After two long years without some of Toronto’s biggest summer holidays, this season is sure to be memorable with a number of festivals and celebrations returning to the city for personal events.
From the Pride Parade to the Canadian National Exhibition, the city will be bustling with activities to enjoy all summer long.
CP24.com has compiled a list of 12 major events returning to the city this summer that you don’t want to miss.
1. PRIDE PARADE
The Pride Parade in Toronto returns this year and is expected to be “the largest parade in Pride history” with nearly 275 swimsuits and more than 35,000 processions.
“We are very excited. We see this as a great opportunity to unite the community. We find that there are many people, that this is their first pride and they are excited. “People who have finally decided to go out, people who have just moved to Canada, and this is their first Pride,” Sherwin Modest, CEO of Pride Toronto, told CP24.
The 41st celebration of the parade will also be the first not to include any motor or gas vehicles in an attempt to make it environmentally friendly.
The size of the float has also been reduced from any size to no more than 14 feet this year to prevent large corporations from dominating smaller community groups.
“We wanted to make sure that Pride’s protest side would not be lost with big celebrations,” Modest said.
“Sunday’s parade is double. It is a message of celebration, of the gains we have made, but it is a protest against the things we are still fighting for. It is also an opportunity to send the message that there are strange people around the world whose rights are still being denied. “
The parade will follow the same route as in previous years, traveling west on Bloor Street to Yonge Street and then south on Yonge Street to Dundas Street.
The Pride Parade starts at 2 pm on June 26.
In addition to the parade, Pride Toronto also hosts the Trans March and Rally on June 24 and the Dyke Rally and March on June 25 in the city’s gay village.
2. TD SALSA OF ST. CLAIR
If you want to dance this summer, there’s always a chance to learn some of the moves at the city’s biggest salsa festival.
TD Salsa on St. Clair will be held on July 9 and 10 at St. Clair Avenue between Winona Road and Christie Street.
The Latin-themed festival offers a variety of food, music, entertainment and of course a lot of dancing.
Some of the artists performing at the festival include the Bachata Swing Toronto, the Latin Swing Orchestra, Samba Squad and The Mexicans Folk Ballet.
Free dance lessons will also be available at various locations on St. Clair Avenue.
3rd TD JAZZ FESTIVAL
TD Jazz Festival returns this year to provide soothing sounds and upbeat rhythms for all live music fans to enjoy.
From June 24 to July 3, more than 160 live concerts will be free to watch and mostly outdoors in Toronto’s Yorkville neighborhood.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the festival, which focuses on highlighting local talent.
“We really wanted to focus on the amazing music that’s being made here in Toronto and across the country all year. We want to make sure that these artists generate some revenue for themselves, but they also generate a certain audience, “artistic director Josh Grossman told CP24.
The festival kicks off with its grand opening weekend at Queen’s Park, featuring international artists such as Amber Mark and The New Power Generation, along with local talent, including Adria Kane and Savannah Re.
“We are really building this as a big party. “We want this to be something of a welcome back to a live music festival,” Grossman said.
Ticket events will also be available and will include performances by Smokey Robinson, Gregory Porter and Michael Michael Keshamer.
4. TASTE OF DANFORT
Taste is expected to return this summer after a two-year hiatus, but there are “logistical concerns” that could hamper its success.
Organized by GreekTown on the Danforth BIA, Taste of the Danforth is a celebration of Greek heritage and cuisine.
However, this year’s event risks being canceled because organizers say they are figuring out how to hold the event with limited street space due to bike lanes and CafeTO installations on the street.
Mary Fragedakis, executive director of Greektown on the Danforth BIA, told CP24 earlier this month that the BIA was in talks with the city to remove these obstacles to the event.
However, the city said removing the bike lanes and courtyards would cause at least nine days of disruption, and said other festivals “work within this new infrastructure”.
If the event continues, it is expected to include a variety of Greek tasting dishes, a children’s entertainment area, a sports area and live music and entertainment.
The festival will run from August 5 to 7 on Danforth Avenue, from Broadview to Donlands Avenue.
