As one of the most diverse cities in the world, Toronto is full of breathtaking film, artwork, and culture year round. In the summer, the streets of our city are transformed into endless festival grounds for music, theatre and the arts. From May to August, events pop up all over for the public to enjoy and be educated by, so check out our list to stay in the know and participate below!
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PRIDE MONTH
When: June 1 – 30
Celebrate the most wonderful and colourful celebration there is! Pride weekend, which features Sunday’s parade, is June 21 to 23, but Pride Toronto is full of events all month long! It’s bound to ooze music, arts, and entertainment. You can find events going on every day and a party every weekend, so head somewhere you can be entirely yourself.
LUMINATO FESTIVAL
When: June 7 to 23
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Luminato Festival covers everything from performance to visual art, so you can count on seeing incredible theatre, dance, music, and more. This year, artworks can be found all over the city – as Luminato is multidisciplinary at several locations. Check out the Harbourfront Centre for a standout installation titled House of Mirrors!
NXNE: North by North East Festival
When: June 7 – 16
This music fest has a sweet line up every year, with club land shows across the city and its festival village in Toronto’s core at Yonge & Dundas. They close down Yonge from Queen to Dundas and fill the streets with events each day! Best of all? It’s free to attend. So check out artists like American Football, Cupcakke, Greys, Cold War Kids, Ellis, and more!
THE STOP’S NIGHT MARKET
When: June 18 – 19
Spend your evening eating delicious snacks at this culinary festival at the new stackt market! All proceeds go to The Stop Community Food Centre, a nonprofit organization that has provided food-based programs, services, and advocacy to Toronto residents for over 35 years. The tickets include 65+ chefs and 25+ drink options for everyone, in addition to live music to pull the night all together!
NUIT ROSE
When: June 15
This year marks the 6th annual edition of Nuit Rose, a festival that focuses on queer art and performance. The festival is free to the public, and engages with LGBTQ+ communities by showcasing diverse work from local and international artists. The festival has brought so many artists from around the world together to create something that serves as a powerful exploration of an inspirational mind.
TORONTO JAZZ FESTIVAL
When: June 21 – June 30
Roam the city’s east end to catch Toronto’s annual Jazz Festival from June 21st to 30th! You will be able to explore the Beaches area to find some awesome musical events, as jazz lovers traverse through the streets all night long in the warm summer air.
FRINGE FESTIVAL
When: July 3 – 14
This year is the 31st anniversary of Toronto’s Fringe Festival. There’s set to be over 1,000 events happening in over 30 venues all across the city, so you’re bound to find something exciting no matter where you are. The festival features plays, musicals, and performances of all kinds, so you’re bound to find something that tickles your fancy!
TORONTO OUTDOOR ART FAIR
When: July 12 – 14
Canada’s largest and longest running contemporary outdoor art fair is back! Head to Nathan Phillips Square to see all sorts of unique art, and even have a drink at their cascading beer garden. This will be the 58th year of the festival, and over the years they have had almost every kind you can think of pass through the fair.
TORONTO CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL
When: July 7 – August 11
The four-week celebration of Toronto Caribbean Carnival starts with the carnival ball and ends with the grand parade. Events will be happening all over Toronto, even spanning out to Etobicoke. The events span from different parades to parties, and even shows about how the intricate costumes are made!
FESTIVAL OF BEER
When: July 26 – 28
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Toronto’s Festival of Beer is the go-to event for any beer fans. This celebration, presented by The Beer Store, is about booze, bands, and food. The festival has also paired up with the Hilton hotel, so anyone drinking can have a safe place to spend the night. Make sure to grab your tickets soon, as they always go fast!
FAN EXPO
When: August 22 – 25
Celebrate everything fandom! Complete with vendors selling all your favourite merchandise, and artists with the personalized art you’ve been looking for, Fan Expo is somewhere where you can meet your favourite authors, actors, and celebrities. You can also learn new skills at a workshop, or even try speed dating!