The top 50 summer festivals in Toronto for 2017
Summer festivals in Toronto will keep you busy all season long with a dizzying array of food events, block parties, massive music gatherings, and more in every corner of the city. Have fun exploring and taking it all in!
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Must attend summer festivals
DateAbout the EventLocation-
July 1 - September 4With a party every weekend featuring international DJs and food vendors, this fest will happen at Woodbine Park while we wait for the Island to re-open.Woodbine Park
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June 1-25Pride Toronto's main weekend is June 23-25, but there are also events all month long beginning on June 1 with parties and human rights panels.Multiple Venues
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June 8-28All films shown at the Japanese Film Fest have been recognized by Japanese audiences and critics, international film festivals and the Japanese Film Academy.Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre
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June 23 - July 2Joss Stone, Gregory Porter, Mavis Staples and Aretha Franklin headline the city-wide jazz fest happening in some of the best sounding venues in Toronto.Multiple Venues
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June 23-24Celebrate independent craft brewers with an impressively wide variety of local craft beers and ciders, as well as delicious food, fun activities and live music.Ontario Place
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June 23-25Head to Markham for two-days of non-stop food and action.Kennedy Road
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June 23-24Feel the power of summer at this laid back, positive music and cultural fest featuring international and Canadian music, dance, spoken word, visual arts and culinary artists.Mississauga Celebration Square
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June 24Usher in the new season with a full day of music, art, outdoor patios and shopping.THE JUNCTION
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June 25 - September 24On the last Sunday of the month, the streets of Kensington Market are car-free. Expect performers, food vendors, makers, dance parties and endless surprises happening all day in the market.Kensington Market
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June 27 - August 29Make sure to get your tickets in advance for these movie nights under the stars as they're busy, boozy and laid back nights of fun.99 Sudbury
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June 30 - July 3Celebrate the heritage, culture and traditions of Ontario through music on multiple stages, interactive exhibits and food and drink vendors, spread out all around Ontario Place.Ontario Place
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June 30 - July 3This is a four-day celebration in a park, surrounded by the best rib makers in all the land. Also expect lots of live shows and entertainment.Centennial Park
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July 1-3Visit HTO Park to see the world's largest rubber duck, visit over 75 crafters, artists, bakers and creators and see a Lumberjack show and massive navy ships.Sherbourne Commons
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July 5-16See various types of theatrical work on multiple stages at all hours of the day and night. There's also a huge free outdoor party space.Multiple Venues
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July 7-8Above & Beyond, DVBBS and Steve Angello headline the newly named Dreams Festival. It's two days of larger-than-life dance music.Echo Beach
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July 7-23Summerlicious is one of Toronto's favourite culinary celebrations. For two weeks in July, savour delicious three-course prix fixe menus served by more than 200 of Toronto’s top restaurants.Multiple Venues
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July 7-9Scarborough’s largest street festival boasts the most enticing flavours from every cultural community in the GTA. Visit 130 street vendors, midway rides and two music stages.Lawrence Ave. E.
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July 7-30This summer jazz fest takes over the street, pubs, bars, restaurants and parks of the Beaches.The Beach
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July 8-9The 13th annual Salsa on St. Clair is a free weekend celebration that attracts hundreds of thousands of salsa lovers for non stop dancing and singing in the streets.St. Clair Avenue West
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July 8-9For one weekend only, the city's most creative people gather together to share their latest creations, demonstrate their newest projects and make things together at this free fest.Toronto Reference Library
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July 9Celebrate Turkish culture in downtown Toronto with folk dance, food and live music. Admission is free.Dundas square
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July 9This is a one day celebration of multiculturalism with international and local performances, buskers and over 60 vendors.Albion Road and Islington Ave
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July 13 - August 5This festival features renowned Canadian and international artists in 26 main stage concerts, masterclasses, free shows, lectures, and workshops.Koerner Hall, Walter Hall, and Church of the Redeemer
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July 13-16See and experience emergent, critical and experimental new media in the city. It will feature instalments and exhibits from world-renowned tech minds, screenings and online components.9 Ossington Avenue
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July 13-15The ninth annual Unity Festival returns with visual art, spoken word, breakdancing and beatboxing by local youth and international artists.
