It’s getting busy in the city, Toronto! We love all of our neighbourhood street festivals, food festivals, drink festivals, and all the events in between bringing the streets to life and making your weekends THAT much more eventful. We have a full summer of festivals to explore for date night, and we can’t wait!
Read on for your full summer itinerary for the best festival eats around town.
Do West Fest 2024
In the Little Portugal BIA (formerly Dundas West Fest). 2024 marks the 11th anniversary of Do West Fest- a coming together of music, arts, food, fun, and community along Dundas Street West, covering 16 west end Toronto blocks.
When: June 7th – June 9th, 2024
Where: Along Dundas Street West from Ossington to Lansdowne
Desifest 2024
This is the #1 South Asian music and culture festival in Toronto and this year, Desifest is set to deliver a groundbreaking event with an exclusively Canadian all-star lineup, marking the first festival of its kind in the country!
If you’re ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant colours, electrifying beats, and mouthwatering flavours in the middle of downtown, look no further!
Date: June 8th, 2024
Where: Yonge & Dundas Square
Lakeshore Village Grilled Cheese Challenge Festival 2024
The Lakeshore Village Grilled Cheese Festival is hosted by the Lakeshore Village BIA and welcomes over 40,000 guests with live musical programming, amazing food, family fun zones, dog shows, shopping, a Great Lakes Brewery Garden, and so much more!
The event’s Challengers will be offering up their take on “The Best Grilled Cheese” and competing for the top three best grilled cheese sandwiches.
When: June 8th, 2024
Where: On Lakeshore Blvd. W from Islington Ave to Second St
Taste of Little Italy 2024
The Taste of Little Italy 2024, Toronto’s beloved three-day festival is back! Get ready to kick off the start of the summer as they transform College Street (from Bathurst to Shaw Street) with delicious food, enjoyable entertainment, shopping, extended patios, free tastings, and so much more!
When: June 14th – June 16th, 2024
Where: College Street, Downtown Toronto
Toronto Beaches Rib & Beer Festival 2024
Get ready for a mouth watering, finger-lickin’, belly rubbin’ good BBQ date! Savour the best BBQ ribs at the Toronto Beaches leg of the Northern Heat Rib Series! Indulge in perfectly cooked ribs from from the best BBQ Ribbers around, offering a flavour-packed adventure unlike any other.
When: June 14th – June 16th, 2024
Where: Woodbine Park
Brunch Fest 2024
Toronto’s beloved Brunch Fest is back from June 15th to 16th at Hotel X Toronto! Brunch Fest is the event we’ve all been craving, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever. TasteToronto has curated top Toronto brunch vendors to feature 150 drool-worthy brunch dishes.
But brunch isn’t brunch without your favourite beverages, too, there will be mimosa, caesar and smoothie bars to enjoy!
When: June 15th – June 16th, 2024
Where: The Grounds at Hotel X Toronto (115 Princes’ Blvd, Toronto)
Give Me Liberty 2024
Give Me Liberty is the Liberty Village BIA’s 18th Annual Street Party that celebrates all things Liberty Village. Inspired by neighbourhood block parties of years past, the Give Me Liberty Street Party is bringing together great food, music, vendors and a wide variety of activities that shines a light on the amazing businesses in the BIA and transforms the venue into an outdoor patio.
Go hungry because food will be provided by local spots, some of which are 6ixTriangles, Aloette Go, Burger Drops, Kitchen Hub Food Hall, Mildred’s Temple Kitchen, The Islands Caribbean Cookshop, and so many more!
When: June 20th, 2024
Where: Carpark 181, 75 Fraser Ave
Rosé Picnic 2024
Toronto’s premium picnic experience, Rosé Picnic is back at Hotel X Toronto and is turning up the heat on this year’s summer kickoff!
On Saturday, June 22nd, from 12 pm to 9 pm, the beloved Rosé Picnic celebration will flow with rosé all day long! A portion of the sale of each Rosé Picnic ticket will support the Catalyst Fund at Women’s College Hospital, ensuring they have the critical resources needed to advance its greatest priorities.
When: June 22nd, 2024
Where: The Grounds at Hotel X Toronto (115 Princes’ Blvd, Toronto)
Fairbank Summerfest 2024
Presented by Fairbank Village BIA, the Fairbank Summerfest 2024 is a modern twist on a summer carnival extravaganza! The festival features a diverse culinary experience with food from around the world, alongside a sidewalk sale reminiscent of a bustling European Bazaar.
