When thinking about food festivals in Toronto, you would probably think of the Taste of Little Italy or the Greek festival, Krinos Taste of the Danforth – known as one of the biggest food festivals in Toronto.
But did you know that there are actually tons of amazing food festivals in Toronto that happen all year round? More than 100 food festivals in Toronto, actually. In fact, there are so many amazing food festivals in Toronto that we’ve decided to compile a list of 20 grooviest festivals that you probably never heard about.
Are you a big-time food lover who loves experiencing different kinds of cuisine and being in a place where food is talked about and celebrated? Then go ahead and check out our list below.
Overview of Food Festivals in Toronto
Food festivals are an excellent way to sample the fare of a region and get an inside look at how different foods are created.
Toronto is known for its multiculturalism, and the food scene reflects that. From the diverse cuisines of the city’s immigrant communities to the city’s own culinary traditions, Toronto is a veritable melting pot of food options.
If you’re looking to try something new, there are plenty of festivals throughout the year that celebrates different types of cuisine. Here are some of the popular food festivals in Toronto we earlier mentioned:
The Taste of Little Italy Festival usually happens in June and is one of the first major food events in Toronto to kick off summer. It happens in Little Italy—a neighborhood that was once home to many Italian immigrants—and features vendors selling Italian street food, as well as live music and cultural performances.
The Taste of Danforth Festival happens at the end of August every year on The Danforth—a neighborhood known for its Greek community—and it’s another big summertime event. Vendors sell Greek street food like souvlaki and spanakopita alongside other international cuisines from countries like Brazil and Mexico. There’ll also be live music performances from local musicians.
The List of 20 Best Food Festivals in Toronto
Here is the outline of some of the most lit-up food festivals in Toronto on our list:
- Smorgasburg Toronto
- Toronto Food Truck Festival
- Scarborough Ribfest
- Parkdale Caribbean Food Festival
- Toronto Black Vegan Festival
- Spicy Bites
- Taste of India
- Jerkfestival Toronto
- Jamaican Patty Festival
- Vegendale Festival
- Fried Chicken Fest
- Waterfront Night Market
- Mac N’ Cheese Festival
- Summerlicious Toronto
- Panamerican Food & Music Festival
- Burger Fest
- Toronto Tea Festival
- Wine Fest Toronto
- Toronto Chinatown Festival
- Taste of Asia
Smorgasburg Toronto
When does it happen? July 23 – September 10, 2022 (date passed). Usually summertime.
When does it happen? 7 Queens Quay East, at the foot of Yonge Street. 11am – 6pm.
Great cuisines to try? Smoked meats, soup dumplings, Mozarella sticks, Cantonese fried chicken sandwiches, Tlayuda, Smoked pork ribs, Adobada tacos, Pastrami sandwiches, croissant taiyaki, tacos, etc.
Approximate Attendance: 20,000 – 30,000.
Smorgasburg Toronto is a food festival hosted by the same company that brings you Smorgasburg-New York. It’s a weekend-long event with over 100 vendors selling all kinds of food, from sushi to tacos to ice cream.
Smorgasburg is one of the biggest food festivals in Toronto, second only to Little Italy in terms of anticipation. It is the gathering of the biggest food lovers in the world. At this event, there are lots of new cuisines to try out as there are many vendors making these great dishes.
Smorgasburg is definitely one of the food festivals in Toronto that comes highly recommended.
Toronto Food Truck Festival
Where does it happen? Woodbine Park.
When does it happen? August 4 – August 7, 2023.
Great cuisines to try? Ice cream, bacon, donuts, and various foods from other countries.
Approximate Attendance: More than 400.
The Toronto Food Truck Festival is the largest food truck festival in Canada. It’s the perfect place to try something new, or just get your favorite food from a favorite truck.
With over 40 different trucks and vendors, there’s something for everyone.
Scarborough Ribfest
Where does it happen? Thomson Memorial Park.
When does it happen? June 29 – July 2, 2023 (estimated date).
Great cuisines to try? Rotisserie chicken, vegetarian dishes, halal, and other alternatives.
Approximate Attendance: Usually planned for 130,000 in attendance.
Scarborough Ribfest is a 3 to 4-day event that takes place in the middle of summer, and it features ribs from around the world. It also features live music, games, and other activities.
In addition to all this fun stuff, Scarborough Ribfest is organized by the Rotary Club of Scarborough. This event is used to raise money for charity and support local projects.
The event typically has fewer rules during procession; however, one of these prominent rules includes the prohibition of smoking or vaping anywhere near the premises.
Parkdale Caribbean Food Fest
Where does it happen? Parkdale Hall lot, 1668 Queen St W, Toronto.
When does it happen? July 30, 2022 (2023 date not scheduled yet).
Great cuisines to try? Variety.
Approximate Attendance: Not available.
The Parkdale Caribbean Food Fest is an annual event that celebrates the rich diversity of Caribbean food, music, and entertainment. The festival takes place each year at Parkdale Park from Friday to Sunday. Admission is free, so you’re able to sample all kinds of exotic dishes without paying a cent.
