Toronto & Ottawa are Throwing Summer Fests - And They're Free?! 🥳
Not to be missed, free festivals and events in Toronto this summer. Toronto and Ottawa are straight-up vibing this summer with a bunch of free festivals and events. From artsy stuff to music to food, there's a lit situation for everyone to get into. Time to gather the gang and make some core memorie
TL:DR
Toronto and Ottawa are straight-up vibing this summer with a bunch of free festivals and events. From artsy stuff to music to food, there's a lit situation for everyone to get into. Time to gather the gang and make some core memories, fam.
Toronto is Bussin' with Summer Fests
Okay, Toronto fam, listen up! The city is about to pop off with free festivals and events all summer long. We're talking art experiences at Luminato (theater, dance, the whole shebang), Indigenous Arts Festival & Na-Me-Res Pow Wow (get your culture on!), and Franco-Fete de Toronto (French vibes only!).
But wait, there's more! The Toronto Jazz Festival is bringing the tunes (some free shows!), Dance Together Festival is getting everyone moving, and Summer Music in the Garden Series is serving up chill waterfront vibes. And don't even get us started on Union Summer – patio party central!
Pride Toronto is gonna be iconic, obvi, and South by South East International Festival is bringing the Latin American and Asian heat. Toronto Waterfront Festival is giving nautical fun, Afrofest is bringing the African beats, and Fun Philippines Toronto Food and Music Festival is all about Filipino pride.
Still not enough? Taste of Lawrence, Taste of the Middle East, Beaches International Jazz Festival (StreetFest is lit!), Dance on Yonge, Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, Caribbean Vibrations Festival, Mixto Festival, Little Jamaica Festival, Porch View Dances, Unity Fest, Festival of South Asia, Toronto International Brazilfest, Taste of Vietnam, Alohafest Toronto, OssFest, Indigenous Sounds Now, InCluCity Festival, Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Toronto Food Truck Festival, Ghanafest Toronto, Dusk Dances, Habari Africa, Toronto Chinatown Festival, Family Fest in Guildwood, Wheels on the Danforth, Taste of Manila, TaiwanFest, Toronto Korean Festival, Yorkville Murals, Toronto Dragon Festival, Toronto International BuskerFest, T.U. Jazz Festival, Flavours by Fire, Trinibago Toronto Festival, Roncesvalles Polish Festival, Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival, Common Ground Dance Festival, VegTO Festival, and Word on the Street are all throwing down too.
Ottawa's Also Serving Banger Summer Vibes
Meanwhile, in Ottawa, the vibe is equally immaculate. The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival is a whole mood, celebrating Indigenous culture with a Pow Wow, drone show, and more. The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is bringing the racing and concert energy.
If you're into EDM, the Escapade Music Festival is where it's at with headliners like Kygo and The Chainsmokers. For the artsy crowd, the Ottawa Fringe Festival is showcasing original work. And the Ottawa Jazz Festival is keeping the tunes going.
Sports fans can catch Ottawa Rapid FC soccer or Ottawa Titans Baseball Club games. Plus, there's Mud Hero for the adventurous and UNA BULLA! A Cuban Salsa Extravaganza for the dancers.
Don't forget Ottawa Fiesta Extravaganza, NCC Weekend Bikedays, Urban Art Collective Markets, Nepean Night Market, Parkdale Night Market, Ottawa Farmers’ Market, and Ottawa Street Markets for even more summer fun. Ottawa is low-key killing it this summer, no cap!
Abbreviations Glossary
| Abbreviation | Full Form |
|---|---|
| Bussin' | Amazing, really good. |
| Fam | Short for family, used to refer to close friends. |
| Low-key | Understated, subtle. |
| High-key | Obvious, out in the open. |
| No cap | No lie, for real. |
| Obvi | Obviously. |
| Whole mood | Something that evokes a particular feeling or vibe. |
| Lit | Exciting, fun, or excellent. |