The most wonderful time of the year is almost here! And as we all know, each year, Toronto goes all out when it comes to the holidays, with countless festive events and attractions popping up all throughout the city. If you happen to be a bit of a foodie, you’re in luck as there are a number of great holiday food events worth checking out this year that will surely put you in the festive spirit.
Check out there holiday food events happening in Toronto!
The Distillery Winter Village
When: November 17th to December 31st
Where: Toronto Distillery District
The annual holiday market returns this year to welcome thousands of visitors and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate, indulge in festive treats and eats from the market vendors, and shop for gifts from local shops and booths, all while exploring the market under twinkly lights.
Taste of the Holidays
When: November 18, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Eataly, 55 Bloor Street West Toronto
Come and follow a holiday trail throughout Eataly’s marketplace as you enjoy 10 different authentic Italian bites, from decadent desserts like artisanal panettone dipped in Venchi chocolate hazelnut spread to savoury bites like agnolotti del plin, and holiday classics like freshly roasted chestnuts.
Miracle Toronto
When: November 18th to December 31st
Where: 875 Bloor Street West
Miracle is back once again, bringing a Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bar serving holiday cocktails in a festive setting to Toronto. With kitschy holiday decor, cocktails by the team at Civil Liberties, and the nostalgic energy of the best office party you’ve ever been to, Miracle is sure to get even the grouchiest Grinch in the holiday spirit.
Swedish Christmas Fair
When: November 19th and 20th
Where: Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas Street East
The Swedish Christmas Fair, hosted by SWEA Toronto, attracts thousands of people each year who come to experience Swedish Christmas food, design, folk art, crafts, and traditions. There will also be the traditional Glögg stand (Swedish mulled wine), Swedish candy, and the traditional Swedish dance around the Christmas tree to celebrate the holidays.
Northern Lights TO
When: December 1st to January 8th
Where: Grand Bizarre at Exhibition Place
Northern Lights is an immersive experience that wraps you up in the lights, sights, sounds, and feelings of the holidays. Bring your festive spirit and explore 80,000 square feet of holiday fun including art installations, dazzling décor, a 25-foot illuminated Christmas tree, games and activities, a holiday vendor market, festive food and drinks, and much more. Tickets are on sale now and a portion of every admission ticket sold will be donated to The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).
Holiday Fair in the Square
When: December 2nd to 23rd
Where: 100 Queen Street West
Toronto’s Holiday Fair in the Square is the ultimate foodie wonderland. Whether you’re looking for something sweet, a drink to warm you up, or just somewhere different to go for dinner, the Holiday Fair in the Square features seasonal snacks and delicious cuisines from some of Toronto’s finest food trucks and gourmet merchants.
Improv Holiday Brunch
When: Sundays – December 4th to 18th
Where: Second City, 1 York Street
Comedy and brunch, what more could you ask for? For three weekends only this holiday season, come and enjoy a scrumptiously seasonal breakfast and a totally improvised comedy show from some of the city’s funniest.
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With just over a month of summer left, there’s no better time to get outside and not only enjoy the beautiful weather, but also all of the amazing events taking place throughout the city.
Luckily for you, we’ve tracked down the hottest summer events worth checking out and put together a curated list that will keep you having fun until the summer season ends.
Whatever you’re in the mood for, chances are we’ve found the perfect Toronto summer event for you.
Waterfront Nightmarket
The 13th annual Waterfront Night Market is making its return this summer for a Pan-Asian Food and Craft Beer Festival. The market will feature more than 100 food, artisan, and craft beer vendors, and is definitely an event you won’t want to miss.
When: August 12 – 14 from 2 pm to 12 am
Where: Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West
Summerlicious Toronto
The Summerlicious festival returns this August, offering Torontonians a way to celebrate the city’s diverse culinary scene with set menus and price points at amazing restaurants throughout the city. Diners can enjoy three-course prix fixe menus at more than 200 participating restaurants at six price points for lunch or dinner.
When: August 12 – 28
Where: See all participating restaurants here
The CNE
Let’s go to The Ex! Everyone’s favourite event of the summer is back! Get ready for a whole lot of rides, shopping, live entertainment, and an amazing array of carnival food at this epic late summer event.
When: August 19 to September 5
Where: Exhibition Place
The Rosé Picnic
The biggest rosé party of the summer is returning to Toronto. Get your finest pink and white ensemble ready for this boozy bash at a new venue, and enjoy a full day of drinks, bites, dance parties, photo ops, and plenty of entertainment.
