Spring is a special time in Toronto when the sun starts to shine, flowers start to bloom and everyone wants to start the party! Whether you’re looking to get into nature, eat delicious food, appreciate the arts or be active, there’s a festival just right for you and your family to enjoy. And we’ll be adding more too, so stay tuned! So, live it up with our Spring Festival Guide for Toronto and the GTA…
Spring Festival Guide — April
ICFF Youth Festival
Date: April 1-4, 2025
The ICFF Youth Festival is an annual multi-lingual film program at Cineplex Cinemas Yorkdale that celebrates film as an art form.
Celebrate Toronto Festival (Rescheduled from March 8)
Date: April 5, 2025
Celebrate Toronto Festival is marking our city’s 191st Anniversary this year with a free party at Nathan Phillips Square, including live music, vendors, beer garden, plus a dazzling fireworks show.
CSC Kpop Expo & Cosplay Fest
Date: April 5, 2025
CSC Kpop Expo & Cosplay Fest is a celebration of Kpop, cosplay and anime, including a Kpop Marketplace and Artist Alley, Idol and Kpop Showcase, Photo Studios and Cosplay Talent Contest, and Kpop Dance Party.
Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority: Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival
Date: April 5-6, 2025
The Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival at the Tiffin Conservation Area in Barrie explores traditional maple syrup, along with family shows, and more.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA): Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival
Date: Continuing until April 6, 2025
Participate in demonstrations and activities for the whole family (with special hours for Easter Weekend) at the annual Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival in Woodbridge and Stouffville.
Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association: Ontario Maple Weekend
Date: April 5-6, 2025
Enjoy the sweetest time of the year with the annual Ontario Maple Weekend at participating maple producers across Ontario.
Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival
Date: April 5-6, 2025
Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival celebrates maple syrup with a pancake breakfast, sugar shack tours, plus two days of free shows and activities.
Shaw Festival
Date: April 9 — October 4, 2025
The Shaw Festival returns for its 63rd season in the picturesque lakeside town of Niagara-on-the-Lake with a varied program of plays, including family favourites like “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”.
TIFF Next Wave Film Festival
Date: April 10-13, 2025
Toronto International Film Festival Next Wave Film Festival returns to the TIFF Bell Lightbox, with brand-new movies FREE for those under 25.
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC): SakuraFest
Date: April 17 — May 11, 2025
JCCC hosts their new SakuraFest to celebrate the traditional appreciation (or “hanami”) of cherry blossoms, Japan’s spectacular flowering trees.
Dino Park {Discount Code}
Date: April 18-21, 2025
Dino Park stomps into Scarborough’s Bridlewood Mall for the whole Easter long weekend! This immersive walk-through experience features roaring animatronic life-size dinosaurs, carnival rides, games, food and more.
Easter HopFest {Discount Code}
Date: April 18-21, 2025
Easter HopFest supplies all the springtime magic families are looking for over the Easter long weekend, with epic egg hunts, adorable animals, thrilling rides, and nonstop fun for every bunny. Of course, there’s also magical photo ops with the Easter Bunny!
Easter Fun Fest
Date: April 18-21, 2025
Easter Fun Fest is the GTA’s destination for family fun with jumping castles, kiddie midway, pony rides, mini-putt, easter egg hunts and more.
Stratford Festival
Date: April 19 — November 2, 2025
The Stratford Festival returns with Shakespearean classics, musicals, comedies, dramas and family favourites, plus a kids ticket deal.
Hot Docs Festival
Date: April 24 — May 4, 2025
Hot Docs Festival returns with a full line-up of documentary films, including special presentations and events, plus free tickets to students for all screenings before 4:00 PM.
Muskoka Maple Festival
Date: April 26, 2025
Join Spring’s sweetest party at Muskoka Maple Festival, with free admission, maple-inspired dining options, games and live music.
Canada’s Wonderland: Spring Festivals
Date: Starting April 26
Canada’s Wonderland is reopening for the 2025 season on May 8 (plus a Season Passholder Sneak Preview on April 26!) with exciting events happening throughout the spring months.
Downsview Park: Earth Day Festival
Date: April 27, 2025
Hug a tree on Earth Day at Downsview Park to enjoy free hands-on activities, learning opportunities with the staff, plus vendors and more.
