23 scrumptious September food events to check out in Toronto

Summer is departing and the cold weather is closing in, but these food events are coming in hot.

From festivals dealing in all-vegetarian fare to full weeks devoted to burgers and beer, you can kickstart September indulging in Toronto’s food and drink offerings.

Toronto International BuskerFest for Epilepsy

BuskerFest means spending a whole weekend at Woodbine Park surrounded by plenty of entertainment, food, drink, and good vibes. For a donation to Epilepsy Toronto, you’ll get access to professional street performers, the Great Lakes Brewery Beer Garden, midway rides, and more from August 30 to September 2.

When: August 30 to September 2
Where: Woodbine Park – 1695 Queen Street East
Admission: By donation to festival organizers, Epilepsy Toronto. Suggested donation of $5 per person, $10 per family at the gate.

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MuslimFest

Look forward to a line-up of entertainers, art exhibits, workshops on Arabic calligraphy, and papercrafts. Plus, a vibrant bazaar stocked with everything from fragrant oils and Turkish clothing to Middle Eastern ornaments, and more. Food-wise, new this year to the event will be a “Food District” featuring a plethora of mouthwatering food trucks. So arrive hungry!

When: August 30 to September 1
Where: Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga

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See also: 

• This upcoming farm dinner features gourmet chefs fighting climate change
• Popular Parkdale burger spot Harry’s Charbroiled is closing
• This week in food: Toronto restaurant openings, closings, and our top picks

CNE

From secret menu items to eats under $6, the CNE has always got some wild and wacky eats on offer. Take the first weekend of September as your last call to try what this year’s exhibition has in store.

Where: Exhibition Place
When: August 16 to September 2, 10 am to 10 pm
Tickets: General admission is $19.99, tickets available online

CNE Oktoberfest

For the first time, the CNE will stage its very own Oktoberfest on Princes’ Boulevard from late August to early September this year. Inspired by traditions started in Germany over 200 years ago, the CNE Oktoberfest will bring festivities to the fair through food, performances and merriment.

Where: Canadian National Exhibition – 210 Princes’ Boulevard
When: August 29 to September 2

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Kanto Night Food Fest

Kanto will be offering authentic and traditional Filipino street eats from 6 pm until 2 am out of its stall at Market 707. The menu will include iconic BBQ skewers and puso (hanging rice) as well as other Filipino favourites like isaw, sizzling sisig, lechon, fish balls, and much more!

Where: Market 707 – 707 Dundas Street West
When: September 6 from 6 pm until 2 am

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Le Burger Week Toronto 2019

This year, Le Burger Week will run from September 1 to September 7, so block off your calendar and get out those stretchy pants. This year there are twelve Ontario eateries competing for the title of their city’s best burger, with three in the GTA. The winning creation is typically offered at a special “burger price” for the public to taste and cast their votes on leburgerweek.com.

When: September 1 to 7
Where: Restaurants across Ontario

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MATTYFEST

Original Parkdale Boy, former executive chef at Parts and Labour, and tattooed ray of sunshine Matty Matheson is bringing Toronto the perfect event to end the summer. MATTYFEST, presented by the Toronto-based chef, will land at RBC Echo Beach on September 7. The afternoon-to-evening event will serve up fierce food, refreshing drinks, and all the music you need to fuel a proper September Saturday in the sun.

Where: RBC Echo Beach
When: September 7, 2019
Tickets: Available here August 1 (pre-sale available July 30)

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Style Plate

Starting September 1, this new collaboration will see chefs and mixologists paired up with select designers to create a unique dish or cocktail inspired by the designer’s collections showing at Toronto Fashion Week.

When: Starting September 1
Where: Participating restaurants in Toronto

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Veg Food Fest

Taking place at the Harbourfront Centre, this multi-day affair promises more than 160 vendors dealing in all sorts of meatless eats and ethical goods, plus over 40 hours of presentations, workshops, speakers, and music curated by Toronto Downtown Jazz.

When: September 6 to 8, 2019
Where: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto
Price: Admission is free.

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The Butterbeer Bar Crawl

Grab your drinking crew, or make a new one, and be prepared to fly through four themed bars in Toronto’s Entertainment District on September 21. Because the Butterbeer Bar Crawl is back.

When: September 21 at 3 pm
Where: Toronto Entertainment District
Tickets: Available online

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Brewer’s Backyard

 

Celebrate the final weekend of summer with a few brews. The line-up of breweries at this long-weekend event includes Big Rig Kitchen & Brewery, Black Oak Brewing, Collective Arts Brewing, Eastbound Brewing Company, and many more. The afternoon begins with a “First Call” special, with all beers only $6 for the first hour. Admission is free, the event is all ages and no tickets are required.

