photo: CNE
Summer is still in full swing, and if you haven’t been taking advantage of the kids being out of school you better start now! August brings dozens of festivals to keep your kids occupied, from music festivals to a tooth-rotting sweets-only festival. And don’t forget to join in the largest annual community event in all of Canada, the Canadian National Exhibition, at the end of the month!
Here are our top picks for kid-friendly events this August in the GTA.
For even more happenings in the GTA, see our events directory, updated daily.
On this month in Toronto for kids:
CNE Horsecapades
FREE The excitement of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) will stampede into Toronto early with the CNE HorseCapades, which offers visitors the chance to pet and feed horses, guess a horse’s weight, meet a mare and foal, enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride, and of course watch a spectacular trick-riding show. August 2–20
Jambana One World Festival
The Jambana One World Festival in Markham combines music from gospel to reggae, soca, and calypso. There will also be comedy acts and other entertainment as well as Jamaican and Caribbean food. For kids there’s the Children’s Village which features face painting and exciting rides. August 2–3
Krinos Taste of the Danforth
FREE Take a bite out of the Danforth at the Krinos Taste of the Danforth event, which showcases the best of Hellenic food, culture, and music. From souvlaki to mezes, authentic Greek music to interactive children’s games, the event is certain not to disappoint. August 7–9
North York Festival
FREE The North York Festival will have a kids playground, food, live performances, dance and singing competitions, and a fashion show. There will also be special tents from all sorts of cultures, such as Chinese, Korean, Persian, and Russian. Don’t miss out on lots of prize opportunities for everyone! August 8
Rogers Cup Pizzaville Free Community Weekend
FREE Whether or not your family wants to watch the Tennis Canada Rogers Cup, at least check out the free Rogers Cup Pizzaville Community Weekend event which will have scavenger hunts, stage activities, crafts, an obstacle course, and of course an opportunity for little ones to learn how to play tennis! August 8–9
Entertainment District Art Crawl
FREE The Entertainment District Art Crawl is a large-scale urban art show that gathers 50+ talented artists and artisans! Come meet talent and shop from thousands of unique, one-of-a-kind products in the fields of original art, photography, jewelry design, furniture, fashion design, body care and more! There will also be many food options and musical entertainment. August 14
Wheels on the Danforth
As Toronto’s only on-the-street judged car show, Wheels on the Danforth hosts beautiful classic and modern cars and motorbikes. Local cycle groups will be joining in cycle demonstrations and booths promoting safe riding. All wheels are welcome so your little ones can even bring their tricycles. Don’t miss out on great food, music, demonstrations, vendors, a free Kid’s Play Zone, and amazing cars. August 14–15
Sweetery
FREE Lion bars, tiger-striped lollies, and gummi bears! Oh, my! If you and your little ones have a sweet tooth you must come to Sweetery, Toronto’s sweets-only food festival. There will be lots of food and sweet-centered events, including pinatas, a jelly bean count, sweets vendors, and George Brown Chefs preparing sweets. You’ll definitely need a trip to the dentist after this. August 15–16
CNE
Taking place over the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day, the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) offers a wide variety of entertainment and events including concerts, celebrity chef demonstrations, a dog show, a working farm, parades and a three-day Air Show. There will also be rides, carnival games, fair and international food, and lots of shopping opportunities. August 21–September 7
Toronto Chinatown Festival
Themed for the Forbidden City, the Toronto Chinatown Festival will be featuring many cultural dance performances and a variety of vendors selling anything from merchandise to food. There will be two performance stages with a possibility of some busking stations. Join the Chinatown BIA for incredible food, fun workshops, excellent shopping, and amazing entertainment! August 22–23
Big on Bloor Festival
FREE Big on Bloor Festival is a street celebration of arts, culture and small business. Make something, learn something, engage and enjoy hundreds of distinct musical and theatre acts, art projects, games, poetry, one-of-a-kind exhibitions, and shops. August 22–23
Scotiabank Buskerfest
FREE Come out to Ontario’s largest street performers’ festival, the Scotiabank Buskerfest. The festival features over 100 performers from Canada, the U.S., Hungary, Argentina, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand, Australia and more and is all in support of Epilepsy Toronto. August 27–30
AwesTruck Food Truck Festival
Feast to your heart’s content at AwesTruck, Canada’s original food truck festival and only Street Food Awards. This event in Mississauga celebrates gourmet street food culture in Toronto and showcases food trucks from across Ontario, along with local restaurants that have a passion for street food. Bon appetit! August 29
Find more Toronto events for kids, updated daily.
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