Toronto’s festival year runs from food weeks in the depths of winter to an all-night art event in October. This calendar lists the verified 2026 dates for the city’s major festivals, the first confirmed date for 2027, and practical advice for each. Organizers usually announce the following year’s dates months ahead; when a date is not yet official, we say so.
| Festival | 2026 dates | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Winterlicious | January 30 to February 12 | Restaurants citywide |
| Pride Toronto (Pride Month) | June 1 to 30; Pride Parade Sunday, June 28 | Church-Wellesley Village and downtown |
| Summerlicious | July 3 to 19 | Restaurants citywide |
| Toronto Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade | Saturday, August 1 | Exhibition Place and Lake Shore Boulevard West |
| Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) | August 21 to September 7 | Exhibition Place |
| Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) | September 10 to 20 | Downtown cinemas |
| Nuit Blanche | October 3, 7 p.m. to October 4, 7 a.m. | Downtown, centred on City Hall |
| Distillery Winter Village | November 12, 2026 to January 3, 2027 | Distillery District |
| Winterlicious 2027 | January 29 to February 11, 2027 | Restaurants citywide |
Pride Month in 2026 ran from June 1 to June 30, with most events centred on the Church-Wellesley Village. The Pride Parade took place on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 2 p.m., and the final weekend also featured events such as Blockorama and the closing night on June 28. The parade draws very large crowds downtown; arrive early, use the TTC, and expect road closures across the core. Pride Toronto typically confirms the following year’s schedule in spring.
The Grand Parade, the culminating event of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, was held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Masquerade bands started at Exhibition Place and travelled west along Lake Shore Boulevard West, turned around west of Jameson Avenue, and returned east. Lake Shore Boulevard West closes for the day. Bring water, sun protection and patience for crowded transit after the parade.
The CNE ran for 18 days from Friday, August 21 to Monday, September 7, 2026 (Labour Day). In 2026, advance all-ages tickets bought online cost $25.11, children aged 5 to 13 could get a free pass with general admission, and children 4 and under were free. A Ride All Day pass for the midway cost $51.66, and nightly concerts at the Bell Soundstage were included with admission. The grounds are served by Exhibition GO station on the Lakeshore West line and several TTC streetcar routes; see our GO Transit guide.
The 51st TIFF ran from September 10 to 20, 2026, according to the festival. Public screenings are spread across downtown cinemas, with TIFF Lightbox on King Street West at the centre. Tickets go on sale in late summer and popular screenings sell out fast. The People’s Choice Award, voted by audiences, is announced at the end of the festival.
The City of Toronto’s free all-night contemporary art event ran from 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 3 to 7 a.m. on Sunday, October 4, 2026. The City’s access guide placed its Event Centre on Bay Street between Queen Street West and Albert Street, with major sites at City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square, Old City Hall, and Trinity Square. The City noted that crowds peak between 7 p.m. and 2 a.m. and that the hours after 2 a.m. are quieter. Some installations stayed up for several days afterwards.
The City’s two prix fixe restaurant festivals offer three-course menus at set prices. Winterlicious 2026 ran January 30 to February 12 with more than 240 restaurants, and Summerlicious ran July 3 to 19 with more than 230. Winterlicious 2027 is scheduled for January 29 to February 11, 2027. Our full explainer covers how Winterlicious and Summerlicious work.
The Distillery Winter Village runs from November 12, 2026 to January 3, 2027, with free entry at off-peak times and tickets required on busy evenings. See our guide to Toronto Christmas markets and holiday events.
Several of the biggest events cost nothing to attend. Nuit Blanche and the Cavalcade of Lights are free City of Toronto events, the Pride Parade is free to watch from the street, and the Distillery Winter Village has free off-peak hours. The CNE, TIFF screenings and Winterlicious or Summerlicious meals are paid. If you are on a budget, plan around the free events and use our cost of living guide for context.
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Pride Toronto had not announced its 2027 schedule when we checked. The parade is traditionally held on the last Sunday of June.
Yes. Nuit Blanche Toronto is a free event presented by the City of Toronto.
Advance all-ages tickets bought online were $25.11, and children 4 and under entered free. Prices for 2027 will be set by the CNE.
The City of Toronto lists January 29 to February 11, 2027.
Last updated: November 2026
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