Hello all,
If you are like me and enjoy completely disregarding your fitness goals during summer – this list is for you. Also, if you do the whole ‘cutesy dates’ thing, I would suggest this list.
It is really time for the greatest thing ever in Toronto, our summer! There is food, food and more food galore. There is an insane amount of food festivals and events to do with eating and/or drinking (or both?). I attempted to make this blog post as simple and as accessible as possible, I hope you enjoy. They are all listed in chronological order so you can organize your weekends accordingly.
If there’s any food fest I forgot, feel free to add it in the comments so other people can take advantage and see it!
Poutinefest
Date: Thursday, May 24th – Sunday, May 27th
Location: Yonge-Dundas Square, Downtown Toronto
Tickets: Free
Website: Click Here
Notes: I didn’t even know this was a thing, might roll still.
Brunch Fest
Date: Friday, June 1st – Sunday, June 3rd
Location: 99 Sudbury, Downtown Toronto
Tickets: $7.95 (entry only)
Website: Click Here
Notes: Make absolutely sure you go by the Lisa Marie booth when you go! They had some delicious food last year. Also, I think we got a free beer when we walked in? WINNING. Very sad to be missing it this year.
Mac and Cheese Fest
Date: Friday, June 8th – Sunday, June 10th
Location: Milton Fairgrounds, Milton
Tickets: $7-$10 online, $15 at door (entry only)
Website: Click Here
Notes: I’m low key upset it is no longer downtown, but happy that it got so big it HAD to move. I guess.
Foodalicious
Date: Saturday, June 9th – Sunday, June 10th
Location: Downsview Park, Toronto
Tickets: $8 regular, $50 family pass, $25 VIP (entry only)
Website: Click Here
Notes: I had never actually heard of this event until I did this blog post, looks like there’s lots of activities and a variety of food vendors. Family friendly.
Taco Fest
Date: Friday, June 15th – Sunday, June 17th
Location: Ontario Place, West Island, Toronto
Tickets: $9.95 – $14.95 (entry only)
Website: Click Here
Notes: I’m looking forward to going again this year. Be smarter than me and bring an umbrella if it even says 10% chance of rain, got caught in that last year at Taco Fest and it sucked. Make sure to go in a group and share tickets so you spend less time collectively in lines and more time eating!
Taste of Little Italy
Date: Friday, June 15th – Sunday, June 17th
Location: College Street, Downtown Toronto
Tickets: Free
Website: Click Here
Notes: Definitely trying to roll to this, I love cannoli almost as much as I love breathing.
Taste of Asia
Date: Saturday, June 23rd – Sunday, June 24th
Location: Kennedy Road just North of Steeles Avenue East, Markham
Tickets: Free
Website: Click Here
Notes: Canada’s largest Asian festival.
Rib Fest
Date: Friday, June 29th – Sunday, July 2nd
Location: 256 Centennial Park Road, Etobicoke
Tickets: Free (or $3 donation), $18 Basic VIP, $47 VIP
Website: Click Here
Notes: I realize there’s a bunch of these all over the GTA – if you go look for your specific city I’m almost 100% you probably will find one coming closer to you.
Taste of Lawrence
Date: Friday, July 6th – Sunday, July 8th
Location: Lawrence Ave. E. from Warden Ave. to Birchmount Rd., Scarborough
Tickets: Free
Website: Click Here
Notes: You know….I’ve never attended this and I always hear great things about the food. This might have to be the year!
Salsa on St. Clair
Date: Saturday, July 7th – Sunday, July 8th
Location: St. Clair Avenue West between Winona and Christie, Downtown Toronto
Tickets: Free
Website: Click Here
Notes: Pretty pathetic I’ve lived in Toronto almost eight years and was always working during this. Might have to be the year to finally attend this and get my dance on, with food in my hand.
Night It Up!
Date: Friday, July 13th – Sunday, July 15th
Location: Markham Civic Centre, Markham
Tickets: Free
Website: Click Here
Notes: A showcase of Asian street foods styled like the night markets in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Pizza Fest
Date: Friday, July 20th – Sunday, July 22nd
Location: Ontario Place, Toronto
Tickets: $7.95 (entry only)
Website: Click Here
Notes: ARE YOU DUMB? I love pizza. Have to go.
