Toronto loves warm weather and getting out into it at a festival. Some are held indoors but many more are found outdoors. It seems like you can find a festival for any style: multicultural, intellectual, artistic, sporty and hungry! So, try out a bunch in our Summer Festival Guide for Toronto and the GTA…
Toronto International Storytelling Festival
When: Continuing until June 17, 2024
The Toronto International Storytelling Festival returns this year, once again featuring the Free Family Day with children’s programming.
Stratford Festival
When: Continuing until October 27, 2024
The Stratford Festival returns with Shakespearean classics, musicals, comedies, dramas and family favourites, plus a kids ticket deal.
The Sound of Music Festival
When: June 13-16, 2024
Presented by the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, the Sound of Music Festival is Canada’s largest free outdoor music festival, taking place the week leading up to Father’s Day.
Bloor-Yorkville BIA: Summer Music in the Park
When:  June 14 — September 2, 2024
Bloor-Yorkville BIA presents another season of the Summer Music in the Park music series, taking place throughout the summer in the Village of Yorkville Park.
Markham Village Music Festival
When: June 15-16, 2024
Markham Village Music Festival has outdoor concerts on five stages, plus a Kidz Zone, Barkham pets zone, and food and crafts.
Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival
When: June 15-16, 2024
The Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival welcomes boat racing teams to the Toronto Islands, plus music and cultural performances.
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS)
When: June 19 — August 25, 2024
TOPS returns to its four home parks (Fort York, Christie Pits, Corktown Common and Bell Manor Park) with “On the Job”, a 21-evening festival programme of work-themed films. No advance tickets are required and TOPS screenings are free to attend, made possible by charitable donations.
Harbourfront Centre: Summer Music in the Garden
When: Thursdays and Sundays from June 20 to August 29, 2024
Enjoy the intimate live music experience of Summer Music in the Garden at the Toronto Music Garden by the waterfront. The program features 18 free performances, such as the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Moneka Arabic Jazz and Nichol Robertson’s Country All-Stars.
Liberty Village BIA: Give Me Liberty 2024 Street Party
When:Â June 20, 2024
Inspired by the neighbourhood block parties of years past, Liberty Village BIA hosts its 18th annual free street party called “Give Me Liberty 2024”, which transforms Carpark 181 into a vibrant outdoor patio space.
TD Toronto Jazz Festival
When: June 21-30, 2024
The TD Toronto Jazz Festival returns to light up the city’s music scene once again this summer with 10 days of free and ticketed concerts.
Fairbank Village BIA: Fairbank Summerfest
When: June 21-25, 2024
Fairbank Village BIA hosts the return of Fairbank Summerfest, a free annual street fair including carnival rides, entertainment, international food and a European Bazaar sidewalk sale.
Toronto East Rotary: Toronto BluesFest
When: June 22, 2024
Toronto East Rotary presents Toronto BluesFest, a great day of music and family fun, where you can enjoy great food, craft beer and amazing music, plus a fun play area for the kids.
Woofstock
When: June 22-23, 2024
Woofstock is a quirky and fun two-day doggie festival in Toronto’s Beaches area, featuring hundreds of vendors, contests, entertainment, activities and demonstrations, product launches, a licensed lounge and more.
Harbourfront Centre: Free Flicks
When: Tuesdays from June 25 — August 27, 2024
See 10 free outdoor film screenings at Harbourfront Centre by the lake at all summer, ranging from popular films to favourite old-school classics.
Aga Khan Museum: Rhythms of Canada Festival
When: June 29 – July 1, 2024
Rhythms of Canada Festival celebrates our diverse tapestry at the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre, showcasing local arts and culture with activities for all ages.
Guide to the Best Canada Day Events in Toronto and the GTA
When: July 1, 2024
Celebrate our favourite country in the whole world with parties happening all over the GTA!
Toronto Fringe Festival: KidsFest
When: July 3-14, 2024
Introduce your little ones to the magic of live theatre with Toronto Fringe Festival’s KidsFest, with shows and free activities for kids ages 4-12.
