TR Fests + Events Calendar August 2022
🕘 24 min read
After a two-year hiatus, food festivals and events are back and better than ever. This month’s spectacular lineup is jam-packed with festivities celebrating everything from bbq to butter tarts. The only challenge? Trying to fit it all in.
Pro tip: Be sure to check back for additions and follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news and updates.
Until August 1
SCARBOROUGH RIBFEST
Thomson Park - 1005 Brimley Rd.
The celebration of all things barbecue, organized by the Rotary Club of Scarborough, represents the club's largest annual fundraising event, celebrating 21 years of success. The weekend will be filled with food and entertainment, made for the whole family.
Until August 1
TORONTO FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL
Woodbine Park
Back for another summer of great eats, this year’s roster includes 35+ vendors, daily eating challenges, and live entertainment.
Until August 1
TASTE OF INDIA FESTIVAL
Nathan Phillips Square
Enjoy an array of food and drinks, mesmerizing performances, flash mobs, competitions and activities for the whole family.
August 5-6
TASTE OF VIETNAM
Nathan Phillips Square
The annual festival showcasing Vietnam through food, culture and arts returns returns to Nathan Phillips Square.
August 5-7
TD JERKFEST 2022
Centennial Park - 256 Centennial Park Rd.
The 21st annual celebration of all things jerk is back with a wide array of traditional selections (chicken, pork, and fish) and exotic varieties such as frog legs and alligator. Take in performances by local and international artists, relax in the Platinum and V.I.P. Gardens.
Donate canned food items for the Afri-Can FoodBasket and Regeneration Food Banks.
Photo courtesy of TD JerkFest Toronto.
August 5-7
NIGHT IT UP! MARKET
180 Enterprise Blvd.
Organized by Power Unit Youth Organization a youth-driven non-profit organization in the GTA, the outdoor festival fashioned after Asian night markets features a wide array of Asian fare and nightly performances by local artists.
August 6
ALOHAFEST TORONTO
Mel Lastman Square
Hosted by Hālau Hula I Ka Lā, the 6th annual festival is “Torontoʻs first and only united celebration of Polynesian culture.” Take in various dance and musical performances while indulging in both local favourites and unique Hawaiian treats.
August 6
HUMBER BAY SHORES WATERFRONT FESTIVAL
Humber Bay Park West Parking Lot
The Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association presents the 10th annual lakeside celebration, with a lineup of food from local farmers’ market vendors and food trucks boasting an array of international cuisines, treats and services from local businesses and artisans, local performers and bans, a kid’s zone with face painters, interactive inflatable obstacle courses and jumping castles for kids under the age of 12, and new this year – a beer garden.
August 6
TORONTO PATTY FEST [UPDATE 08.04.22: Postponed to August 2023]
TBD
The Afro Caribbean Farmers’ Market is launching “the world's first Jamaican beef patty festival.”
Stay tuned for details.
August 6
VEGANDALE FESTIVAL
Fort York - Garrison Common
The famed plant-based foodie event touches down in the 6ix for a day-long celebration of vegan food and drink, with a lineup of vendors, music and art.
Note: Ticket prices increase August 3.
August 7-October 30
ST. LAWRENCE MARKET SUNDAY CHEF SERIES
Market St. next to St. Lawrence Market
The new weekly series showcases Toronto chefs offering free cooking demonstrations, dish samples and recipes from approximately 12pm-2pm.
August 10-October 5
INDIGENOUS FOOD MARKET
Fort York National Historic Site - 100 Garrison Rd.
Dashmaawaan Bemaadzinjin, an Indigenous food sovereignty collective and social enterprise focused on “feeding the spirit of community through connections to healthy, whole and nutritious food,” invites vendors that are “connected to Indigenous Foodways, food sovereignty, and Elder and community wellness, to provide healthy, fresh, traditional and fun Indigenous food for the public” at the new Indigenous food market in downtown Toronto.