Toronto Black Vegan Festival
Where does it happen? Artscape Wychwood Barns, Toronto.
When does it happen? July 31, 2022 (2023 date not scheduled yet).
Great cuisines to try? African and Caribbean ethnic foods.
Approximate Attendance: Over 70,000 persons indicated an interest in the last edition.
The Toronto Black Vegan Festival is a celebration of black (African and Caribbean) culture, music, and food.
This festival celebrates black veganism with live music, vegan food vendors, and more. The event is usually held in July of every year, and it is typically a free event for everyone to experience vegan food.
Spicy Bites Food Festival
Where does it happen? Offshore in Lake Ontario, south of Exhibition Place, southwest of Downtown Toronto.
When does it happen? N/A.
Great cuisines to try? Variety.
Approximate Attendance: N/A.
Spicy Bites is a food festival that takes place in three artificial landscapes of Toronto. The Spicy Bites festival is an event for people who enjoy eating spicy foods and drinking alcoholic beverages. It’s free to get into this festival, so you can eat all night long.
The festival has many different vendors selling different kinds of food from around the world. Some of these vendors include:
- An Indian restaurant selling samosas with mango chutney on top.
- A Korean restaurant serving kimchi stew, among others.
Taste of India
Where does it happen? Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto.
When does it happen? July 31 & August 1, 2022 (2023 date not scheduled yet).
Great cuisines to try? Indian food and treats.
Approximate Attendance: Over 80,000.
If you’re a fan of Indian culture and food, you should keep an eye out for Taste of India. This annual festival is a free, public event held at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto every year and has been since 1993.
It is organized by the City of Toronto and features a variety of different kinds of food from various regions around India. This event takes place every year, so keep an eye on the Taste of India website to see when it will be happening next.
Jerkfestival Toronto
Where does it happen? Centennial Park, Etobicoke, Toronto.
When does it happen? August 5 – 7, 2022 (2023 date unconfirmed).
Great cuisines to try? Traditional jerk chicken and other jerk cuisines.
Approximate Attendance: N/A.
Jerk is a style of cooking that originated in Jamaica. Jerk seasoning is a mixture of allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme, and Scotch bonnet peppers.
Jerkfestival Toronto is one of the biggest events held in Canada each summer and it’s definitely worth checking out!
Jamaican Patty Festival
Where does it happen? Little Jamaica on Eglinton West, Toronto.
When does it happen? August 6, 2022 (2023 date not scheduled yet).
Great cuisines to try? Jamaican patty.
Approximate Attendance: N/A.
The Jamaican Patty Festival is a celebration of the Jamaican patty. Popular street food in Jamaica, a patty is a savory pastry filled with ground meat and vegetables. This festival typically features live music, vendors selling their take on these delicious treats, and even some traditional folk dancing.
Vegandale Festival
Where does it happen? 250 Fort York Blvd, Toronto.
When does it happen? August 6, 2022.
Great cuisines to try? Vegan comfort food, craft brews, wines, and spirits.
Approximate Attendance: Over 10,000.
Vegandale is a vegan food festival in Toronto that’s held every August. It’s a vegan celebratory event and takes place at Fort York Blvd annually. It includes an outdoor beer garden, live music, drinks, DJs, and more.
You can expect to find vendors selling vegan burgers, hot dogs, fries, poutine, and ice cream. There will also be local restaurants offering up their own unique vegan creations during Vegandale’s one-day party.
Fried Chicken Fest
Where does it happen? Street Eats Markets at Scarborough Town Center.
When does it happen? October 1 -2, 2022.
Great cuisines to try? Pan-fried daikon radish cake with Chinese sausage, shiitake mushroom, dried shrimp, peanut brittle, pickled mustard greens, Thai chili, and herbs.
Approximate Attendance: Over 183,000 people.
Fried Chicken Fest is a food festival dedicated to the glorious fried chicken. The festival takes place at Eat Ontario, a massive indoor food market located in Toronto’s Distillery District.
Visitors can also try their hand at cooking up some of the best recipes they’ve learned while visiting other stalls around Eat Ontario. This festival is perfect for anyone who has ever felt like eating more than one meal at once—it’s just that good.
Waterfront Night Market
Where does it happen? Ontario Place, West Place, Toronto.
When does it happen? August 12 – 14, 2022 (2023 date not scheduled yet).
Great cuisines to try? Pan-Asian food like spam sushi, chicken and pork skewers, sticky rice dessert, mango floaty drink, Thai iced tea, salmon sushi roll, etc.
Approximate Attendance: N/A.
The Waterfront Night Market festival is a paid event that lets participants experience great Asian cuisine, like sushi.
There are over 60 vendors selling everything from bubble tea to bao buns and ramen burgers. You can also get your hands on food trucks like Swatow BBQ (which serves up authentic Chinese barbecue) or Churros El Rey (baked Spanish treats).
If you don’t want to eat while you enjoy all of this entertainment—there will be live music playing throughout the night—you can also pick up some drinks as well. There will be four bars serving beer and wine plus two cocktail bars serving up boozy slushies and cocktails made with premium spirits.
