28 events and festivals to check out in Toronto in August

Jul 22 2016, 6:46 am

August in the city.

Although August technically means that summer is winding down, there is still time and a lot of events to keep that summer feeling. From cultural festivals to dance and sports, this month is packed with family-friendly events and activities. Of course, August also means the return of Toronto’s summer staple: the CNE.

Schedule in some time for some of August these events!

Dusk Dances

  • What: Dance dance dance! The 22nd Dusk Dances Festival returns to Withrow Park this summer with another week of exciting and entertaining dance works from Canada’s finest dance makers. Pay-what-you-can at each event.
  • Where: Withrow Park, south of the Danforth, between Logan and Carlaw.
  • When: August 1 – 7

Toronto FC

  • What: Support our MLS team, in town for several home games this month!
  • Where: BMO Field, 170 Princes’ Blvd
  • When: August 3, 6, and 27

Kultura Festival

  • What: The 11th annual Kultura Filipino Arts Festival returns this month with live performances, traditional and modern cuisine, curated interactive art installations and a bustling marketplace.
  • Where: Several venues, including Nathan Phillips Square
  • When: August 5 – 7

Krinos Taste of the Danforth

  • What: One of Toronto’s most famous summer events, The Krinos Taste of the Danforth is Canada’s largest street Festival and is back for its 23rd year.
  • Where: Danforth Avenue
  • When: August 5 –  7

Beats, Breaks & Culture: The Bridge

  • What: Bringing back the beat! Check out this free event featuring a mix of live music, DJs and dance, celebrating all that is hip-hop and electronic music.
  • Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
  • When: August 5 –  7

Jerkfest

  • What: Arts, crafts, cultural entertainment, and a lot of food.
  • Where: Centennial Park, at the base of Ski Hills, Etobicoke
  • When: August 5 – 7

TIME Festival

  • What: Embrace brings us Joey Bada$$, Run The Jewels, Kehlani, and so. much. more. Make sure to check out one of our local faves, CRSB.
  • Where: Fort York Garrison Common, 100 Garrison Road
  • When: August 6 at noon

Run For Palestine

  • What: Run for Palestine is a family oriented day welcoming all members of the community where participants can walk or run 5 km or 10 km with funds raised for humanitarian projects for Palestinians.
  • Where: Sir Casimir Gzowski Park, 2001 Lake Shore Blvd West
  • When: August 7, 9 am – 3 pm

Toronto Blue Jays

  • What: Catch a ball game this month! The Jays are in town for several games, so get this summer activity checked before the sunny days are gone.
  • Where: Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way
  • When: August 8 – 10, 12 – 14, 23 – 28

Toronto International Queer West Film Festival

  • What: With 24 films from 13 countries, Toronto’s second largest film festival has something for everyone.
  • Where: Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Avenue
  • When: August 11 – 14

Feast of St. Lawrence Festival

  • What: Toronto’s newest signature food event arrives.  The Feast of St. Lawrence celebrates the rich, authentic and delicious history of Old Town Toronto over 3  sumptuous days.
  • Where: Various locations
  • When: August 12 – 14

Entertainment District Art Crawl

  • What: 50 amazing artists and designers featuring works of art, photography, fashion, pet fashion, sculptures, woodworkers, metal workers, home decor, and more. Food trucks and DJs will also be present!
  • Where: David Pecaut Square, 215 King Street West
  • When: August 12, 11 am – 6 pm

Toronto Vegan Food & Drink Festival

  • What: All vegan food and drink festival with lots of comfort food, craft bevies, and artists.
  • Where: Fort York & Garrison Common, 250 Fort York Boulevard
  • When: August 13, 11 am to 7 pm

International Awareness Day

  • What: People from around the world will come to Toronto to celebrate 45 years of Taoist Tai Chi® practice together. From demos to dancing dragons, all events are free.
  • Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
  • When: August 13, 8 am – 2 pm

The Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival

  • What: Hosted by Toronto’s beloved Steam Whistle Brewing, the Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival  samples the province’s finest brews with the accompaniment of some of the city’s best food trucks.
  • Where: Roundhouse Park, Toronto
  • When: August 13 – 14

York-Eglinton International Street Festival

  • What: Organized by the York-Eglinton BIA, the street festival incorporates the local businesses and presents visitors a vibrant international market in the heart of the city.
  • Where: Eglinton Avenue West, between Marlee Ave and Dufferin Street
  • When: August 13 – 14

PanAmerican Food Festival

  • What: We really are a city all about food. The fourth annual Pan American Food Festival showcases the best food products while celebrating cultural diversity of the Americas.
  • Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
  • When: August 13 – 14

Reggae Fest

  • What: Reggae on the pier, we’re so down.
  • Where: Polson Pier Outdoor Lot, 11 Polson Street
  • When: August 15 – 16

Mad Decent Block Party

  • What: The annual music block party hits Toronto in August. Headliners include Diplo, Marshmello, Grandtheft, and Louis The Child. Note, this event is 18+.
  • Where: Fort Garrison Commons, 100 Garrison Road
  • When: August 19 at 3 pm

Canadian National Exhibition (CNE)

  • What: Take the kids out, or be a kid for a day! Our summer staple event is back, with all its food, rides, and concerts. Let’s Go To the EX!
  • Where: 210 Princes’ Blvd
  • When: August 19 – September 5

Hot & Spicy Food Festival

  • What: Savour the flavour of the south! Southern BBQs, brass bands, and much more.
  • Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
  • When: August 19 – 21

Scarborough Afro-Carib Fest

  • What: The 5th Annual Scarborough Afro-Carib fest is taking place this month, with live performances, tasty African & Caribbean Cuisine and other cultural foods
    from all over the world.
  • Where: Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Drive
  • When: August 20 – 21

Sweetery Toronto

  • What: The Sweetery Toronto, bringing everything sweet and sweet people together, is back for its second year.
  • Where: David Pecaut Square, King Street between Simcoe and John
  • When: August 20 – 21

Taste of Manila

  • What: Canada’s largest Filipino street festival returns to Little Manila with all its deliciousness and cultural festivities.
  • Where: Bathurst and Wilson
  • When: August 20 – 21

Warriors’ Day Parade

  • What: The 95th Warriors’ Day Parade honouring the Toronto Garrison will take place on August 20. The event recognizes those who served and those serving today.
  • Where: Canadian National Exhibition
  • When: August 20 at 10:30 am

TAIWANFest

  • What: What began in 1990 as a way to introduce Taiwanese composers to the Canadian public is now an annual festival. This year’s theme is “A cultural tango with Hong Kong.”
  • Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
  • When: August 26 – 28

CloudFest

  • What: Toronto’s Hookah, Vape, Cannabis, Spirits & Food Festival! This is a 19+ event.
  • Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre South Building, 222 Bremner Blvd
  • When: August 26 – 28

Toronto Cider Festival

  • What: The Toronto Cider Festival is back, and it’s bringing our beloved cottage life to Yonge and Dundas Square. Kick back and relax in our Muskoka chairs, while enjoying over 30 different ciders from across Canada and around the world.
  • Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
  • When: August 27
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