In addition to digging into Indigenous fare made by local chefs Wednesdays 3:30pm to 7:30 pm, shop and support local vendors while taking in live performances.
Note: Menu is cash only, though vendors accept debit as well.
Photo courtesy of Dashmaawaan Bemaadzinjin.
August 10-September 21
TASTE OF REGENT PARK
The Big Park - Dundas East and Sumach
The vibrant weekly market returns with local artisans and crafters, community organizations, food vendors, caterers and entertainers in the heart of Regent Park to celebrate, share and enjoy delicious, healthy, affordable and culturally diverse foods every Wednesday.
5:00pm Market featuring clothing, jewelry, art, crafts, and food vendors
6:00pm Pay-what-you-can Community Meal prepared by local caterers
Sunset Movie Under the Stars (Note: Not every week. Check website for dates.)
August 12-13
MISSISSAUGA ITALFEST
Celebration Square – 300 City Centre Dr.
Mississauga’s “first and premier Italian festival,” is a free event celebrating Italian heritage, music and art. food, marketplace and community vendors
Photo courtesy of Mississauga ITALFEST.
August 12-14
FRIED CHICKEN FEST
Street Eats Market x STC – 500 Progress Ave.
Get in on all the crispy, crunchy, juicy poultry in addition to other sweet and savoury treats at Street Eats Market famed fest at Scarborough Town Centre.
August 12-14
MISSISSAUGA'S LATIN FOOD FEST
Square One Shopping Centre - Lot P3
Night Market Toronto continues its epic summer food tour with a weekend filled with Latin and fusion fare and live performances.
August 12-14
THORNHILL - VAUGHAN RIB FEST
Dufferin Clarke Community Centre - 1441 Clark Ave. W.
The summer Northern Heat Rib Series continues with a weekend of food, fun and entertainment is in store thanks to a lineup of BBQ, brews and live music. The fun continues with carnival fare, giant yard games and kid’s zone. Admission and parking are free. Bring the whole family - including the dog.
Note: Some vendors accept cash only.
Photo courtesy of Northern Heat Rib Series.
August 12-14
WATERFRONT NIGHT MARKET
Ontario Place - West Island
Symbolically designed in celebration of the QiXi Double Seven Festival (Asia's version of Valentine's Day), the 2022 edition of the WNM boasts a mix of interactive entertainment with an action-packed roster featuring the Signature Pan-Asian Food Festival, BeerCraft Festival, and Illuminasian Floating Lantern & Cultural Showcase.
Note: This event is 19+.
August 12-28
SUMMERLICIOUS
Various locations
Over 200 participating restaurants offer three-course prix fixe menus offer for prices ranging from $20-$65 for lunch, $25-$75 for dinner.
Reservations begin July 28.
August 13
RICHMOND HILL ROTARY CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (RHCPA) - 10268 Yonge St.
Enjoy a day filled with craft brews, food vendors and live music at Richmond Hill’s cultural centre.
August 13
ROUNDHOUSE CRAFT BEER FEST - SUMMER EDITION
Roundhouse Park - 255 Bremner Blvd.
Steam Whistle Brewing, in association with the Toronto Railway Museum, is celebrating all types of craft brews including cider makers and hard seltzers. Toronto food trucks, live entertainments and an outdoor dance party with DJ Matt Weed round out the day’s events.
Tickets are $40 +tax. Note: This is a 19+ event.
August 13
THE TASTES AND SOUNDS OF JANE & FINCH
1 York Gate Blvd. - North East corner parking lot, Durante’s No Frills
This exciting community event is packed with local and diverse artists, live music, and mall restaurants showcasing dishes from places such as the Caribbean, Jamaica, Latin America, and Asia from 1-5pm.
Focused on positive changes in the Jane and Finch Community with equality, inclusion and diversity, the day’s festivities support San Romanoway Revitalization Association’s charity to “create a sense of belonging in the community by assisting families, individuals and groups to support each other by building a safer and healthier environment.”
