. You can boulder or use the autobelays after getting a quick orientation from the staff at the gym. For top roping, we're happy to belay any of our attendees. **Fees**: * $28 admission fee, plus rentals Climbing shoes are strongly recommended (disclaimer: rental shoes are not vegan as they contain suede/leather). Harnesses are only necessary for top roping and autobelay, however this gym is primarily a rope climbing gym. * Shoe rental: $7.00 * Harness rental: $7.00 Remember to sign the [waiver](https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/5f121ea156df1/web/) before you hit the rocks! You can sign the waiver online or in person once you arrive. Make sure to arrive at the Bloor location, there are multiple Basecamp locations! Happy climbing! 🧗‍♂️🌱 Note: Clean indoor shoes are allowed to be worn, however we highly recommend using climbing shoes otherwise your experience will be negatively impacted.

📒 Cozy Journaling Workshop

🍂 Come and join us to build your own self-reflection journaling practice one prompt at a time Our facilitator Yulia with curate a variety of prompts that will help you dive deeper into the mysterious energy of October, and fun group activities will spark your curiosity 🍁 As always, you will be able to choose your own adventure - connect with others or cozy up in your beautiful shell. Come to try journaling for the first time or to deepen your relationship with it ✨ **Important note** \- we won’t be sharing what we journal about if you don’t want to\. ⏳ **Duration:** 2 hours 📋 **What to bring:** your notebook, stickers and a pen ✨ **Host:** Yulia - she is a speculative fiction writer and informal education expert with 12+ years of experience working in a non-profit sector. In her free time you can find her journaling in a cafe (the passion she wants to share with Try Toronto community!) or cozying up at home with one of her beloved video games. **Register on [TryToronto website](https://trytoronto.org/events/food-bank-sep)** **Our Instagram: [@try_toronto_](https://www.instagram.com/try_toronto_)** Contact number for the host, exact meeting spot, and other details will be shared with you right after registration, in the comments of this event.

Spooky Halloween Paint Night ( with tea & cookies )

Hey everyone! 🎃 Looking for a cozy, fun way to celebrate Halloween week? Come hang out with us for a casual Halloween-themed paint night! Whether you haven't touched a paintbrush since high school or paint all the time, this is just a super chill space to unwind, try something new, and get into the autumn spirit. What we’re doing: * We’ll be painting a spooky season composition together—I’ll guide you step-by-step, so there’s zero pressure. * All art supplies are included, so you don't need to bring a thing. * I'll have plenty of tea and cookies ready for everyone while we paint and chat. It’s meant to be intimate and relaxed, so spots are kept small. Feel free to come solo (most people do!) or bring a friend. The Details * When: Thursday, October 29 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM * Where: Peach Berserk Can't wait to paint with you! Grab your spot below if you'd like to join us. ✨

Short Reads Social #16 (+costume contest!): Are we living in an age of fear?

