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…
Easter Fun Fest
When: Continuing until April 1, 2024
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.
Dino Park
When: Continuing until April 1, 2024
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.
Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival
When: April 6-7, 2024
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
When: Continuing until April 7, 2024
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.
ICFF Youth Festival
When: April 8-13, 2024
The ICFF Youth Festival is an annual multi-lingual film program at Cineplex Cinemas Yorkdale that celebrates film as an art form.
TIFF Next Wave Film Festival
When: April 14–16, 2023
Toronto International Film Festival Next Wave Film Festival returns to the TIFF Bell Lightbox, with brand-new movies FREE for those under 25.
Stratford Festival
When: April 16— October 27, 2024
The Stratford Festival returns with Shakespearean classics, musicals, comedies, dramas and family favourites, plus a kids ticket deal.
Hot Docs Festival
When: April 25 — May 5, 2024
Hot Docs Festival returns with a full in-person line-up of short films in cinemas throughout downtown Toronto, plus special presentations and the Docs For Schools program.
Downsview Park Earth Day Festival
When: April 28, 2024
Hug a tree on Earth Day at Downsview Park to enjoy free hands-on activities, learning opportunities with the staff, plus vendors and more.
Canada’s Wonderland Spring Festivals
When: Starting May 3
Canada’s Wonderland is reopening for the 2024 season on May 3 with exciting events and festivals happening throughout the spring months.
Theatre Direct: Forward March Festival
When: May 4-5, 2024
Theatre Direct presents Forward March Festival, a FREE and fun-filled weekend of new plays for kids aged 7-12 with three works-in-progress by emerging artist collectives.
Cabbagetown Forsythia Festival
When: May 5, 2024
Cabbagetown Forsythia Festival celebrates spring’s bright yellow flowering shrubs with a neighbourhood parade and park activities.
The WeeFestival of Arts and Culture for Early Years
When: May 10 – June 9, 2024
WeeFestival returns with performances and events in various locations around Toronto, intended for children newborn to six years old.
Toronto Comic Arts Festival
When: May 11-12, 2024
TCAF is an annual event showcasing the greatest in Canadian and International comic books and their creators, including hands-on kids workshops and events.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA): Spring Bird Festival
When: May 11, 2024
At TRCA’s free Spring Bird Festival at Tommy Thompson Park, families can take part in kid-friendly bird-themed games and activities.
Birds Canada: Toronto Bird Celebration
When: May 11-25, 2024
Birds Canada returns with the Toronto Bird Celebration, celebrating our winged visitors with a series of free events happening at Toronto’s top birding hotspots, such as guided walks and interesting webinars.
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park: Victoria Day SpeedFest
When: May 17-19, 2024
Zoom into Canadian Tire Motorsport Park’s Victoria Day SpeedFest, with the NASCAR Pinty’s Series, plus fireworks and fun family activities.
Harbourfront Centre JUNIOR Festival
When: May 18-20, 2024
Harbourfront Centre JUNIOR Festival runs over the Victoria Day long weekend with free and ticketed events, at both indoor and outdoor venues.
Toronto Newcomer Day
When: May 23, 2024
Toronto Newcomer Day celebrates our city’s diversity by welcoming new citizens with free family-friendly activities and entertainment.
Inside Out Film Festival
When: May 24 — June 1, 2024
Inside Out Film Festival is dedicated to bringing the film community together by engaging with diverse and inclusive 2SLGBTQ+ stories.
Ajax Rotary Ribfest
When: May 24-26, 2024
The Ajax Rotary Ribfest is back with more food, music, and community, filled with mouthwatering ribs from top-notch vendors.
Carassauga Festival of Cultures
When: May 24-26, 2024
The Carassauga Festival of Cultures brings out the world’s best in food, music, dance, art and history in a packed three-day weekend at numerous venues throughout Mississauga.
Doors Open Toronto
When: May 25-26, 2024
Doors Open Toronto lets you explore more than 140 of our city’s most notable buildings and rediscover our city in a new way, all for free!