August 12-14
TASTE OF PORTUGAL
Canada’s Wonderland
Enjoy lively street entertainment and traditional Portuguese foods at this festive event set inside one of the country’s most popular theme parks.
Access to the event is included with Park Admission.
August 14-23
THE BENTWAY + THE DEPANNEUR COMMUNAL DINNER SERIES
The Bentway - 250 Fort York Blvd.
The Depanneur is back with the 2022 Communal Table series at The Bentway with 20 communal dinners, each featuring a family-style meal prepared by local chefs, served and shared at ten tables of six in a unique urban setting. Note: Plates and cutlery are not provided.
And the Bentway Block Party - a free, all-ages street party including food vendors, musical performances, family-friendly games and workshops, and more - takes place August 14.
August 18-September 17
MOONLIGHT MARKET IN REGENT PARK
Daniels Spectrum - 585 Dundas St. E., East Patio
Discover food, crafts and entertainment by local, early stage Female Identified entrepreneurs Thursdays and Saturdays 5pm-10 pm.
August 19-September 5
CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION
Exhibition Place
Canada’s largest annual community event is back with a wide variety of entertainment and events including: Midway rides and games, carnival eats and treats, international food and shopping bandshell concerts, working farm, parades and shows, celebrity chef demonstrations and much more. This year’s lineup also includes food truck events, listed below.
Be sure to check out the new TR CNE Guide featuring this year’s new foods, fests, secret menu and ways to save.
Canadian National Exhibition - CNE. Photo by Stephanie Dickison | Toronto Restaurants.
August 20
FCJ REFUGEE CENTRE STREET PARTY
208 Oakwood Ave.
FCJ Refugee Centre celebrates 30 years with a Diverse Residents, One Community, Street Party outside their headquarters.
Join in on the family fun with an array of food, music, live music, games, piñatas, and activities for the kids.
August 20
THE ROSÉ PICNIC
Woodbine Park
Canada’s largest premium picnic dedicated to all things pink returns, this time in a new location.
August 20-21
AFRO CARIB FEST
Thomson Memorial Park - 1005 Brimley Rd.
Heritage Skills Development Centre (HSDC) is excited to present the award-winning 11th annual Afro Carib Fest to celebrate the culture and diversity of Afro-Caribbean communities and beyond through showcasing arts, music, dance, food and cultural heritage.
Take part in the cultural parade, learn new dance moves, enjoy musical performances by local and international artists, join in on fun family activities, and savour dishes and drinks from an array of vendors.
August 20-21
JAPAN FESTIVAL CANADA
Mississauga Celebration Square - 300 City Centre Dr.
The ”largest Japanese cultural event in North America” boasts a wide array of Japanese food and drink accompanying traditional and modern performances.
August 20-21
PAN AMERICAN FOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
Yonge Dundas Square
“Canada’s only annual festival that celebrates the Western Hemisphere’s rich diversity of cuisine, music and art” produced by Toronto-based non-profit cultural organization ArtsXplosion, is a free event presented annually to “reinforce the growing cultural identity shared among Canadians and the 40 other countries of North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.”
Did you know? The name of the festival has been changed this year to include music, reflecting the level of music programming presented alongside the culinary programs.
Photo courtesy of Pan American Food & Music Festival.
August 20-21
TASTE OF IRELAND
Canada’s Wonderland
Be transported to the Emerald Isle via lively street entertainment, traditional Celtic music and dancers, and hearty Irish fare such as Irish Shepard's Pie, Guinness BBQ Pork Ribs, and Irish Whiskey Glazed Beef Skewers. Sweet treats include Chocolate Guinness Cake and Butterscotch Apple Cake.
Access to the event is included with Park Admission.
August 20-21
TASTE OF MANILA
Bathurst and Wilson
“One of Canada's largest street festivals and the most attended Filipino festival outside of the Philippines,” returns for its ninth year featuring Filipino cuisine, entertainment, and much more.
