If you’re planning a trip to Toronto this summer or you’re a Torontonian looking for things to do, we’ve rounded up every notable event taking place that you won’t want to miss.
From food and drink festivals to outdoor concerts, art exhibits, and a month long pride celebration, there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy from May to September.
And don’t stress if you’ve missed a few already because there’s plenty of amazing events still coming.
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Voyage into a Sacred Harbour
Date: May 5th – June 9th at 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
Where: Berenson Fine Art
Photographer and former Principal Dancer of The National Ballet of Canada Aleksandar Antonijevic will be unveiling his third original body of work: Voyage into a Sacred Harbour, a collection of 20 photographic nude sculptures of dancers.
Photo – Aleksandar Antonijevic
Village Juicery DIY Kombucha Workshop
Date: May 12th from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Where: Village Juicery – 99 Roncesvalles Ave
Village Juicery is hosting its first ever Fermentation Workshop and guests will be given everything they need to brew their first batch of Kombucha. The workshop will be led by Village Juicery holistic nutritionist Cara Cipolla and guests will learn what Kombucha is, the history and health benefits of the living beverage, and of course take home their in-progress fermented beverage.
JessGo’s New Gallery Space
Date: May 14th at 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: Jessica Gorlicky Designs – 660 Caledonia Road, Unit 105
Jessica Gorlicky – better known as JessGo – will be unveiling her new gallery space and her ability to turn art into a spectacle with a live painting performance in the afternoon. Open to art fanatics and the general public.
Electric Island
Date: May 23rd, July 1st, August 1st, September 4th and 5th.
Where: Toronto Island
The most anticipated underground concert and picnic series is back for its fourth season and is welcoming music lovers to come and celebrate summer and the end of every long weekend with live music and an epic day party on Toronto Island.
Photo – DERINKUYU
CraveTo
Date: May 27th
Where: The Burroughes Building
CraveTO celebrates Toronto’s dining movement by highlighting the best street food and craft beer the city has to offer. There will be plenty of local DJs spinning the best summer tracks to keep the party going from morning to night.
Toronto Pride Month
Date: June 1st – July 3rd
Where: Events throughout the city
Canada’s first ever Pride Month will launch on June 1st and feature extended programming and provocative events throughout the city, culminating with the 10-day Pride festival June 24 – July 3. Pride Month will begin with its inaugural city proclamation and the raising of the rainbow flag at Toronto City Hall.
Powerball
Date: June 2nd
Where: The Power Plant
Indulge yourself in an evening of art and desire while surrounded by immersive art installations, performances, cocktails and more – all in support of the ambitious exhibitions and programming at The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery. This year The Power Plant is teaming up with fashion house Max Mara for Power Ball XVIII: Pleasure Principle.
Mac and Cheese Festival
Date: June 3rd – 5th
Where: Ontario Place
A team of the best chefs in the 6ix will be serving up Canada’s favourite comfort food for this un-missable food event. Aside from all the cheesy goodness you can expect to find, there will also be a wide selection of craft beer and cider available as well as an outdoor cinema under the stars, a carnival with a huge ferris wheel, tasty food trucks, an artisanal market, and a cooking stage by Dairy Farmers of Canada and Metro.
Dundas International Busker Festival
Date: June 3rd – 5th
Where: Dundas Square
Watch some of the best tumblers, jugglers, magicians, and more perform on the streets of downtown Dundas. Check the event website to see who will be performing.
Toronto Craft Brew Cruise
Date: June 4th
Where: Aboard The River Gambler on the harbourfront
Beer and boat cruises go hand-in-hand. Which is why there’s no better way to spend June 4th but aboard one of the largest ships in the local harbour. There will be two sailings available, each running for a three-hour tour around the harbourfront. Aboard you’ll have access to some of the best local craft brewers and their tasty brews.
Field Trip
Date: June 4th – 5th
Where: Fort York and Garrison Common
The latest edition of the Field Trip festival features an all-star lineup of Robyn, July Talk, Dear Rouge, The National and more. For two days you can check out not only world-class music, but the latest food, art, comedy, fashion and technology.
Ontario Craft Beer Week
Date: June 10th – 19th
Where: Throughout the city
This week celebrates local breweries and the special brands of beer that can only be found in Ontario. Hosted by Ontario Craft Brewers, Ontario Craft Beer Week promises over 150 events in over 50 different Toronto communities with over thirty different breweries represented. If you’re a craft beer buff, this is a festival you won’t want to miss.
Bestival
Date: June 11th – 12th
Where: Woodbine Park
The Canadian spin-off of the renowned British music festival returns for its second summer in Toronto with Tame Impala, ODESZA, Jamie xx, Porter Robinson, The Cure, Grimes, and Daughter headlining. One day passes are available this year for those who can’t make it to the full festival.
