Food Festivals coming to Toronto and Surrounding Area

Food festivals are events that celebrate the diversity and quality of food and drinks. These local festivals bring together local and international chefs, food enthusiasts. Food festivals offer a chance for people to taste new cuisines, learn about different cultures, and enjoy live entertainment.

These popular food festivals around the Greater Toronto Area will allow food enthusiasts to enjoy these foodie experiences:

Food festivals are a great way to experience different cuisines, learn about food and drink, and have fun with friends and family.

Checkout our Events Calendar for Your Full Line up of Summer Events and Activities.

Smorgasburg Toronto

Dates and Location: Smorgasburg Toronto will feature 50 weekly vendors every Saturday from June 24 to September 9. Conveniently located at 7 Queens Quay East, at the foot of Yonge Street.

The weekly food market that launched on Toronto’s Harbourfront last summer is back with more dates and vendors.

Theme park food

Street Eats:

Street Eats Market will host exciting food festivals including the Mac & Cheese Festival, Fried Chicken Fest, Ice Cream Fest, Poutine Festival, and more. Brand New this year is Eats Theme Park which combines a variety of food festivals together all into one major fun event for foodies! Eats Theme Park combines donut festival, Mac and Cheese, Taco, Noodle, Seafood, and Poutine Festival all into one awesome event for your taste buds!

May 20-23 ->Eats Theme Park Theme at Dixie GO Station in Mississauga
June 9-11 -> Eats Night Market at Dixie GO Station in Mississauga
July 22-23 -> Eats Theme Park at Unionville GO Station in Markham
Sept 23-24 -> Eats Theme Park at Whitby GO Station in Whitby
October 28-29 -> Street Eats at Celebration Square in Mississauga
Nov 25 -> Holiday Street Market at Celebration Square in Mississauga

Rib Fests:

Checkout North America’s Largest Rib and Beer Tour. Most Rotary Club Ribfests have special entertainment for kids and live entertainment making it a fun event for the whole family.

Dates and Locations:

June 16-18th -> Toronto Beaches
June 23-25th -> Brampton
June 30th – July 2nd -> Hamilton Mountain
July 7 – 9th -> Georgetown
July 14-16th -> Downtown Toronto
July 14-16th -> Mississauga
July 21-23rd -> Ancaster
July 28-30th -> Milton
July 28-30th -> Oakville
August 25th – 27th -> Hamilton
Sept 1-4 -> Burlington

MAY SUMMER FOOD FESTIVALS AND EVENTS:

Mississauga Carassauga

Dates and Location: May 27-28 at Various Mississauga Locations

  1. Paramount Fine Foods Centre (5500 / 5600 Rose Cherry Place)
  2. Frank McKechnie Community Centre (310 Bristol Road E.)
  3. Canadian Coptic Centre (1245 Eglinton Ave W)
  4. Portuguese Cultural Centre of Mississauga (53 Queen ST. N)
  5. Sava Serbian Centre (2520 Dixie Road) Please note, this facility is not wheelchair accessible

All locations are accessible by car, bike, walk and bus.

FREE transportation on All MiWay buses and Carassauga shuttle buses connecting to all the locations when you present your Carassauga passport during the Festival hours.

Checkout Carassauga that celebrates the food and culture that makes the city of Mississauga so multicultural. This event takes place across multiple locations in Mississauga and at each one you can enjoy food, entertainment and activities. There are over 25 different pavilions to stop and visit and gain a stamp.

The Kids Zone is a fun place for families with kids to enjoy various games, rides and programs. Some of the kids zone features include: arts and crafts, face painting, games and Midway Rides at an additional cost.  Families will have an opportunity to connect with the recreational and arts exhibitors to learn about the many family programs offered throughout the city. 

Hamilton Poutine Feast

Dates and Location: May 11-14 at Gage Park in Hamilton

This event promises to tantalize your taste buds with over fifty delicious variations of poutines. Satisfy your cravings with this classic Canadian dish, and top it all off with a bucket of mini donuts for the ultimate indulgence. Not just for the adults, the event will feature fun activities for the kids including games and face painting. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to sample some of the best poutines around, and create lasting memories with family and friends. Mark your calendars and join us at the Poutine Feast in Hamilton, Ontario! 

JUNE SUMMER FOOD FESTIVALS AND EVENTS:

Spring into Spice:

Dates and Location: June 3, 2023 at Stanley Barracks Gardens @ Hotel X Toronto!

What better way to spread the Spice Food & Wine Event experience than through an outdoor food and wine festival!