Plus, don’t miss out on FREE popcorn daily from 12-4pm, while supplies last.
When: June 21st – June 23rd, 2024
Where: Eglinton West. Dufferin St. to Ronald Ave.
Taste of Asia 2024
Experience North America’s largest outdoor Asian festival! This is three BIG days of cultural events, family-friendly attractions, and food to enjoy!
With over 150 food vendors, Taste of Asia has been an exciting, high-energy event celebrating Canada’s diverse cultural harmony, cuisine, and culture.
When: June 28th – June 30th, 2024
Where: Kennedy Road just North of Steeles Avenue East, Markham
Taste of Lawrence 2024
Taste of Lawrence is a three-day food, music and cultural festival that takes place annually in the Wexford Heights BIA.
As Scarborough’s largest street festival, it boasts the most enticing flavours from every cultural community in the GTA, over 150 street vendors, live entertainment on two stages, midway rides, kid workshops and so much more.
When: July 5th – July 7th, 2024
Where: Lawrence Ave. E. from Warden Ave. to Birchmount Rd., Scarborough
Wine Fest Toronto 2024
The all-you-can-taste event is set to uncork from July 5 to July 7, with four sessions to choose from. Guests will have the opportunity to taste over 100 different international wines specially curated by Super Wine Girl, Angela Aiello!
When: July 5th – July 7th, 2024
Where: Under the CN Tower – Roundhouse Park – 255 Bremner Blvd
Salsa on St. Clair 2024
TD Salsa on St. Clair is the only festival where people do more than just eat and watch entertainment – they take part in non-stop dancing in the streets! The street festival is Canada’s hottest salsa party featuring an international caliber of Latin music, authentic cuisine, and a fiesta for lovers of all Latino culture.
When: July 6th – July 7th, 2024
Where: St. Clair Avenue West between Winona and Christie, Downtown Toronto
Taste of the Middle East 2024
Taste of the Middle East is back in Toronto to present, showcase and celebrate Arabic music, art, food, and culture in Canada.
When: July 5th – July 7th, 2024
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, Downtown Toronto
Northern Heat Rib Fest 2024
There are Northern Heat Rib Festivals all over the GTA all summer long and in mid-July, they’ll be in the heart of downtown Toronto. Indulge in perfectly cooked ribs from from the best BBQ Ribbers around, offering a flavour-packed adventure unlike any other.
*Please note, this event is food only and will not include live music or a beer tent.
When: July 12th – July 14th, 2024
MixTO 2024
Mixto Festival celebrates a truly intercultural cit and brings together communities, cultures and contemporary experiences in a uniquely celebratory format that avoids presenting “world music” as a static or exotic experience.
Two days of music, food, fun, and friends in a familiar transformed outdoor lot in west-end Toronto. A celebration of music from around the world and your own backyard!
When: July 13th – July 14th, 2024
Where: Lynx Music Car Park, 260 Emerson Ave
Festival of India 2024
The Festival of India has taken place in Toronto for over 50 years, yet its rich history actually stems from thousands of years of tradition and heritage. The festival begins with a vibrant parade down Yonge Street in which three giant floats are hand-pulled by thousands of attendees and spectators amidst melodious singing, chanting, drumming, and dancing.
Everyone is invited to come, walk, chant, sing or dance in the parade. Celebrations then continue throughout the weekend.
When: July 13th – July 14th, 2024
Where: Pre-Festival @ Hare Krishna Temple (243 Avenue Rd), Ratha-Yātra – Parade on Yonge St, Toronto, Festivities @ Toronto Centre-Island
KIND Summer Fair
After two successful summers of throwing the largest canna-events of the year, the biggest 420-friendly festival is back and bigger than ever. The streets are already buzzing about what is coming back to RendezViews this July. Featuring over 30 brands, entertainment, games, food and drinks, complete with designated areas for consumption.
You know with all the green there’ll be some delicious local food vendors to cure those munchies!
When: July 26th – July 17th, 2024
Where: RendezViews
Alohafest Toronto 2024
The mission of AlohaFest Toronto is to educate the Greater Toronto community about the Aloha spirit by uniting the multiple hula hālau (hula schools) and other Polynesian-inspired organizations and businesses to showcase Polynesian culture, art and dance.