The Mac N’ Cheese Festival
Where does it happen? Ontario Place West Place, 955 Lake Shore Blvd, W., Toronto.
When does it happen? Fall 2022.
Great cuisines to try? Macaroni, cheese, beer, and maybe music to go with.
Approximate Attendance: N/A.
The Mac N’ Cheese Festiva is just what it sounds like: a celebration of all things mac and cheese. Expect to see vendors selling their signature dishes, live music, games, activities, and—best of all—a chance to win prizes by entering the “Mac & Cheese Challenge” where you’ll be required to eat as much macaroni and cheese as possible in a five minute period.
Summerlicious Toronto
Where does it happen? Toronto.
When does it happen? August 12 – 28, 2022.
Great cuisines to try? Thai food, and other dishes in colorful broth.
Approximate Attendance: Fairly large.
Summerlicious is a food festival in Toronto that’s held annually; however, it had not happened since 2019 (due to the COVID), until this year.
The festival is organized by the City of Toronto, and it’s intended to promote local restaurants and encourage people to eat out.
The event runs for three weeks in July and August, or in the entirety of August like this year’s event. Summerlicious offers great food, music, and great times for every participant and family.
Panamerican Food & Music Festival
Where does it happen? Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto.
When does it happen? August 20 & 21, 2022 (2023 date not scheduled yet).
Great cuisines to try? Variety.
Approximate Attendance: N/A.
The Panamerican Food &Music Festival was a two-day event that took place on August 20th and on the 21st, 2022.
There will be food from all over the Americas, including snacks like Mexican churros and Peruvian ceviche. There will also be live music from various Latin American countries, such as salsa dancing lessons.
Burger Fest
Where does it happen? Street Eats Market, Toronto.
When does it happen? September 23 – 25, 2022.
Great cuisines to try? Cheesesteak, burgers, etc.
Approximate Attendance: N/A.
Burger Fest is a food festival that takes place in Toronto every summer. It’s a burger festival, so you can expect to find a lot of burgers to try at this event—but it’s also got tons of other food options, too. This fun event is great for kids and families, with plenty of activities for everyone.
Toronto Tea Festival
Where does it happen? Changing. Check the website for info.
When does it happen? N/A.
The Toronto Tea Festival is a celebration of all things tea. The event will feature workshops, tastings, and demonstrations related to tea-making and consumption.
Wine Fest Toronto
Where does it happen? Rendezviews near Richmond Street West and John Street.
When does it happen? July 8 – 9, 2022 (2023 date not scheduled yet).
The annual Wine Fest Toronto is one of the most popular food festivals in Toronto, drawing thousands of people each year.
The event usually features a wide variety of wines on display and sampled for tasting. The event usually accommodates 4,500 tasters. If you are a big lover of wines, you can try attending one of these.
Toronto Chinatown Festival
Where does it happen? Spadina Avenue between St Andrew Street and Sullivan Street.
When does it happen? February 5, 2023.
Great cuisines to try? Chinese food majorly.
Approximate Attendance: Over 250,000 visitors.
The Toronto Chinatown Festival is one of the most popular food festivals in the city. It’s held on the first weekend of May, which means it’s right around the corner! The festival is about Chinese food, music, and culture—all things that make a great festival.
The event takes place in Spadina Avenue between St Andrew Street and Sullivan Street and attracts huge visitors from all over Greater Toronto. It has been running for more than 30 years now.
Taste of Asia
Where does it happen? Kennedy & Steeles.
When does it happen? June 24 – 25, 2022 (2023 date not scheduled yet).
Great cuisines to try? Asian cuisine and delicacies.
Approximate Attendance: Estimated at over 200,000.
If you’re wondering what the Taste of Asia is and how it compares to other food festivals, here’s a quick rundown:
- The concept of the event is to sample foods from all over Asia—not just Chinese.
- It’s usually a paid event, but tickets are not expensive.
- This festival has become an annual tradition in Toronto over the last several years.
What is the Best Food Festival in Toronto?
The best food festival in Toronto (or most popular rather) is considered to be the Taste of the Danforth.
It’s a three-day event at the end of August that celebrates Greek culture and food.
The event features more than 100 vendors and includes live entertainment, kids’ activities, and a parade. The festival also raises money for various charities across Canada.
Final Thought
The next time you want to get out of the house and explore a new part of the city, consider visiting one of these festivals.
You’ll be surprised by how much there is to experience, and since they are held in different neighborhoods each year, you can always try something new on your next visit.
It’s also worth noting that many food festivals offer different types of entertainment beyond just eating—there might be live music at an event or some other type of performance taking place nearby.
So, keep this in mind when planning which festivals you want to attend; if there are specific performers or bands performing at an event that you really want to see, then make sure it fits into your schedule.
Wrapping It Up
If you find yourself in Toronto and you love food, then this list of festivals is for you. These events will give you an opportunity to try new dishes and explore more cultures while having fun with friends or family at the same time.