5. GREAT PARADE OF THE CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL
Colored floats and Caribbean music will take over the Canadian exhibition again this year when the Toronto Caribbean Carnival returns.
The Grande Parade on July 30 is free to watch from Lake Shore or attendees can purchase tickets to watch the parade from the Ex.
This year’s parade will boast the same attractions as previous years, with colorful floats, beautiful costumes and lots of dancing.
Toronto Carnival Council Chairman Lavern Garcia said all participants were “ready to get back on the road”.
“We are really excited to welcome people to just celebrate Caribbean culture, but, you know, it’s also for everyone, because it’s really about freedom, diversity and emancipation. These are really the roots of what Carnival is, “she told CP24.
Garcia added that the carnival is a time to unite and celebrate everyone after experiencing pandemics and other disasters over the past two years.
“I think our society as a whole has gone through a lot in the last few years and we are so happy to welcome everyone back and get together again. I think that’s really something we really need as a community. “
The parade will last from 10 am to 6 pm
In addition, the carnival is hosting its Kiddies for Mass event on July 10 in downtown Scarborough and a children’s parade on July 16 in Neilson Park.
6. HONDA INDY TORONTO
The roar of rising race cars will fill the western end of Toronto this summer, when Hondy Indy returns July 15-17.
The 2.84-kilometer, 11-turn street closure is built all over and around the Ex and uses Lake Shore as a back section.
Various day and weekend ticket options are currently available.
The event also hosts its Rookie Racers program, which provides the youngest fans of the competition with interactive experiences to enjoy.
7. AFROFEST
The largest free African music festival in North America will return to Toronto.
Afrofest will celebrate 34 years in the city with over 45 multinational artists and initiatives to represent different cultures in Africa.
This year will be the first where the festival will spread in three days instead of two.
The festival will have two stages, the main stage and Baobab Stage, and will include performances by Femi Kuti, D-Flex, FARROW and Shy Musiq, among others.
Afrofest will be held from July 8 to 10 at Woodbine Park.
8. TASTE OF LAURNS
The 18th-year-old Taste of Lawrence will return this year with a variety of delicious dishes to try.
The street festival will take place from July 8 to 10 on Lawrence Avenue from Warden Avenue to Birchmount Road.
Along with an abundance of multicultural food for tasting, the festival will have walks in the middle, live music and dancing.
9th BEACHES JAZZ FESTIVAL
Another live music festival is expected to return this summer in Toronto’s Beach neighborhood.
The Beaches Jazz Festival will host a number of venues and stage concerts two kilometers from Queen Street East.
Every year the festival attracts internationally renowned jazz performers as well as local talents.
This year will also include the Salsa on the Beach event on July 2nd and 3rd, where participants can take lessons or listen to live music and DJs.
The Beaches Jazz Festival runs from July 2 to 24 and is free.
10. CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION
“Let’s go to the ex!” The famous CNE is back and will surely be unforgettable after a two-year hiatus.
Participants can expect the usual walks in the middle of the road, games, live performances and unique dishes to enjoy.
Other attractions at this year’s CNE will include a casino, HorseCapades, a first-of-its-kind game garage, air show, super dogs and a farm.
The CNE will also be full of various exhibits, competitions and shopping areas to explore.
The CNE will be held from August 19 to September 5 at the Exhibition Place in Toronto.
11. BUSKERFEST
If you are looking to have a good time, then the International BuskerFest for Epilepsy in Toronto is the place to go.
The four-day festival will include circus artistry and non-verbal shows, along with music, magic and pantomime.
Comedians, fiery jugglers, acrobats, clowns and more will provide laughter-filled performances that everyone can enjoy.
The festival is also a fundraiser for Epilepsy Toronto in an attempt to raise public awareness of the neurological disorder.
Buskerfest will take place from 2 to 5 September.
12. TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The red carpet has been spread for some of the world’s biggest stars to end the summer in Toronto.
After a mix of personal and digital screenings last year, the Toronto International Film Festival has been staged …
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