When: July 20th, 2024
Where: Mel Lastman Square
Panamerican Food Festival 2024
The Pan American Food and Music Festival is Canada’s largest annual festival celebrating the rich diversity of cuisine, music, and art in the Western Hemisphere. PANAM FEST supports the cultural identity shared among Canadians and the 41 other countries of North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. It is produced by ArtsXplosion, a non-profit cultural organization based in Toronto.
When: July 20th – July 21st, 2024
Where: Nathan Philips Square, Downtown Toronto
Big on Bloor Festival 2024
BIG on Bloor; Bloordale’s Festival of Art & Culture features a weekend street closure and site-based activations for a week after, with 100,000+ visitors participating in multidisciplinary art projects, presented by over 100 local artists from various backgrounds, identities and groups.
When: July 20th – July 21st, 2024
Where: Bloor St from Dufferin to Landsdowne
Brazilfest 2024
Immerse yourself in a world of rhythmic beats, vibrant colours and rich culture at Toronto International Brazilfest.
For two decades, they’ve been bringing the spirit of Brazil to life, showcasing the essence of our culture through mouth-watering cuisine, warm hospitality, and contagious joy.
When: July 20th – July 21st, 2024
Where: Earlscourt Park, Toronto
Taste of Vietnam 2024
An extraordinary festival unveiling the beauty of Vietnamese culture, latest fashion, crafted cuisine, while raising awareness against human trafficking and child exploitation within our city Toronto and all over the world.
When: July 25th – July 27th, 2024
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, Downtown Toronto
Fun Philippines Toronto 2024
In keeping with Toronto’s summer vibe of mounting the biggest events, Harbourfront Centre at Toronto’s central waterfront, will play host to a much-enjoyed Filipino festival. FUN PHILIPPINES TORONTO FOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL will celebrate its third year with an expansive showcase of everything Filipino in one of Canada’s premier tourist destinations.
When: July 26th – July 28th, 2024
Where: Harbourfront Centre
Ossfest 2024
Nothing says summer more, than street festivals in Toronto! For it’s seventh edition, OssFest returns for a pedestrian take over of the Ossington Strip between Dundas St W and Queen St W. It is family friendly, dog friendly, and is a fantastic way to celebrate the neighbourhood and Toronto!
When: July 27th, 2024
Where: Ossington Strip between Dundas St W and Queen St W
Toronto Festival of Beer 2024
The iconic beer festival in Toronto that has brought some big music names to perform on the Bandshell Park stage at Exhibition place. Among sampling all the best bevvies, this year’s line-up includes:
Fri July 26th: Cypress Hill with Souls of Mischief
Sat July 27th: Josh Ross with Alli Walker
Sun July 28th: Taking Back Sunday with Ill Scarlett
When: July 26th – July 28th, 2024
Where: Bandshell Park, Exhibition Place, Downtown Toronto
Foodville: Afro-Caribbean Food Festival 2024
Foodville: Afro-Caribbean Food Fest is vibrant cultural celebration, designed to promote a sense of pride and appreciation for the rich culinary traditions and heritage of African and Caribbean communities. Entrepreneurs from various backgrounds, including chefs, restaurant owners, artisans, performing artists, and visual artists, are highlighted and supported at this event. The festival features a market showcasing cultural cuisine from African and Caribbean communities, along with products crafted by local artisans.
When: July 27th, 2024
Where: Stackt Market
Canadian Multicultural Peruvian Fest 2024
The GTA lays claim to more than 20,000 residents of Peruvian ancestry, Peru echoes of a glorious history, rich heritage and unique sights draws visitors to Peru around the world. Enjoy fun prizes, food, entertainment at their celebrity stage and feel embraced by Peruvian culture celebrating Peru’s 203º Independence Day.
When: July 27th – July 28th, 2024
Where: Yonge & Dundas
Toronto Food Truck Festival 2024
Woodbine Park has never tasted this delicious before. Back for another year, The Toronto Food Truck Festival is serving up some real must-eats! As always, admission is free and there’s something for everyone, including Free Children’s Games. Entertain yourself with some of Toronto’s best local talent, participate in their live-eating challenges and enjoy a cold beer!
When: August 2nd – August 5th, 2024
Where: 1695 Queen St. East, Woodbine Park, Toronto
Taco Fest 2024
Toronto’s favourite food festival, Taco Fest is back this summer at a new location, Fort York from August 9th to 11th. The 8th annual fiesta promises to be bigger and better than ever with over 250 different tacos from the best chefs in the city.
In addition to off-menu and limited edition tacos, attendees will enjoy live mariachi bands, salsa dancing lessons, guac school, and tequila and hot sauce bars!
