Top summer cultural events and food festivals in Ontario
Toronto | Destination Ontario
Ontario celebrates its rich mosaic of different cultures, cuisines and backgrounds in the best way possible—with food, entertainment and music. If you’re wondering where to start on your summer food fest and multi-cultural circuit, here are a few can’t-miss favourites in Toronto, Ottawa and beyond.
Check back for upcoming 2024 dates, details on pre-purchase ticketed events and for events with age restrictions. Find more unique events that celebrate food, drink and cultural diversity at Festivals and Events Ontario.
Ontario-wide food festivals
Northern Heat Rib Series
This summer, North America’s largest rib and beer combo tour will be hosting a series of Ribfest events across Ontario. Feast on mouth-watering BBQ ribs along with a wide assortment of top local craft beers and beverages, plus a bevy of entertainment.
When: May–September 2024
Where: various communities across Ontario
Halal Ribfest and Food Truck Festival Tour
North America’s largest halal barbecue and food truck event is rolling through Ontario again this summer.
And it’s pulling out all the stops with a host of great food trucks, carnival rides, games, sports competitions, a BBQ recipe competition with prizes, a fun vendor bazaar and some of the very best, juiciest and mouth-watering BBQ ribs.
When: events take place in July and August 2024
Where: Participating locations include Toronto and Ottawa
Greater Toronto Area
Street Eats Underground Night Markets
This year, Street Eats Market will host a new schedule of exciting food festivals including an underground night market at Downsview Airport in April, another one in Mel Lastman Square in downtown Toronto in June and a third event in North York in July.
When: check for monthly dates in 2024
Where: Various locations in Toronto
Carassauga Festival of Cultures
Experience Canada’s largest multicultural festival of food and entertainment.
This unique event takes place at multiple pavilions around the city of Mississauga, each dedicated to different cultures and cuisines. The pavilions are connected by a fleet of free shuttle buses.
Upon entry, you’ll receive a Carassauga passport that you can fill with stamps as you "travel" to different countries, taking in a delightful array of sights, sounds and tastes along the way.
When: May 24–26, 2024
Where: Mississauga
Taste of Little Italy
From pasta to pizza to gelato, indulge in classic Italian food in Toronto’s Little Italy neighbourhood, as well as tasty fusion cuisine familiar around College Street.
Enjoy Take in live street performances, local artisan vendors and inviting patio drinks. Bellissimo!
When: June 14–16, 2024
Where: College Street, Toronto
Summerlicious
Join fellow foodies and celebrate the diverse and innovative culinary scene in Canada’s largest city.
Over 200 restaurants across Toronto offer special three-course prix fixe menus that represent the essence of their cuisine.
When: July 5–21, 2024
Where: participating restaurants across Toronto
Taste of the Middle East Summer Festival
This summer, celebrate Arabic music, art, culture, and food at Nathan Philips Square in downtown Toronto.
Enjoy live performances and explore diverse flavours of Middle Eastern culture and cuisine.
When: July 5–7, 2024
Where: 100 Queen Street West, Toronto
Taste of Lawrence in Scarborough
One of Scarborough’s largest street festivals returns to Lawrence Avenue this summer with a three-day celebration of culture and cuisine from around the world.
Live music, family entertainment and a vast array of street vendors make this an event you won’t want to miss.
When: July 5–7, 2024
Where: Scarborough
Toronto Festival of India
The 52nd annual Festival of India includes a parade down Yonge Street followed by celebrations, activities and delicious vegetarian food on Centre Island.
When: July 13–14, 2024
Where: Centre Island, Toronto
TD Festival of South Asia 2024
Head over to the TD Festival of South Asia for a slice of South Asian culture. Celebrating the diversity of South Asian culture, this free festival offers plenty for all to enjoy. Experience the sights, tastes, and sounds of South Asia without flying overseas.
When: July 20–21, 2024
Where: Gerrard India Bazaar, Toronto
Toronto Food Truck Festival
Local food trucks will be serving up some of your favourite dishes, along with local beer, local talent, live-eating contests and more.
The festival ensures there are vegetarian, vegan, halal and gluten-free options available each year so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Admission is free.
When: August 2–5, 2024
Where: Woodbine Park
JerkFest Toronto
Immediately following North America’s largest festival of Caribbean culture, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, savour Caribbean cuisine at another one of Ontario’s hottest summer events celebrating everything jerk flavoured, along with Island music and family entertainment.
When: August 9–11, 2024
Where: Toronto
Waterfront Night Market
Soak in the ethereal atmosphere and enjoy exceptional pan-Asian cuisine from top food vendors as well as great craft brews from the beer garden at this evening of food, music and floating lanterns by the waterfront.
When: August 9–11, 2024
Where: 111 Princes’ Boulevard, Toronto
Japan Festival Canada
Be a part of the largest Japanese cultural festival in North America at the Mississauga Celebration Square, celebrating Japanese food, technologies and culture.
When: August 17–18, 2024
Where: 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga
Taco Fest Toronto
The hottest and tastiest fiesta returns to Fort York in downtown Toronto with live Mariachi music, salsa dancing, games, drinks and best of all, authentic Mexican tacos, guacamole, churros, tequila and more.
When: August 9–11, 2024
Where: 250 Fort York Boulevard, Toronto
Toronto Garlic Festival
Toronto’s popular garlic festival returns to a new location. The free event is within walking distance of Dupont subway station on Spadina Road, between Davenport Road and Macpherson Avenue. Stock up on varieties of garlic, sample savoury and sweet garlic-themed food, witness cooking demos, and attend garlic talks and presentations. It’s a garlic lover’s dream, with entertainment and activities that will even delight the youngest attendees.