Spring Festival Guide — May
Toronto International Storytelling Festival
Date: May 2-4, 2025
Toronto International Storytelling Festival returns this year, once again featuring the Free Family Day with children’s programming.
Cabbagetown Forsythia Festival
Date: May 4, 2025
Cabbagetown Forsythia Festival celebrates spring’s bright yellow flowering shrubs with a neighbourhood parade and park activities.
Departure Festival + Conference
Date: May 6-11, 2025
Toronto comes alive with the newly transformed Departure Festival + Conference (formerly Canadian Music Week), a dynamic convergence of music, art, comedy, and technology.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA): Spring Bird Festival
Date: May 10, 2025
At TRCA’s free Spring Bird Festival at Tommy Thompson Park, families can take part in kid-friendly bird-themed games and activities.
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park: Victoria Day SpeedFest
Date: May 16-18, 2025
Zoom into Canadian Tire Motorsport Park’s Victoria Day SpeedFest, with the NASCAR Pinty’s Series, plus fireworks and fun family activities.
WeeFestival — Arts and Culture for Early Years
Date: May 22 — June 8, 2025
WeeFestival returns with performances and events in various locations around Toronto, intended for children newborn to six years old.
Inside Out Film Festival
Date: May 23 — June 1, 2025
Inside Out Film Festival is dedicated to bringing the film community together by engaging with diverse and inclusive 2SLGBTQ+ stories.
Anime North
Date: May 23-25, 2025
Anime North is a yearly anime convention celebrating anime, manga, music, gaming and all other forms of Japanese culture.
Ajax Rotary Ribfest
Date: May 23-25, 2025
The Ajax Rotary Ribfest is back with more food, music, and community, filled with mouthwatering ribs from top-notch vendors.
Doors Open Toronto
Date: May 24-25, 2025
Doors Open Toronto lets you explore many of our city’s most notable buildings and rediscover our city in a new way, all for FREE!
City of Toronto: Colonel Samuel Smith Park Spring Bird Festival
Date: May 24, 2025
The City of Toronto hosts the Spring Bird Festival at Colonel Samuel Smith Park in Etobicoke, where families can enjoy a day of guided bird walks, children’s activities and more.
Party 4 Paws Pet Fair
Date: May 24-25, 2025
Party 4 Paws Summer Pet Fair is a free paw-some weekend event of furry fun, where you can start your animal adoption journey and support local businesses.
SING! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival
Date: May 24 — June 2, 2025
Sing along with Canada’s premier music festival featuring artists performing “a cappella”, which means to sing without instruments.
Carassauga Festival of Cultures
Date: May 24-25, 2025
The Carassauga Festival of Cultures brings out the world’s best in food, music, dance, art and history in a packed two-day weekend at numerous venues throughout Mississauga.
Toronto Newcomer Day
Date: May 28, 2025
Toronto Newcomer Day celebrates our city’s diversity by welcoming new citizens with free family-friendly activities and entertainment.
imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
Date: June 3-8, 2025 (Toronto) and June 9-15, 2025 (online)
The imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival is the world’s largest presenter of Indigenous screen content, with in-person and online events.
Luminato Festival
Date: June 4-22, 2025
Luminato Festival Toronto is the city’s multi-arts festival, which kicks off the summer with memorable art experiences, presenting a unique blend of music, dance, theatre and performance art by exceptional Canadian and international artists.
Toronto Jewish Film Festival
Date: June 5-15, 2025
The Toronto Jewish Film Festival hosts its 33nd Festival with a program of films/series from across the globe, covering a variety of topics and screening through a variety of platforms.
The Streetsville Founders’ Bread and Honey Festival
Date: June 6-8, 2025
The Streetsville Founder’s Bread and Honey Festival includes music performances, midway rides, a kids stage, lots of food (including bread and honey, of course), and much more.
Do West Fest
Date: June 6-8, 2025
Do West Fest is a free street festival of music, arts, food, fun, and community, covering 16 blocks along Dundas Street West.
Toronto Comic Arts Festival
Date: June 7-8, 2025
TCAF is an annual event showcasing the greatest in Canadian and International comic books and their creators, including hands-on kids workshops and events.
Downtown Milton SummerFest
Date: June 7, 2025
Celebrate the start of summer at the Downtown Milton SummerFest, featuring local businesses and vendors, live entertainment, kids’ activities and more!
