Annual events in Toronto facts for kids

Toronto is a city buzzing with excitement all year long! No matter the season, there's always a fun festival, a cool show, or an interesting exhibition to check out. From huge street parties to celebrations of art, food, and culture, here's a look at some of the amazing annual events that happen in Toronto.

Winter Fun (December - February)

When the weather gets chilly, Toronto heats up with fantastic winter events.

• Toronto Santa Claus Parade: A magical tradition since 1904! This parade is one of the biggest in North America, with dozens of creative floats, marching bands, and thousands of participants bringing holiday cheer to the city.
• Cavalcade of Lights: This festival kicks off the holiday season by lighting up Nathan Phillips Square with hundreds of thousands of sparkling lights. It features live music, ice skating, and a spectacular fireworks show.
• Royal Agricultural Winter Fair: Since 1922, this fair has been a celebration of farming and food. You can see farm animals, watch horse shows, and learn all about where our food comes from.
• Winterlicious: A great time for food lovers! During Winterlicious, many of Toronto's best restaurants offer special menus, making it a perfect chance to try new and delicious meals.
• Canadian International AutoShow: Car fans gather at the Metro Convention Centre to see the latest and greatest in the world of automobiles. You can check out brand-new models and futuristic concept cars.

Spring Celebrations (March - May)

As the snow melts, the city comes alive with parades, festivals, and creative events.

• St Patrick's Day Parade: A lively parade in March that celebrates Irish culture with music, dancers, and lots of green!
• Canadian Music Week: A huge event for music lovers. Bands and artists from all over Canada and the world come to Toronto to perform in different venues across the city.
• Hot Docs: This is North America's largest documentary film festival. It's a chance to see amazing true stories on the big screen from filmmakers around the globe.
• Doors Open Toronto: For one weekend in May, over 150 of Toronto's most interesting buildings open their doors to the public for free. You can explore places that are not usually open to visitors.
• Anime North: A massive convention for fans of anime, manga, and Japanese culture. People often dress up in amazing costumes (cosplay) of their favorite characters.
• Toronto Comic Arts Festival: Held at the Toronto Reference Library, this festival celebrates comic books and graphic novels. You can meet talented artists and discover new stories.

Summer Excitement (June - August)

Summer in Toronto is packed with outdoor festivals, music, and cultural celebrations.

• Luminato: An international festival of arts and creativity. It fills the city with unique performances, art installations, and shows.
• North by Northeast: This festival is all about new music and movies. For five days, you can catch performances from up-and-coming bands and watch new films.
• Pride Week: A vibrant and colorful festival that celebrates diversity, equality, and inclusion for everyone. It features a world-famous parade, music, and community events.
• Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival: Jazz music takes over the city! Musicians from around the world perform in various venues, filling the downtown core with smooth sounds.
• Caribana: North America's largest street festival! It's a huge celebration of Caribbean culture with amazing costumes, delicious food, and a massive parade with lively music.
• Beaches International Jazz Festival: A free music festival in The Beaches neighborhood. For a whole month, you can enjoy jazz and other music genres from talented performers.
• Canadian National Exhibition (CNE or "the Ex"): A classic end-of-summer tradition for over 140 years. The CNE has everything: rides, games, unique food, live music, an air show, and much more.
• Taste of the Danforth: A giant street festival celebrating the food and culture of The Danforth, which is famous for its Greek heritage. You can sample food from dozens of restaurants.
• Fan Expo Canada: A huge convention for fans of comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming. It's a chance to meet stars, see incredible costumes, and celebrate pop culture.

Autumn Adventures (September - November)

The fall season brings film festivals, cultural events, and outdoor fun.

• Canadian International Air Show: Watch amazing airplanes, including jets and historical aircraft, perform thrilling stunts over Lake Ontario. It's an exciting show for all ages.
• Toronto International Film Festival: One of the most important film festivals in the world. Movie stars and directors come to Toronto to premiere their new films, and you might even spot a celebrity.
• Word on the Street: Canada's largest outdoor book and magazine festival. It's a paradise for readers, where you can discover new books and meet authors.
• Roncesvalles Polish Festival: North America's largest celebration of Polish culture! Enjoy a weekend of music, dancing, traditional food like pierogi, and fun activities for the whole family.
• Nuit Blanche: A magical, all-night art event. From sunset to sunrise, Toronto's streets and public spaces are transformed into a massive art gallery with creative and interactive exhibits.
• Toronto Waterfront Marathon: Thousands of runners from around the world race along the city's beautiful waterfront. It's an inspiring event for both participants and spectators.

See also

• List of Asian events in Toronto