Party 4 Paws Pet Fair
When: May 25-26, 2024
Party 4 Paws Summer Pet Fair is a free paw-some weekend event filled with furry fun, where you can start your animal adoption journey and support local businesses.
City of Toronto: Colonel Samuel Smith Park Spring Bird Festival
When: May 25, 2024
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.
SING! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival
When: May 25 — June 2, 2024
Sing along with Canada’s premier music festival featuring artists performing “a cappella”, which means to sing without instruments.
Toronto Jewish Film Festival
When: May 30 – June 9, 2024
The Toronto Jewish Film Festival hosts its 32nd Festival with a program of over 80 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
When: May 31 — June 2, 2024
The Streetsville Founder’s Bread and Honey Festival includes music performances, midway rides, a kids stage, lots of food (including FREE Bread and Honey), and much more.
Downtown Milton SummerFest
When: June 1, 2024
Celebrate the start of summer at the Downtown Milton SummerFest, featuring local businesses and vendors, live entertainment, kids’ activities and more!
CMAOntario Festival & Awards: Street Fair
When: June 1-2, 2024
CMAOntario Festival & Awards hosts a Street Fair at Celebration Square in Mississauga, filled with performances by country music artists, eclectic artisan vendors and interactive Kidzone activities.
Luminato Festival
When: June 5-16, 2024
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.
Do West Fest
When: June 7-9, 2024
Do West Fest is a free street festival of music, arts, food, fun, and community, covering 16 blocks along Dundas Street West.
Lakeshore Village BIA: Grilled Cheese Challenge
When: June 8, 2024
The Lakeshore Village BIA welcomes back their free annual Grilled Cheese Challenge street festival, Ontario’s largest celebration of grilled cheese sandwiches!
Riverside BIA: Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest
When: June 8, 2024
Taste the eats and feel the beats at the 2024 Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest, which spans 10 vibrant blocks along Queen Street East.
Brampton KiteFest
When: June 8-9, 2024
Get ready to soar high and celebrate colouring the skies at Brampton KiteFest, including colourful kites, fun activities and good vibes!
Oshawa Peony Festival
When: June 8-9, 2024
Experience the 20th anniversary of 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 and The Michael and Judi Denny Peony Garden.
Toronto International Storytelling Festival
When: June 9-17, 2024
The Toronto International Storytelling Festival returns this year, once again featuring the Free Family Day with children’s programming.
The Sound of Music Festival
When: June 13-16, 2024
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.
Markham Village Music Festival
When: June 15-16, 2024
Markham Village Music Festival has outdoor concerts on five stages, plus a Kidz Zone, Barkham pets zone, and food and crafts.
Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival
When: June 15-16, 2024
The Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival welcomes boat racing teams to the Toronto Islands, plus music and cultural performances.
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS)
When: June 19 — August 25, 2024
TOPS returns to its four home parks (Fort York, Christie Pits, Corktown Common and Bell Manor Park) with “On the Job”, a 21-evening festival programme of work-themed films. No advance tickets are required and TOPS screenings are free to attend, made possible by charitable donations.
Liberty Village BIA: Give Me Liberty 2024 Street Party
When: June 20, 2024
Inspired by the neighbourhood block parties of years past, Liberty Village BIA hosts its 18th annual free street party called “Give Me Liberty 2024”, which transforms Carpark 181 into a vibrant outdoor patio space.
Harbourfront Centre: Free Flicks
When: Tuesdays from June 25 to August 27, 2024
See 10 free outdoor film screenings at Harbourfront Centre by the lake at all summer, ranging from popular films to favourite old-school classics.
Harbourfront Centre: Summer Music in the Garden
When: Thursdays and Sundays from June 20 to August 29, 2024
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, such as the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Moneka Arabic Jazz and Nichol Robertson’s Country All-Stars.
Fairbank Village BIA: Fairbank Summerfest
When: June 21-25, 2024
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.
Aga Khan Museum: Rhythms of Canada Festival
When: June 29 – July 1, 2024
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?! Take a bite of 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!
