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.
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!
June 1 -> Longest Dinner Table in Mississauga
June 7-9-> Night Market at Mel Lastman Square
June 21-23-> Streets Eats in Burlington
June 28-30 -> Flavours by Fire in Mississauga
July 1 -> Sweet Eats Toronto at Mel Lastman Square
July 5-7-> Sweet Eats Mississauga
July 12-14-> International Food and Drink Festival at Mel Lastman Square
August 2-5-> Fried Chicken Festival at Erin Mills Town Centre
Sept 20-22 -> Poutine Festival at La Salle Park Burlington
Sept 27-29 -> Poutine Festival at Erin Mills Town Centre
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 14-16 -> Toronto Beaches
June 21-23 -> Brampton
June 28 – July 1 -> Hamilton Mountain
July 5-7 -> Georgetown
July 12-14 ->Downtown Toronto
July 19-21 -> Hamilton
July 26-28-> Milton
Aug 9-11 -> Thornhill
Aug 16-18 -> Midland
August 23-25 -> Waterloo
Aug 30-Sept 1-> Lindsey
MAY SUMMER FOOD FESTIVALS AND EVENTS:
Mississauga Carassauga
Dates and Location: May 24-26 at Various Mississauga Locations
Burnhamthorpe Community Centre (1500 Gulleden Drive) *NEW LOCATION
- Rink – Iraq
Canadian Coptic Centre (1245 Eglinton Ave W)
- Indoor and Outdoor Area – Egypt
Frank McKechnie Community Centre (310 Bristol Road E.)
- Gym and Room – Armenia
Mississauga Valley Community Centre (1275 Mississauga Vly Blvd) *NEW LOCATION
Paramount Fine Foods Centre (5500 Rose Cherry Place)
- Rink 2 – China , Poland
- Rink 3 – Countries of Africa , India
- Rink 4 – Croatia , Philippines
- Outdoor South Parking Lot – Pavilion Tents – Canada, Colombia, Countries of the Caribbean, Cyprus, Greece, Pakistan, Peru, Turkiye, and Vietnam
- Outdoor South Parking Lot – Kids Zone, Midway Rides, Outdoor stage and food area.
Paramount Fine Foods Centre Sportsplex (5600 Rose Cherry Place)
- Lobby – Ireland
- Gym – Indonesia , USA – State of Hawaii
Portuguese Cultural Centre of Mississauga (53 Queen ST. N)
- Facility Hall – Portugal
St. Sava Serbian Centre (2520 Dixie Road) Please note, this facility is not wheelchair accessible
- Facility Hall – Serbia
FREE transportation on All MiWay buses and Carassauga shuttle buses connecting to all the Locations.
Download the Festival Map as an image
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.
Our Kids Zone is a fun place for families with kids to enjoy various games, rides and programs.
Some of our 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 our recreational and arts exhibitors to learn about the many family programs offered throughout the city.
Our community partners will also be on hand, including the Mississauga Fire Department and Peel Regional Police for meet and greets and safety tips. Families will also get a chance to interact with a full size fire truck.
Kids love meeting our Carassauga mascots, Carra and Missi. Kids will have an opportunity to get a photo with them throughout the festival weekend.
** Kids 12 years and younger enter FREE when accompanied by an adult with a Carassauga Passport.
Ancaster Dessert Fest
Featuring top bakers & chefs, a large vendor & artisan market, grab lunch or a snack at the food trucks, free loaded swag bags for the first 50 daily, free entry into the grand prize basket, a kids corner, workshops, a Buttertart eating competition, free on site parking & so much more!
📍Ancaster Fairgrounds (Marritt Hall)
⏰ Saturday May 25th: 10am-4pm
Sunday May 26th: 10am-3pm
✨$5 admission cash only (children 12 & under are free)
JUNE SUMMER FOOD FESTIVALS AND EVENTS:
Enjoy the most unique & delicious flavours of cheesecakes AND tacos. In addition to a beer garden, an indoor & outdoor artisan market, free loaded swag bags for the first 50 daily, free entry to the grand prize basket, a complementary kids zone with bouncy castles, inflatable games, corn hole, etc. & more!
Check out Comedy Night from 7-9pm on Saturday- comedians TBA soon. On Sunday, enjoy an ALL DAY car show with classic cars, street cars & more!
📍Paris Fairgrounds
⏰ Saturday June 1st | 11am-9pm
Sunday June 2nd | 11am-5pm
✨$5 admission fee cash only (12 & under are free)
Grilled Cheese Challenge Festival
Dates and Location: June 8, 2024 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 14-16 Bathurst to Shaw 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 15-16, 2024 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.
Taste of Asia:
Dates and Location: June 28-30 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.
JULY SUMMER FOOD FESITVALS AND EVENTS:
Taste of Lawerence:
Dates and Location: July 5-7 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 19-21 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 13-14, 2024 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.
Burlington Food Truck Festival
Dates and Location: July19-21 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 20-21, 2024 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 19-21, 2024 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:
Taco Festival:
Dates and Location: August 9-11 Fort York Toronto
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!
Halal Rib Fest
Dates and Location: Aug 9-11 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!
Toronto Food Truck Festival:
Dates and Locations: Aug 2-5, 2024 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 9-11,2024 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.
Burlington Veg Fest
Date and Location: Aug 17,2024 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.
SEPTEMBER SUMMER FOOD FESTIVALS AND EVENTS:
Brampton Food Truck Festival
Dates and Location: Aug 30-Sept 1 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
Can you help make this article better?
If you have noticed an error, have additional information or would like to share a comment you can:
E-mail us at info@thexploringfamily.com
Find us on Facebook: The Exploring Family
Find us on Instagram: @The.Exploring.Family