Summerlicious Toronto
When: July 5-21, 2024
The Summerlicious Toronto food event returns for another delicious season, featuring three-course prix fixe menus for both lunch and dinner.
Beaches Jazz Festival
When: July 5-28, 2024
The Beaches Jazz Festival, Toronto’s favourite free music festival, is back featuring over 70 new and returning artists of all genres.
Music Africa: AFROFEST
When: July 5-7, 2024
Hosted by Music Africa, AFROFEST is the largest free African festival in North America, held over three days at Woodbine Park in The Beaches.
TD Salsa in Toronto Festival: Salsa on St. Clair Street Festival
When: July 6-7, 2024
The annual TD Salsa in Toronto Festival celebrates Latin culture and turns Midtown’s St. Clair Avenue West into Canada’s biggest salsa party.
Guild Festival Theatre: Family Fest
When: July 10-14, 2024
Guild Festival Theatre’s Family Fest is a four-day celebration of free live performances, workshops, and activities for audiences of all ages.
Harbourfront Centre: Dancing on the Square
When: Wednesdays from July 10 to August 28, 2024
Watch, participate and be immersed in the infectious rhythm of music and live dance with an eclectic lineup that includes Latin, Bollywood, hip-hop and contemporary dance.
Toronto Summer Music Festival
When: July 11 — August 3, 2024
The Toronto Summer Music Festival is a month-long classical music festival at the University of Toronto’s Walter Hall and other venues around the city.
Jackalope Festival Mississauga
When: July 12-14, 2024
Known for its unique atmosphere, Jackalope is a vibrant three-day extreme sports festival in Mississauga, hosting world-class competitions and demonstrations by world-class skateboarders, breakdancers and boulders.
Carabram Brampton Multicultural Festival
When: July 12-14, 2024
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Carabram is Brampton’s Multicultural Festival, honouring the rich culture, food, crafts, drink and entertainment of its many different ethnic groups.
The Dance Together Festival
When: July 12-14, 2024 (Mimico); September 27-29, 2024 (York Region)
Dancing into Mimico, Vaughan and Richmond Hill, the Dance Together Festival celebrates community through dance workshops, art and live music.
Festival of India
When:Â July 13-14, 2024
The 51st Annual Festival of India features a pre-festival gathering, a parade on Yonge Street and further festivities on Centre Island.
Vaughan Latin Festival
When: July 13, 2024
Enjoy latino culture at the free Vaughan Latin Festival at Mackenzie Glen Park with live performances, delicious food, and dancing.
Canada’s Wonderland: KidZfest
When: July 13-28, 2024
Canada’s Wonderland hosts KidZfest, a party just for kids that’s back for two weeks this year! Meet favourite TV characters and enjoy live shows and entertainment, dance parties, great food and more, all included with park admission.
Neilson Park Creative Festival
When: July 13, 2024
The Neilson Park Creative Centre hosts the free all-ages Neilson Park Creative Festival, featuring outdoor art and fine craft vendors, live music performances, a plein-air painting competition, and food and drink with free parking on-site.
Toronto Caribbean CarnivalÂ
When: July 14 — August 4, 2024
Toronto Caribbean Carnival (FKA Caribana) is a spectacular display of costumes, music and culture, with three weeks worth of events culminating in the Grand Parade on August Long weekend.
MuslimFest Mississauga
When: July 19-21, 2024
MuslimFest heads to Celebration Square in Mississauga for a free festival of vibrant Muslim art, culture, and family entertainment.
Midtown Yonge BIA: Summer Block Party
When: July 20, 2024
Get ready to groove, samba, and feast your senses with Midtown Yonge BIA’s Summer Block Party with bands, DJ, and cuisine.
Alohafest Toronto Â
When: July 20, 2024
Alohafest Toronto is a united celebration of Polynesian culture, with hula performances, a Keiki (Kids’) Corner and Polynesian art.