August 20-22
TORONTO CHINATOWN FESTIVAL
Chinatown – Dundas and Spadina
The annual celebration of Chinese culture boasts a lineup of events from lion dances and lucky draws as well as a variety of food and merchandise.
August 20-23
MARDI GRAS MEET-UP & CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL
Exhibition Place
New to the CNE this year, this food truck celebration brings New Orleans Carnival to the 6ix via food vendors, craft beer and live music.
August 25-28
FOOD TRUCK FRENZY & CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL
Exhibition Place
Dig into everything from creole delicacies to Egyptian fare accompanied by cold craft brews at one of the CNE’s biggest annual attractions.
August 26-27
TORONTO CIDER FESTIVAL
Toronto Inukshuk Park - 789 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
It’s all fun and games at the annual cider fest: 100+ ciders on deck, themed events (90s Night, Dance Party), Toronto Flair Bartending Championship, VIP Experience, contests and challenges are just the beginning.
August 26-28
HALAL RIBFEST
Downsview Park
“Canada's largest halal food barbecue and food truck festival” is filled with some of the best Halal fare Toronto has to offer, carnival food and rides, marketplace featuring local and international vendors, eating competitions, and more.
BONUS: Toronto Restaurants readers receive 20 per cent off the ticket price. Use discount code "torontorestaurants" at checkout.
August 26-28
SINTING FEST ON EGLINTON WEST
Eglinton Park – 200 Eglinton Ave. W.
The Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) and Little Jamaica present a three-day celebration designed to revitalize and promote the people, culture and businesses of Toronto’s Little Jamaica neighbourhood.
Part food fest, part Black Business expo, festivities include music, dance, activities for the kids and food demonstrations by local Caribbean chefs.
August 26-28
TAIWANFEST TORONTO
Harbourfront Centre - 235 Queens Quay W.
The festival is back and in-person this year with an exciting lineup of artists, speakers and performers, in addition to art exhibits and array of food and drinks.
August 26-28
TORONTO KOREAN FESTIVAL
Mel Lastman Square
The “biggest Korean festival in Canada” returns. Dig into an array of K-street foods, check out the beer and soju garden, live performances, market vendors, and fun games.
August 27
BLOQ PARTY ON THE QUEENSWAY
Queensway Park - 8 Avon Park Dr.
This all-day celebration of the vibrant and diverse Queensway business owners, vendors and community members features an exciting lineup of events and activities including drag shows featuring local talent, live art demonstrations, musical performances and DJs, morning yoga in the park, oracle readings, kid zone, dog photography, vendors, raffles, silent auction, and much more.
For food lovers, in addition food vendors and a bar, check out the Happy–Together Boho PiQniQ, a boho-themed space where you can enjoy pre-purchased meals from restaurants along the Queensway that weren’t able to participate and dig into enjoy great food from on-site vendors. You can BYOB (bring your own blanket) or pre-purchase a blanket on the BIA website.
The event supports the Etobicoke Humane Society - an independent, all-volunteer, no-kill shelter - and Daily Bread Food Bank which provides food to 200 food programs across Toronto, with 100 per cent of the funds raised from the raffles and silent auction going to the Food Bank.
August 27
CAFE CARIBBEAN
Moss Park Market - 260 Queen St. E.
Building Roots, in partnership with JamaicanEats Magazine, celebrates Caribbean culture with an array of food vendors, live music and entertainment from 11am-3pm.
This free event is wheelchair accessible.
August 27
LATIN SPARKS FESTIVAL
Ontario Place
This one-night affair that “brings the fire and flavour of Latin America to Canada” with a variety of live music, DJs, dance performances and lessons, authentic Latin street food and outdoor bars.
The event is wheelchair accessible. Children 12 years of age or younger enter for free.
