Summer festival season is upon us.
If you’re going to be in town this June, do yourself a favour and check some of these out! A lot of them are free, and that’s always a great time.
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Taste of Toronto

Source: http://www.zoomerradio.ca/events/taste-of-toronto/
Where: Garrison Common, 100 Garrison Rd. Toronto
When: June 15-18, 2017
Price: Starts at $17
Web: toronto.tastefestivals.com
The Garrison Common will transform into a foodie wonderland for four days of fantastic eats, drinks, and summer fun! Toronto’s latest and greatest restaurants will all be there to showcase (and give samples of) their incredible dishes!
North by North East (NXNE)

Source: https://harltonempire.com/category/north-by-northeast-nxne/
When: June 23 – 25, 2017
Where: 51 Commissioners Street
Price: $125 +
Web: nxne.com
NXNE is a 10 day summer festival featuring music, gaming, comedy, interactive activities, and more with showcases, panels, parties, etc. There will also be a free outdoor e-Sports competition at Yonge Dundas Square presented by the festival! Check it out!
Black Diamond Mac and Cheese Festival

Source: http://macandcheesefestival.ca
Where: Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West
When: June 2-4, 2017
Price: FREE
This is a real thing. As North America’s largest festival celebrating this delicious comfort food, there are over 40 types of mac and cheese to try with live entertainment, carnival rides, and so much more! AHHH! Check it out!
Field Trip Music and Arts Festival

Source: http://fieldtriplife.com
Where: Garrison Common, 100 Garrison Road
When: June 3-June 4, 2017
Price: $80.00 +
Web: fieldtriplife.com
Field Trip is Toronto’s community music and arts festival with internationally acclaimed artists such as Broken Social Scene, Phoenix, Feist, A Tribe Called Red, and more preforming live. This is a fairly new music festival but the music, food, and art exhibits are always super impressive.
Dundas West Fest

Source: http://dundaswestfest.ca
Where: Lansdowne to Shaw, along Dundas West
When: Saturday June 11, 2017 – 11a.m.- 10p.m.
Price: FREE
Web: dundaswestfest.ca
Check out the west end and enjoy food, entertainment, drinks, and art along Dundas St. W. The road gets closed off so it’s all pedestrians, vendors, music, and art!
Pride Parade

Source: http://www.pridetoronto.com/pride-month/pride-parade/
Where: Yonge Street, Bloor to Yonge Dundas Square
When: June 25, 2017
Price: FREE
Web: pridetoronto.com/pride-month/pride-parade/
Okay, not quite a festival, but all of June is Pride Month in Toronto culminating with one of the largest pride marches in North America with over 150 + participating groups! Unforgettable performances, floats, marchers, and a LOT of glitter!
BBQ Eats Festival
Where: Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Boulevard West
When: June 9- June 11, 2017
Price: FREE
Web: bbqeatsfestival.com
This delicious sounding festival will feature ethnic BBQ flavours from around the world. It’s also a huge BBQ competition with chefs coming across the city to compete for a grand prize of $10,000! My mouth is already watering.
Luminato Festival

Source: http://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/toronto-luminato-festival-announces-2017-lineup-1.3356966
Where: Downtown Toronto
When: June 14- 25, 2016
Price: Various
Web: luminatofestival.com
Luminato is Toronto’s international multi-arts, multi-platform festival dedicated to performance, visual art, music, theatre, dance, and pushing the boundaries of traditional art. There are a variety of events happening and you can purchase your ticket(s)/pass on their website!
Beaches Rib Fest

Source: http://northernheatribseries.ca/beaches/
When: June 16-18, 2017
Where: Woodbine Beach Park, 1675 Lake Shore Boulevard East
Price: FREE
Web: northernheatribseries.ca/beaches/
The Beaches Rib Fest is a delicious annual tradition that’s been running for 9 years bringing the Best Rib Teams in Canada to you! Not to mention, the Craft Beer Market which will feature beer from Ontario’s top craft brewers! (Good idea for Father’s Day!)
Taste of Little Italy

Source: http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2015/06/taste_of_little_italy_brings_the_party_to_college_st/
Where: College Street, Bathurst to Shaw
When: June 16-18, 2017
Price: FREE
A personal favourite, this festival celebrate College Street’s rich Italian history and the international community it is home to today! There is delicious food, a whole lot of international entertainment, fun, and lots of people!
Donut Festival

Source: https://allevents.in/toronto/toronto-life’s-2017-doughnut-festival-presented-by-dufferin-mall/80004179309010
When: Sunday June 25, 2017 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Dufferin Mall, 900 Dufferin Street
Price: $15 For Adults, $5 for Children (6 Doughnuts Included!)
Web: allevents.in/toronto/toronto-life’s-2017-doughnut-festival-presented-by-dufferin-mall/80004179309010
This is a brand new festival coming to Toronto presented by Toronto Life and the Dufferin Mall celebrating the city’s top doughnut-makers! If you love sugar you’ll LOVE this!