When: August 20 from 12 pm to 11 pm
Where: Woodbine Park, 1695 Queen Street East
Toronto Chinatown Festival
Chinatown’s popular summer street festival is finally returning this August and will feature a neighbourhood-wide celebration of Toronto’s local Chinese community. Get ready for multi-cultural street food, traditional dancing and dragon shows, Kung Fu demonstrations, and much more.
When: August 20 from 12 pm to 11 pm and August 21 from 11 am to 8 pm
Where: West of Spadina Avenue, between St Andrew Street and Sullivan Street
Pan American Food and Music Festival 2022
This is Canada’s only event that brings together the 41 countries that make up the American continent. With more than 20 chefs, 40 performances, and over 600 artists on stage, there is something for everyone to enjoy at the Pan American Food & Music Festival.
When: August 20 and 21 from 11 am to 10 pm
Where: Yonge and Dundas Square
163rd Queen’s Plate
This historic tradition of the Queen’s Plate will celebrate its 163rd edition this summer and spectators can enjoy the races, entertainment, and sumptuous dining packages. This event is also notoriously fashionable, so don’t forget to wear a big hat and garden party chic attire.
When: August 21, doors open at 11:30 am
Where: Woodbine Racetrack, 555 Rexdale Boulevard
Fan Expo
Experience the largest comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event in Canada. Get ready for four days of citywide events, family-friendly attractions, and world-renowned celebrities.
When: August 25 – 28
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West
Toronto Cider Festival
Raise a glass of crisp cider and celebrate the wind-down of summer at the Toronto Cider Festival. Get ready to drink, eat, and shop local with a glass of cider in hand as you enjoy live entertainment. After taking a two-year break, this is an event you and your friends need to be at.
When: August 26 and 27, Friday from 5 pm to 11 pm and Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm and 5 pm to 11 pm
Where: Toronto Inukshuk Park, 789 Lake Shore Boulevard West
TIFF
Calling all movie buffs: Toronto will once again roll out the red carpet from September 8 to 18 to host TIFF. This is your chance to catch a glimpse of your favourite celebrities and the opportunity to watch new movies from around the world.
When: September 8 – 18
Where: Events are happening throughout the city. Check the TIFF website for full event locations
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There are two types of people: those who plan out their summers based on food festivals, and those who don’t. My logic is that there are more food festivals than beaches in Toronto, so why not live a little and eat to your hearts content at all the food events happening in the city? There’s plenty of time to be healthy in between each outing, so really it’s a win-win. If you’re looking to taste all the yummy eats that Toronto has to offer, then hitting up any of these events are more than worth it. Grab your friends and put on your eating pants because this summer is lookin’ mighty tasty!
Take a look at 14 food events happening this spring and summer in Toronto and add the most drool-worthy to your list!
Tastemaker
Instagram/@tastemaker
May 10-12 at Evergreen Brick Works
Tickets start at $67.15
Kicking it all off is Tastemaker at Evergreen Brick Works. The event is one massive food and drink party thrown by the city’s top chefs, mixologists, restaurants, wineries, and artisans. Straight from the Tastemaker kitchen and bar, try some of the most tantalizing eats. One ticket gets you access to unlimited tasting which means all the eats you can handle and exclusive access to the Tastemaker Bar!
Yonge & Dundas Square Rib Fest
Instagram/@northernheatribseries
May 16 -19 at Yonge & Dundas Square
Free Entry
Being one of the best Yonge & Dundas Square traditions, Rib Fest hardly needs any introduction. The food festival pairs mouth watering ribs with craft beer and lots of fun. Did I mention that it’s free entry all weekend? This event is no joke! Do your research because a quick dig on the website can get you $3.00 of ribs, skip the line passes, and even a chance to win free ribs.
Toronto Poutine Fest
Instagram/@to.foodandtravel
May 24-26 at Yonge & Dundas Square
Free Entry
Canadians definitely have the same passion for poutine as we do for hockey; one bite of the delicious cheese and gravy covered fries and you’ll know what I mean. Lucky for you, Poutine Fest is back for it’s second year and you can try everything from shrimp poutine to apple pie poutine!
Burgermania
Instagram/@rontosburger
May 31- June 2 at Yonge & Dundas Square
Free Entry
Yonge and Dundas Square is home to many great things, including Burgermania, a three day food extravaganza focusing on burgers – duh! The event will have drool-inducing stacks of beef, along with live music, beer. Don’t worry — there will be loads of yummy vegetarian and gluten-free options, too. Expect to see some Toronto favourites here like The Stockyards, Ronto’s Burgers, and Cherry St. Bar-B-Que and many more!
