18 amazing food events to check out in Toronto this August
August is here and while summer might be winding down, Toronto food events are just heating up.
From open-air markets and street festivals to a food truck frenzy and rib fests, these are the food events you need to have on your radar this month.
Union Summer Market
Union Station/Facebook
What: The open-air market situated on the doorstep of Toronto’s Union Station returns to the city this summer. The outdoor marketplace promises to “showcase the best of Toronto’s eclectic culture, talent and spirit with a curated mix of local food vendors and entertainment.”
When: On now until August 3
Where: Union Station – 65 Front Street West
The Distillery District Sunday Market
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What: If you’re looking to splurge on some tasty treats, hit up this market happening every Sunday until the end of September. Vendors selling cured meats, organic preserves, ready-to-eat treats, and handmade gourmet chocolates are just some of the things you can feast on. And of course, you’ll be able to shop for all sorts of artisan crafts.
When: Every Sunday through September 29 from noon to 5 pm
Where: Distillery District
Toronto Food Truck Festival
Canadian Food Truck Festivals/Facebook
The massive food truck rally is presented by Canadian Food Truck Festivals and is just one stop on a summer-long tour that includes events in Burlington, Pickering, Richmond Hill, and Brampton.
When: August 2, 5 pm to 10 pm; August 3, noon to 10 pm; August 4 and 5, noon to 8 pm
Where: Woodbine Park, 1695 Queen Street East, Toronto
Scarborough Rib Fest
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Back for its 17th year, this east Toronto food fest is all about ribs, hot dogs, corn on the cob, and more summertime essentials. Festival-goers can look forward to an all-day beer garden, daily karaoke competition, midway rides, and skill testing games.
When: August 2 to 5
Where: Thomson Memorial Park, 1005 Brimley Road, Scarborough
Toronto Taste of India Food Festival
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You can tour India with your tastebuds right here in Toronto this August. The Taste of India Food Festival bills itself as a foodie utopia featuring a thorough sampling of 100+ different Indian cuisines. The annual food fest will take place at Nathan Phillips Square for a full day of eating on August 5.
When: August 4, noon to 10 pm
Where: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto
Pizza in the Park with Pizzeria Libretto, Banjara & Beau’s
Pizzeria Libretto / Instagram
What: The community pizza night promises Neapolitan pizzas from Pizzeria Libretto, veggie dishes from Banjara Indian Cuisine, Greek pastries from Filosophy Espresso Bar, Syrian treats from Newcomer Kitchen, and refreshments from Angie’s Juicery.
When: August 8, 6 pm to 8 pm,
Where: Christie Pits Park, 750 Bloor Street West
Woodbridge Rib Fest
RotaryClubOfWoodbridge/Facebook
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Woodbridge this outdoor food fest not only features BBQ but also a Kids’ Barn complete with interactive activities, storytelling, and a Mad Hatter Tea Party.
When: August 9 to 11, 4 pm to 9:3o pm
Where: Woodbridge Fairgrounds, 100 Porter Avenue, Vaughan
JerkFest
jerkfestCanada/Facebook
The summer food fest is a favourite for its multi-day festivities devoted all things Jerk and in addition to devouring the Caribbean classic all day, festival-goers can partake in a Hot & Spicy Jerk Chicken-eating competition, So You Think You Can Jerk competition and Jerk Chicken seasoning workshops.
When: August 9 to 11
Where: Centennial Park, 256 Centennial Park Road, Toronto
Tickets: General admission from $15 online
Taste of the Danforth
Taste of the Danforth/Facebook
Among the largest street festivals in Canada, this weekend event attracts more than 1.5 million attendees each year to celebrate the Danforth’s Greek heritage along with Canada’s multiculturalism.
When: August 9 to 11, 2018
Where: The Danforth, Toronto
Waterfront Night Market
Waterfront Night Market/Facebook
Now in its ninth year, the Pan Asian food fest and lifestyle expo is popping-up in an all-new location this year. For the first time ever the night market will take over the West Island at Ontario Place.
When: August 9 to 11
Where: Ontario Place, West Island, 955 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Toronto
See also:
- Road trip to a night market just outside Toronto this weekend
- Taiwanese bubble tea shop opening first North American location in Toronto
- Toronto’s newest pasta bar serves up a sunny, carb-loaded patio
Vegandale Food and Drink Fest
Vegandale Food Drink Festival/Facebook
The Toronto Vegan Food & Drink Festival has morphed into the Vegandale Food & Drink Fest this year. From the same folks trying to transform an entire Toronto neighbourhood into a vegan utopia of the same name, the food fest in Toronto is just one stop on a tour that will also hit Houston, Chicago, and New York in Summer 2018.
When: August 10 from 11 am to 7 pm
Where: Fort York, Garrison Common, 250 Fort York Boulevard, Toronto
Price: Early bird tickets on sale from $10
Sweetery Toronto Dessert Festival
SweeteryToronto/Facebook
Summer in Toronto just got even sweeter now that this annual dessert festival is back. Toronto’s Sweetery Food Fest is set to return to David Pecaut Square in August for a weekend filled with sugary goodness.
When: August 10, noon to 10 pm; August 11, noon to 9 pm
Where: David Pecaut Square, 55 John Street, Toronto
Dîner en Blanc
Dîner en Blanc
Toronto’s top-secret white party is set to pop-up once again this summer. Dîner en Blanc, the secretive annual event returns for its eighth year in Toronto and will see white-clad diners gather for an epic and visually stunning pop-up picnic on August 7.
When: August 7, 2019
Where: TBA
Tickets: Register for the waitlist here
Festival of South Asia 2019
Jo-Anne McArthur/Village of Dreams Productions Inc.
The annual street festival is a showcase of South Asian community and culture, and among the many highlights this year, festival-goers can look forward to a Bollywood parade and pop-up museum, and way more… including tasting tables hawking delicious eats spanning the gamut of kebabs, curries, and chaat, to dosa, pani puri, and pakora!
When: July 13 and 14, 2019
Where: Gerrard Street East from Glenside Avenue to Coxwell Avenue
Toronto Cider Festival 2019
tociderfest/Instagram
The Toronto Cider Festival returns this August. Taking over the Sherbourne Common, the waterfront festival will bring together more than 100 kinds of cider “from the best apple growing regions across Canada.”
When: August 23 and 24, 2019
Where: Sherbourne Common, 61 Dockside Drive, Toronto
Tickets: Available online
CNE Food Truck Frenzy
Alex Nirta/Daily Hive
The annual CNE Food Truck Frenzy wraps up summer by bringing together nearly two dozen food trucks. Conveniently, this food fest takes place at the same time as the CNE Craft Beer Fest so you can wash down your fave curbside eats with a cold one.
When: August 22 to 26, 11 am to 11 pm
Where: Situated on Princes’ Boulevard just inside the historic Princes’ Gates
Price: Admission to the festival is included with entry to the CNE
Pan American Food and Music Festival
Magic Vision/Panamerican Food Festival
Celebrate the cuisines and cultures of the 41 countries of North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, when the Pan American Food and Music Festival returns this August.
When: August 17 to 19, 2019
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas Street East, Toronto
Caskapalooza
CRAFTToronto/Facebook
As if you needed another excuse to raise a glass in Toronto this summer, CRAFT Beer Market is set to host its second annual Caskapalooza event this August. Entry to this beer-lovers’ event is $10, 100% of which will benefit the YMCA Strong Kids campaign.
When: August 28, 5 pm to 8 pm
Where: CRAFT Beer Market, 1 Adelaide Street East, Toronto
Price: Available online from $10