What to know
- Arraiá on Yonge returns on June 20, transforming a stretch of Yonge Street in Midtown Toronto into a celebration inspired by Brazil’s traditional Festa Junina.
- Organizers expect up to 60,000 attendees, up from more than 40,000 people who attended the festival’s inaugural edition last year.
- Visitors can enjoy live music, traditional food, cultural performances, games and family-friendly activities, including performances by Aline Morales, Jô Luterio and Maracatu Mar Aberto.
- Yonge Street will be closed between Hillsdale Avenue and Glebe Road West from 8 a.m. to midnight, with drivers advised to expect delays and use alternate routes.
- The festival is accessible by transit via Eglinton and Davisville stations, with sunny skies and a daytime high of 24 C expected on Saturday.
A traditional Brazilian festival is taking over Midtown this weekend, bringing some of the heat and culture of Northeastern Brazil into Toronto for the second year in a row.
Last year, Arraiá on Yonge brought out over 40,000 people to the street to celebrate the first edition of this cultural festival. After the success, the festival will resume this summer, as organizers expect 60,000 attendees at the event, pushed by the World Cup momentum in the city.
The event is happening this Saturday, June 20, on a portion of Yonge Street, bringing street vendors, traditional music, and live performances to the Midtown area, and Now Toronto has gathered everything attendees need to know about the festival.
What is Arraiá?
Arraiá is a vibrant street festival based on the traditional Brazilian Festa Junina. This event was originally brought to the country by Portuguese settlers, and was historically linked to Catholic traditions and the celebration of a new plantation season, but over the years developed into a popularized party across different parts of the country, with regional expressions, typical food, and folk dance “quadrilha.”
In Toronto, the event brings the Midtown community together to celebrate cultural diversity and support local businesses and vendors in the area, in addition to a range of activities, from games to dances to a mural painting area.
The festival will also feature live performances that highlight traditional Brazilian music, including samba singer Jô Luterio, Juno-nominated artist Aline Morales, Afro-Brazilian percussion and song troupe Maracatu Mar Aberto, and more.
Why the festival could be bigger this year
The event arrives at a unique moment for Toronto.
With FIFA World Cup matches taking place in the city and thousands of international visitors already exploring Toronto, organizers believe interest in cultural celebrations connected to soccer-loving nations has never been higher.
Brazil remains one of the world’s most recognizable football nations, and festival organizers are expecting strong turnout from both Toronto residents and international visitors.
Time and location
Arraiá is taking place on June 20 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The festival is happening along Yonge Street from Hillsdale Avenue West to Glebe Road West, in the heart of Midtown.
Road closures
As this is a street festival, Toronto Police Services (TPS) warns that there will be road closures to support the event.
From 8 a.m. to midnight on June 20, Yonge Street will be closed between Hillsdale Avenue to Glebe Road West.
Drivers are warned to expect traffic delays in the area during the event, and recommended to take public transit to the festival.
How to get there
To access the event, attendees can take Line 1 to Eglinton or Davisville stations, which are a short walk from the festival.
Eglinton Station also includes access to the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, which can also be used to access the event.
Weather forecast
According to Environment Canada forecasts, Saturday will start off sunny but windy, with increasing cloudiness coming in the afternoon and the wind settling down.
The daytime high is expected to reach 24ºC, with a low of 13ºC at night.
Looking ahead
As Toronto continues to embrace World Cup fever, Arraiá on Yonge offers residents a chance to experience one of Brazil’s most cherished cultural traditions without leaving the city.