When: September 2, 2018, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
Price: Admission is free

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Toronto Beer Week

Toronto Beer Week is nearly here! Can you think of a better way to say goodbye to summer and cheers to the beginning of fall? The week-long event celebrates local brews with tap takeovers, trivia nights, menu specials, beer releases, and other events held throughout the city.

When: Sept 13 to 22, 2018
Where: Participating breweries, bars, and restaurants in Toronto

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Taste of the Kingsway

Toronto’s Taste of the Kingsway street festival returns for three days of outdoor eating and entertainment this September.

When: September 6 to 8 from 9 am
Where: Bloor Street West from Prince Edward Drive to Montgomery Road, Toronto

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Cabbagetown Festival

Great food with rhythmic music and boomin’ bouncy castles sounds like the perfect combination of activities to spend a weekend indulging in. And you’re in luck, because Toronto’s Cabbagetown Festival is returning, and it’s bringing all the goods.

When: September 7 and 8, 2019
Where: Cabbagetown – Parliament Street from Wellesley to Gerrard, Carlton Street from Ontario to Parliament

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Burger Drops

UNLIMITED BURGERS. And usually cheap beers, too. Need we say more? Though the location has yet to be announced, Burger Drops has shared that they’re already working on a September pop-up. And we’re already drooling over it. Keep an eye on their Instagram for updates.

When: September, date TBA
Where: TBA
Price: TBA

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Toronto Oktoberfest

Dig your lederhosen and dirndls out of the closet and don them at this event, taking place under a massive Bavarian-style Festhalle tent. Food, beer, music, and a fun fair will all be running from September 26 to 28, modelled after the original Munich event.

Where: Ontario Place
When: September 26, 27, and 28
Tickets: Available online from $16

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The New Feast

Technically outside Toronto, but not too far away, The New Feast, an educational dinner made to highlight the potential of regenerative farming to combat climate change. The feast will consist of a multi-course, sit-down dinner presented on a long table in the midst of the working organic farm.

Where: The New Farm – 9783 Sideroad 6 & 7 Nottawasaga, Creemore, ON
When: September 21 from 4 pm to 9 pm
Tickets: Available online

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Roncesvalles Polish Festival

Traditional Polish fare including pierogi, kielbasa, and cabbage rolls are among the main attractions at this festival, but attendees can also look forward to sampling dishes from more than 40 local restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and bistros along Roncesvalles.

When: September 14 and 15, 2019
Where: Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto

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Forever Young at Assembly Chef’s Hall

Forever Young is a one-of-a-kind opportunity geared towards young professionals to enjoy an evening of Toronto’s best culinary delights, all under one roof at the chic Assembly Chef’s Hall. Anticipate eats from Cherry Street BBQ, Love Chix, Mira Mira, The Good Son, Colibri, Resto Boemi and more.

When: September 14, 8 pm to 1 am
Where: Assembly Chef’s Hall, 111 Richmond Street West, Toronto
Price: $65, available online

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Toronto Garlic Festival

Popping up for one day only at Artscape Wychwood Barns, the annual event brings together 20+ Ontario farmers and local chefs for a full day of garlic-themed dishes paired with Ontario wine and craft beer.

Where: Artscape Wychwood Barns – 601 Christie St
When: September 15 from 9 am to 5 pm

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2019 Butter Tart Taste-Off

There’s no need to travel across Ontario to find the best butter tart this fall. All the best bakers specializing in the iconic Canadian treat are getting together under one roof. Kawarthas Butter Tart Taste-Off takes place in downtown Port Hope this year on September 22, alongside Cultivate: A Festival Of Food And Drink.

When: September 22
Where: 44 Queen St, Port Hope, Ontario

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Witchstock Beer Festival

Witchstock, hosted at Bellwood’s Brewery’s Hafis Road location, will take place over the last weekend of September. Take this chance to sample plenty of craft brews.

When: September 28, time TBA
Where: 20 Hafis Road, Toronto

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Lady Beer Fest

Presented by The Society of Beer Drinking Ladies, tickets for this all-ladies festival are on sale now and are sure to sell out quickly. Taking place at Wychwood Barns on September 28, the festival will feature a line up of craft brewers alongside women-owned food businesses, and is open to the LGBTQ2S+ community, and all who identify as a woman.

When: September 28 from 6 pm to 11 pm
Where: Wychwood Barns – 601 Christie Street
Price: From $35, available online

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