What to know
- Toronto Korean Festival returns to Mel Lastman Square with K-pop, Korean food, traditional performances, a Hanbok fashion show and more.
- SankofaFest takes over downtown’s Sankofa Square with Black and Afrodiasporic music, fashion, food and culture, including a headline performance by Mýa.
- Jamaica Day celebrates Jamaican heritage at Brampton Sports Park with reggae, dancehall, food and live performances.
- Mabuhay Philippines Festival brings Filipino food, fashion, art and entertainment to Nathan Phillips Square, with Apl.de.Ap among the performers.
- Afro-Carib Fest returns to Scarborough with more than 120 artists, food, cultural showcases, a parade and family programming.
Toronto is often referred to as a mosaic, made up of people from various places around the world who have brought their cultures with them to our city, creating a beautiful diversity we’re internationally known for. That’s on full display this weekend, as various cultural celebrations take over the city for days of performances, music, food, vendors and more.
From Jamaica Day in Brampton to Afro-Carib Fest in Scarborough and SankofaFest downtown Toronto, here are five different cultural festivals happening in Toronto this weekend.
Toronto Korea Festival
Where: Mel Lastman Square, North York
When: Aug. 21-23
The Toronto Korean Festival is back for its 25th edition, celebrating Korean food, music, arts and culture. Held annually since 2001, the festival has grown into one of Canada’s leading Korean cultural events, drawing more than 100,000 visitors in 2025. This year’s free festival is expected to attract a similar crowd.
Across three days, visitors can explore K-Street food vendors, markets, cultural experiences and live entertainment, with programming showcasing both traditional Korean culture and the global rise of K-pop and K-dramas. Highlights include K-pop singing and dance competitions, a Hanbok Fashion Show and a new Yonge Street Mini Stage featuring local talent.
The 2026 musical lineup includes Korean acts NouerA, ASC2NT, Catch the Young and GranadA, alongside performances from Canadian artists and the Jeonbuk State Gugak Center. The festival runs 2–10 p.m. Friday and noon–10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with the festival grounds opening daily at noon.
Find the entire lineup of artists, vendors, and more on the Toronto Korean Festival website.
SankofaFest
Where: Sankofa Square, Toronto
When: Aug. 21 to 23
SankofaFest is bringing three days of Black and Afrodiasporic music, fashion, art, food and culture to the heart of downtown Toronto this weekend. Taking over Sankofa Square from Friday to Sunday, the free, all-ages festival is themed “Looking Back, Building Forward” and builds on last year’s inaugural Sankofa Day.
The weekend features a mix of live performances, DJs, fashion showcases, food vendors, marketplace activations, art and community programming. Saturday is set to be a major music highlight, with Grammy-winning singer Mýa headlining a free concert featuring songs from across her two-decade career on Sept. 22.
The festival wraps on Sunday with Sankofa Day, focused on remembrance, heritage, healing and the future. The programming coincides with UNESCO’s International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, making the festival not just a celebration of culture, but also an opportunity to reflect on Black history and the contributions of the African diaspora.
Find more details on Eventbrite.
Jamaica Day
Where: Brampton Sports Park
When: Aug. 22, 1:00-10:00 p.m.
Jamaica Day is back to celebrate all things about the culture of the island. This year’s event marks the 36th anniversary of Jamaica Day GTA, bringing together live entertainment, cultural showcases, vendors, family activities and Jamaican cuisine.
The weekend lineup includes Richie Stephens, Louie Culture, Klassik Frescobar and Man A Gallis, with more performers announced by organizers. The festival combines live reggae and dancehall with food, community programming and activities designed for families.
The annual event is one of the GTA’s longstanding celebrations of Jamaican heritage, coming shortly after Jamaica’s Aug. 6 Independence Day, continuing the summer’s celebrations of Jamaican identity and culture across the region. General admission is $40, and VIP is $85, with passes available through TicketGateway.
Mabuhay Philippines Festival
Where: Nathan Phillips Square
When: Aug. 22–23
The Mabuhay Philippines Festival is bringing a celebration of Filipino food, music, dance, fashion and arts, with 50+ vendors to downtown Toronto. Now in its 27th year, the festival is Toronto’s longest-running Filipino festival and is expected to be one of its biggest yet.
In addition to a vendor market, the event will boast a variety of Filipino street food, a fashion showcase by designer Aandrei David, a curated art exhibition, cultural programming and a drag showcase. The festival also has some major entertainment names on the lineup, including Black Eyed Peas member Apl.de.Ap, who performs Aug. 23, and Filipino actress Janine Gutierrez, who appears Aug. 22.
Running 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. both days, Mabuhay is free and open to all ages. It’s a strong pick for anyone looking to experience Filipino culture in Toronto, with organizers promising a celebration that brings together food, music, art, fashion and community in the heart of the city.
Afro-Carib Fest
Where: Thomson Memorial Park, Scarborough
When: Aug. 22 to 23
Afro-Carib Fest is bringing a celebration of African and Caribbean culture to Scarborough this weekend. Now in its 15th year, the festival runs from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, celebrating the music, food, arts, dance and cultural traditions of these communities.
The annual affair is returning with 120+ local and international artists, musical performances, cultural showcases, a cultural parade, dance competitions, drum and dance circles, a marketplace, food zone and kids’ programming. Admission and parking are free, making it a wallet-friendly and family-friendly way to experience the diversity of Toronto’s Afro-Caribbean communities.
Organized by the Heritage Skills Development Centre, Afro-Carib Fest was created to celebrate African and Caribbean heritage while supporting local and emerging artists, businesses and community connections. The organizers say this year’s festival is expected to draw around 60,000 attendees, underscoring its place as one of the GTA’s major Afro-Caribbean cultural celebrations
Find more details on our events calendar.