Short-Read Socials are back! Come meet with like-minded and unlikeminded people to talk about the topic of the month. This time, we're thinking about **fear.** *Are people more fearful now than they were in the past or are we just scared of different things? Are people truly safer now? Has our media consumption helped us deal with our fears or exacerbated our ability to cope?* \-\-\- **\*\*\*Note: this event and future events (at least until 2027) will be on second and last Wednesdays! we won't be there on Tuesday :(** \-\-\- **How does it work?** * The event is casual. You can talk to anyone there with or without our prompt sheets, either about the month's topic or about whatever you want. * Open philosophical discussion, including for controversial topics, is welcome but be respectful. Every has had different experiences so aim to have good-faith discussions :) * If you've read/watched/heard anything related to the topic of the month, feel free to bring it in! Not necessarily physically, but you can if you want... * If not, here are some thought-provoking reads to start you off (read as many or as few as you want): * [Waiting for the End of the World](https://harpers.org/archive/2020/03/waiting-for-the-end-of-the-world-prepper-camp-saluda-north-carolina/) * [Why We’re Living in the Age of Fear](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/why-were-living-in-the-age-of-fear-190818/) (without paywall [here](https://archive.is/20210531023827/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/why-were-living-in-the-age-of-fear-190818/)) * [How a True-Crime Podcast Became a Mental-Health Support Group](https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/02/the-true-crime-podcast-turned-mental-health-support-group/517200/) (without paywall [here](https://archive.is/20210403101221/https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/02/the-true-crime-podcast-turned-mental-health-support-group/517200/)) * [Why Kidnapping Conspiracy Theories Are Everywhere](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/part-two-why-kidnapping-conspiracy-theories-are-everywhere/id1373812661?i=1000621718915) * (I linked part two above, but you can listen to [part one](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/part-one-why-kidnapping-conspiracy-theories-are-everywhere/id1373812661?i=1000621466452) if you want too) * Feel free to post other recommendations (blogs, movies, tv episodes, video essays, etc.) in the comments! **ALSO, we will be doing a costume contest this night! There will be a prize!** \-\-\- Finally, Short Read Socials have a 'pay what you can' policy. They'll always be free to attend--but if you've been having a good time with us and want to pass along a couple of bucks to help cover Meetup platform costs for future events, there is a contribution bucket on the table that night and a [Paypal](https://paypal.me/bookclubforhumans?country.x=CA&locale.x=en_US) link :)

Cabbagetown Autumn & Halloween Photo Walk 🍁🎃📸

Hello, everyone! The autumn and Halloween season is right around the corner, so let’s get together for a scenic photo walk through historic Cabbagetown! Join us to capture the neighborhood's cozy fall vibes and Halloween decorations while connecting with fellow photography enthusiasts. This event is completely free and open to everyone, whether you bring a professional camera or just your smartphone! **📍 Meeting Spot & Time:** * **When:** 12:00 PM * **Where:** Winchester Park (530 Ontario St, Toronto, ON M4X 1M7), close to the "Winchester Park" sign **🗺️ The Route:** We’ll start at Winchester Park and wander through the neighbourhood along Wellesley, Amelia, and Carlton Streets. Along the way, we’ll pass by the historic Toronto Necropolis and pause to explore Riverdale Farm before ending our walk at Riverdale Sunset Vista (https://maps.app.goo.gl/R1jKUe5k8UrLcukB9). **ℹ️ Event Details:** * **Live Location Updates:** Event chat is enabled! I’ll share our live location for anyone arriving a bit late. Feel free to use it if you have questions. * **Weather:** This meetup is weather permitting. I’ll post an update closer to the date if the forecast looks good. Dress warmly and check the weather beforehand! Hope to see you all there! Best, Alberth C.

