TR Fests + Events Calendar August 2022
🕘 13.5 min read
After a two-year hiatus, food festivals and events are back and better than ever. This month’s spectacular lineup is jam-packed with festivities celebrating everything from bbq to butter tarts. The only challenge? Trying to fit it all in.
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July 29-August 1
SCARBOROUGH RIBFEST
Thomson Park - 1005 Brimley Rd.
The celebration of all things barbecue, organized by the Rotary Club of Scarborough, represents the club's largest annual fundraising event, celebrating 21 years of success. The weekend will be filled with food and entertainment, made for the whole family.
July 29-August 1
TORONTO FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL
Woodbine Park
Back for another summer of great eats, this year’s roster includes 35+ vendors, daily eating challenges, and live entertainment.
July 31-August 1
TASTE OF INDIA FESTIVAL
Nathan Phillips Square
Enjoy an array of food and drinks, mesmerizing performances, flash mobs, competitions and activities for the whole family.
August 5-6
TASTE OF VIETNAM
Nathan Phillips Square
The annual festival showcasing Vietnam through food, culture and arts returns returns to Nathan Phillips Square.
August 5-7
TD JERKFEST 2022
Centennial Park - 256 Centennial Park Rd.
The 21st annual celebration of all things jerk is back with a wide array of traditional selections (chicken, pork, and fish) and exotic varieties such as frog legs and alligator. Take in performances by local and international artists, relax in the Platinum and V.I.P. Gardens.
Donate canned food items for the Afri-Can FoodBasket and Regeneration Food Banks.
Photo courtesy of TD JerkFest Toronto.
August 5-7
NIGHT IT UP! MARKET
180 Enterprise Blvd.
Organized by Power Unit Youth Organization a youth-driven non-profit organization in the GTA, the outdoor festival fashioned after Asian night markets features a wide array of Asian fare and nightly performances by local artists.
August 6
ALOHAFEST TORONTO
Mel Lastman Square
The 6th annual festival is “Torontoʻs first and only united celebration of Polynesian culture.” Take in various dance and musical performances while indulging in both local favourites and unique Hawaiian treats.
August 6
HUMBER BAY SHORES WATERFRONT FESTIVAL
Humber Bay Park West Parking Lot
The Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association presents the 10th annual lakeside celebration, with a lineup of food from local farmers’ market vendors and food trucks boasting an array of international cuisines, treats and services from local businesses and artisans, local performers and bans, a kid’s zone with face painters, interactive inflatable obstacle courses and jumping castles for kids under the age of 12, and new this year – a beer garden.
August 6
TORONTO PATTY FEST
TBD
The Afro Caribbean Farmers’ Market is launching “the world's first Jamaican beef patty festival.”
Stay tuned for details.
August 6
VEGANDALE FESTIVAL
Fort York - Garrison Common
The famed plant-based foodie event touches down in the 6ix for a day-long celebration of vegan food and drink, with a lineup of vendors, music and art.
Note: Ticket prices increase August 3.
August 12-13
MISSISSAUGA ITALFEST
Celebration Square – 300 City Centre Dr.
Mississauga’s “first and premier Italian festival,” is a free event celebrating Italian heritage, music and art. food, marketplace and community vendors
Photo courtesy of Mississauga ITALFEST.
August 12-14
FRIED CHICKEN FEST
Street Eats Market x STC – 500 Progress Ave.
Come and get all the crispy, crunchy, juicy poultry in addition to other sweet and savoury treats at Street Eats Market famed fest at Scarborough Town Centre.
August 12-14
MISSISSAUGA'S LATIN FOOD FEST
Square One Shopping Centre - Lot P3
Night Market Toronto continues its epic summer food tour with a weekend filled with Latin and fusion fare and live performances.
August 12-14
THORNHILL - VAUGHAN RIB FEST
Dufferin Clarke Community Centre - 1441 Clark Ave. W.
The summer Northern Heat Rib Series continues with a weekend of food, fun and entertainment is in store thanks to a lineup of BBQ, brews and live music. The fun continues with carnival fare, giant yard games and kid’s zone. Admission and parking are free. Bring the whole family - including the dog.
Note: Some vendors accept cash only.
Photo courtesy of Northern Heat Rib Series.
August 12-14
WATERFRONT NIGHT MARKET
Ontario Place - West Island
Symbolically designed in celebration of the QiXi Double Seven Festival (Asia's version of Valentine's Day), the 2022 edition of the WNM boasts a mix of interactive entertainment with an action-packed roster featuring the Signature Pan-Asian Food Festival, BeerCraft Festival, and Illuminasian Floating Lantern & Cultural Showcase.
Note: This event is 19+.
August 12-28
SUMMERLICIOUS
Various locations
Over 200 participating restaurants offer three-course prix fixe menus offer for prices ranging from $20-$65 for lunch, $25-$75 for dinner.
Reservations begin July 28.
August 13
RICHMOND HILL ROTARY CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (RHCPA) - 10268 Yonge St.
Enjoy a day filled with craft brews, food vendors and live music at Richmond Hill’s cultural centre.
August 13
ROUNDHOUSE CRAFT BEER FEST - SUMMER EDITION
Roundhouse Park - 255 Bremner Blvd.
Steam Whistle Brewing, in association with the Toronto Railway Museum, is celebrating all types of craft brews including cider makers and hard seltzers. Toronto food trucks, live entertainments and an outdoor dance party with DJ Matt Weed round out the day’s events.
