Toronto Festivals - July 2013

The festival provides all artists, emerging and established, with the opportunity to produce their play no matter the content, form or style. It also tries to make the event as affordable and accessible as possible for the members of the community and is held at a variety of venues.

Website

**Tickets**

Held at the Harbourfront, Ritmo y Color showcases the cultural tapestry and vibrancy of today's diverse Latin American communities.

Lawrence Avenue East (Warden Avenue-Birchmount Rd.) in Scarborough becomes pedestrianized for the duration of the Festival. Three days of nonstop food and entertainment take over Lawrence Avenue East as 200,000+ people attend this festival. Experience nonstop international talent on two stages. Win fantastic prizes.

This year, Afrofest will be celebrating 25 years with NXNE Official Launch & Concert. Join the festivities at the official media launch and concert on June 12 in The Ballroom of the Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St West.

June 12 Details:

• Media Launch: 6:30pm - FREE - All ages. Announcement of Festival details which will include: artistic displays, marketplace, food & craft vendors, music workshops, the Main and Baobab Stagesí musical acts, and The Children's Village.
• Many of the Afrofest performers will be in attendance.
• Concert: 8:00pm - Music Africa & North by Northeast (NXNE): Featuring African music. Tickets: $10 at the door or online

The Festival itself will be on July 6 & 7 with a return to Woodbine Park (Coxwell Ave/Lake Shore Blvd E).

Website

East Gerrard Street (between Greenwood and Coxwell) is closed for the weekend and much like the Italian and Greek festivals, this festival offers the taste of South Asia. If you are interested in sampling their food, it's a great way to. There are several stores where you may pick up a bargain or two. Lacks a lot of what the other festivals offer for kids n such. Entertainment is sparse though.

Street closure: Gerrard street closes at noon on Saturday July 6 and reopens to the public at midnight on Sunday July 7

Website

**FREE**

Toronto Caribana's biggest attraction is the Parade. Over 10,000 masquerades participate in the parade, strutting and dancing all along the 3.6 km route in fantastic costumes, to the vibrant Caribbean beats of the mas bands. There is an Admission for Exhibition Place viewing but usually you can watch the parade along other parts of the Lakeshore Boulevard for free.

Dates to Remember:

• Tues, Jul 9 (Noon-2pm): Official Launch -- Nathan Phillips Square
• Sat, Jul 20 (Noon-6pm): Junior Carnival -- Downsview Park
• Sun, Jul 28 (5pm): OCPA Finals (Calypso Monarch Finals) -- Chinese Cultural Centre
• Thurs, Aug 1 (7pm-12am): King & Queen Competition and Show -- Allan Lamport Stadium
• Fri, Aug 2 (7pm-12am): Panorama (Pan Alive) -- Allan Lamport Stadium

Website

**Many of the events are FREE, but some are ticketed**

The Honda Indy Toronto, Ontario's largest annual sporting event, takes place on the streets surrounding Exhibition Place near Lake Ontario and downtown Toronto. This event includes the fastest racing series on the planet, celebrity athletes, and a festival of live entertainment and interactive activities.

Ticket prices are still not posted but here are the prices for 2012: Prices range from $30 - $185 and can be bought via their website or by calling 1-877-503-6869

Harbourfront’s annual SoundClash Music Award is an innovative music-based festival that pushes envelopes and challenges perceptions about live music.

This festival also features performances from the short-listed nominees for their Soundclash Music Award.

St. Clair Avenue West will be transformed into a showcase of Latin Life where live music, dance lessons, fiery food and family fun take over the street.

The festival is held over the weekend - Saturday (Noon-11pm) and Sunday (Noon to 9pm) - just west of Bathurst Street between Christie St and Winona Drive (map). Note: Quickest way to get there - take subway to either St. Clair or St. Clair West stations and catch the westbound streetcar to Christie - don't forget to get a "transfer" if using tokens! Parking will be a headache in the area and could be costly!!

Here's what to expect:

Website

**FREE.**

Annual Festival of India (also known as Ratha-Yatra). This unique festival launches with a dynamic, high-energy parade down world-famous Yonge Street (beginning at Bloor and continuing south to Queens Quay). The celebrations then shift over to Centre Island for two days of festivities. 40,000+ people expected.

The festival is open to the public and is FREE for everyone.

Website

**FREE** (except for ferry across to island)

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

Mississauga

Weekend 1: July 13-14 at Celebration Square, Mississauga (near Square One shopping mall)

Oshawa

Weekend 2: July 20-21 at Memorial Park in downtown Oshawa. Enjoy 2 days of family-friendly fun at IRIE Oshawa!

