Summer 2024 is officially upon us and there is no lack of things to do in Toronto. Whether you are interested in sports, music, art, or culture…the city certainly has something to offer. Attending various events throughout the city this summer will also allow you to explore the unique Toronto neighbourhoods and experience the excitement that the city brings to a summer day or night. Let’s explore some of this summer’s biggest events below!
Beaches International Jazz Festival
This beloved jazz fest located in The Beaches takes place from July 4-28, 2024. The festival has occurred every summer since 1989 and it fills the air with music down Queen Street East to Woodbine and Jimmie Simpson parks. In addition to the many jazz performances, there are drag shows, food trucks, contests and more to keep you entertained.
While in The Beaches, be sure to soak in the area that transports you to a small resort/beach town feel. There is lots of shopping and dining and a walk on the Boardwalk will do you good! The homes in this area vary from small beachy cottages to a new Toronto real estate development known as The Beach. This development will include semi-detached and detached homes, low-rise condos and townhomes.
Salsa in Toronto Festival
Dance your way to the Salsa in Toronto Festival on July 6-7, 2024 located in Midtown Toronto on St. Clair Avenue West between Winona Rd and Christie Street. There will be tons of dancing, musical performances, Zumba classes and dancing lessons. The festival will also feature tons of great Latin-inspired food dishes as well.
The Salsa Festival is located near the emerging Hillcrest neighbourhood. One of the best features of this area is the Arscape Wychwood Barns which holds many art events and a foodie’s dream farmer’s market. You’ll notice that the homes in this area are a mix of detached and semi-detached that were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The streets are narrow but beautiful with most of them being lined with cascading trees.
Toronto Caribbean Carnival
Formerly known as Caribana Toronto, this festival will be celebrating Caribbean culture from August 1-5, 2024 all over downtown Toronto. This festival promises to fully immerse you in the heritage and beautiful traditions of the Caribbean people. There are tons of arts and crafts exhibits, mouthwatering food to try, and incredible music including soca, reggae, and calypso to enjoy. The festival culminates with the Carnival Parade.
National Bank Open
The National Bank Open will be hosted at Sobeys Stadium from August 4-12, 2024. Formerly known as the Rogers Cup, this tournament is the third oldest in the world when it was founded in 1881 after Wimbledon and the US Open. Besides catching a match, there are plenty of activities for all to enjoy at the National Bank Open including food trucks, meet and greets, shopping, VIP lounges, Kid zones and Tennis Canada zones.
Sobeys Stadium is located at York University. When you are in the area, be sure to check out the York University Heights neighbourhood, also known as Northwood Park. Many students and multicultural families reside in this area. The homes vary from detached, semi-detached, condos, and townhomes. The biggest housing development in the area is called The Village.
Canadian National Exhibition (CNE)
Taking over Exhibition Place from August 16-September 2, 2024 is the CNE or what locals affectionately refer to as “The Ex”. This is everyone’s favourite end-of-summer event and is Canada’s biggest annual fair. There are so many things to participate in at The Ex including shopping and viewing arts and crafts, home and garden or cultural exhibits, trying unique and oftentimes outrageous carnival food, live music, and games and rides on the carnival midway.
The Exhibition Grounds are near the Liberty Village neighbourhood. This once-industrial neighbourhood has now been transformed to many condos, townhouses and lofts that still utilize the industrial feeling in their design. Toronto real estate agents have noted that this is a vibrant area for young professionals to live and play. There are many bars, restaurants, and unique shops to enjoy.
Toronto International Buskerfest
Epilepsy Toronto’s largest fundraiser of the year returns to Woodbine Park from August 30-September 2, 2024. You’ll find weird and whimsical performances that are guaranteed to entertain. There are carnival rides, dance parties, magic shows, and aerial performances just to name a few activities. Make sure you bring some cash to tip your favourite buskers and take in the beauty of The Beaches area!
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
TIFF Bell Lightbox will be home base once again for TIFF from September 5-15, 2024. This has been a highly anticipated event for movie lovers every year for the past 50 years. Many renowned films have made their premiere at TIFF and there will be no shortage of actors and celebrities here to promote their work. Besides the many film screenings, the festival also holds an Industry Conference and Tribute Awards where many panel discussions take place with top professionals.
While many of the movies are shown all over the city, the majority of the events take place right downtown in the Entertainment District/King West. Be sure to make reservations early at your favourite dinner spots in the area!
Toronto Waterfront Festival
Returning to Sugar Beach from September 14-15, 2024 is the Toronto Waterfront Festival. This festival spans across Toronto’s beautiful waterfront area with activities and performances for all to enjoy. From live music to food trucks and art installations, this is a great festival to attend to bid summer farewell. Be sure to check out the unique condos and homes that make up the neighbourhoods along the waterfront as well as the many restaurants, pubs, and breweries!
Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA)
The 45th annual TIFA will be presented at the Harbourfront Centre from September 19-29, 2024. This is the oldest and biggest literary festival in Canada. It’s a great way for book lovers to meet and hear from their favourite authors and get a sense of what is currently happening in the literary world.
As you can gather from our extensive list, there is no shortage of events happening in the city this summer. In fact, there were too many events to mention them all! If you do check out any events, be sure to explore the neighbourhood areas where the event is taking place as well, as there are so many hidden gems to discover!
Sources:
https://www.destinationtoronto.com/events/annual-festivals-and-events/
https://www.neighbourhoodguide.com/toronto/east-end/the-beach/
https://salsaintoronto.com/
https://salsaintoronto.com/td-salsa-on-st-clair/
https://www.neighbourhoodguide.com/toronto/midtown/hillcrest/
https://wahi.com/ca/en/neighbourhoods/ontario/gta/north-york/york-university-heights
https://www.neighbourhoodguide.com/toronto/downtown/liberty-village/