When: Sunday, September 29, 2024
Where: 253 Spadina Road, Toronto
Ottawa Region
Lebanese Food Festival
For over 30 years, the Lebanese Food Festival has showcased the best of Middle Eastern food and culture.
Hosted at the Saint Elias Centre, the festival features music performances, live cooking demonstrations like those at the saj bread booth, carnival rides and of course plenty of delicious hummus, tabouli, falafel and chicken shawarma.
When: July 17–21, 2024
Where: Ottawa
Bruce, Grey and Simcoe
Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival
Savour various delicious butter tarts at Canada’s largest butter tart festival.
From coconut and maple to bacon and chocolate-covered, this festival offers a diverse range of flavours from over 200 vendors and food trucks.
Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival offers entertainment, food trucks, vendors and a competition for the best butter tart. Vegan and sugar-free keto options will be available.
When: June 8, 2024
Where: Midland
Carrot Fest
Consistently named one of the top 100 events by Festivals and Events Ontario, Carrot Fest celebrates the agricultural heritage and rich soil that makes the region one of Canada’s most productive carrot (and vegetable) growing locations.
Events and activities take place throughout downtown Bradford and at the Bradford and District Memorial Community Centre.
When: August 16–17, 2024
Where: 125 Simcoe Road, Bradford
Carnival North
Join the fun and excitement at Collingwood’s only Caribbean event. Taste delicious Caribbean food from food vendors. Enjoy the vibrant and colourful costumes of masqueraders and dance to the beat of musical performers. There will also be entertainment for families in the Kidz Zone.
When: August 17, 2024 from 2:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Location: 10 Sandford Fleming Drive, Collingwood
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
Taco Fest
Enjoy delicious tacos and craft beer from the best restaurants and breweries in the Waterloo Region while raising support for local charities.
Tickets include parking, entertainment, activities and unlimited tacos!
When: June 14, 2024
Where: Waterloo Region
Southwestern Ontario
London International Food Festival
Explore delicious and diverse dishes from around the world. Enjoy Portuguese, Caribbean, Mexican, Chinese, Serbian, Italian, Polish, Greek food and more.
And quench your thirst with an assortment of beverage options, including fruit smoothies, slushies and bubble tea as well as coolers, craft beer and wine.
When: June 21–23, 2024
Where: Victoria Park, London
LaSalle Night Markets
Just south of Windsor, the summer night markets in LaSalle feature delicious food vendors, unique handcrafted goods from local artisans, farm-to-table local produce and live music. Admission is free. Note that the season's last event will be held at the Event Centre instead.
When: Last Sunday of the month, from May to September
Where: LaSalle Civic Centre, 5950 Malden Road, LaSalle
York, Durham and Headwaters
Whitchurch-Stouffville Strawberry Festival
Held in Whitchurch-Stouffville Memorial Park, this annual free festival welcomes guests to enjoy a weekend of family fun. Activities include live entertainment, a festival market and lots of great food including fresh strawberries and strawberry-inspired products.
When: June 28–30, 2024
Where: 2 Park Drive, Whitchurch-Stouffville
Markham’s Taste of Asia
North America’s largest outdoor Asian festival features amazing Asian food, artisan vendors, performers and more together for a harmonious, multi-day celebration of cuisine and culture.
When: June 28–30, 2024
Where: Kennedy and Steeles, Markham
The Food Truck Corral
Oshawa’s Food Truck Corral is a one-stop shop for all things delicious.
The corral hosts several different food trucks with different specialties. Options range from Polish Zapiekanka to butter chicken fries and even Sunday dinner in a Yorkshire pudding wrap.
When: Open for the season in May 2024
Where: 2867 Bridle Road, Oshawa
Southeastern Ontario
Belleville Waterfront & Multicultural Festival
With four stages for entertainment, buskers, arts and crafts, canine watersports and dog shows, plus amazing, multicultural cuisine and local craft beer, Belleville is a summer staple for festive fun and great food.
When: July 11-14, 2024
Where: West Zwick’s Park, Belleville
Brockville Ribfest
Enjoy a fishing derby, volleyball and five-kilometre run. These fun activities are sure to work up your appetite for mouth-watering, barbecued-to-perfection ribs, chicken and other delicious foods.
When: August 8–11, 2024
Where: Hardy Park, Brockville
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Winona Peach Festival
Since its start in 1967, this unique event continues to bring the community together to celebrate with amusement rides, family entertainment, live music and most importantly, great food including peach pies, crepes, cobblers and the famous Peach Sundae.
When: August 23–25, 2024
Northern Ontario
Thunder Bay Festival of India
Experience the colours and flavours of India this summer during Thunder Bay’s largest celebration of culture, arts, music and mouth-watering vegetarian food.
Bonus: the Festival of Colours also takes place in Marina Park on July 21, 2024.
When: July 20, 2024
Where: Marina Park, Thunder Bay
Festa Italiana
Hosted by the Porcupine Dante Club, Festa Italiana is celebrating over 70 years with food, music, entertainment and market vendors.
This three-day event lasts the whole weekend, with a “Party in the Parking Lot” on Friday, live traditional music plus a gala on Saturday and a street party along Cedar Street on Sunday to cap off this festive celebration of Italian culture.
When: July 19–21, 2024
Where: Timmins
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Last updated: October 17, 2024