It’s the last month of the summer so be sure to get out with the family and enjoy the long, warm days at a summer festival! We’ve rounded up the top family festivals in Toronto and the surrounding area. You’ll find loads of summer fun to add to your family calendar. Head out to food festivals, community fairs, ethnic and cultural celebrations, fireworks, dancing, kids activities, ribfests, cotton candy, music and more! We are always adding to these listings so keep checking back and have a fun summer!
August Festivals for Families
Toronto, GTA and Southern Ontario
Union Summer
Jun 24, 2024
to Aug 25, 2024
Union Station Plaza
Union Summer- presented by TD, returns to Union Station’s Front Street plaza, running from June 24 to August 25th. Union Station is THE destination for all to enjoy the best of Toronto’s food and culture. This market offers 60-days of free outdoor experiences featuring dynamic music, live performances, curated food ...
Toronto Caribbean Festival
Jul 14, 2024
to Aug 4, 2024
Multiple Venues in the GTA
The Toronto Caribbean Carnival will return from July to August 2024, culminating in a weekend-long celebration in August. The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is a spectacular display of costumes, music, and culture. This year, we’re celebrating the 57th anniversary of the Grande Parade, which was first gifted to Canada by the ...
Island Soul
Aug 1, 2024
to Aug 5, 2024
Harbourfront Centre
Huge Fete, Big Soul! We’re getting the whole family together for this one! A metaphorical current flows through the Caribbean connecting each of the islands in distinct ways as cultures and influences have been passed down like ideological heirlooms from family to family, generation to generation. The 26th edition of ...
Toronto Food Truck Festival
Aug 2, 2024
to Aug 5, 2024
Woodbine Park
Woodbine Park has never tasted this delicious before. Back for another year, The Toronto Food Truck Festival is serving up some real must-eats! As always, admission is free and there’s something for everyone. Entertain yourself with some of Toronto’s best local talent, participate in our live-eating challenges and enjoy a ...
Kempenfest
Aug 2, 2024
to Aug 5, 2024
Barrie Waterfront
We are excited to welcome you to Kempenfest 2024. Over 350 Arts, Crafts and Antique exhibitors, Food vendors, two Stages featuring over 40 hours of programming. The Midway. The Kids Village. It’s all waiting, just for you. Welcome to Barrie’s Waterfront, and one of Ontario’s Top 100 Festivals and Events. ...
Caribana Grand Parade
Aug 3, 2024
to Aug 3, 2024
Exhibition Place
Toronto’s Caribbean Caribana festival has grown exponentially since its start in 1967 and is currently North America’s largest cultural festival. What was once a three-day event has now grown into three weeks of celebration, absorbing most of the city with its infectious feel-good vibes. Over a million tourists are expected ...
Jambana One World Festival
Aug 5, 2024
to Aug 5, 2024
Chinguacousy Park
JAMBANA™ One World Festival, represents Canada’s growing cultural diversity in its finest form through performances by internationally acclaimed bands, artists and JUNO Award winners. Feel the rhythms of Reggae, World Beat, Soca, Gospel, Dance & Comedy. Experience the sights, sounds, tastes and global diversity at JAMBANA™!
Taco Fest
Aug 9, 2024
to Aug 11, 2024
Fort York
The highly anticipated return of Taco Fest! This three day Fiesta celebrating all things Mexican alongside Toronto’s most celebrated chefs is sure to bring out your favourite cocktails, music, interactive games, dance lessons and of course Tacos! With over 150 variations of Tacos, guests can expect to indulge in the ...
TD JerkFest
Aug 9, 2024
to Aug 11, 2024
Centennial Park
Get ready to experience the vibes of authentic Caribbean culture at TD JerkFest 2024! This highly anticipated three-day, family-friendly festival will be filled with mouthwatering jerk cuisine, infectious cultural music and live performances by local and chart-topping artists, but that’s not all! You’ll get the chance to immerse yourself in ...
Pickering Food Truck Festival
Aug 9, 2024
to Aug 11, 2024
The Esplanade Park
You’ll want to bring your friends and kids to Esplanade Park for some unbelievable food! We’re transforming the park to a foodie haven, jam-packed with a children’s village, beer garden and live entertainment stage. As always, admission is free and we’ll be beefing up the park with some good tunes. ...