Gerrard India Bazaar: Festival of South Asia
When: July 20-21, 2024
The annual TD Festival of South Asia closes the Gerrard East neighbourhood to traffic for two full days, with arts and culture, live entertainment, fashion shows and lots of food vendors.
BIG on Bloor Festival
When: July 20-21, 2024
BIG on Bloor Festival returns with an in-person car-free takeover of the Bloordale neighbourhood, on Bloor West from Dufferin to Lansdowne, Â celebrating community, creativity and diversity through arts and culture.
Toronto International Brazil Fest
When: July 20-21, 2024
BrazilFest is a free vibrant celebration of Brazilian culture to experience the country’s captivating rhythms and mouthwatering flavours.
Youth Day 2024
When: July 21, 2024
Youth Day Global, a non-profit organization dedicated to engaging young people, hosts the free family-friendly creative arts festival Youth Day 2023, running all day and evening at Yonge-Dundas Square.
Taste of Vietnam
When: July 25-27, 2024
Taste of Vietnam returns to Nathan Phillips Square, celebrating Trau Cau Wedding traditions along with food and cultural activities.
Asado in Toronto
When: July 26–28, 2024
Experience the best of Argentina on the streets of St. Lawrence Market at Asado in Toronto, a three-day street festival celebrating Argentine grilling culture.
#BollywoodMonster Mashup
When: July 26-27, 2024
Join the party for this year’s #BollywoodMonster Mashup and Food Festival at Mississauga’s Celebration Square, featuring concerts, shopping, a kidzone and more!
Vibrant Brampton Festival
When: July 26-27, 2024
The 9th annual Vibrant Brampton Festival moves to Chinguacousy Park this year, with free outdoor music performances, food and shopping.
Fun Philippines Toronto Food & Music Festival
When: July 26–28, 2024
Fun Philippines Toronto Food & Music Festival is a three-day festival showcasing the best of Filipino culture with street food, music, culture and public art highlighting Filipino artists and cultural groups from Canada and the Philippines.
Ossington BIA: OssFest
When: July 27, 2024
OssFest returns for a free festival and family-friendly pedestrian takeover of the Ossington Strip in Toronto’s west end, with music and wrestling performances.
The Eglinton Way BIA: Dream Wheels on Eglinton
When: July 27, 2024
The Eglinton Way BIA hosts Dream Wheels on Eglinton, a free vintage car and bike show and street festival with a full day of entertainment and kids activities.
Canadian Multicultural Peruvian FestÂ
When: July 27-28, 2024
Canadian Multicultural Peruvian Fest invites families to embrace their culture through food, performance, dance, arts and shopping at Yonge-Dundas Square.
Scarborough Folk Fest
When: July 27-28, 2024
Scarborough Folk Fest celebrates its multiculturalism with a free a weekend filled with soul-stirring performances by artists from across the globe and from various backgrounds.
Guild Alive with Culture Arts Festival
When: July 27-28, 2024
A free outdoor festival for all ages, the 17th Annual Guild Alive with Culture Arts Festival celebrates arts, culture, and the community of Scarborough, featuring local artisan vendors, live music and entertainment, plus families can also enjoy fun activities.
Harbourfront Centre: Island Soul Festival
When: August 1-5, 2024
Over the August Long Weekend, things will get hot at Harbourfront Centre with the 26th edition of Island Soul! Soak up the Caribbean flavour through a unique blend of music, film, food, comedy, multidisciplinary arts and cultural activities.
Toronto Food Truck Festival
When: August 2-5, 2024
Head to Woodbine Park to stuff your faces with an array of international food at the Toronto Food Truck Festival on August Long Weekend.
TD Mosaic Festival — South Asian Festival of Mississauga
When: August 2-4, 2024
TD Mosaic Festival is a free two-day outdoor festival, celebrating the rich art, culture and cuisine of South Asian Canadians, with free concerts, children’s arts & crafts workshops, and more.