🍂 Fall Walk: Rouge National Urban Park and Picnic🌳

# 🍂🌳 Fall Walk: Rouge National Urban Park 🌳🍁 ### A Real Hike, Beautiful Fall Colours & a Picnic Together Want to get out of the city without actually leaving Toronto? **Rouge National Urban Park** is Canada's only urban national park — and one of the most popular hikes we do. Once you get onto the trail, it can be hard to believe you're still in Toronto. Forest paths, rolling hills, changing leaves, and quiet stretches of wilderness make this feel much more like a trip outside the city than a walk through it. And fall is one of the best times to experience it. This is **a real hike**, though. There are some hills and ups and downs, so it isn't the best choice if you're looking for an easy, flat walk. But if you're up for the challenge, there's something satisfying about reaching the end knowing you did it together. And then we'll have a picnic. 🧺 📱 Don't forget to join our **WhatsApp Group – [CLICK HERE](https://chat.whatsapp.com/H59mSCbsAi018gYANrKAnc)** *** ## 🥾 What We'll Do We'll meet at **Don Mills Station** and take the 85C bus together toward Rouge National Urban Park. Once we arrive, we'll begin our hike through the park. Along the way we'll: * Hike through forest and open spaces 🌳 * Enjoy the fall colours 🍂 * Navigate the hills and changing terrain * Take in some beautiful views * Stop for a short break along the route * Finish at the Park's Welcome Centre * Have a **30–40 minute group picnic** afterward 🧺 The hike takes approximately **2½ hours**, plus a short break. Afterward, we'll take some time to relax, eat, and enjoy each other's company. *** ## 🍁 Fall Weather & Expectations This is a **moderately challenging hike**, not a casual stroll. There are hills, uneven sections, and some ups and downs, so good walking or hiking shoes are important. Please come prepared for typical fall weather and bring enough water for the hike. If you're comfortable walking for a couple of hours and handling some elevation changes, you'll be fine. If you're looking for something completely flat and easy, **this probably isn't the walk for you.** *** ## 🚌 Meetup Details ### 🚇 By TTC 📍 **Meetup Location:** Don Mills Station — on the platform for the **85C bus** 🫎 **Look for me in my Moose Hat!** ⏰ **Meetup Time:** **9:45 AM** 🚌 **Bus Leaves:** **10:06 AM sharp** I'll wait for the bus, but if you miss it, **you won't be able to join the group afterward.** **Early is on time. On time is late.** ### 🚗 By Car Parking is **not available at our TTC meeting point.** If you're driving, please park at the **Toronto Zoo** and walk to the **Park's Welcome Centre (the house)**. 🚗 **Car Meetup Time:** 11:00 AM We may be a few minutes late arriving, depending on the bus and traffic. *** ## 🧺 The Picnic After the hike, we'll have a **30–40 minute group picnic** at the end. Please bring something small to share — nothing too large or heavy. The goal is simply to have something to eat together after the hike. 🥪 Sandwiches 🍎 Fruit 🍪 Snacks 🥤 Drinks Whatever is easy to carry and share is perfect. *** ## 🧢 Meetup Details at a Glance 🥾 **Hike:** Approximately 2½ hours + short break 🧺 **Picnic:** 30–40 minutes 🏁 **End Point:** Park's Welcome Centre 💲 **Meetup Fee:** $5 cash or e-transfer 📧 **mathewmaclean@hotmail.com** *** ## 🎒 What to Bring 💧 Water 🥾 Good walking shoes or hiking shoes 🥪 A snack 🧺 Something small to share for the picnic 🧥 A fall jacket or layers *** ## 🌈 Who Is This For? This hike is great for: * People who enjoy a little challenge * Anyone who wants to explore Rouge National Urban Park * People who love fall colours 🍂 * Hikers looking for a social outing * Anyone comfortable walking hills and uneven terrain * People who want to meet others while getting outside This isn't the easiest walk we do. **But sometimes the harder walks are the ones you remember.** You're welcome to RSVP ahead of time or just show up on the day if you're unsure about your schedule. Sometimes things happen and events may need to be cancelled or changed, so please keep an eye on the event page for updates. 👤 **Organizer: Mathew** Questions? Post on the event wall or email **torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com** **Come for the hike.** **Stay for the picnic.** **Leave with a new connection — and maybe a new friend.** 🍂💛

IN-PERSON Saturday Meeting!

Make Friends at a Cafe - Good Chats App BETA

**GoodChats.** . **Newest Way to Make Friends in Toronto!** . Ever walked into a coffee shop and wished you knew the people around you? That’s exactly what GoodChats is for. . Our Coffee Chat events are designed to make meeting new people feel natural — no awkward intros, no swiping, no pressure. Just real conversations with people who already share your interests. **How it works:** . **1) Sign up on iOS or Android** Download the GoodChats app to get started. . Use the code **COFFEE** to sign-up for the invite-only app today! [https://linktr.ee/goodchatsapp](https://linktr.ee/goodchatsapp) . **2) Start a chat about what you like** Talk about anything you’re into — hobbies, ideas, random thoughts. The app builds your profile based on what you actually care about. . **3) Join a Coffee Chat** We match you with a small group of people who share similar interests and invite you to a local coffee shop meetup. That’s it — just show up, grab a drink, and talk. . **What to expect:** * Small groups (so it’s actually easy to connect) * Weekly events at local coffee shops * A relaxed, low-pressure environment * People you’re genuinely likely to vibe with . **Good to know:** * Events are **completely free** * All event details and invites are inside the GoodChats app * We’re currently in **beta**, with new Coffee Chats happening every week Use the code **COFFEE** to sign-up for the invite-only app today! [https://linktr.ee/goodchatsapp](https://linktr.ee/goodchatsapp) . If you’ve ever wanted meeting new people to feel easier (and more real)… this is for you.