Brunch Fest
Instagram/@thebrunchfest
June 1-2 at The Grounds at Hotel X
Tickets start at $7.95
Taste Toronto, Cravings Food Co. and Bud Light Radler have paired up again to bring you another year of Brunch Fest. Over 20 top chefs will be coming together to bring your palette breakfast-inspired delights. While current vendors aren’t yet listed, past vendors included Parts & Labour, Fonda Lola, Thompson Diner, and more.
The Mac + Cheese Festival
Instagram/@themacandcheesefestival
June 7-9 at Roundhouse Park
Free Entry
If you’re anything like me and mac & cheese has a special place in your heart, then this is for you! Enjoy three whole days dedicated to the pasta during the Mac + Cheese Festival happening at Roundhouse Park. Teams will compete to bring you the most delicious mac & cheese creations, so you know the stakes will be high and the dishes will be loaded will all sorts of cheesy goodness.
Toronto Taste 2019
June 9th at Evergreen Brick Works
Tickets start at $265.79
If you’re looking to give back while you tuck in, then get ready for Toronto Taste 2019. Put on by Second Harvest, Toronto Taste raises money to bring food to the people who need it the most. Proceeds from this event will not only help to support one of Canada’s largest food rescue organization, but will also give you access to delectable dishes prepared by 50 of Toronto’s top chefs.
Taco Fest
Instagram/@thetacofest
June 14-16 at Ontario Place
Tickets start at $9.95
Ontario Place will be overflowing with tacos this June during the much anticipated Taco Fest! With loads of variations of tacos, you can expect to indulge in all things tacos including faves like guacamole, churros, tequila, and hot sauce. Past vendors included Fidel Gastro, El Caballito, Macho Radio Bar, along with many others and this year’s Taco Fest is bound to be one big fiesta.
Summerlicious
Instagram/@_kativ
July 2019
Prices vary depending on restaurant
Summerlicious, one of Toronto’s most celebrated summer food festivals, will be spanning the month of July. This food celebration is beloved by many as it makes expensive and popular restaurants more accessible to all. While this year’s lineup has yet to be announced, past favourites are Oretta, Canoe, Bar Buca, Lee’s and so many more. With so many restaurants to choose from, you’ll have a hard time narrowing down where to go!
Pizzafest Toronto
Instagram/@thepizzafest
July 19- 21 at Ontario Place
Tickets start at $7.95
Attention all pizza fans! Pizza Fest is tugging at our hearts because, well, who doesn’t love pizza? As if you need any more convincing, previous vendors consisted of the likes of North of Brooklyn Pizzeria, Superpoint, Queen Margherita Pizza, and more. Who else can’t wait for this year’s lineup to be released?!
Halal Food Festival
Instagram/@halalfoodfestto
July 20- 21 at The International Centre
Tickets are $5.00
The Halal Food Festival is returning in Mississauga for another year of with delicious samples, food demonstrations, and foodie fun. The weekend-long event will feature 150+ exhibitors (aka sample heaven) to help you discover new Halal restaurants and brands. And why stop at a sample ticket? Full meals will also be available for purchase!
Toronto Food Truck Festival
Instagram/@princesskimkay
August 2-5 at Woodbine Park
Free Entry
Food trucks may be small but don’t be fooled, they produce some of the best street food and snacks in the city. Woodbine Park will once again transform into a food truck village during Toronto Food Truck Festival. Get ready to try vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free options. Past vendors are Fidel Gastros, La Fiesta, Lakeview Burger, Chimney Stax, and more.
Beer Bourbon & BBQ
Instagram/@beerbourbonbarbecue
August 9-11 at The Grounds at Hotel X
Tickets start at $7.95
Being the last month of summer, August is prime time to BBQ as much as you can. In celebration of the beautiful summer tradition, Beer Bourbon & BBQ will fire up the grills for a weekend of BBQ foods like ribs, corn, and sausages. Even better, you can pair your BBQ with with 10 different bourbons, and bourbon-centred cocktails. I don’t know about you, but I’m praying Hogtown Smoke, Barque Smokehouse, and Hawker Bar return for another year.
Vegandale Food & Drink Festival
Instagram/@vegandalefestival
August 10th at Historic Fort York & Garrison Common
Early bird tickets are $10 but will go up on May 1
Whoever says vegan food has no flavour, has obviously never been to Vegandale Food & Drink Festival. Whether you’re a carnivore, full time veg, or vegan, the Fort York festival promises to bring some epic meat-free options so carnivores and vegans can eat peacefully together. Think Kelly’s Bake Shoppe, Death in Venice, Glory Hole Doughnuts, and bites from many other notable vegan kitchens.
Featured Image: Instagram/@thetacofest
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