Spring Into Spice – The Social, is our chance to bring 30 ethnic food vendors, wineries and wine importers together in an open air environment.

While the DJ plays, you’ll get a chance to walk around and munch on tasty cuisines such as Caribbean, African, Indian, Thai, Latin American and so much more. At the same time, venture over to a wine tent to try various wines with your foods. You’ll have countless pairings at your fingertips using your food and wine sample tickets.

Grilled Cheese Challenge Festival

Dates and Location: June 10, 2023 at Lake Shore Blvd W from Islington Ave to Second St

The Furlani Grilled Cheese Challenge festival is hosted by the Lakeshore Village BIA and is Ontario’s oldest celebration of grilled cheese sandwiches!

Our Challengers will be offering up their take on “The Best Grilled Cheese” and competing for the top three best grilled cheese sandwiches! The festival challenges local culinary enthusiasts to create one-of-a-kind grilled cheese sandwiches for a chance to win 1 of 3 prizes. 

Stay for the live music, entertainment, amazing food, specialty drinks, beer garden, shopping and more!

Taste of Italy:

Dates and Location: June 16-18 College Street

Savor traditional Italian dishes like pasta, pizza, and gelato in Toronto’s Little Italy district, while also exploring the fusion cuisine found on College Street.

Take pleasure in watching live street performances, browsing local artisan vendors, and sipping refreshing drinks on inviting patios. It’s truly bellissimo!

Mississauga Halal Festival

Dates and Location: June 16-17, 2023 in Celebration Square Mississauga

Mississauga Halal Food Festival (MHFF) is a celebration of halal food connecting a diverse variety of halal cuisines with fun and entertainment. Running successfully from past eight years, MHFF is one of the largest celebrations of the region and is attended by more than 20,000 attendees every year from various communities of the region.

Taco Festival:

Dates and Location: June 16-18, 2023 at The Grounds at Hotel X

An electric atmosphere showcasing some of Toronto’s best and most celebrated chefs with an authentic Mexican twist. Join us for tacos, guacamole, churros, tequila, hot sauce and everything Mexican! With over 175 variations of Tacos, guests can expect to indulge in the city’s top offerings of both traditional Mexican cuisine and new takes on your favourite classic dishes. Taco Fest will feature handcrafted specialty cocktails & beverages including Margaritas, Palomas Mi Casas, the best in Tequila, Mezcal, and more!

For the Love of Father’s Day and Food Trucks

Dates and Location: June 18,2023 at Milton Fairgrounds

The annual For the Love of Fathers and Food Trucks will be an opportunity to bring the local Milton community and visitors together to celebrate the special fathers in their lives, with FOOD TRUCKS, beverage vendors, marketplace goodies, music, axe throwing and fun for the whole family!

Taste of Asia:

Dates and Location: June 23-25, 2023 at Kennedy and Steeles in Markham

Experience a harmonious and multi-day celebration of cuisine and culture at the largest outdoor Asian festival in North America, which offers amazing Asian food, artisan vendors, and a variety of performers.

Poutine and Mac and Cheese Festival:

Dates and Location: Saturday June 24-25, 2023 at Orangeville Fairgrounds

Featuring the best of the best poutine + mac n cheese, food trucks, live music all weekend, an indoor/outdoor vendor & artisans market, swag bags for the first 25 daily, prizes, giveaways, free on site parking and so much more!

JULY SUMMER FOOD FESITVALS AND EVENTS:

Taste of Lawerence:

Dates and Location: July 7-9 in Scarborough (Lawrence Avenue East between Warden Avenue and Birchmount Road)

Taste of Lawrence is a three-day food and cultural festival that takes place in the Wexford Heights BIA. As Scarborough’s largest street festival it boasts the most enticing flavours from every cultural community in the GTA. Locals and tourists alike come to the festival to experience the Taste firsthand as they celebrate their cultures and learn about the rich heritage of others.

Orangeville Rib Fest

Dates and Location: July 14-16,2023 at Alder Street Recreation Centre

The Rotary Club of Orangeville will be hosting a normal Ribfest! Everything that you’ve come to expect as part of our usual summer festival – sticky fingers, big smiles, and delicious fall-off-the-bone ribs!

Toronto Festival of India:

Dates and Location: July 15-16, 2023 on Centre Island in Toronto

The 51st edition of the Festival of India will feature a parade down Yonge Street, followed by a variety of celebrations, activities, and delectable vegetarian cuisine on Centre Island.

Halal Rib Fest

Dates and Location: July 14-16,2023 in Toronto

Canada’s largest halal barbeque and food truck event is rolling through Ontario again this summer. They combine food, shopping, games, and other festivities to create a memorable event!