Why We Shelved Our No-Code QA Platform | 17th Toronto Meetup

What makes a QA automation approach worth keeping and when is it time to rethink it? At The Test Tribe’s 17th Toronto Meetup, Anna Karnaukh will share the story of how Treegress built a no-code QA automation platform around finite-state machines, and why the team eventually decided to move toward agentic testing. The session goes beyond the AI hype to explore what actually changed when agents began taking on test planning, creation, and review — and what this means for developers and QA teams working in an AI-assisted software development lifecycle. ***Event Details*** * Date: 28 October 2026 * Time: 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM ET * Venue: [910 Queen Street West Toronto Ontario](https://maps.app.goo.gl/G5zruiNsaQp2SXDS9) ***Session – Why We Shelved Our No-Code QA Platform and Switched to Agentic Testing*** ***[Speaker: Anna Karnaukh, Founder & CEO of Treegress](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-karnaukh-pm)*** This session offers a firsthand look at the shift from no-code QA automation built on finite-state machines to agentic testing. Anna will share: * Why Treegress initially built a no-code QA automation platform. * What changed when agents took on test planning, creation, and review. * The engineering tradeoffs involved in moving from a structured no-code approach to agentic testing. * How testing can be structured within an AI-assisted software development lifecycle. * Practical lessons for developers and QA teams considering AI-powered testing. ***How This Meetup Solves Your Problem*** * Your existing automation approach isn't scaling as expected? Explore the decisions behind rethinking a no-code platform. * AI testing feels too abstract? Get a firsthand account of what changed when agents entered the testing workflow. * Unsure where agents fit into QA? See how they can participate across planning, creation, and review. * Considering an AI testing strategy? Learn from the tradeoffs, mistakes, and lessons behind a real product journey. ***Why Show Up on 28 October?*** * Because sometimes the best way to understand a new approach is to hear from someone who built the old one first. * Because agentic testing isn't simply about generating test scripts — it can change how testing work is planned and reviewed. * Because you'll hear the engineering tradeoffs behind a real shift from no-code automation to agents. * Because understanding what didn't work can be just as valuable as understanding what did. * Because the future of QA automation may require rethinking not just the tools we use, but how testing fits into software development itself. ***Become a Speaker at The Test Tribe Events*** Wish to share your insights with the community at a future event? Submit your talk idea[ ](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8xebmOBD2WYXwGKWj7GteY-tMLaj-aZzQk88MAsE0LUiMUQ/viewform?utm_source=luma)[here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8xebmOBD2WYXwGKWj7GteY-tMLaj-aZzQk88MAsE0LUiMUQ/viewform), and if it resonates with the perspective we are trying to build at our events, our team will connect with you. ***About The Test Tribe*** The Test Tribe is the world's largest software testing community, empowering testers globally since 2018. With 925+ events and 170K+ members across 130+ countries, we bring software professionals together to learn, grow, and connect through meetups, conferences, cohorts, masterclasses, and more. By RSVPing, you agree to our[ Terms & Conditions](https://www.thetesttribe.com/website-terms-conditions/)[ and](https://www.thetesttribe.com/privacy-policy/?utm_source=luma)[ Privacy Policy](https://www.thetesttribe.com/our-privacy-policy/) and consent to be contacted by The Test Tribe and our event partners.