Hey there! It’s no news that we’re fully in summer season, and that means beautiful sunshine, sizzling barbecues, lots of game nights and all round fun! The best part for me is all the incredible festivals filled with delectable food and unforgettable experiences. 

Last week, I had an absolute blast at the Largest Asia Food Festival. Picture mouthwatering street food, refreshing drinks, and heart-pumping games—it was truly a foodie’s paradise! Click HERE to see highlight. Don’t worry if you missed out because the fun doesn’t end there. Today, I’m thrilled to share with you twenty must-visit food festivals happening in and around Toronto this summer.

Here’s the best part: most of these festivals won’t cost you anything to enter! Yes, you read that right—free admission. I’ve gathered all the essential details, including dates, locations, and what sets each festival apart. From the vibrant EID Fest in Scarborough to the tantalizing Taste of Brazil at Canada’s Wonderland, there’s something to suit every taste bud.

Now, without further ado, here’s the complete list of the twenty food festivals:

 

1. EID FEST – SCARBOROUGH

June 30 – July 3, 2023
A vibrant mixture of Muslim heritage and Canadian culture, it is the perfect occasion for food lovers to enjoy a fusion of traditional eastern foods and pop-up bazaar with local vendors

Location – 40 Bushby Dr 40 Bushby Drive Toronto, ON M1H 3K3.

 

2. Taste of Lawrence 2023

Jul 7 – Jul 9, 2023
Scarborough’s largest street festival boasts the most enticing flavours from every cultural community in the GTA, over 130 street vendors, live entertainment on two stages, midway rides, kid workshops and so much more.
Location- 2072 Lawrence Avenue East Toronto, ON M1R 2Z6

 

3. Wine Fest Toronto

Jul 7, 8 & 9 2023
An annual 3-day event celebrating the city’s buzzing wine culture with a chance to try wines from all around the world. Although this is a drinking event, there will be food available for purchase. Also, this is not a free event.
Location– 229 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5V1W2

 

4. CCYAA: FreshFest Asian Food

Festival

Jul 8, 2023 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Celebrating the vibrancy of Toronto’s Asian food scene with the city’s first Chef-led and Chef-curated food festival
Location– 299 Bloor Street West Toronto, ON M5S 1W2

 

5. Halal Ribfest Toronto

Jul 14 – Jul 16, 2023
Toronto’s Largest Halal Ribfest!
Location– 30 Carl Hall Rd Toronto, ON M3K 2C1

 

6. Taste of the Middle East

Summer Fest 2023

Jul 14 – Jul 16, 2023
Celebrating Arabic Culture, Art & Music
Location – Nathan Phillips Square 100 Queen Street West Toronto, ON M5H 2N1

 

7. Panamerican Food & Music

Festival

July 22 – 23, 2023
Panamerican Food & Music Festival
The Pan American Food & Music Festival (PAFMF) is Canada’s only annual festival that celebrates the Western Hemisphere’s rich diversity of cuisine, music and art.
Location – 1 Dundas St E, Toronto, ON M5B 2R8

 

8. Taste The Caribbean Food

Festival

July 22 & 23, 2023
The 2nd annual Taste The Caribbean Food Festival in Little Jamaica
Location – 1609 Eglinton Avenue West Toronto, ON M6E 0A1

 

9. Foodville: Afro-Caribbean Food

Festival

Jul 29
Toronto’s all-new cultural food and musical experience!
Location – Stackt Market, 28 Bathurst Street Toronto, ON M5V 0C6
P.S. – I see Nonso Amadi is part of the line-up and it is free.

 

10. Taste of India Festival

Aug 4 & Aug 5, 2023
Spice up your life with more than 600 mouthwatering dishes at the Taste of India 2023
Location – Nathan Phillips Square 100 Queen Street West Toronto, ON M5H 2N1

 

11. Toronto Food Truck Festival

Aug 04, 2023 – Aug 07, 2023
The Toronto Food Truck Festival is serving up some real must-eats, along with local beer, local talent, live-eating contests and more.
Location – 1695 Queen St E, Toronto, Ontario

 

12. Toronto Black Vegan Festival

August 6, 2023
A Vegan Feast of Delicious African and Caribbean Foods!
Location – Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street, Toronto

 

13. TD International Jerk Food &

Music Festival

August 10-13, 2023
The 22nd annual TD International Jerk Food and Music Festival return with delicious food, interactive food demonstrations and iconic musical headliners.
Location – 256 Centennial Park Road, Etobicoke, Canada, M9C 5N3

 

14. Mississauga ItalFest

August 11 &12, 2023
ITALFEST is a celebration of Italian arts, history, landscape, food, music and traditions.
Location – Mississauga Celebration Square, City Centre Drive, Mississauga

 

15. Taste of Brazil

August 19–20, 2023
Treat your tastebuds to the lively and fresh Latin American flavours of Brazil and enjoy the styles, colours and music of traditional Brazilian performers.
Location – Canada’s Wonderland, 9580 Jane St, Vaughan

 

16. Taste of the Caribbean

August 26–27, 2023
Feast your senses at the lively and colourful Taste of the Caribbean food festival where guests will enjoy island flavours from jerk chicken to seafood dishes, rum cake and coconut desserts, plus sweet summer drinks! Dance along to steel drum music and transport yourself to the warm islands of the Caribbean.
Location – Canada’s Wonderland, 9580 Jane St, Vaughan

 

17. Trinbago Festival

August 26th & 27th, 2023
Expect live entertainment, DJs, food vendors and food demonstrations, Carnival mas band pop-ups, prizes and giveaways!
Location – Yonge-Dundas Square. 1 Dundas St E, Toronto, ON

 

18. Hot & Spicy Food Festival

September 1-4, 2023
Spend the long weekend with a piping hot festival of food, music and fun.  
Location – Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto

 

19. Tastes of South East Asia

Festival

September 16
Tastes of South East Asia is a one-of-a-kind festival featuring the most diverse art, culture, and cuisine, aiming at propelling the cultural footprint of South, East, and Southeast Asia in Canada, all while raising awareness against human trafficking and child exploitation.
Location – Celebration Square 300 City Centre Dr. Mississauga, ON L5B 3C1

 

20. Toronto Vegandale Festival

September 23, 2023
Experience the best of vegan food, goods, and services in downtown Toronto.
Location – 1265 Queen Street West, Toronto

 

Be sure to let me know which ones you plan on attending and don’t hesitate to share your experiences with me. Happy feasting!

 

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For more adventures in Canada – CLICK HERE.

Stay tuned for next week’s blog post, where I’ll be sharing exciting summer activities. Subscribe here so you don’t miss out.

 

Happy Adventuring,
Nikky.