Geeks, nerds, and pop culture fans, lend me your ears. This May 25th, let your inner geek flag fly for Geek Pride Day, a day celebrating all things nerdy and geeky! If you’re a fan of video games, comics, manga, movies and Harry Potter, then this day is for you. All around the city there are ways to celebrate and be immersed in your favourite TV series like The Office as well as places to buy collectibles from stores selling unique finds, like Curiosa. If you’re looking for the best ways to geek out on Geek Pride Day or any day of this year, this guide is for you!
1. Stranger Things: The Experience
Whether you’re a fan of Season 1’s epic plot that combined Dungeons & Dragons with your favorite 80s sci-fi films or Season 4’s more horror-skewed storyline, you’ll get to experience your own exciting adventure at the limited time Stranger Things Experience! You can take part in iconic scenes from the hit Netflix series, enjoy themed music, food, and drinks, and step into the mall to buy awesome merch. The experience kicks off in Hawkins Lab where you’ll be part of an interactive story before you get to explore the rest of the space, set up to be as true to the series as possible. You can get your tickets here. For today and tomorrow only, get a special 20% off the Stranger Things Experience in honor of Geek Pride Day. Use code: TORONTOGEEKDAY20 at check out.
2. Jurassic World Exhibition
Get your khaki shorts ready, lace up those boots and put on that safari hat: the Jurassic World Exhibition is now open across Square One Shopping Centre! Dinosaurs from your favourite adventurous saga are coming to life, stepping from the screen onto the streets of Mississauga. You can find tickets here for this larger-than-life experience you won’t get anywhere else.
3. The Office Experience
The Office Experience will only be in Toronto until June 4th so fans of the hit sitcom still have time to explore Dunder Mifflin before it closes its doors in Toronto for good. Explore iconic scenes from the show like Kevin’s dropped chili or Michael’s desk where his ‘World’s Best Boss’ plaque sits. Get tickets here before they’re sold out.
4. The Sidekick
Cozy up with a comic and a superhero coffee mug at this themed-cafe in Toronto. There’s a huge range of comics to enjoy from contemporary and classics. They’re available for purchase in-store or online with their easy to navigate comic catalogue. They’ve also got an excellent selection of manga if reading from left to right is more your thing.
5. Curiosa
Purveyors of Extraordinary Things cannot miss a chance to visit Curiosa (especially if you’re a fan of Harry Potter). Harry Potter memorabilia abounds with wands, wizardry things, posters, board games, wearables, and much much more. There’s also plenty for people interested in witchy collectibles, handmade candles, books, stationary, and anything you might use to decorate home with. Lovers of the eclectic, enjoy.
6. Storm Crow Manor
Labeled as Toronto’s geekiest bar, Storm Crow Manor opened in late 2018 in an elegant Church St. manor. The bar includes a variety of different themed-rooms, all with their own unique design that could be described only as maximalist. They’ve got a happy hour from Monday-Thursday from 3-6pm and Tabletop Takeover every Monday. So stop by and grab some drinks in a room with upside down crosses and pentagram-donned pillows or a room with a huge wall-perched alien with multiple eyes.
7. Planet X
Pop-culture aficionados, make your way to Planet X for a wide arrange of cards, collectibles, comics, and other things that don’t just start with the letter ‘c.’ They also host events perfect to be among your fellow, friendly geek like Anime North from May 26th-28th and Fan Expo Canada in August from the 24th – 27th.
8. Sonic Boom
Music lovers unite! Sonic Book is Canada’s largest independent record store that sells vinyls of all music genres, plus CDS, books, pins, patches, toys, and music accessories.