Toronto Diversity Festival
When: August 3-4, 2024
The Toronto Diversity Festival promotes our region’s rich diverse culture by showcasing foods, performances, children’s activities and more.
Toronto Patty Fest
When: August 3, 2024
Afro Caribbean Farmers’ Market presents Toronto Patty Fest, where patty makers from across the GTA showcase their spin on this nostalgic Caribbean snack food.
Taste of India
When: August 3-4, 2024
Taste of India is a diverse exhibition of culinary delights at Nathan Phillips Square, plus an arts festival with multicultural performances.
Dusk Dances
When: August 4-11, 2024
The long-standing pay-what-you-can outdoor dance festival Dusk Dances returns to Withrow Park, bringing dance to public parks as dusk descends.
WAYO Children’s Festival
When: August 7-11, 2024
The 5th Annual WAYO Children’s Festival features dance, music, storytelling, theatre, and crafts, set in the heart of Toronto’s historic St. Lawrence Neighbourhood.
University Settlement: Grange Festival
When: August 9, 2024
University Settlement hosts the free Grange Festival downtown at Grange Park, with live entertainment, face painting, kids’ games, and more!
Halal Ribfest GTA
When: August 9-11, 2024
Halal Ribfest GTA is a tasty celebration of multicultural diversity through an authentic halal food experience, plus a kids zone and more.
Mississauga Latin Festival
When: August 9-11, 2024
Mississauga Latin Festival celebrates with free concerts and a spectacular parade, large children’s area, and more than 90 vendors.
Harbourfront Centre: Habari Africa
When: August 9-11, 2024
Habari Africa is a weekend of exploration and engagement that celebrates Africa’s rich and diverse culture, including live music, films, art exhibitions and dance workshops led by both Canadian and international artists.
JerkFest Toronto
When: August 9-11, 2024
JerkFest Toronto returns to Etobicoke for a memorable family affair with tantalizing Caribbean jerk cuisine and the buzz of live music.
Korea Town BIA: Korea Town Street Festival
When:Â August 10, 2024
Korea Town BIA hosts the first-ever Korea Town Street Festival, a free day of family-friendly activities, cultural immersion, delicious food, and unforgettable performances.
Humber Bay Shores Annual Waterfront Festival
When: August 10, 2024
The Humber Bay Shores Annual Waterfront Festival returns to the shores of Etobicoke, with a farmers’ market, artisans, local performers and a Kids Zone.
Harbourfront Centre: Dancing on the Square
When: August 15-18, 2024
This energetic festival returns, with leading global artists displaying the development of Canadian excellence in tap, including workshops, shows, free nightly jams and more!
Markham Jazz Festival
When: August 16-18, 2024
Check out some free world-class jazz performances at Markham Jazz Festival in the quaint and historic village of Unionville.
York Eglinton BIA: Rastafest
When: August 16-17, 2024
York Eglinton BIA hosts Rastafest, a free festival celebrating Jamaican culture and music, with DJs and performers plus kids activities.
Crossroads of the Danforth BIA: Wheels on the Danforth
When: August 17, 2024
Wheels on the Danforth is back with a car show including hundreds of classic cars, plus food vendors, kid’s zone, buskers, live bands and DJs.
Toronto Chinatown Festival
When: August 17-18, 2024
Toronto Chinatown Festival returns this year with a free two-day program of cultural performances, street eats, family activities and more!
Japan Festival Canada
When: August 17-18, 2024
Experience Japan’s rich culture at Japan Festival Canada at Celebration Square in Mississauga, promoting Japanese food, culture and technology.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA): Butterfly Festival
When: August 17, 2024
The free TRCA Butterfly Festival at Tommy Thompson Park celebrates these iconic insects with guided walks, kid-friendly activities, and more!
Island Eats Food Festival
When: August 17-18, 2024
Island Eats Food Festival is a new two-day event that delivers relaxing island vibes with a dazzling array of fun activities and entertainment for the whole family.