Stouffville Ribfest
Aug 9, 2024
to Aug 11, 2024
Memorial Park Stouffville
Join us as we transform Memorial Park into our biggest festival of the Summer – Stouffville Ribfest! Celebrate the BEST summer has to offer with a FREE three-day festival that features award winning ribs, local breweries, a variety of food trucks, a kids zone, marketplace, and live entertainment all weekend ...
Orillia Waterfront Festival
Aug 9, 2024
to Aug 11, 2024
Port of Orillia
The Orillia Waterfront Festival features entertainment, food, a vendor market, new and used boat sales, a Cardboard Boat Race and a dog diving contest! The festival will feature a vendor market on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with a wide range of unique vendors showcasing everything from hot tubs to one-of-a ...
Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games
Aug 9, 2024
to Aug 11, 2024
Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex
The Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games is an annual three-day event that celebrates local Scottish heritage and features world-renowned talent and entertainment in the beautiful town of Fergus, Ontario. Whether you’re coming by yourself or with the entire clan there’s something for everyone, Scottish or nae! Celtic Music, crafts ...
Stouffville Ribfest
Aug 9, 2024
to Aug 11, 2024
Memorial Park
Join us as we transform Memorial Park into our biggest festival of the Summer – Stouffville Ribfest! Celebrate the BEST summer has to offer with a FREE three-day festival that features award winning ribs, local breweries, a variety of food trucks, a kids zone and highly anticipated entertainment all weekend ...
Port Hope Arts Festival
Aug 10, 2024
to Aug 10, 2024
Downtown Port Hope
Join us in celebrating the arts throughout Port Hope this August. Our in-person Arts Festival will take place in downtown Port Hope on August 10, 2024. The event will feature a 10-Minute Play Series, a vendor market, and a community gathering in the park. You can expect food vendors, activities ...
Milton African and Multicultural Festival
Aug 10, 2024
to Aug 10, 2024
Milton Community Sports Park
Celebrating African and multicultural diversity: The Milton African and Multicultural Festival is a celebration of the richness and diversity of African cultures and other cultures from around the world. We celebrate the differences that make us a unique and vibrant community. Featuring: Live cultural Entertainment Cultural foods Vendors Community information ...
Toronto International Tap Dance Festival 2024
Aug 15, 2024
to Aug 18, 2024
Harbourfront Centre
Experience the best in tap dance with workshops, shows, free nightly jams and more. The festival returns for its third edition, presenting leading global artists and nurtures the development of Canadian excellence in tap, all in collaboration with live music. Programming includes workshops, shows, free nightly jams and more! Produced ...
CNE - Canadian National Exhibition
Aug 16, 2024
to Sep 2, 2024
Exhibition Place
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is Canada’s largest annual community event. Taking place over the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day, the CNE offers a wide variety of entertainment and events including Bandshell concerts, celebrity chef demonstrations, an aerial acrobatics and ice skating show, a dog show, ...
Elora Riverfest
Aug 16, 2024
to Aug 18, 2024
Bissell Park
Get ready for three days of art, food trucks, arts and craft vendors, community and of course, music! We’re back with another incredible lineup for our lucky number year 13! More than 45 local, national and international acts, from household names to rising stars Riverfest Elora 2024 will be held ...
Markham Jazz Festival
Aug 16, 2024
to Aug 18, 2024
Historic Main Street Unionville
Come to historic Unionville August 16, 17 and 18 for 30+ stellar performances by more than 200 artists on multiple outdoor stages. Each stage will have a selection of tents and seating. No tickets to buy, just great music, charming venues and friendly fans – BRILLIANT!
Toronto Chinatown Festival
Aug 17, 2024
to Aug 18, 2024
Chinatown Toronto
On August 17 & 18, 2024, the Toronto Chinatown Business Improvement Area (CBIA) will host the 23rd Toronto Chinatown Festival! Featuring: Dragon Dance & Lion Dance Traditional Dancing & Opera Performances Kung Fu Performances Multi-Cultural Street Food West side of Spadina Avenue (between St Andrew St & Sullivan St) Saturday, August ...
