You may be heading out of town this month for one last summer hurrah, but if you decide to stay put, there are plenty of things to do with the family in Toronto in August. Here are some of the best events for kids in and around the city this month.
1. Shake a Tail Feather
One of the biggest annual events in the city, the Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade celebrates Caribbean culture with a massive parade with glittering and feathered costumes, choreographed dancing, elaborate props, and competing Masquerade Bands playing soca, calypso, and steel pan music. The spectacle is free to watch if you stand along the Lakeshore Boulevard parade route (Exhibition Place to Parkside Drive), or you can buy a ticket ($20 – $25) for the performances at Exhibition Place grounds.
Exhibition Place, 200 Princes’ Blvd. | www.caribanatoronto.com/event/caribanaparade | Aug. 2
2. Feast on Food Truck Fare
More than 40 food trucks descend on Woodbine Park to dole out a wide variety of food and drink at the Toronto Food Truck Festival. Browse the menus for lobster rolls, cupcakes, spicy kale salad, buttermilk fried chicken, pad Thai fries, and more. Among the trucks booked for the event are Hogtown Smoke, Hula Girl Coffee, the Food Dudes, Caplansky’s, and Per Se Mobile.
Woodbine Park, Lake Shore Blvd. E. and Coxwell Ave. | torontofoodtruckfestival.com | Aug. 2 – 3
3. Experience the Islands
No, not the Toronto Islands—the Caribbean Islands. The Island Soul festival celebrates Caribbean culture with dance, music, food, fire-breathing (really!), and activities, games and workshops for kids.
Harbourfront Centre, 250 Queen’s Quay W. | www.harbourfrontcentre.com/summer/islandsoul | Aug. 1 – 4
4. Get It Fresh from the Farm
Get out of town to one of the GTA’s pick-your-own farms. It’s not all berry-picking: in season this month are blueberries, peaches, peas, raspberries and tomatoes. Find a great place to pick your own fruits and veggies from Harvest Ontario.
5. Watch the World Cup
Wait, wasn’t the World Cup last month? Yes, but this month it’s the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. For girls who play soccer, this is the event of the year (or, more accurately, of every two years). This international soccer tournament is for national teams with players under 21. This year Canada hosts. Matches take place in various cities (finals are in Montreal) but Toronto hosts two Group Stage (first-round) matches for the Canada team: August 5 and 8.
National Soccer Stadium (BMO Field), 170 Princes’ Blvd. | www.fifa.com/u20womensworldcup | Aug. 5 – 24
6. Cool Down in the City
Visit the city’s best splash pads and wading pools. Two of our favourites are the newly renovated “pads” at Corktown Commons and at Oriole Park’s Neshama Playground. Pack a picnic and make a morning or afternoon of it!
7. Go Brazilian
The Expressions of Brazil Festival at the Harbourfront celebrates South America’s largest country: home of samba, Carnival, the Amazon rainforest, beautiful beaches and the beautiful game. Best bets for kids at the festival are capoeira demos and lessons, puppet theatre, storytelling, games, and an interactive mural.
Harbourfront Centre, 250 Queens Quay W. | www.harbourfrontcentre.com/summer/expressionsofbrazil/ | Aug. 8 – 10
8. Go Greek
Dig into souvlaki, gyros, and other Mediterranean specialties at Taste of the Danforth, the largest street festival in the city, celebrating cultures of all Mediterranean countries. But the bottom line? Go for the food!
Danforth Ave. | tasteofthedanforth.com | Aug. 8 – 10
>>Looking for more food festivals? See our Summer Guide to Toronto Family Food Festivals.
9. Cheer for Toronto
The biggest event this month is arguably the Rogers Cup. This year it’s the men in Toronto and the women in Montreal. Check out the free community event on opening weekend (August 2 and 3).
The Argonauts play two home games this month: August 12 vs. the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and August 17 vs. the BC Lions.
One of our favourite activities with kids is to see a Toronto FC soccer match. The home team plays the Chicago Fire (August 23) and the New England Revolution (August 30) this month.
The Blue Jays are going strong this month with 13 home games.
10. See Jaw-Dropping Performers
See some of the world’s best street performers at the annual Scotiabank BuskerFest, which gets bigger and better every year. This year you can watch acrobats, aerialists, comedians, musicians, magicians, dancers and other amazing acts. If you’re brave, you can even get in on the act.
Yonge-Dundas Square | www.torontobuskerfest.com | Aug. 21 – 24
11. Do the CNE
The Canadian National Exhibition comes to town every August and brings with it nonstop entertainment in the form of carnival rides, midway games, animal shows, and food that ranges from classic carnival treats to outrageously one-of-a-kind finds. What else is on the schedule? Everything from parades to pyrotechnics, kiddie rides and adult thrill rides, acrobats and chefs, and, for the second year in a row, the Food Truck Frenzy.
Exhibition Place, 200 Princes’ Blvd. | theex.com | Aug. 15 – Sept. 1
12. Play in the Street
Born in Medellin, Colombia, Open Streets is a free recreational program where streets are open to people and closed to cars. There are no outdoor vendors, food trucks or stalls, parades, or organized entertainment. This is simply an exercise in making the streets a public space for strollers, walkers, runners, and cyclists for one day. Open Streets TO will run two days in August along Bloor Street from Spadina Ave. to Parliament Street and Yonge Street from Bloor Street to Queen Street.
Bloor St. W. | www.openstreetsto.org | Aug. 17 and 31
13. Join the Rice vs. Noodle Debate
At the TAIWANfest, sample Taiwanese cuisine, take a break at the bubble tea lounge, sing some karaoke, learn to silkscreen, play Taiwanese pinball and learn the kids’ game Big or Small?
Harbourfront Centre, 250 Queen’s Quay W. | www.harbourfrontcentre.com/summer/taiwanfest/ | Aug. 23 – 24
14. See a Movie Under the Stars
In August, all of the outdoor movie festivals around the city are in full swing. Bring your lawn chair or blanket, pack some popcorn, and watch a free family flick under the stars before summer’s over.
15. Look Up
At the Canadian International Air Show, the 100th anniversary of World War I will be commemorated with six WWI planes from the Great War Flying Museum. Other performances include the Royal Canadian Air Force Precision Jet Team, sky jumpers, and small-plane aerobatic demos.
Exhibition Place, 210 Princes’ Blvd. | cias.org | Aug. 30 – Sept. 1
BUSKERFEST (#10) PHOTO: JONATHAN LINES/FLICKR CC