Beer Fest
Date: Thursday, July 26th – Sunday, July 29th
Location: Bandshell Park, Exhibition Place, Toronto
Tickets: $40-$60 for the times that aren’t sold out already (5 beer sampling tokens included)
Website: Click Here
Notes: I had a really good time last year and bought tickets to go again this year. The headline performer was Method Man in 2017, this year it is Ludacris. Depending on which night you go, there’s someone different performing.
Harold’s Fish Festival
Date: Friday, July 27th – Sunday, July 29th
Location: West Island at Ontario Place, Toronto
Tickets: $9 (entry only)
Website: Click Here
Notes: Another event I hadn’t heard of until I did this blog post, shame. I love seafood. The event says that it is a fusion of fish and seafood dishes with a perfect blend of wines, beers and Signature cocktails, bringing you a fish event like no other. Down!
Food Truck Festival
Date: Friday, August 3rd – Sunday, August 6th
Location: Woodbine Park, Toronto
Tickets: Free
Website: Click Here
Notes: If you check the website, there are other dates for other locations around the GTA. I really like attending food truck fest because I love food that is handheld and innovative. Sad I haven’t been in two years. Fail.
Taste of the Middle East
Date: Saturday, August 4th
Location: Yonge-Dundas Square, Downtown Toronto
Tickets: Free
Website: Click Here
Notes: Not only are we spoiled with Caribana being this weekend (and the next event, Taste of India) but it is also downtown? Send me all the shawarmas. My belly is ready.
Taste of India
Date: Sunday, August 5th
Location: Nathan Philips Square, Downtown Toronto
Tickets: Free
Website: Click Here
Notes: See post above this, change shawarma to roti and channa. Ok thanks.
Jerkfest
Date: Thursday, August 9th – Sunday August 12th
Location: Centennial Park, Base of the Ski Hill, Etobicoke
Tickets: $10 (entry only)
Website: Click Here
Note: A freaking staple in Toronto. Must-attend. You can eat your face off at this event because you finished playing mas at Caribana the weekend before, bye bye costume body. There is always awesome performances as well as I think I read there is a domino tournament where you can win up to $500. Bet you won’t yell PASS!
Waterfront Night Market
Date: Friday, August 10th – Sunday, August 12th
Location: I guess, a waterfront? No info yet.
Tickets: Free
Website: Click Here
Notes: My friend Martha said this is good, we have to trust her.
Taste of the Danforth
Date: Friday, August 10th – Sunday, August 12th
Location: Danforth Avenue from Broadview to Jones Avenue, Toronto
Tickets: Free
Website: Click Here
Notes: I attend this literally every year. Love it. It can get very crowded and busy, but in my experience the lines move pretty quickly for food.
Vegandale Fest
Date: Saturday, August 11th – Sunday, August 12th
Location: Fort York, Garrison Common, Toronto
Tickets: $10-$15 (entry only)
Website: Click Here
Notes: Had to include something for the hippies.
Sweetery
Date: Saturday, August 11th – Sunday, August 12th
Location: David Pecaut Square, Downtown Toronto
Tickets: Free
Website: Click Here
Notes: All things sweet. MmMmmmmm…. sugar.
Beer, Bourbon & BBQ
Date: Friday, August 24th – Sunday, August 26th
Location: Ontario Place, Toronto
Tickets: Out on July 5th, expect the $10-$15 range for entry only
Website: Click Here
Notes: Same people who give you Taco and Brunch fest do this event, if you like BBQ, it’s a go.
Panamerican Food and Music Festival
Date: Saturday, August 25th – Sunday, August 26th
Location: Yonge-Dundas Square, Downtown Toronto
Tickets: Free
Website: Click Here
Notes: I bet I have attended this and didn’t even know it. Downtown food is all the time food ok? Looks like there’s going to be some great food and great music at this.
I would also like to give a special mention to these events, although not ‘food events‘ – they got some great food AT the events:
Pride Toronto (June 22nd – June 24th) – Click Here
Afrofest (July 7th – July 8th) – Click Here
Caribana (August 2nd – August 6th) – Click Here
CNE (August 17th – September 3rd) – Click Here
Busker Fest (August 31st – September 3rd) – Click Here
Happy eating 🙂
– Mirna