Taste of Manila 2024
When: August 17-18, 2024
Taste of Manila celebrates its 11th year, turning North York’s Little Manila area into an epic street party with food, vendors and live performances.
FAN EXPO Canada
When:Â August 22-25, 2024
The largest comics, sci-fi, anime and gaming event in the country, the four-day pop culture convention FAN EXPO Canada celebrates all things fandom, including family-friendly attractions, events, and world-renowned celebrities.
Mississauga Italfest
When: August 23-24, 2024
Mississauga Italfest is a free festival highlighting the tastes and fun experiences of Italy, with food, music, games and family activities.
Toronto Korean Festival
When: August 23-25, 2024
The Toronto Korean Festival is the biggest Korean festival in Canada where guests of all ages can enjoy traditional foods, music performances, market vendors, and fun games.
Harbourfront Centre: TAIWANfest TorontoÂ
When: August 23-25, 2024
Immerse yourself in the sounds and sights of arts and culture at TAIWANfest Toronto with live performances, music, film, art, food and more.
Toronto Zoo and Moksha Canada Foundation: 2nd Annual Multicultural Festival
When: August 23-25, 2024
The Toronto Zoo and Moksha Canada Foundation hosts the 2nd Annual Multicultural Festival, promoting our region’s rich diverse cultures through food, performances and shopping.
Haute Goat Farm: Goatchella
When: August 24, 2024
Haute Goat Farm hosts the one-day farm festival Goatchella to celebrate community with local talent and food, and plenty of adorable animals!
Yorkville Murals
When: August 24-25, 2024
Yorkville Murals transforms the upscale neighbourhood into a huge canvas with a free outdoor festival, celebrating public art with cultural events.
It’s OK* World Festival
When: August 24-25, 2024
The It’s OK* World Festival features music, art, tasty foods and cold drinks, transforming Ontario Place’s Trillium Park into a vibrant hub.
Afro Carib Fest
When: August 24-25, 2024
Afro Carib Fest is a free fun-filled weekend for the entire family, including live performances, a cultural parade, kids zone and much more.
Ashkenaz Festival 2024
When: August 27 — September 2, 2024
The Ashkenaz Festival celebrates Jewish musical and artistic creativity from across the globe, featuring everything from klezmer and Yiddish styles to Sephardic, Mizrachi, and Falasha music, and much more.
Toronto Dragon Festival
When: August 30 — September 1, 2024
The free and family-friendly Toronto Dragon Festival returns to Nathan Phillips Square with lion and dragon dances, a light show, food and vendors.
Toronto International BuskerFest for Epilepsy
When: August 30 – September 2, 2024
The Toronto International BuskerFest for Epilepsy is back this Labour Day Weekend at Woodbine Beach Park, marking the end of summer in Toronto with a festival that’s spontaneous, outrageous, fun, funny, and fabulous!
Bark in the Park TO
When: August 30 — September 2, 2024
Bark in the Park TO is a long weekend filled with wagging tails, celebrating of all things canine, with vendors, activities, shows and food.
T.U. Jazz Fest
When: August 30 — September 2, 2024
Swing to the rhythm of the 10th annual T.U. Jazz Fest, the biggest free jazz festival for emerging musicians in Canada, taking place at Mel Lastman Square over Labour Day weekend.
Guide to Spring and Summer Food Festivals in Toronto and the GTA
Food festivals have become extremely popular in recent years in our neck of the woods and what better way to share our city’s many cultures than through a delicious party?! Take a bite of our Guide to Spring and Summer Food Festivals in Toronto and the GTA.
Guide to the Best Summer Outdoor Shows in Toronto and the GTA
With concerts, buskers and plays, enjoy the fresh air and give a round of applause to our Guide to the Best Summer Outdoor Shows in Toronto and the GTA!
Looking for more ideas for Summer Outdoor activities? Check them out here!
