Summer in Toronto brings lazy afternoons on a patio, ice cream cones and of course, festival season. There are various festivals taking place from June to September throughout Toronto and the GTA, from jazz to buskers - and we've rounded up a few you'll want to bookmark now.
Here are some of the best music, food and family-friendly festivals taking place this summer.
Music Festivals
July 28 – 30, 2017
Burl's Creek Event Grounds
This summer, spend three days camping at Burl's Creek listening to some of the hottest acts in music at one of Ontario's biggest music summer festivals. Huge artists such as Neil Young, Kendrick Lamar and Canada's very own Arcade Fire have headlined WayHome in the past. That trend continues with Frank Ocean, Flume and Imagine Dragons headlining. Tip: if you don't have a tent or any camping gear, no need to fret as WayHome can provide all of that for you.
June 23 – July 2, 2017
Various locations in Toronto
We have to give the TD Toronto Jazz Festival a little bit of R-E-S-P-E-C-T. This year, the renowned festival features the legendary Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin. There will be over 100 free concerts performed on stages in Yorkville and big acts such as Joss Stone, Mavis Staples, and Gregory Porter performing at various venues across the city.
June 23 - 25, 2017
Toronto Port Lands
The North By Northeast Festival's lakeside Port Lands Music Festival returns for its second year with a line-up of thirty acts, with KAYTRANADA, Post Malone and Passion Pit set to headline. Not only can festival-goers enjoy three days of the very best in indie rock and hip hop, you can also hop on the midway rides, have a laugh under the comedy tent, explore art installations and indulge in delicious food truck eats. Your weekend is set!
Date and location TBA
The date, location, and musical acts haven't been announced for 2017's OVO Fest yet - but we can guarantee Drake will bring the very best to his hometown (he never fails to treat the6ix well). The festival, which usually takes place on the August Civic Holiday long weekend, has had huge acts in hip hop, R&B and rap show up in the past, including Eminem, Jay Z, Nas and Kanye West. Check back for updates.
Food Festivals
August 18 - 20, 2o17
Burl's Creek Event Grounds
The Big Feastival is the U.K.'s favourite food, family fun and music festival, and it's  heading to Canada this August. Conceived by Chef Jamie Oliver and Blur bassist Alex James, The Big Feastival combines two of our favourite things: food and music. Foodies will be well served with some of Canada’s most dynamic and exciting chefs, the best of Toronto street food, an artisan food and drink market and top chef demonstrations on the festival's Big Kitchen Stage. With headliners such as Weezer and Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, it could also be categorized into one of Ontario's best music festivals too.
June 16 – 18, 2017
College Street
College Street is transformed into an Italian piazza ever year for Toronto's Taste of Little Italy. Indulge in Italian cuisine, including veal sandwiches, grilled chicken, pizza, shrimp and of course - pasta. As well as the food, visitors can listen to one of the 20 live performers and relax on the expanded patio area. What are you waiting for? Mangia!
June 30 – July 3, 2017
Centennial Park
Bring your wet-naps and stretchy-waistline pants to this festival. Enjoy the sweet smell of barbecue and the lip-smacking taste of ribs at Toronto Ribfest, a massive barbecue competition hosted by the Rotary Club of Etobicoke. The 2017 ribber line up includes thirteen vendors serving up the very best barbecue. There will also be carnival rides, live music, midway games and a fireworks display on Canada Day to make a real party of it.
August 11 - 13, 2017
Danforth Avenue
Taste of the Danforth offers up delicious Greek cuisine in the heart of the city's Greektown every summer. Bite into mouth-watering chicken souvlaki or some fresh spanakopita at this massive street festival. Family-friendly activities and live performances are also planned on various stages across the Danforth.
Family Fun Festivals
August 18 – September 4, 2017
Exhibition Place
Founded in 1879, the CNE was the designated spot to experience the very best from the latest innovations in technology and commercial products. It has changed significantly since, but continues to be one of Toronto's most popular annual traditions, with 18 days of amusement park rides, midway games, entertainment, and outrageous food (hello, bacon milkshakes). It also boasts loads of concerts and live performances. If you're a fan of flight, don't miss the dare-devil stunts and synchronized maneuvers at the Canadian International Air Show on Labour Day Weekend.
September 1 - 4, 2017
Woodbine Park
Buskerfest is Ontario's largest street performer festival, with over 100 performers from around-the-world. Acts include musicians, sketch artists, artisans, and entertainers. Street performers will take their talent right into the crowd and ensure a weekend of fun with spectator participation. The weekend is all in support of a great charity, Epilepsy Toronto.
July 1 - 3, 2017
HTO Park
Enjoy Toronto's iconic waterfront Canada weekend at the annual Waterfront Festival. This year's big feature? The World's Largest Rubber Duck. Yes, you read that right. Standing at 61 feet tall and weighing in at 30,000 pounds, this will be the duck's first "swim" in Canadian waters. The festival will also feature the West Coast Lumberjack Show, Rhythm of the Nation and local live music in each port for the ultimate Canadian fête.
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