Toronto, the city of cultural hotbed and endless culinary options. There is something for everyone in this amazing city. Oh, did I mention that the city’s view is so beautiful, it serves as an inspiration for one of Drake’s album? Other than the beautiful view, the city’s other main attractions are the many different types of festivals available here. From food to culture, to drinks, to animals - the themes of these festivals are so diverse! To help you decide which festivals to experience, here is a list of must-see festivals in this city. So, make sure to time your trip to coincide with one of these popular festivals in Toronto, Canada, and watch yourself fall in love with this city even more!
1. Toronto Garlic Festival
Only at Toronto Garlic Festival, garlic receives so much appreciation and adoration. At this family-friendly festival, you will find local farmers proudly displaying their finest garlic harvests and participating vendors, garlic themed food, and even black garlic beer. However those aren’t the only things sold in this market, for there are also other products such as craft beers, and garlic themed items. There are plenty of things to do here, like enjoying the live music, watch movie screening, take a free garlic shot, attend educational talks, watch cooking demos, and even join a virtual reality tour of an Ontario farm through VR goggles.
Toronto Garlic Festival
Address: 601 Christie St, Toronto, ON M6G 4C7
Website: Toronto Garlic Festival
Takes place: October to November
2. TD Toronto Jazz Festival [Last event in 2019]
This festival which lasts for 10 days has seen some international jazz artists performing on its stage. It first started in 1987 and has been going strong on ever since. TD Toronto Jazz Festival has earned a reputation as one of the best jazz festivals in North America. The festival offers a combination of gratis and paid shows all around the city. There are different styles of jazz played in this festival, from unorthodox to old-school jazz - they are all equally euphonious! Check out their website for the location of the festival as it changes from time to time. Make sure to include this festival on your summer vacation list!
TD Toronto Jazz Festival
Address: 147 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 1N2
Website: TD Toronto Jazz Festival
Takes Place: June
3. Veg Food Fest
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
You don’t have to be a vegetarian to love this festival, but if you are then this place is totally for you! With more than 160 vendors participating, this festival offers you a once in a lifetime North America vegetarian culinary experience. You can also upgrade your knowledge on the latest cooking trends and tips by attending the workshops and presentations which are held in this festival. The music at Veg Food Fest is also supported by Toronto Downtown Jazz.
Veg Food Fest
Address: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West , Toronto , Ontario , M5J 2G8
Takes Place: Usually held in September
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4. Queen’s Plate Racing Festival
Queen’s Plate Racing Festival is Canada’s oldest annual horse racing competition. What makes this festival flood with thousands of visitors, even by those who aren’t fans of horse racing event? Stylish fashionistas who attend the event are donned in haute couture pieces. Not every day you get to see fashionistas at a horse racing event! Yet, the festivity of the racing event and the beautifully dressed attendees aren’t the only things that attract visitors to this festival, as there are plenty of culinary options at this festival that are also worthy traveling down for.
Queen’s Plate Racing Festival
Address: Woodbine Racetrack, 555 Rexdale Blvd, Toronto
Website: Queen’s Plate Racing Festival
Takes Place: August
Price: From 90 USD
Toronto Tour Guide
Robert G
5. Ukranian Festival
A festival that celebrates the diversity in Toronto, with a special tribute to Ukranian immigrants whose migrations have helped to diversify the city’s culture. The festival showcases many performers and artists from Ukraine and North America. There will also be performances by numerous art groups on the culture of their country on stage. You can expect a lot of political figures as well as local celebrities at this festival.
Ukranian Festival
Address: 2280-2292 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6S 1N9, Canada
Website: Ukranian Festival
Takes Place: September
6. Toronto Cider Festival
Lay back and soak up the good vibes at Toronto Cider Festival. The festival which has received numerous prestigious awards from reputable institutions in Canada is created to bring you the best cider experience you can find in the entire country. Here you can find over dozens of cider companies displaying their best products as well as many kinds of entertainment and contests. The minimum age limit to enter the festival is 19 years old.
Toronto Cider Festival
Address: Shebourne Common Park, 61 Dockside Dr, Toronto, ON M5A 1B6
Website: Toronto Cider Festival
Takes Place: September
Price: From 30 USD
7. Food Truck Festival [Last event in 2019]
An admission-free food festival where all the food is must-eat! This happens only at the Food Truck Festival in Toronto. The wide choice of food offered here is a good sign that there must be something for everyone. If you’re feeling a little adventurous and brave try participating in their live-eating contest! The icing on the cake to the whole culinary experience has to be the live music by local performers.
Food Truck Festival
Address:1695 Queen St E, Toronto, Ontario
Website: Food Truck Festival
Takes Place: August
8. Brazilfest
Come to this festival if you want to see Brazilian and local artists performing live entertainment on stage for 12 hours. The festival which is the biggest of its kind in this city also treats its visitors with a special bar garden that serves their famous selections of drinks such as tropical juices, caipirinha, and many more. Don’t forget to check out performances by musicians from Brazil while you’re there!
Brazilfest
Address: 1200 Lansdowne Ave, Toronto, ON M6E 1C5
Takes Place: July
9. Toronto Ribfest
A few things are better than delicious ribs, good music, and good drinks in one place. That’s what the founders of Toronto Ribfest must’ve thought before deciding to come up with the idea of creating the festival. A good plate of mouthwatering ribs at this festival is the remedy to any bad days. But don’t worry, ribs dishes aren’t the only thing the festival has to offer, there are live entertainment, play zone for kids, and even charity events.
Toronto Ribfest
Address: 256 Centennial Park Rd, Etobicoke, ON M9C 5N3
Website: Toronto Ribfest
Takes Place: July
Price: From 3 USD
10. Open Roof Festival [Last event in 2019]
At Open Roof Festival, you can enjoy indie films and music by local artists while gulping down a glass of quality beer. The festival aims to highlight independent filmmakers and artists from all around the world, but especially from Canada. Rather than offering its visitors with a party-like atmosphere, the festival strives to give its visitors a once-in-a-lifetime visual art experience. Come here with friends or family for an unforgettable night under the twinkling stars.
Open Roof Festival
Address: In front of the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto Canada, 181 Sterling Road, Toronto M6R 2B2
Website: Open Roof Festival
Takes Place: June to August
Great festivals, great experience
The best way to experience Toronto is to blend in with the locals, and where is the best place to do it but at these festivals? To come to those aforementioned festivals is a great way to have a taste of what Toronto has to offer. Take lots of pictures, make good memories here. In fact, it is a sin to leave festivals without having a good time first!
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