Looking for the perfect way to spend your summer days in Toronto? You’re in the right place. As the weather warms up, the city transforms into a vibrant playground filled with music, food, culture, and celebration. From outdoor concerts and lively street festivals to international parades and waterfront shows, every corner of Toronto offers something exciting. Whether you’re a foodie, music lover, art fan, or just looking to enjoy the sunshine, there’s an event waiting for you. Here are the best events to check out in Toronto this summer.
Beaches Jazz Festival
The Beaches Jazz Festival is one of Toronto’s top free summer events. It takes place throughout July in the east end of the city. Live music fills the air at Woodbine Park and along Queen Street East. You’ll hear jazz, funk, soul, Latin, and more. StreetFest brings over 30 bands and big crowds to dance in the open air. Food trucks, beer gardens, and family-friendly spaces make it a great day out. The vibe is lively, local, and full of summer energy. It’s a must-see for music fans and festival lovers alike.
📍 Location:
Woodbine Park, Jimmie Simpson Park, and Queen Street East (between Woodbine Ave and Beech Ave), Toronto
📅 Date:
July 4 to July 27, 2025
🕒 Time:
Events usually run from 6 PM to 11 PM on weekdays, and noon to 11 PM on weekends, depending on the venue and stage.
Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana)
The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture and music. The highlight is the Grand Parade on August 2, featuring colorful costumes, lively soca and calypso beats, and energetic dancing. Held along Lakeshore Boulevard and Exhibition Place, it attracts over a million people each year. It’s one of the biggest and most exciting summer events in Toronto.
📍 Location:
Exhibition Place & Lakeshore Boulevard, Toronto, ON
📅 Date:
Saturday, August 2, 2025
🕒 Time:
8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
🎟️ Admission:
Free along Lakeshore Boulevard; ticketed access to Exhibition Place.
VELD Music Festival 2025
VELD Music Festival is one of Canada’s biggest electronic dance music events. It takes place at Downsview Park over three days, from August 1 to 3, 2025. The festival features world-famous DJs and hip-hop artists on multiple stages. It’s a high-energy party with thousands of fans dancing under the summer sky.
📍 Location:
Downsview Park
35 Carl Hall Rd, Toronto, ON M3K 2B6
📅 Date & 🕒 Time:
Friday, August 1 – Sunday, August 3, 2025
Doors Open: 1:00 PM daily
Event Hours: Approximately 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM daily
AFROFEST 2025
AFROFEST 2025 is North America’s largest free African music festival, celebrating African and Black culture through music, dance, and art. The festival features over 55 performances from local and international artists across multiple stages. In addition to music, attendees can enjoy a vibrant marketplace, food vendors, and cultural exhibits. It’s a family-friendly event that fosters community spirit and cultural appreciation.
📍 Location:
Woodbine Park, 1695 Queen St E, Toronto, ON
📅 Date & 🕒 Time:
Friday, July 4, 2025: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Saturday, July 5, 2025: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sunday, July 6, 2025: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🎟️ Admission:
Free
🎶 Music Genres:
Afrobeat, Afropop, Soukous, Makossa, Rai, Reggae, Rumba, and more
👗 Dress Code:
Casual and comfortable attire is recommended.
Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) 2025
TCAF 2025 is set to be one of the largest independent comic arts festivals globally. Held at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, the festival will feature over 315 artists and creators from around the world. Attendees can enjoy a variety of programming, including panel discussions, workshops, and exhibitions. The event is free and open to the public, making it accessible to all comic enthusiasts.
📍 Location:
Mattamy Athletic Centre, 50 Carlton St, Toronto, ON
📅 Date & 🕒 Time:
Libraries & Education Day: Friday, June 6, 2025
Festival Days: Saturday, June 7, 2025 (10 AM – 7 PM)
Sunday, June 8, 2025 (10 AM – 5 PM)
Major concerts
Here are the details for the major summer concerts in Toronto:
My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade Tour
📍 Location: Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON
📅 Date: August 22, 2025
🕒 Time: Gates generally open in the early evening; show likely begins around 7 PM
🎤 Highlights: A full live performance of their iconic 2006 album The Black Parade, with special guests including Pixies, Death Cab for Cutie, and Evanescence
Oasis – Oasis Live ’25 Reunion Tour
📍 Location: Rogers Stadium, Toronto, ON
📅 Date: August 24 & 25, 2025
🕒 Time: Likely early evening start, typical stadium show format
👕 Dress Code: Casual concert attire; some fans lean Britpop chic
🎶 Highlights: First North American shows in 16 years, joined by Cage the Elephant as the opening act . Be cautious of tickets—no dynamic pricing, but watch out for fakes.
Katy Perry – The Lifetimes Tour
📍 Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
📅 Date: August 5 & 6, 2025
🕒 Time: 7:00 PM start both nights; doors likely open around 6 PM
👗 Dress Code: Fun, pop‑star fashion—bright, bold, comfortable
⌛ Duration: Expect about 1 hour and 45 minutes, featuring hits and songs from her new 143 album
More Must-See Events to Complete Your Summer in Toronto
Toronto’s summer calendar is packed with vibrant events you won’t want to miss. The Luminato Festival (June 4–22) brings a mix of music, theatre, and visual art to public spaces across the city. Food lovers can indulge during Summerlicious (July 4–20), where over 200 restaurants offer prix-fixe menus at a great value. If you’re in the mood for live performance, the Toronto Fringe Festival (July 2–13) features original theatre, comedy, and dance. Cultural street parties like Salsa on St. Clair (July 5–6) and BIG on Bloor (July 19–20) turn neighborhoods into dance floors with live music, food, and community vibes. For a unique fusion of sounds, Mixto Festival (July 12–13) at Trillium Park offers global music by the lake.
The celebration doesn’t stop there. Toronto’s Festival of Beer (July 25–26) serves up craft brews and live music at Bandshell Park, while The Waterfront Festival (June 28–29) brings tall ships and entertainment to Sugar Beach. Dance lovers can check out Electric Island (May 17–18), a popular electronic music party at Fort York. Families and fun-seekers will love The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) (Aug 15–Sept 1), with rides, games, concerts, and food. Toronto BuskerFest (Aug 29–Sept 1) adds acrobats, magicians, and street performers to the mix. And finally, the season closes with the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) (Sept 4–14), showcasing world-class cinema. With so much to explore, summer 2025 in Toronto promises unforgettable moments for everyone.