Toronto

Weekend 3: August 2-5 at Nathan Phillips Square

Join the celebration of music — 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**

Tirgan Festival is returning to Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre, bringing together artists from around the globe to showcase the richness and diversity of Iranian art and culture through their mosaic of world-class talents.

The theme for Tirgan 2013 is Hope, for hope is that which sustains us in hard times and calls us into the future.

This is a rare opportunity to sample a myriad of exotic Iranian flavours explored through a tastefully hand picked array of artistic expressions including music, dance, theatre, film, visual arts, literature, youth activities, crafts and cuisine.

The Beaches Jazz Festival will kick off July 19 at Woodbine Park where the admission is FREE.

The main festival will be the following weekend (Streetfest).

The Streetfest is held along Queen Street East, just east of Woodbine (map) and at Kew Gardens (the area is aka "The Beaches"). Performers will be at many corners along the street, in bars and at Kew Gardens where there is a bandstand where they play. Tip: If you're going to listen to them at Kew Gdns or Woodbine Park, take a blanket - they both have grassy areas that you can use your own chair/blanket.

Held at the intersection of Albion Road and Islington Avenue, Etobicoke, this all day/night [Noon-10:30 pm] celebration hosts entertainment and an array of tantalizing tastes. There is a Culinary Fest competition [rules] for the month of July (July 2-18).

Website

**FREE.**

BIG on Bloor will be the official opening of Bloordale’s renewed streetscape. Celebrates Music, performance and dance between Dufferin & Lansdowne!

• Culture Works: Institutions, collectives, artists creative events… see, touch, learn, participate!
• Savour Bloor: In the stores, restaurants, patios and the Bloordale Food Court!
• Big Awards: Community appreciation!
• Play Fair: Games for children and adults and the Bloordale Market!

Times: Saturday, July 20 (1-9 pm) || Sunday, July 21 (Noon-6 pm)

Website

**FREE.**

Canada's Largest Brazilian Cultural Event. All sounds and vibes of this beautiful culture will be showcased with its food, music, dance, crafts and workshops. The Festival stage will be filled with musicians, dancers and singers that will take you on an exotic trip exploring Brazilian music and celebration without having to leave the heart of Toronto. The video below looks back at the festival.

This amazing event will also offer the famous Brazilian "Caipirinha", Brazil's national cocktail drink, mixing lime, sugar and Brazilian Pitu Cachaca (Brazilian spirit), a must-try cocktail with a Brazilian flare that will have you enjoying the sounds and dance moves of the Samba. And that’s not all! Enjoy some delicious grilled Brazilian "Churrasco" Barbeque, Tropical Juices and baked Brazilian goodies being sold by vendors at the festival.

Venue: Earlscourt Park, (1369 St. Clair Ave W between Lansdowne & Caledonia).
Time: 12(noon)-10pm

Website

**FREE.**

YOUTH DAY is a non-profit operated summer festival featuring over 100 live music and dance performances over 10 hours -- mostly by youth 14–24.

Also included will be a Youth Gallery showcasing art and photography, a live Fashion Show, and much more! Yonge St will be lined with a variety of vendors and exhibitors – from food to jewelry to face painting. Headliner performances and celebrity support also add to YOUTH DAY’s attraction.

• Cost: **FREE**
• Where: Yonge-Dundas Sq
• Street Closure: Yonge St between Queen and Dundas Streets

Celebrating the best of burlesque! 4 hot nights of scintillating striptease, variety and live music branching from across Canada and beyond.

Expect to see the top names in international burlesque entertainment and more! More details to come.

Website

**Tickets required**

The French Creole Festival (FKZO) is a celebration of French-Caribbean values through music, dance, cuisine arts and crafts as well as many others components which demonstrate the magnitude and diversity of the Canadian patrimony. There will also be a concert from Aug 2-4. Details are still to be announced.

Website

Fans of the golden beverage will gather at Bandshell Park at Exhibition Place for an astounding selection of beer and gourmet fare.

Attendees will be able to sample brews from diverse locales spanning across the globe. They will also be able to find numerous beers from close to home, including a number of brands from the Ontario Craft Brewers.

While the main focus of the Festival will be beer, the acts scheduled to perform are not to be missed. Performers are still to be announced.

Tickets for Toronto’s Festival of Beer sell out in advance every year. Tickets for the Festival can be purchased online. Tickets for each day are $39.50 with the ability to Hoptimize your experience for an extra $10. Hoptimizing your ticket will gain you early access to the Festival and 5 extra sample tokens. This is a 19+ event.

With being held at Exhibition Place, it means you won't need to drive. Leave the car at home, take TTC [eg Bathurst Stn - streetcar] which allows you to enjoy the evening with your friends by drinking responsibly!