Top Festivals in Toronto

Ohhh Toronto loves a festival. Summer is chockablock full of festivals celebrating food, music, drinks, art...you name it, there is probably a festival for it in and around the city. Here I've compiled my list of 5 favourite Toronto festivals and just so you know, not all of them are summertime deals.

1// Toronto Cider Festival

I'm not a beer drinker so all the craft beer fests usually aren't my scene, but put a cider on tap and I'm there! This end of summer fest has all the hallmarks of a great summer weekend at the cottage at the Toronto Waterfront on Sherbourne Common.

2// Toronto Light Fest

This winter festival arguably kicks off the year of fests by starting mid-January and running for several weeks at the Distillery District. It's an incredible installation of light based outdoor art pieces. Honestly, I really love this event. Cool public art is tops.

3// Historic Distillery District Christmas Market

I love all Christmas markets, but the ones in Europe are really where's it at. Short of a flight to Germany, the Distillery District for the month of November becomes a Christmas wonderland and the closest thing to a true and proper Christmas market on the cobbled streets of the former Victorian Distillery.

4 Taco Fest

Unlike the other fests on this list, this is the only one I have yet to repeat. June is a busy month for festivals and sometimes you just have to pick and choose how you spend your time. But I love tacos and a whole festival dedicated to them is a-okay in my books.

5 Brunch Fest

This festival also in June gives you your fill of breakfast themed foods. I recommend going to a early session to avoid lines and missing out on some favourite brunch items.

A festival is only second to a really good farmer's market, but what have I missed? Any honourable mentions that should be noted?

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BRUUUUUNCH Fest

Growing up, I was never that much into breakfast foods. I hated going out for breakfast because it would mean I wouldn't be able to eat my favourite AM item; cereal. Seriously. Cereal is my favourite food (still is). 

It wasn't until I was introduced to the poached egg and brunch that I started to understand what all the fuss was about.  

This year, for the first time, but hopefully not that last, Cravings Food Co. introduced Toronto to 'Brunch Fest' in partnership with Bud Light Radler.

I love how this company organizes their events. I went to Taco Fest last year and it was the same deal. You have to purchase tickets ($10-15) for timed entry to the event, but once in, you can stay as long as you like. I feel like this really helps with crowd control and any ridiculous lines that you might encounter at free events, I'm looking at you Mac n' Cheese Fest.

They also provide a menu printout that you can take around with you, or if you do happen to find yourself in a line so long, it's bananas, you at least know what the heck you are waiting for. For my food partner in crime, it helps us prepare a plan of action. You can't go into these events without some sort of strategy!

We tried the Coconut Pancakes with Bud Light Radler Syrup and Crab Cakes with Radler infused Hollandaise sauce from Hollandaise Diner.

Belgian Waffles from The Good Son Restaurant and Will you Berry Me? and Chocolate Banana Milkshake cereals from Sil013.

A Fully Loaded Waffle and Waffle Bacon where the bacon is INSIDE the waffle from Starving Artist.

The Mango Lassi from Kathi Roll Express and my most favourite item of the day, The Spicy Chicken Sandwich also from the Starving Artist.

It's a great party atmosphere carried throughout the event over the whole weekend with live music and outdoor lawn games and a complimentary Bud Light Radler.

The food was good, but probably better when actually served in a restaurant, it was very waffle heavy and not a ton of variety between one vendor and the next. That said, I do love brunch and you can probably find me here again next year.

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