What makes Toronto such a great city to visit is how much diversity there is in things to do! You can spend time visiting the city’s museums, wandering its famous neighborhoods, and eating delicious meals.
Head out to Lake Ontario for a Toronto boat tour, or go on an epic short trip from Toronto into the surrounding region!
When planning a visit to Toronto, there’s one consideration you don’t want to overlook: Toronto’s festivals!
Throughout the year, Toronto is home to several annual festivals that bring the city alive with music, food, arts, culture, and good vibes.
Most festivals happen during the warmer months, from May to September, when the weather is nice enough to be outside. Especially on summer weekends, you’re to bump into street festivals like Taste of Little Italy.
Or, you can plan your whole trip around attending a big event like the Toronto International Film Festival.
Whether or not you plan to pop into a festival while visiting Toronto, it is worth knowing what events will be happening in the city during your stay.
14 of Toronto’s Best Annual Festivals
Let’s dive into 14 of the best annual festivals you can attend in Toronto, throughout the year.
1. Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival
When is it? Typically in late April or early May.
The Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival is one of the most prestigious and influential documentary film festivals in the world. The 11-day long festival typically happens in the spring.
With its roots in Toronto, this annual event showcases a variety of thought-provoking, real-life stories from across Canada, and the globe.
Celebrating the art of documentary filmmaking, Hot Docs provides a platform for both established and emerging filmmakers to present their compelling narratives, shedding light on pressing issues and untold human experiences.
You’ll find a diverse lineup of films, panels, and workshops. If you plan to attend, it’s best to buy your tickets to events and film screenings in advance, or buy a festival pass for full access.
2. Canadian Music Week
When is it? Early May.
Canadian Music Week (CMW) is an annual event that highlights the expression and growth of Canadian artists. The festival is held every May and includes a program of conferences, a trade show, award shows, and many performances.
CMW gives you the chance to join local Torontonians and other visitors in celebrating both Canadian and international bands.
There are 40 live venues throughout Toronto that host hundreds of performances over the course of one week.
Beyond the shows, attending CMW will give you the chance to experience a variety of Toronto nightlife, mainly its music and bar scene. Many of the show venues are historic venues like Cameron House and Horseshoe Tavern.
3. Toronto Pride
When is it? The entire month of June.
Toronto Pride is a month-long celebration of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. It is one of the world’s largest pride events, regularly drawing over 1 million local and visiting attendees.
Throughout the month of June, there is a vibrant nightlife, cabana parties, theater performances, and street festivals. Festivities are held leading up to the final Pride Week which is known for special events like Trans Pride, the Dyke March, and the famous Pride Parade.
Some Toronto Pride events require tickets, and others are free. If you plan to attend a ticketed event, buy in advance.
4. Taste of Little Italy
When is it? The second weekend of June.
Taste of Little Italy takes place over a weekend in June. Toronto’s College Street is transformed into a pedestrian Italian food festival.
This area of the city is the heart of Little Italy, but over the years, the types of restaurants have diversified – and so you’ll find more than just Italian food at this street festival.
Local restaurants set up food tents and trucks so that people can sample a variety of tasty foods, from deep-fried arancini to pizza.
College Street also comes alive with a program of live music and performances, as well as carnival rides, and street vendors. In the evenings, the street festival becomes a hot spot for nightlife.
5. TD Toronto Jazz Festival
When is it? Late June to early July.
The TD Toronto Jazz Festival is a 10 day long festival that celebrates jazz music and the jazz community. The festival began back in 1987 as an eight day showcase of jazz. Today, it attracts over 500,000 loyal patrons annually, as more than 1,500 musicians entertain all across the city.
The TD Toronto Jazz Festival includes free outdoor programming in the Bloor-Yorkville area, which is first-come-first-serve. There’s also a selection of ticketed concerts across the city. If you plan to attend a ticketed show, be sure to buy in advance.
6. Fringe Festival
When is it? First two weeks of July.
The Toronto Fringe Festival is an annual theater arts festival that typically runs in July. The festival has an interesting history! Back in the 1980s, it was founded by a group of indie artists.
Over the following decades, it grew to become the largest theater arts festival in the province. In fact, many notable productions got their start thanks to the Fringe Festival, going on to Broadway or television.
The goal of the Fringe Festival is to create a platform for everyone to access, discover, and experiment with the arts. Throughout the festival, over 150 productions are showcased across the city. Tickets to shows are only $13.00 CAD, and there are multi-show passes available. Just be sure to book in advance.
7. Toronto Caribbean Festival
When: Early July to early August (four weeks).
The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is a four-week-long celebration of all things Caribbean. At this energetic festival, you’ll learn about Caribbean culture, all while having a good time. There’s music, food, dancing, and partying!
This Caribbean Carnival is the largest in Canada and the largest outdoor festival in North America – it has been held in Toronto now for over 50 years. Carnival events are dedicated to showcasing the diversity, tradition, and history of Caribbean culture.
The most well-known event is the Grande Parade, which brings the city’s streets alive with mas bands. People dress in Caribbean masquerade, mas band dancers pose for pictures, and there is upbeat live music!