NXNE
Date: June 15th – 19th
Where: Events throughout the city
NXNE showcases the best new music and film by a variety of independent creators and producers. Take in a variety of music and films during the annual NXNE festival when it rocks the heart of downtown Toronto.
All Star Gala
Date: June 17th
Where: Arcadian Court
This glamorous semi-formal night invites party-goers to mingle with past and present pro athletes from the NHL, NBA, CFL, MLS and MLB, including this year’s athlete ambassadors, Toronto Maple Leafs centreman Peter Holland, and Montreal Canadiens defencemen PK Subban. Tickets start at $125 per person with all proceeds going to SickKids and the Montreal Children’s Hospital.
Taco Fest
Date: June 17th – 19th
Where: 99 Sudbury
This is Toronto’s first (and hopefully not last) taco festival showcasing authentic Mexican street food from some of the city’s most prominent chefs and vendors. Taco aficionados can sample some of Toronto’s top tacos, margaritas, and sangria from the in-house bar, enjoy nacho and salsa samplings, as well as indulge in Mexican street corn and churros.
Annex Festival on Bloor
Date: June 26th
Where: The Annex
The annual Annex Festival on Bloor stretches from Bathurst to Spadina with lots of live music, buskers, food vendors, and a number of other fun attractions.
Toronto Rib Fest
Date: June 30th – July 3rd
Where: Centennial Park
Meat lovers, rejoice! One of the highlights of summer is the sweet smell of BBQ. Make your way to Etobicoke’s Centennial Park to try some of the best meat and ribs in Toronto.
Canada Day
Date: July 1st
Where: Mel Lastman Square
Come join Toronto as it celebrates Canada’s birthday with live music, performances, activities, and an incredible fireworks display.
Bud Light Digital Dreams
Date: July 2nd – 3rd
Where: Flats at Ontario Place
Grab your crew, get your passes, and get ready for the party of a lifetime. This year’s festival is headlined by Above & Beyond, Armin Van Buuren, Axwell Ingrosso, Bassnectar, Borgore, Danny Tenaglia, Knife Party, Pendulum, and Umek.
Queen’s Plate
Date:July 3rd
Where:Woodbine Racetrack
Woodbine Racetrack hosts the Queen’s Plate, the first jewel in Canada’s Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, and the longest continuously run stakes race in North America. Hedley and Matthew Good will be performing throughout the day.
Caribana
Date: July 5th – 31st
Where: Events throughout the city
Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival (formerly Caribana) hits the streets and stages of Toronto, featuring events that celebrate the music, cuisine and arts of the Caribbean.
Summerlicious
Date: July 8th – 24th
Where: Restaurants throughout the city
Summerlicious is one of Toronto’s favourite culinary celebrations. For three mouthwatering weeks in July, savour delicious three-course prix fixe menus served by close to 200 of Toronto’s top restaurants.
Slide The City
Date: July 16th
Where: Downsview Park
Take a ride down memory lane and check out Slide the City, a 1,000-foot slip-and-slide that will be set up in the heart of Toronto. For one day only you can slide down the longest outdoor slip-and-slide in the world. Early bird registration tickets cost between $10-45 depending on which slide you choose.
OVO Fest
Date: July 29th
Where: Molson Amphitheatre
Toronto’s very own 6ix God is back with his 7th annual OVO Fest that will feature a star-studded lineup, with Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa already revealed as two of the headliners.
Photo – SHARMARKE ABDI
Veld Music Festival
Date: July 30th – 31st
Where: Downsview Park
Canada’s largest electronic music festival is back with The Chainsmokers, Deadmau5, DVBBS, Flume, Kygo, Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki, and Travis Scott headlining the two-day festival.
SummerWorks
Date: August 4th – 14th
Where: Along Queen Street West
SummerWorks returns for its 26th year to bring 11 days of all the theatre, dance, music and live art you can handle.
Taste of the Danforth
Date: August 7th – 9th
Where: Danforth Avenue
Get to Krinos Taste of the Danforth and celebrate the fun flavours of Greece and summer in the city. Every year the city of Toronto flocks to GreekTown on the Danforth for a weekend filled with food, music, and attractions.
Photo – Taste of the Danforth
Notable Week
Date: August 8th – 14th
Where: Throughout the city
For one full week, Notable will be hosting a number of unbelievable events, amazing pop-up shops, inspiring speakers, wellness classes, and offers at all of your favourite Toronto shops. Keep checking our site for more info and what to expect.
CNE
Date: August 19th – September 5th
Where: Exhibition Place
The most beloved tradition of Toronto summer is spending those final August days at The Ex, eating and drinking your way through the concerts, games, and attractions while hoping to keep it down once you hit the rides.
Photo – City News
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