When: August 9th – August 11th, 2024
Where: Historic Fort York
Jerkfest 2024
JerkFest Toronto was born out of nostalgia, to reminisce, connect and create new memories of the islands in a new country outside of those familiar tropical vibes. Today, JerkFest is one of Ontario’s most prominent and hottest summer festivals with a three-day international event celebrating jerk cuisine, music and family entertainment.
When: August 9th – August 11th, 2024
Where: Centennial Park
Toronto Waterfront Night Market 2024
Aged fifteen years to perfection, the Toronto Waterfront Night Market is excited to make its highly anticipated return, bringing the perfect pairing of cultural potency and urban waterfront life. Symbolically designed in celebration of the QiXi Double Seven Festival (Asia’s version of Valentine’s Day).
The 2024 edition of the WNM continues to be anchored by the Signature Pan-Asian Food Festival, Kre8ions Cultural Showcase, and illuminasian Floating Lantern & Music Festival.
When: August 9th – August 11th, 2024
Where: Hotel X Grounds
Canadian Latinfest 2024
Canadian Latin Fest is an event that Celebrates Canada Multiculturalism Day, the rich diversity and heritage of Latin People in Canada. At the festival, people have the opportunity to experience being “Canadian Latin for the Day.”
When: August 11th, 2024
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, Downtown Toronto
Afro-Carib Festival 2024
Join Toronto as we celebrate the culture and diversity of Afro-Caribbean communities and beyond, showcasing cultural heritage through art, music, dance, and food. The event will engage audiences with live exciting performances and fun-filled, interactive activities that the entire family can enjoy.
When: August 24th – August 25th, 2024
Where: Thomson Memorial Park
Toronto Korean Festival 2024
The Toronto Korean Festival is the biggest Korean festival in Canada and the largest and most anticipated gathering in North York. Experience the pinnacle of Korean culture at Mel Lastman Square.
Date: August 23rd – August 25th, 2024
Location: Mel Lastman Square
Taste of North York 2024
This three day cultural festival celebrated everything that makes North York such a special place to live. There will be delicious food, live entertainment and representation from dozens of local organizations!
Date: September 6th – September 8th, 2024
Location: Mel Lastman Square
Taste of the Kingsway 2024
These are three unforgettable days of food, music, family entertainment, contests, and shows at South Etobicoke’s largest street festival!
Date: September 6th – September 8th, 2024
Location: Bloor St. West from Prince Edward Drive to Montgomery Road, Toronto
Asialicious Carnival 2024
The three day weekend Asialicious Carnival, started in 2019, has become an annual attraction celebrating multiculturalism in a fun-filled and entertaining fashion at Woodside Square in Scarborough North. Showcasing diverse Asian culture and heritage through a variety of performances and ethnic foods.
Date: September 6th – September 8th, 2024
Location: Woodside Square
Vegandale Fest 2024
This is the largest vegan experience in North America! Find 120+ vendors from around the globe offering vegan eats, whether it’s your lifestyle or you’re looking for a fun, new plant-based event to explore.
Date: September 7th, 2024
Location: Woodbine Park
Trinbago 2024
After bursting onto the Toronto summer festival scene in 2022 with an extraordinary 18,000 visitors, the Trinbago Toronto Festival is back for its second edition.
This year, there’ll be even more vendors serving Trinidad and Tobago cuisine, more epic cultural performances on stage, and special booths from various sponsors and partners, including Visit Trinidad and Visit Tobago—with a chance to win a trip to Trinidad and Tobago and other great prizes!
Date: September 7th – September 8th, 2024
Location: Nathan Phillips Square, Downtown Toronto
Toronto Ukrainian Festival 2024
The Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival welcomes you to come and enjoy everything the Ukrainian culture has to offer. Discover Ukrainian culture in Canada and share the Ukrainian spirit at North America’s largest Ukrainian Street Festival.
Date: September 13th – September 15h, 2024
Location: Bloor West Village
Roncesvalles Polish Festival 2024
Celebrate Roncesvalles Village, and the unique heritage of the neighbourhood. Coming this September and building on the long history of the Roncesvalles Polish Festival, find fan favourites like Polka and pierogis, plus a new conjunction with a fresh focus to celebrate a broader range of local artists, musicians and, of course, food.
Date: September 14th – September 15th, 2024
Location: Roncesvalles, Downtown Toronto
Did we miss any? Catch us up at info@itsdatenight.com and browse all the Toronto date ideas here!
