Toronto Top Festivals

Toronto has some of the largest and most culturally rich festivals in the world to enjoy at your leisure throughout the year:

Open Roof Festival (June 17-August 19)
The Open Roof Festival takes place Wednesday nights at 99 Sudbury street. Enjoy music and movies all summer long. Each night begins with a musical performance, followed by a feature film after sunset. List of Films

Pride (June 19-28)
Pride in Gay Village and surrounding area. Thousands take to the streets in celebration of LGBTQ rights and equality for both the Dyke March and the big parade down Yonge Street. Note: This is NOT for young children and may be offensive, if not uncomfortable to some people. Expect nudity and lewd behaviour.

Digital Dreams (June 27-28)
Digital Dreams is the largest electronic music festival in Canada. This year it welcomes Steve Angello, Martin Garrix, Armin Van Buuren, Zedd, and more to Ontario Place for two days of dancing, neon sunglasses, and a spectacular light show.

Taste of Asia (June 27-28)
Taste of Asia will feature 150 Vendors serving up interesting Asian fare.

Kensington Pedestrian Sundays (June 28th, July 26th, August 30th, September 27th, and October 25th)
Kensington Market offers Pedestrian Sundays throughout the summer (on the last Sunday of the month). Offers a host of street performers, food on sticks, and the Kensington Market Art Fair.

Toronto Fringe (July 1-12)
The Toronto Fringe Festival offers a heavy dose of comedy and indie theatre. Eager thespians will be in search of audiences. Full of performances.

Taste of Toronto (July 2-5)
This internationally acclaimed food festival takes place at Fort York. A lineup of 30+ chefs and their delicacies, a vendor marketplace, a Way Home preview stage, guided tastings, master classes, and more. Admission: $19-$25 in advance, $30 at the door.

Taste of Lawrence (July 3-5)
The Taste of Lawrence is a three-day food and cultural festival in Scarborough. It showcases foods from different cultures, as well as midway rides, live music, dancing in the streets, and fun for kids.

Salsa on St. Clair (July 4-5)
Salsa on St. Clair is provides exotic summer possibilities. Wear your dancing shoes and dance with the St. Clair West community as you get to know them. Latin food vendors will be on the streets  with delicious aromatic treats.

Afrofest (July 4-5)
Afrofest offers a weekend of drumming and dancing as the event kicks off. It is the largest annual African music festival in the country, spreading over Woodbine park with its music, dance, interactive workshops, theatre, poetry, food and more.

Beaches Jazz Fest (July 10-26)
The Beaches Jazz Festival has expanded to include three weekends at Woodbine Park. The annual street festival itself still remains free for everyone. Performances by Chris Thomas King, Ogguere, the Lula All Stars, God Made Me Funky, The Boom Booms, La Gran Colombia Orchestra and more make this a truly international event.

PANAMANIA (July 10-26, August 7-12)
Catch acts like Chromeo, Jann Arden, The Roots, Flaming Lips, USS, Lights, Janelle Monae, Colin James, lots of world music artists and lots more, all free at Nathan Phillips Square and the CIBC PanAm Park.

TO Food Fest (July 12)
The TO Food Festival presents vendors with a diversity of culinary delights.

UNITY Festival (July 22-25)
The 7th annual UNITY Festival will bring beatboxers, musicians and MC’s to the city for the ultimate hip hop experience. The lineup includes headliners GZA and Babeli Marlon from Havikoro crew.

Toronto’s Festival of Beer (July 24-26)
Toronto’s Festival of Beer has over 300 different brands of beer, from small, local outfits like Junction Craft and Left Field to purveyors of mass-produced industrial lager like Miller Lite and Budweiser, for better of for worse, TFOB has it all. Join the “beer girls,” fizzy lagers, and pseudo craft schlock and expect thousands of beer drinkers gathering to party.

Wayhome (July 24-26)
This yet to be birthed festival is organized by the founder of super-festival Bonnaroo. In an attempt to bring their success north of the border in a three-day music, arts and camping festival, they have booked Neil Young, Sam Smith, Kendrick Lamar, and over 70 other acts.

Night it Up (July 24-26)
An Asian night market at the Markham Civic Centre. Boasts 120 vendors, a spectacular stage line-up, and ticketed attractions like the Paint-A-Thon.

Hart House Craft Beer Festival (July 30)
Hart House hosts its annual Craft Beer Festival; a day of expertly curated brews and a barbecue.

PanAmerican Food Fest (July 30-August 3)
Head to Daniels spectrum for The PanAmerican Food Festival, showcasing the food and culture of 41 nations. This year’s featured country is Mexico.

Caribana (July 30-August 2)
Caribana’s 47th year, now offering up three weeks of nightlife, music and entertainment. One of the summer’s most anticipated events, especially by tourists from south of the boarder, such as Buffalo.

TD Irie Music Festival (August 1-2)
The TD Irie Music festival takes over Fort York for two days to celebrate Canadian-African culture. Headliners include Fay Ann Lyons, Bunji Garlin, Junior Reid and more.

Toronto Food Truck Festival (August 1-2)
Toronto’s favourite food trucks will gather at Woodbine Park on August 1 and 2 for two days of street foods, eating challenges, cold beer, live music, and a children’s village. Admission is free.

OVO Fest (August 1-3)
A three day festival, featuring a Kevin Hart comedy set at the ACC. J.Cole ft. Big Sean and YG headline. ‘Drake + Special Guests’ is on for day two, which has already sold out. So, try Craigslist.

SummerWorks (August 6-16)
SummerWorks, an eleven-day Canadian cultural festival focuses on theatre, dance, music, and live art. View full list of performances.

Taste of the Danforth (August 7-9)
Taste of the Danforth is one of the city’s top street festivals. Food is plentiful, with more souvlaki than anyone can handle. Enjoy dancing, music, and lots of live entertainment. Be prepared for a massive crowd

Toronto Vegan Food and Drink Festival (August 8)
Toronto Vegan Food and Drink Festival celebrate the best of Toronto’s vegan dining scene. Plenty of beer, wine and live music, all at Garrison Common in the historic Fort York. General admission is $10, or $20 including three drink tickets.

Jerk Fest (August 8-9)
The Jerk Fest fills Centennial Park with the sweet scent of Caribbean food for two full days. Sample everything from classic jerk chicken to alligator.

Roundhouse Beer Fest (August 8-9)
The Roundhouse Beer Fest offers beers from the Ontario Craft Brewers. Taking place at Roundhouse Park, it attracts over 30 breweries and tons of local gourmet food trucks serving up food and drink. Any beer tokens you have from the Winter Craft Beer Fest or last year’s summer Roundhouse Craft Beer Fest can be used at this event. Tickets: $20 (or $25 at the door).

Waterfront Night Market (August 14-16)
Waterfront Night Market takes place in the parking lot of the T & T Cherry Street supermarket. It features over 100 food and retail vendors. Expect asian-style food.

 

Toronto International Film Festival (September)
Luminato (from dusk to dawn)
Corso Italia Festival
Summerlicious
Toronto Festival of Lights

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