18 must-see summer festivals in Toronto

Pride Month
Happy Pride! Toronto celebrates the LGBTQQIP2SAA community throughout the month of June with a mix of fun parties, family-friendly events, concerts, political movements, and of course, the parade. The massive Pride Parade shuts down a few city blocks and is always jam packed with floats, music, dancers and super soakers — spectators near the front of the route, prepare to get wet. Head down to Church & Wellesley for a street fair as well, with food, vendors and outdoor dance parties!

• When: June 1 to 30 (the Pride Parade is June 25)
• Where: Various locations
• Schedule
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Field Trip
Field Trip stands apart from other music festivals in the city thanks to its non-musical offerings: there’s a play area for kids (sometimes with a bouncy castle!), art exhibits, comedy shows and more all happening alongside an indie rock concert from artists like Feist, Phoenix and Broken Social Scene.

• When: June 3 to 4
• Where: Fort York: Garrison Common
• Price: $80 to $125
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Luminato
Luminato brings the arts to Toronto in a major way this summer, with theatre performances, concerts, opera, dance, cabaret and more. This year, they’re setting up a historic travelling tent in David Pecaut Square where most of the excitement will be happening.

• When: June 14 to 25
• Where: David Pecaut Square
• Price: Varies by event
• More information

Taste of Toronto
Toronto food fests are usually focused on one food or cuisine (see: Taco Fest, Ribfest, etc.), but Taste of Toronto is about good food of any kind. Chefs and restauranteurs from across the city are serving up their signature dishes, making it a chance to taste the very best in the city. There’s also live cooking demonstrations, classes and a shopping area.

• When: June 15 to 18
• Where: Fort York: Garrison Common
• Price: $10 to $21
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NXNE
North by Northeast (NXNE) is one of the older music fests in Toronto, but it’s gone through some major changes recently. Instead of hundreds of shows spread across the city, it’s concentrated into a three-day music festival at the Port Lands. This year’s headliners are Post Malone, Sleigh Bells and Passion Pit.

• When: June 16 to 25
• Where: Port Lands
• Price: $80 to $220
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Toronto Jazz Festival
Toronto Jazz is back again this summer, and its celebrating the big 3-0! The music fest is turning 30 this year and we’re invited to the party alongside major jazz artists like Joss Stone, Randy Bachman, Mavis Staples and Aretha Franklin. Lucky us! You can also catch a free show in Yorkville throughout the festival.

• When: June 23 to July 2
• Where: Various Locations
• Price: Varies by event
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Shakespeare in High Park 
Is there any better way to spend a summer evening than sitting in the beautiful scenery of High Park, enjoying a Shakespearean performance? Shakespeare in High Park is celebrating its 35th year of free, outdoor performances. Get there early to grab a seat and check out the show. This year, it’s King Lear and Twelfth Night on alternating nights.

• When: June 29 to September 3
• Where: High Park
• Price: Pay-What-You-Can
• More information

Toronto Ribfest
It’s a Canada Day tradition! Ribfest in Etobicoke is a massive food event that takes place over the Canada Day long weekend. There’s barbecue (obviously) from dozens of different vendors, plus carnival rides, music performances and fireworks. Proceeds from the event help the Rotary Club of Etobicoke, so go ahead, have a second helping of ribs! It’s for a good cause.

• When: June 30 to July 1
• Where: Centennial Park
• Price: $2 admission, food is extra
• More information

Toronto Fringe Festival
Inspired by the world-famous Edinburg Fringe, Toronto Fringe brings some of the best new plays and comedic acts to the city to showcase their work. There’s experimental theatre, work-in-progress plays, old favourites and world famous acts sharing the stage with newcomers. It’s a total grab bag! You can buy tickets to individual shows, or buy Fringe passes that let you drop in on whatever performance you like.

• When: July 5 to 16
• Where: Various locations
• Price: Varies by event
• Schedule
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Summerlicious
Oh, yes. Summerlicious is the biggest culinary event of the summer! Dozens of the best restaurants from across Toronto take part in the foodie event with special prix-fixe menus. During Summerlicious’ run you can enjoy three course meals (dinner, sometimes lunch) at a discount price from restaurants like Auberge du Pommier or Canoe. It’s a chance to check out some of the swankier Toronto restaurants for a not-so daunting price!

• When: July 7 to 23
• Where: Various locations
• Price: $15 to $45
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Digital Dreams
Digital Dreams is a music fest that boasts a lineup for “the discerning electronic music fan.” So, if you’re serious about electronic music, this might be the one for you. The two-day outdoor party at Echo Beach boasts three distinct stages for artists like Above & Beyond, Dillstradamus, DVBBS, Steve Angello and more.

• When: July 7 to 8
• Where: Echo Beach
• Price: $125 to $180
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• Schedule
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Beaches Jazz
The East end gets its own music fest with Beaches Jazz. There’s a street festival happening at Queen and Woodbine, plus stages at Kew Gardens, Jimmie Simpson Park, Woodbine Park and other spots around the neighbourhood where you can catch free concerts and performances.

• When: July 7 to 30
• Where: Woodbine Park
• Price: Free
• Schedule
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Honda Indy
If you’re downtown during the Honda Indy, you might hear it before you see it. The IndyCar Series race is at Exhibition Place and is one of IndyCar’s longest and oldest racing events! Racers like Michael Andretti, Felix Rosenqvist and Will Power have competed (and won!) over the years.

When: July 14 to 16

• Where: Exhibition Place
• Price: $70 to $175
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Toronto Festival of Beer
Patio beers are a summer staple, but the Toronto Festival of Beer takes it one step further. You can drink beer from local and international brewers (including some rare, hard to find stuff!) outdoors in the sun at Exhibition Place all weekend long. There’s music from Sloan, Alan Doyle and Methodman and Redman, plus food from local chefs onsite.

• When: July 28 to 30
• Where: Exhibition Place
• Price: $42.50
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Caribana
It’s officially called the Toronto Caribbean Carnival now, but everyone still says Caribana. The annual festival is one of the biggest of the summer with more than a million people showing up to celebrate all things Caribbean. The main event is the big parade with dancers, soca and calypso music, and a fun party atmosphere. Wear something colourful!

• When: August 5
• Where: Exhibition Place
• Price: $15
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Veld Festival
There’s a lot of different music festivals in the summer vying for your time and money, but if you’re an EDM fan Veld is usually your best bet. This year’s lineup has expanded to include more hip-hop alongside the usual dance acts with headliners like Future, Tiesto, Major Lazer, Migos and Tory Lane. It’s a pretty stacked set, and one music fans surely won’t miss.

• When: August 5 to 6
• Where: Downsview Park
• Price: $99 to $175.50
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Taste of the Danforth
It’s not summer without a trip to Taste of the Danforth! The annual event is one of the biggest and most popular food tests in the city. The Danforth will be serving up mouthwatering Greek dishes from some of the best local restaurants, plus a stage with performances, games for kids and all kinds of fun.

• When: August 11 to 13
• Where: Danforth between Broadview and Donlands
• Price: Free
• More information

CNE
The CNE is the most bittersweet summer festival in Toronto — we wait all summer for it to finally arrive, and when it does, it means summer is coming to a close! The annual fair has midway games, outrageous rides and some of the craziest food you could imagine: no matter what you’re craving, the food tent has it deep-fried, wrapped in bacon and drizzled in chocolate.

• When: August 18 to September 4
• Where: Exhibition Place
• Price: $16 to $119
• Buy tickets
• More information

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More things to do on YP.ca

• Toronto's top summer food festivals
• Outdoor music events in Toronto this summer
• Free outdoor movie screenings in Toronto this summer

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