Tickets are $40 +tax. Note: This is a 19+ event.
August 14
BENTWAY BLOCK PARTY
The Bentway - 250 Fort York Blvd.
The free, all-ages street party across The Bentway includes food vendors, musical performances, family-friendly games and workshops, and much more.
August 19-September 5
CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION
Exhibition Place
Canada’s largest annual community event is back with a wide variety of entertainment and events including: Midway rides and games, carnival eats and treats, international food and shopping bandshell concerts, working farm, parades and shows, celebrity chef demonstrations and much more. This year’s lineup also includes Mardi Gras Food Truck Festival Aug 20-23 (evenings) and Food Truck Frenzy & Craft Beer Fest Aug 25-28.
Canadian National Exhibition - CNE. Photo by Stephanie Dickison | Toronto Restaurants.
August 20
THE ROSÉ PICNIC
Woodbine Park
Canada’s largest premium picnic dedicated to all things pink returns, this time in a new location.
August 20-21
JAPAN FESTIVAL CANADA
Mississauga Celebration Square - 300 City Centre Dr.
The ”largest Japanese cultural event in North America” boasts a wide array of Japanese food and drink accompanying traditional and modern performances.
August 20-21
PAN AMERICAN FOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
Yonge Dundas Square
“Canada’s only annual festival that celebrates the Western Hemisphere’s rich diversity of cuisine, music and art” produced by Toronto-based non-profit cultural organization ArtsXplosion, is a free event presented annually to “reinforce the growing cultural identity shared among Canadians and the 40 other countries of North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.”
Did you know? The name of the festival has been changed this year to include music, reflecting the level of music programming presented alongside the culinary programs.
Photo courtesy of Pan American Food & Music Festival.
August 20-22
TORONTO CHINATOWN FESTIVAL
Chinatown – Dundas and Spadina
The annual celebration of Chinese culture boasts a lineup of events from lion dances and lucky draws as well as a variety of food and merchandise.
August 20-21
TASTE OF MANILA
Bathurst and Wilson
“One of Canada's largest street festivals and the most attended Filipino festival outside of the Philippines,” returns for its ninth year featuring Filipino cuisine, entertainment, and much more.
August 26-27
TORONTO CIDER FESTIVAL
Toronto Inukshuk Park - 789 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
It’s all fun and games at the annual cider fest: 100+ ciders on deck, themed events (90s Night, Dance Party), Toronto Flair Bartending Championship, VIP Experience, contests and challenges are just the beginning.
August 26-28
HALAL RIBFEST
Downsview Park
“Canada's largest halal food barbecue and food truck festival” is filled with some of the best Halal fare Toronto has to offer, carnival food and rides, marketplace featuring local and international vendors, eating competitions, and more.
August 26-28
SINTING FEST ON EGLINTON WEST
Eglinton Park – 200 Eglinton Ave. W.
The Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) and Little Jamaica presents a three-day celebration designed to revitalize and promote the people, culture and businesses of Toronto’s Little Jamaica neighbourhood.
Part food fest, part Black Business expo, festivities include music, dance, activities for the kids and food demonstrations by local Caribbean chefs.
August 27
LESLIEVILLE BEERFEST
Dundas St. E. - Logan to Carlaw
The east end nabe is hosting a street party and you’re invited. On the roster: Regional brewers, community food vendors and local artisans.
Tickets are $40 and includes a commemorative sampling mug and three beer sample tokens. Unused drink tickets? Drop them in one of the red collection buckets - they’ll be cashed in for a donation that will support The Red Door Family Shelter’s children’s programming.
Photo courtesy of Leslieville Beer Fest.
August 27-28, 2022
TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN
Canada’s Wonderland
The two-day celebration of Caribbean food, included with park admission, includes everything from jerk chicken and seafood to rum cake and sweet summer sippers, accompanied by steel drum music.
Continuing until September 2
CULTURAL BAZAAR 2022
660 Dundas St. E.
The Toronto Centre of Learning & Development’s Cultural Bazaar 2022 in Regent Park takes place every Friday from 5-9pm until September 2.
The free event includes multicultural food, artisanal products, and fun fair treats such as cotton candy and popcorn for sale, live music, henna, raffles and much more. Take part in Yoga in the Park 5:30pm-6:30pm. (Please bring your own mat.)
Continuing until January 2, 2023
THE FRIENDS™ EXPERIENCE TORONTO
Yorkdale - 3401 Dufferin St.
Immerse yourself in the world of Monica, Pheobe, Rachel, Chandler, Joey and Ross, including photos ops in Central Perk and food and drink related props, costumes, and merch.
Continuing until Sept 10
SMORGASBURG TORONTO
7 Queens Quay E.
The “largest weekly open-air food market in America” touches down in the 6ix with dozens of local vendors available Saturdays throughout the summer.
Continuing until August 28
UNION SUMMER
65 Front St. W.
Visit a variety of food and drink vendors and enjoy live performances at this event outside Union Station.
Continuing until September 30
WORLD OF BARBIE CAFÉ
199 Rathburn Rd. W.
Making its global debut in Canada., he 30,000-square-foot Barbie interactive attraction features life-size installations that are sure to capture imaginations across generations. Among immersive activities, guests can pay a visit the the Dream House brought to life, chill out in her full size camper van, create their own customized Barbie set, and pause for sweet treats and afternoon tea in true Barbie style at the World of Barbie Café.
Note: Events and information subject to change.
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