12 Toronto food events taking place this weekend: August 11 to 13
It’s a busy weekend in Toronto with food festivals of all sorts happening around the city.
On this weekend, find everything from Asian night markets and craft beer fests to food truck rallies and marquee summer events with a focus on a singular food group – be it jerk chicken, Greek eats, Sri Lankan street foods, or desserts.
Here’s what’s on this weekend in Toronto.
JerkFest

JerkFest/Facebook
The three-day festival focusing on Caribbean flavours takes place at Centennial Park and promises a weekend of feasting, cook-offs, chef demos, live workshops, and hot & spicy Jerk eating competitions.
When: August 11 to 13
Where: Centennial Park, 256 Centennial Park Road, Etobicoke
Price: From $8
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Taste of the Danforth

Taste of the Danforth/Facebook
Now in its 24th year, Canada’s largest street Festival returns for a weekend of live performances, pageants, kids activities, and of course, eating. Restaurateurs along The Danforth will be offering “Tasting Menus” priced at $6 or less.
When: August 11 to 13
Where: The Danforth, Toronto
Price: Admission is free
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Roundhouse Craft Beer Fest

Steam Whistle Pilsner/Facebook
Steam Whistle Brewing hosts Ontario’s finest craft brewers for a weekend of sampling new brews, food truck eats, live music, and picnicking.
When: August 11 to 13
Where: Roundhouse Park, 255 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto
Price: $25 in advance, $30 at the gates
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Dinner Under the Stars

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As part of The Feast of St. Lawrence, this ticketed five-course feast will feature contributions from top restaurants in the area including Biff’s Bistro, Barsa Taberna, Hawthorne Food & Drink, The Hot House Restaurant, Omni King Edward Hotel, Pearl Diver, The Sultan’s Tent, and Woods.
When: August 11, 6:30 pm to 11 pm
Where: 27 Front Street East, Toronto
Price: Tickets are $200, funds raised will be directed to FOODSHARE Toronto.
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Waterfront Night Market

Tavares Jr. for Waterfront Night Market/Facebook
Now in its 8th year, Canada’s largest Pan-Asian night market has found a new home. In 2017, the massive festival will move to the grounds of the Hearn Generating Station.
Highlights include 100+ street food hawkers slinging everything from skewered seafood and stinky tofu, to tropical drinks and sushi burritos in the newly expanded food midway.
When: August 11 to 13
Where: Hearn Generating Station, 440 Unwin Avenue, Toronto
Price: Admission is free.
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Tapas Journey

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The Spanish beer brand sponsors this tapas crawl across Toronto featuring three dozen participating restaurants who will each offer three different types of tapas and a beer for $20.
When: August 11 to 20
Where: Front Street East at Market Street, Toronto
Price: $20 per person
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Pickering Food Truck Festival
Friends, kids, pets are all welcome to this park turned foodie haven in mid-August. Admission is free for the weekend of outdoor eating, plus there will be a beer garden, children’s village, beer garden, and stage showcasing live entertainment.
When: August 11, 5 pm to 9 pm; August 12, noon to 9 pm; August 13, noon to 8 pm
Where: The Esplanade Park, 1 The Esplanade, Pickering
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Sweetery Movie Screening

Lego Batman Trailer
If a full weekend of desserts is too much for your tummy to handle there’s another way to partake in Toronto’s sweetest (all dessert) food festival this weekend… even if a cape crusader can’t save you from your self.
On Saturday, August 12, Sweetery is hosting a movie night on the lawns of David Pecaut Square and inviting dessert lovers from across the city to enjoy a screening of Lego Batman.
When: August 12, 9 pm (weather permitting)
Where: David Pecaut Square, 55 John Street, Toronto
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St. Lawrence Market & Market Street Celebration

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St. Lawrence Market and the adjacent Market Street take the party outside for this free-to-attend event featuring outdoor food stalls, patios, farm fresh produce, demonstrations, live entertainment, and a pig roast.
When: August 12, 10 am to 11 pm
Where: Front Street East at Market Street, Toronto
Price: Free
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Kothu Fest

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Promising a “cacophony of rhythmic sound, sight, and smell,” this food fest happening at Scarborough Civic Centre in August is a celebration of the famous Sri-Lankan street food.
When: August 12, 11 am to 11 pm
Where: Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Drive, Toronto
Price: Admission is free
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Sweetery

Sweetery Toronto
Toronto’s two-day dessert-themed festival returns in August, bringing back all the sugary goodness into our lives. Sample sweet culinary delights and taste award-winning treats, all while benefiting Second Harvest.
Where: David Pecaut Square, 55 John Street
When: August 12 to 13
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Jon & Ted’s Excellent Adventure
Drake Chefs Ted Corrado and Jon Pong collaborate for the last installment of Smoke Signals’ summer guest chef series. Held in the parking lot across from the smokehouse, this Sunday’s event promises an afternoon of food and drink in the open air.
When: August 13, 1 pm to 10 pm
Where: Smoke Signals BBQ, 1242 Dundas Street West