Brampton KiteFest
Date: June 7-8, 2025
Get ready to soar high and celebrate colouring the skies at Brampton KiteFest, including colourful kites, fun activities and good vibes!
Oshawa Peony Festival
Date: June 7-8, 2025
Experience the award-winning Oshawa Peony Festival, a free captivating two-day event where families can become immersed in the splendour of the Oshawa Valley Botanical Garden.
Sound of Music Festival
Date: June 12-15, 2025
Presented by the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, the Sound of Music Festival is Canada’s largest free outdoor music festival, taking place the week leading up to Father’s Day.
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS)
Date: June 12 — August 24, 2025
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS) presents outdoor film screenings in three parks around the city, celebrating their 15th anniversary with a 20-evening festival programme featuring this year’s nostalgia-filled theme of “When We Were Young”.
Pickering Village JAMFest
Date: June 13-15, 2025
Pickering Village JAMFest celebrates the fun, music, and arts that define Pickering Village at a free street festival over Father’s Day Weekend.
Island Eats Food Festival
Date: June 14-15, 2025
Island Eats Food Festival is a two-day event at Mel Lastman Square that delivers on relaxing island vibes with a dazzling array of food and fun activities, including entertainment for the whole family.
DESIFEST
Date: June 14, 2025
DESIFEST is Canada’s biggest South Asian music concert, with an all-ages outdoor festival at Sankofa Square, celebrating culture and community with epic live performances!
Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival
Date: June 14-15, 2025
The Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival welcomes boat racing teams to the Toronto Islands, plus music and cultural performances.
HungaroFest
Date: June 15, 2025
HungaroFest invites visitors to step into the heart of Hungarian culture and heritage at Sankofa Square with a free festival filled with food, dance and music.
Vaughan International Film Festival
Date: June 16-19, 2025
The Vaughan International Film Festival (VFF) presents public film screenings and industry events as well as scholarship opportunities for student filmmakers.
Liberty Village BIA: Give Me Liberty Street Party
Date: June 19, 2025
One of Toronto’s most vibrant and creative neighbourhoods, Liberty Village BIA hosts its 19th annual free street party called “Give Me Liberty”, which transforms the Lamport Stadium Parking Lot into a vibrant outdoor patio space.
Future of Film Showcase (FOFS)
Date: June 19-22, 2025
Future of Film Showcase (FOFS) returns for its 12th Anniversary, showcasing short films from the next generation of great Canadian filmmakers.
Markham Village Music Festival
Date: June 20-21, 2025
Markham Village Music Festival has outdoor concerts on five stages, plus a Kidz Zone, Barkham pets zone, and food and crafts.
Fairbank Village BIA: Fairbank Summerfest
Date: June 20-22, 2025
Fairbank Village BIA hosts the return of Fairbank Summerfest, a free annual street fair including carnival rides, entertainment, international food and a European Bazaar sidewalk sale.
Harbourfront Centre: Summer Music in the Garden
Date: June 21 — August 28, 2025
Enjoy the intimate live music experience of Summer Music in the Garden at the Toronto Music Garden by the waterfront. The program features 18 free performances by both JUNO Award-winning Canadian musicians and celebrated local artists.
Midtown Yonge BIA: Arraiá on Yonge
Date: June 21, 2025
Discover the magic of “Festa Junina” as Midtown Yonge BIA (MYBIA) hosts Arraiá on Yonge, a Brazilian street festival with live music, traditional food, dancing under colourful flags, plus games and, kid-friendly activities!
Lavazza IncluCity Festival
Date: June 27 — July 20, 2025
The Lavazza IncluCity Festival turns The Distillery Historic District’s cobblestone streets into an outdoor cinema village in a celebration of multiculturalism and the best in international cinema.
Aga Khan Museum: Rhythms of Canada Festival
Date: June 30 – July 1, 2025
The Rhythms of Canada Festival celebrates our diverse tapestry at the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre, showcasing local arts and culture with activities for all ages.
Guide to Spring and Summer Food Festivals in Toronto and the GTA
Food festivals have become extremely popular in recent years in our neck of the woods and what better way to share our city’s many cultures than through a delicious party?! Hit your local park or city square and chow down with help from our Guide to Spring and Summer Food Festivals in Toronto and the GTA!
Looking to plan ahead for Spring and Summer? Check out our event calendar!