August 27
LESLIEVILLE BEERFEST
Dundas St. E. - Logan to Carlaw
The east end nabe is hosting a street party and you’re invited. On the roster: Regional brewers, community food vendors and local artisans.
Tickets are $40 and includes a commemorative sampling mug and three beer sample tokens. Unused drink tickets? Drop them in one of the red collection buckets - they’ll be cashed in for a donation that will support The Red Door Family Shelter’s children’s programming.
Photo courtesy of Leslieville Beer Fest.
August 27
PARKDALE QUEEN NIGHT MARKET
1668 Queen St. W. and sidewalk from Roncesvalles to Triller
In partnership with Parkdale BIA, Parkdale Hall, Pinay Tayo Toronto, The Queen’s End Neighbourhood, Parkdale’s first community night market celebrates the diversity and inclusivity of the Parkdale neighbourhood and 100+ local businesses with food, drinks, arts and live music from 2-11pm.
Also on the agenda: Live food and print screen demos, fire dance show, free photobooth, free face paint, and table games activities.
August 27-28
TAMIL FEST
Markham Rd. (Highway 48)
The "largest Tamil street festival of its kind outside of the Indian subcontinent” set on one of the city’s popular roadways focuses on promoting diversity by sharing the rich Tamil culture via food, artistic talents and traditional activities.
August 27-28
TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN
Canada’s Wonderland
The two-day celebration of Caribbean food, included with park admission, includes everything from jerk chicken and seafood to rum cake and sweet summer sippers, accompanied by steel drum music.
August 28
RIVERSIDE COMMON SUNDAYS: VEGAN & ECO MARKET
Riverside Common Park - 657 Queen St. E.
Part of Sundays @ Riverside Common, this monthly curated series by Riverside BIA and neighbourhood vegan eatery Animal Liberation Kitchen runs from June to October, and features local vegan and eco-sustainable artisans and food vendors, live music by local artists, and family corner with activities for the kids.
Register for this free event. Be one of the first five attendees to win a free gift pack from Riverside BIA including shopping tote bag and mug.
Continuing until August 28
UNION SUMMER
65 Front St. W.
Visit a variety of food and drink vendors and enjoy live performances at this event outside Union Station.
Continuing until September 2
CULTURAL BAZAAR 2022
660 Dundas St. E.
The Toronto Centre of Learning & Development’s Cultural Bazaar 2022 in Regent Park takes place every Friday from 5-9pm until September 2.
The free event includes multicultural food, artisanal products, and fun fair treats such as cotton candy and popcorn for sale, live music, henna, raffles and much more. Take part in Yoga in the Park 5:30pm-6:30pm. (Please bring your own mat.)
Continuing until Sept 10
SMORGASBURG TORONTO
7 Queens Quay E.
The “largest weekly open-air food market in America” touches down in the 6ix with dozens of local vendors available Saturdays throughout the summer.
Continuing until September 30
WORLD OF BARBIE CAFÉ
199 Rathburn Rd. W.
Making its global debut in Canada., the 30,000-square-foot Barbie interactive attraction features life-size installations that are sure to capture imaginations across generations. Among immersive activities, guests can pay a visit the the Dream House brought to life, chill out in her full size camper van, create their own customized Barbie set, and pause for sweet treats and afternoon tea in true Barbie style at the World of Barbie Café.
Continuing until January 2, 2023
THE FRIENDS™ EXPERIENCE TORONTO
Yorkdale - 3401 Dufferin St.
Immerse yourself in the world of Monica, Pheobe, Rachel, Chandler, Joey and Ross, including photos ops in Central Perk and food and drink related props, costumes, and merch.
Note: Events and information subject to change.
For more food/drink destinations, news and events, check out the iconic OPEN/CLOSED.
Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news, updates, interviews + more and subscribe to the TR Newsletter.
Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch.
Enjoy this? Like, follow and comment on Instagram and Facebook. Forward and share using the icons below. #supportlocal