Island Eats Food Festival
Aug 17, 2024
to Aug 18, 2024
Mel Lastman Square
Toronto’s Largest Island Food & Travel Show Island Eats Food Festival™ is an exciting two-day event scheduled for Saturday, August 17th and Sunday, August 18th, 2024 at Mel Lastman Square in Toronto, Ontario. Island Eats will provide a dazzling array of fun activities, entertainment and excitement for the entire family. ...
Japan Festival Canada
Aug 17, 2024
to Aug 18, 2024
Mississauga Celebration Square
Japan Festival CANADA has been hosted in one of the multicultural countries in the world, Canada, to introduce and promote genuine Japanese food, culture and technologies. The concept of Japan Festival CANADA is to contribute in further success of establishing Canada and Japan Diplomatic Relations. Since the first year event ...
TRCA Butterfly Festival
Aug 17, 2024
to Aug 17, 2024
Tommy Thompson Park
The TRCA Butterfly Festival is a FREE public event at Tommy Thompson Park (TTP) to celebrate an iconic insect as it embarks on an epic journey to Mexico over the winter months. Located on the Toronto waterfront at the convergence of two major migratory flyways, Tommy Thompson Park (TTP) is ...
Wheels on the Danforth
Aug 17, 2024
to Aug 17, 2024
Danforth Avenue
WHEELS… WHEELS… and more WHEELS at Toronto’s Best Street-Judged Car Show! Featuring: • 100’s of Classics, Hot Rods, Muscle Cars, Tuners, Movie Cars, Race Cars, & Exotics! • Food, Vendors, & Kid’s Zone! • Buskers, Live Bands, DJs, and much more! If it’s got wheels… bring it! FREE Admission For ...
FAN EXPO Canada 2024
Aug 22, 2024
to Aug 25, 2024
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Everyone is a fan of something, and FAN EXPO is a place to celebrate all things pop culture. Get an autograph or a photo with your favourite guest then get the inside scoop about your favourite movies and TV shows at our celebrity panels! Watch professional comic artists battle it ...
Toronto Zoo Multicultural Festival
Aug 23, 2024
to Aug 25, 2024
Toronto Zoo
Join us for the 2nd Annual Multicultural Festival at your Toronto Zoo, in partnership with Moksha Canada, from August 23rd to 25th for the most colourful display of culture, dance, and food! Celebrate your Toronto Zoo’s 50th birthday with the vast tastes and sounds that encompass the beauty of Toronto ...
Aurora Ribfest
Aug 23, 2024
to Aug 25, 2024
Machell Park, Aurora
Mark your calendars because the tastiest event of the year will be taking place at Machell Park, as the rib teams get fired up starting on Friday, August 23. Not only will there be the tastiest ribs but also roasted yams, roasted corn on the cob, beavertails and many other ...
Toronto International BuskerFest for Epilepsy
Aug 30, 2024
to Sep 2, 2024
Woodbine Park
It’s spontaneous, it’s outrageous; it’s fun, funny, and fabulous – there is something for everyone at the Toronto International BuskerFest for Epilepsy. For four exhilarating days, the festival showcases an array of mind-boggling circus acts, daring acrobatics, mesmerizing magic shows, hilarious comedy performances, and much more. In addition to the ...
Bark In The Park TO hosted by BuskerFest
Aug 30, 2024
to Sep 2, 2024
Woodbine Park
Join in the fun at Bark in the Park TO, a four-day event dedicated to dogs and dog lovers! This unique festival is packed with fun activities, exciting performances, and pet-centric vendors, all set against the scenic backdrop of Woodbine Park. Expect interactive play areas, special photo ops, and a ...
2024 Toronto Dragon Festival
Aug 30, 2024
to Sep 1, 2024
Nathan Phillips Square
2024 Toronto Dragon Festival Returns to Nathan Phillips Square with Foods, Beers, and Luminati Night Shows Toronto and the world are eager to watch the stunning acrobatic performances of the lion dance, but only better with new shows with foods, beer garden and enchanting Luminati Night Light Show, exclusively at ...