Burlington Food Truck Festival

Dates and Location: July 21-23, 2023 at Spencer Smith Park

Burlington Food Truck Festival is BACK FOR 3 DAYS! 30 Food Trucks will be serving up some of the best food from the country, this is a festival you won’t want to miss! Show some of your Burlington love by bringing your friends and family. Oh and don’t forget, there will be FREE ADMISSION, cold beer, delicious food, and local performers geared to entertain the masses!

Panamerican Food & Music Festival

Dates and Location: July 22-23, 2023 at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto

Pan American Food and Music Festival is Canada’s only annual festival that celebrates the Western Hemisphere’s rich diversity of cuisine, music, and art, and will include Music, reflecting the actual level of music programming presented alongside the culinary programs.

Lakeshore RibFest

Dates and Location: July 21-23, 2023 at Colonel Samuel Smith Park in Etobicoke

The 2nd Annual Lakeshore Ribfest Presented by Ontario Festival Group will take place at Colonel Samuel Smith Park located at Lakeshore Drive West and Kipling Ave convenient for area residents and visitors from all over.

Featuring 4 of North America’s Best Rib Teams ready to serve you, your friends and family Award-Winning Mouth-Watering BBQ Smoked Ribs, Tender Pulled Pork, Juicy Smoked Brisket, BBQ Chicken, Smoked Sausage and those huge Beef “Dino” Ribs. There will be a variety of festival foods like The Bloomin’ Onion, Tiny Tom’s mini-donuts, roasted corn, poutines, funnel cakes and of course to wash it all down nice cold beer in the Great Lakes Beer Garden.

Watch Live Music all weekend long featuring amazing Tributes plus a variety of local bands.

AUGUST SUMMER FOOD FESTIVALS AND EVENTS:

Taste of India

Dates and Location: Aug 4-5, 2023 at Nathan Phillips Square

Taste of India is the largest Indian Food Festival in North America. Witnessing a footfall of whoopin 10,000 + attendees, Taste of India is an yearly event taking place in the month of August.

Toronto Food Truck Festival:

Dates and Locations: Aug 4-7, 2023 at Woodbine Park

Come Join Us at Woodbine Park For Great Food! Cold Beer! Live Music! & Eating Challenges!

Bring your Friends! Bring your Family! Come and enjoy some delicious local farm fresh food from more than 50 Food Trucks at one of Canada’s premier Food Truck Festivals. Join in on an eating challenge or just point and laugh. There’s something for everyone!

JerkFest

Date and Location: Aug 10-13,2023 at Centennial Park in Etobicoke

JerkFest is an annual event celebrating jerk cuisine and Caribbean culture organized by not-for-profit organization Caribbean Promotions Arts & Culture Inc. After two years of virtual livestreams, JerkFest is returning to their annual in-person celebration at Centennial Park as the top food and music festival.

Taste of the Danforth

Dates and Location: Aug 11-13, 2023 in Danforth Avenue, Toronto

Taste of the Danforth is a beloved Toronto summer tradition and the most successful annual street festival in Canada attracting up to 1.6 million people for a weekend of food, fun and music.

Burlington Veg Fest

Burlington Veg Fest

Date and Location: Aug 19,2023 at Burloak Waterfront Park in Burlington

A small, local, volunteer-led committee of vegans who are excited to bring the VegFest movement to Burlington! This event welcomes any and all – from the plant-based-curious to the long-term committed vegans – to join us for a day celebrating a way of living that is centered on compassion, health and sustainability, all while supporting local businesses, organizations, and other causes.

Halal Rib Fest

Dates and Location: July 25-27,2023 in Mississauga

Canada’s largest halal barbeque and food truck event is rolling through Ontario again this summer. They combine food, shopping, games, and other festivities to create a memorable event!

SEPTEMBER SUMMER FOOD FESTIVALS AND EVENTS:

Brampton Food Truck Festival

Dates and Location: Sept 1-3, 2023 at Chinguacousy Park in Brampton

Brampton Food Truck Festival will be LIVE for 3 days! 40 Food Trucks will be serving up some of the best food from around the country, this is a festival you won’t want to miss! Show some of your Brampton love by bringing your friends and family. Oh and don’t forget, there will be FREE ADMISSION, local performers, cold beer and eating challenges geared to entertain the masses!

Want to stay in the know with all things local?  Don’t forget to join our locally focus Facebook group:  Parents Resource – Open to any parents in Peel and Halton Region

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