Toronto Caribbean Carnival is made up of many different events, and so it’s best to check the schedule beforehand to figure out what you’d like to attend.
8. Toronto Summer Music Festival
When is it? Throughout July.
The Toronto Summer Music Festival is a month-long event that celebrates classical music. Held in the heart of Toronto, this festival gathers world-class musicians and emerging talents, creating an exceptional blend of performances and musical experiences.
Beyond concerts, the festival also hosts lectures, workshops, and interactive events, nurturing a deeper appreciation for classical music.
The Toronto Summer Music Festival also includes an Emerging Artist Program designed for musicians who are launching their professional careers. The program provides unique educational opportunities for chamber musicians and singers from 18 to 35 years old.
If you plan to attend any concerts or events at this festival, be sure to check the program and buy your tickets in advance.
9. Toronto’s Festival of Beer
When is it? Late July.
Torontonians love craft beer, and so naturally Toronto hosts a couple of beer festivals every year, including the Toronto Festival of Beer.
This annual festival held in late July features local craft beer as well as international brews. You’ll be able to choose from over 400 types of beer, plenty of non-beer drinks, and there’s lots of tasty food, too!
The festival uses a token system for beer tasting – These tokens are essentially your currency! One token costs $1 CAD, and most samples at the festival are 2 tokens for a 4 oz pour.
There are dedicated booths where you can buy tokens, as well as mobile token teams, all throughout the festival grounds.
10. Taste of the Danforth
When is it? Over a weekend in mid August.
Taste of the Danforth is an annual street festival that happens in the east end neighborhood of Toronto, known as “The Danforth.” It’s one of Canada’s largest street festivals!
Although it takes place in the historically Greek part of Toronto, you’ll find diverse foods from all over the world at this festival (as well as Greek dishes!).
Head to this festival in late August to enjoy street food, attend free events, and enjoy lots of activities. The festival takes place outside of Toronto’s city core. As the neighborhood becomes very busy, it’s recommended to take public transit (Toronto’s TTC) to and from the festival.
11. Toronto Korean Festival
When is it? Late August.
The Toronto Korean Festival happens annually in late August. It celebrates the rich heritage of Korea, as well as the diplomatic relations between Canada and Korea. This is the biggest Korean festival in Canada and the largest and most anticipated gathering in North York, a regional part of Toronto.
The festival showcases various aspects of Korean culture, including K-Pop, K-Dance, K-Food, and K-Beauty. Guests of all ages are welcome to enjoy Korean food, performances, market vendors, and fun games!
12. Toronto National Exhibition
When is it? From mid August to the first weekend of September.
The Canadian National Exhibitition (CNE) is Canada’s largest cultural event and agricultural fair. Over the course of 18 days, it draws over a million attendees!
This festival is beloved by both local Torontonians and visitors. It has a long history dating back to 1879, when the CNE was founded.
The fair started out as an agricultural event, but today it has evolved to include much more. There are live concerts, carnival rides, games, food, shopping, and interactive experiences to keep all visitors busy.
The CNE changes every year, but some of the attractions in the past have included aerial acrobatics, and even an ice skating show. There’s also typically a beer festival, casino, and an indoor lantern festival. You can buy tickets to the CNE online or at the gate. If you want to snag a deal, go on a weekday evening (after 5:00 PM), when tickets are discounted.
13. Toronto International Film Festival
When is it? First two weeks of September.
The Toronto International Film Festival is called “TIFF” by locals. It is one of the world’s largest, publicly attended film festivals, held annually in early September.
The festival brings a festive excitement to the city of Toronto. Filmmakers, celebrities, other industry members, as well as film viewers from all over the globe come together in the downtown core.
There are hundreds of film screenings over the course of two weeks that both the general public and industry members can attend. Aside from screenings, there are lectures, workshops, round tables, and events.
If you plan to go to a screening or event, be sure to buy your tickets well in advance, because tickets sell out quickly.
While some people go for the movies, others go for the celebrities!
During this time of year, lots of celebrities are in town for film premieres, media, and interviews. There are lots of opportunities to spot a favorite celebrity!
14. Nuit Blanche
When is it? Last weekend of September, or the first weekend of October.
Nuit Blanche Toronto is an all-night art party that is held every fall. This annual event happens just as the chilly fall air settles into the city. But as long as you bundle up, it’s a great reason to get outside.
From sunset to sunrise, Toronto becomes an artistic playground, brought alive by hundreds of participating local and international artists.
The event features modern installations, live performances, interactive installations, and energetic nightlife that can keep you out until the wee hours of the morning.
There is so much to see across the city, it’s recommended to create an itinerary of what art presentations you’d like to visit on Nuit Blanche.
The best way to experience the art is to go around the city on foot or by bike, or by taking public transport. Bars are open later on this festive night, so when you’re ready to warm up and unwind, pop into a local bar.
This is a post by Guest Contributor, Erin Hynes
Bio: Erin has been traveling for over a decade, both solo and with her partner. She’s now traveled to countries across 6 continents, and has lived in 2 countries abroad. Erin also hosts the Responsible Travel Podcast, where she interviews travel industry thought leaders and experts about responsible tourism.
