Toronto Festivals - August 2013

One of Harbourfront Centre’s more popular festivals that celebrates the rich artistic traditions, emerging art forms, innovative expressions and vibrant lifestyles of the Caribbean.

On Aug 5, Calypso STARS, a one-day extravaganza of top Canadian calypso and soca singers, along with the U.K.’s 2012 Calypso Monarch, steelpan and traditional carnival mas' characters.

**FREE**

The TD IRIE Music Festival is a multi-day, family-friendly festival that takes place over 3 weekends at 3 different venues. This is the listing for Downtown Toronto.

Join the celebration of music - at Nathan Phillips Square — from reggae to salsa, gospel and soul to African; dance from the African Diaspora, spoken word/literature, a visual arts exhibition, film, international food and refreshing drinks.

Website  ||   **FREE**

Held at Country Heritage Park, Milton, this festival has pirate stages with entertainment for the family, interaction with pirates, a marketplace, games of skill and loads of fun and of course, there will be food 'n' drink. Entertainment with a pirate flare, provides a little bit of everything for everyone!

Pirated Fairy Tales, The Pirates McKenna, and the Mud Show are just a few of the attractions to entertain Privateers and families alike. The Captains Keg on Saturday night will be overloaded with piratical enjoyment for adults after the children are tucked into their hammocks

Website

**Tickets required**

This event is worth mentioning. It is held in the Rexall Centre at York University each year and many of the big names in the tennis world participate in this tournament. It's the Womens' championship this year in Toronto. The Men's tournament will be held in Montreal (Aug 2-11).

TTC has service that takes you into the University's grounds if you would rather take public transit. If you're a tennis fanatic, it can be an all-day affair!

Website

**Tickets**

Jambana is an exciting 'Fun for the Family' event with the opportunity for marketing, networking and socializing with delicious food and excellent entertainment to celebrate Jamaica.

Experience the rhythms of Gospel, Dance, Comedy, the "Lick A Six" Domino Tournament and Entertainment. Venue is still to be announced.

Website

If you enjoy Greek food and everything associated with Greek culture, this is the festival to attend. Best way to get there - TTC (Broadview Stn, Chester or even Pape) as parking can be a nightmare. If you're not one for crowds, go early (10/11 am) as you will be able to see everything and still manage to pick out your spot on one of the many patios. Pick up a 'snack' or a full meal from one of the many stalls along the Danforth.

Website  ||  FREE  ||

Fortune Cooking features the best dishes, restaurants, music, dance and artists from East Asia to Southeast/South Asia. Venue: Harbourfront

**FREE**

If you've never been to Scotland, attending this festival will make you feel you have. Held out in Fergus (map), it celebrates everything Scottish and you don't have to be part of a Clan to enjoy yourself!! There are children's activities such as dance lessons, story-telling; competitions, e.g., tossing the caber; Highland dancing; piping; scotch tasting and many other entertaining events to watch or participate in.

Website

**Tickets**

Formerly known as "Queer West Fest" this is a week-long Arts and Culture festival put on by the queer community.

It has something for everyone. From a film festival to spoken word, to a political unConferences, to art shows, to classical music concerts. From a ramble in the ART AND DESIGN DISTRICT to a QUEER CABARET whether you’re gay, straight, lesbian, bi, trans, queer or confused there’s something to inspire, challenge or entertain you.

Website

Steam Whistle celebrates craft beer and hosts The Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival!

Now in its second year, this festival and it's being held at the Roundhouse Park, 255 Bremner Blvd (just south of the CN Tower and Metro Toronto Convention Centre). Created to provide beer lovers the opportunity to sample Ontario’s finest craft brews and delicious eats from Toronto’s best Food Trucks.

• Where: Roundhouse Park
• Time: TBA
• Admission: TBA

Website

JerkFest celebrates the world renown jerk cuisine. Its a fusion of jerk food, pulsating music, family friendly entertainment and good vibes – all under the throbbing Toronto sun. Details below are from last year's event but they will return this year

• Time: 11am-10pm both days
• Where: Centennial Park, Etobicoke
• Cost: FREE except for the VIP Garden
• VIP Garden: Pass - $20 (Adult), $10 (Child) where you can enjoy all you can eat jerk burgers and chicken drumsticks. Refresh yourself with your choice of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages as you enjoy the show

Website

**FREE**

Mabuhay Philippines Festival is one of the largest celebrations of Philippines’ heritage and arts in Toronto. Enjoy traditional and contemporary Filipino culture over three days. Venue: Harbrourfront

**FREE**

The Canadian National Exhibition (aka The Ex) is an 'end of summer' celebration held at Exhibition Place. Once you've paid the entrance fee, all entertainment is free. But in order to go on the amusement rides, you must have the RAD pass (includes admission AND rides).

Special Events

The CNE has many special events happening during it and once they have been announced I will add them here.

Website  ||  Superdogs video  ||

Spontaneous, colourful and bursting with the unexpected, the festival is a showcase for over 100 of the most remarkable street performers on earth.

Over 4 days and nights, Toronto’s international busker festival will entertain audiences in its NEW LOCATION: Yonge Street between Queen and Gerrard Streets, as well as surrounding areas.

Scotiabank Buskerfest is produced by Epilepsy Toronto as a fundraiser in support of people with epilepsy and their families. So it's no surprise that the proceeds collected at the festival will go towards Epilepsy Toronto. So, take lots of change for the performers - PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY!

Website  ||  **Donation at Festival - Pay what you can**

Held at the Harbourfront Centre, this festival features tantalizing cooking demonstrations and musical performances by some of the top acts in Taiwan and much more.

This year's theme is Children of the Ocean.

Website

**FREE**

The Hispanic Fiesta will be held at Mel Lastman Sq, 5100 Yonge St. Experience the sounds, tempting treats and colourful culture that the Hispanic heritage is famous for. Hispanic Fiesta will feature the best known local & International Hispanic performers covering 20 different countries, that speak Spanish. More than 300 local, national and international performers will be taking part in the festival.

Website

**FREE**

This festival, held at the Harbourfront Centre, is one that I try and go to every year. There are booths of vendors who sell sauces and jellies that are, as the festival is called, hot and spicy. They also provide samples so you know how hot the sauce is that you're going to buy! Check out the Iron Chef competition (attracts big crowd!)

There are also local celebrity chefs presenting, as well as music and films througout the weekend. Great time to pick up that sauce that you wouldn't normally buy in the supermarket!!

**FREE**