Top Summer Food Festivals
A great meal is the best way to bring people together. Food connects families and friends, represents culture and heritage, and is an integral part of most milestones in our lives. So naturally, Ontario celebrates its rich mosaic of different cultures and backgrounds in the best way possible — with food.
If you’re wondering where to start on your summer food fest circuit, these are a few can’t-miss favourites.
Summer Long Festivals
Street Eats Market
When: every Friday, Saturday & Sunday throughout the summer, 2022
Where: 500 Progress Avenue, Toronto (Scarborough Town Centre), other locations
Head to Scarborough Town Centre for a giant food truck market with foodie-themed events happening each weekend, including a Mac & Cheese Festival, Fried Chicken Fest, Ice Cream Fest and Poutine Festival. Tickets are available online for $5, kids under 12 enter for free.
Northern Heat Rib Series
When: May 13–August 28, 2022
Where: 15 different communities across the province
This summer North America’s largest rib and beer combo tour will be hosting a series of rib fest events across Ontario, serving mouth-watering BBQ ribs along with a wide assortment of top local craft beers and beverages and a bevvy of entertainment. Find a date and location near you.
Poutine Feast
When: June–October 2022
Where: Multiple locations across Ontario
The world’s largest poutine festival is touring multiple cities in Ontario this summer, including Sault Ste. Marie, Parry Sound, Cornwall, Brockville, Parry Sound, Wasaga Beach, Wiarton, Guelph, Welland, Kingston, Hamilton and many others. Over 50 different varieties of this classic Canadian dish will be served, with toppings ranging from fresh vegetables to meat like pork and lobster. Music, games and contests will be held to entertain kids and adults alike.
Food Festivals in May
Carassauga Festival of Cultures
When: May 28–29, 2022
Where: Mississauga
This unique festival is spread across multiple pavilions across the city dedicated to different cultures and cuisines, each connected by a fleet of free shuttle busses. Upon entry, you’ll receive a Carassauga passport that you can fill with stamps as you ‘travel’ to 23 countries around the world, taking in a delightful array of sights, sounds and scents along the way.
Food Festivals in June
Taste of Little Italy
When: June 17–19, 2022
Where: College Street, Toronto
From pasta to pizza to gelato, indulge in classic Italian food in Toronto’s Little Italy neighbourhood, as well as fusion cuisine familiar around College Street. Enjoy live street performances, local artisan vendors and inviting patio drinks. Bellissimo!
London International Food Festival
When: June 24–26, 2022
Where: Victoria Park, London
Explore delicious and diverse dishes from around the world. Enjoy Portuguese, Caribbean, Mexican, Chinese, Serbian, Italian, Polish, Greek food and more. Also, don’t miss the assortment of beverage options, including fruit smoothies, slushies, bubble tea as well as coolers, craft beer and wine.
Taste of Asia
When: June 24–26, 2022
Where: Markham
This massive annual street festival brings the best of Asian food, artisan vendors, performers and more together for a harmonious, multi-day celebration of cuisine and culture.
Food Festivals in July
The Taste of Lawrence International Food and Cultural Festival
When: July 8–10, 2022
Where: Scarborough
One of Scarborough’s largest street festivals returns to Lawrence Avenue this summer with a three-day celebration of culture and cuisine from around the world. Live music, family entertainment and a vast array of street vendors make this an event not to be missed.
Festival of India
When: July 16–17, 2022
Where: Marina Park, Thunder Bay
Experience the colours and flavours of India this summer during Thunder Bay’s largest celebration of culture, arts, music and mouth-watering vegetarian food.
Belleville Waterfront & Multicultural Festival
When: mid-July, 2022
Where: West Zwick’s Park, Belleville
With four stages for entertainment, buskers, arts and crafts, canine watersports and dog shows, plus amazing, multicultural cuisine and local, craft beer, Belleville is a summer staple for festive fun and great food.
Lebanese Food Festival
When: July 13–17, 2022
Where: Ottawa
For over thirty years, the Lebanese Food Festival has showcased Middle Eastern food and culture. Hosted at the St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, the festival features music performances, cooking demonstrations like those at the saj bread booth, carnival rides and of course plenty of delicious hummus, tabouli, falafel and chicken shawarma.
Festa Italiana
When: July 22–24, 2022
Where: Timmins
Hosted by the Porcupine Dante Club, Festa Italiana is commemorating its 70th anniversary this year with food, music, entertainment and market vendors. This three-day event lasts the whole weekend, with a ‘Party in the Parking Lot’ on Friday, live traditional music and a gala on Saturday and a street party along Cedar Street on Sunday to cap off this festive celebration of Italian culture.
Food Festivals in August
Toronto Food Truck Festival
When: July 29–August 1, 2022
Where: Woodbine
Local food trucks will be serving up some of your favourite dishes, along with local beer, local talent, live-eating contests and more. The festival specifically ensures there are vegetarian, vegan, halal and gluten-free options available each year.
Jerk Festival
When: August 4–7, 2022
Where: Toronto
Immediately following North America’s largest festival of Caribbean culture, Caribbean Carnival, savour Caribbean cuisine at another one of Ontario’s hottest summer events celebrating everything jerk flavoured, along with Island music and family entertainment.
Night Up!
When: August 5–7, 2022
Where: Markham
One of Markham’s landmark summer events returns for their 20th year! Night It Up! is an outdoor festival that showcases a mosaic of delicious Asian street foods and innovative Insta-worthy treats. The festival styled in the vein of night markets from across Asia will be complemented by performances by local talent.
Halal Ribfest & Food Truck Festival
When: August 26 – 28, 2022
Where: Downsview Park, 70 Canuck Avenue, North York
Canada’s largest halal food event is happening this summer at Toronto’s Downsview Park and they’re pulling out all the stops with a host of great food trucks, carnival rides, games, sports competitions, a BBQ recipe competition with prizes, a fun vendor bazaar and some of the very best, juiciest, mouth-watering BBQ ribs and more.
Last updated: August 19, 2022