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July 13Throw back some local brews in Liberty Village at this pay-as-you-go festival. There'll also be live music, snacks, food vendors and summer heat.Liberty Village Market Galleria
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July 15-16The Festival of India brings South Asian culture to the heart of downtown with 40-foot tall floats in a grand parade. There'll be drumming, singing, and dancing all the way from Bloor to Queens Quay.Sherbourne Common
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July 20-23This is sizzling four-day extravaganza of performances and parties with a cast of innovative artists from all across the globe.Multiple Venues
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July 22-23Toronto’s Big on Bloor Festival has expanded its programming this year between Dufferin and Lansdowne for a celebratory car-free weekend. Art institutions, collectives, galleries and artists take to the streets.Bloor Street West
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July 27-30Tirgan is a non-profit, non-religious and non-partisan cultural celebration for Iranian-Canadians with four days of music, dance, food, discussions and historical programming.Harbourfront Centre
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August 3-13This festival features the city's brightest up-and-coming theatrical talent in all sorts of venues around Toronto. There's also a concert series and some great parties.Multiple Venues
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August 4-7Spend four days trying out the more than 50 food trucks at this fest with a licensed green space, live music and eating challenges.Woodbine Park
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August 4-7Enjoy and explore all forms of artistic expression with a focus on Ontario and newcomer artists in music, theatre, dance and more.Ontario Place
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August 10-13What began as a small Kensington Market BBQ has grown into a vibrant and contemporary arts, culture and food festival. Celebration Filipino Canadians, the three day festival focuses on food, fashion and arts.Daniels Spectrum
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August 11-13The Night Market has transformed into a massive indoor and outdoor event at the Hearn Generating Station.Hearn Generating Station
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August 11-13Taste of the Danforth is Canada’s largest street festival, welcoming approximately 1.65 million attendees annually. Expect endless activities, performers and of course, so. much. food.Greek Town
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August 19Try meat-free comfort food, craft brews, wine and spirits from 100 vegan vendors. There'll be more than just food at this relaxing festival in the grassy fields of Fort York.Fort York National Historic Site
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August 25-27Billed as a "cultural tango with Hong Kong" this fest at the Harbourfront is free to enter. It'll blend food vendors and cultural programming.Harbourfront Centre
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August 26This waterfront cider celebration at Sherbourne Common (near Sugar Beach) showcases cider paired with food, live entertainment and local Canadian talent. You'll taste 60 different ciders from Canada and around the world.Sherbourne Common
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August 26The Leslieville Beer Festival shuts down Dundas Street East from Logan Ave to Carlaw Ave for a good old fashion neighbourhood street party. Tickets are $20 and that includes three beer tokens and a beer mug.Dundas Street East
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August 31 - September 3Meet your heroes, attend celebrity guest panels, lineup for autograph sessions and cosplay here.Metro Toronto Convention Centre
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September 1-4Comedians, musicians, magicians, fire jugglers, acrobats, aerial artists, clowns, daredevils and many more gather for four days of goofy and impressive entertainment.Woodbine Park
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September 7-17The city feels electric with an endless list of world premieres, celebrities and parties at this annual event.TIFF Bell Lightbox
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September 16-17Catch live Polish music, polka and Euro dance bands on multiple stages and food from over 40 restaurants.Roncesvalles Ave
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September 17Taste delicious garlic-themed dishes paired with Ontario craft beer and wine from 20 chefs. Meet farmers, check out cooking demos, contests and workshops. There's also screenings and live music, but don't forget mints.Artscpape Wychwood Barns
Lead photo byJesse Milns at Dreams Festival
Lead photo byJesse Milns at Dreams Festival
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