September Festivals in Toronto, Canada: From Music to Food and Art
The transition to autumn in Toronto brings nice weather, making everyone want to be outside. Many outdoor festivals are happening this month, perfect for walking around town in the cooler temperatures. Street festivals are filled with music, delicious food, and local artistry. It’s the ideal opportunity to get out of your home and connect with the community.
Keep reading for five can't-miss festivals happening this September in Toronto, from artistic film festivals to cultural celebrations and community events. There’s something for everyone happening this September.
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
TIFF is the most famous festival in Toronto. As one of the top film festivals in the world, it’s no surprise that thousands of people from all over come to attend. The festival showcases international and Canadian cinema so that the crowds will be massive, and if you’re lucky, you might see some movie stars and directors.
TIFF runs from September 4-14 at various venues in downtown Toronto, such as TIFF Lightbox, Princess of Wales Theatre, and Roy Thomson Hall. Don't miss “Festival Street,” where King Street West is transformed into a street festival with red carpet events, food, and live music. Use an EcoFlow RAPID Magnetic Power Bank (25,000mAh) to keep your phone charged and ready to capture hundreds of photos. You don’t want to miss capturing a star at TIFF.
Roncesvalles Polish Festival
Head to Toronto’s Roncesvalles Village for North America's largest Polish festival. This year, the event will be held on Roncesvalles Avenue from September 13 to 14.
Local restaurants on Roncesvalles Avenue offer special Polish menus and patio seating. You can also find a wide variety of traditional Polish dishes from vendors. Enjoy pierogi, kielbasa, bigos, and cabbage rolls. If you love pierogies, you can participate in the pierogi-eating contest.
Beyond the food, the festival has several stages with live music and dance performances from Polish bands and folk dance ensembles from Canada and the United States. They perform to contemporary sounds and lively polka music. On Saturday night, “Dance Under the Stars” is a must-see.
Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival
Like the Polish festival, the Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival is North America's largest Ukrainian street festival. Hundreds to thousands of festival-goers attend each year.
The festival takes place from September 13-14 on Bloor Street West. The street is shut down from Jane Street and Runnymede Road, with the main stages located near those streets. On the stages, you’ll find nonstop performances. Ukrainian dances, traditional and contemporary music performances, and cultural shows are always happening.
The other highlight is the vast array of authentic Ukrainian dishes. Vendors and local restaurants offer varenyky, borscht, cabbage rolls, kielbasa, and sweet pastries. There's a parade on Saturday, and many vendor booths set up on the streets.
Cabbagetown Festival
Head over to Cabbagetown, Toronto, on September 6-7 for the 46th annual Cabbagetown Festival. This street festival closes down Parliament St. and Carlton St. and features over 250 vendors. There are six stages across the two streets, with live music and performances from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
There’s a mix of genres, with something for everyone to enjoy. Outside of music, wander around to find Karaoke, jugglers, balloon artists, DJ booths, and fire shows at night. Of course, there’s plenty of food and many local artisans. Keep an eye out for the spectacular fall colours, too.
Visit the Cabbagetown website for a convenient map and schedule of events, or follow them on social media for up-to-date information.
Celtic Island Music Festival
The Celtic Island Music Festival is a two-day ticketed event celebrating Celtic culture on Toronto’s Centre Island from September 13-14. The St. Patrick’s Parade Society of Toronto hosts the event on this day because it’s halfway to St. Patrick's Day. It also recognizes the anniversary of the first mass immigration of Scots to Canada in September 1773.
To get to the island, you’ll need to pay for the ferry or water taxi, but once you get there, you can enjoy fantastic views of the Toronto Skyline. Pack a portable power station to the island to keep phones, devices, and cameras charged during the festival. The EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus is compact and portable, but robust enough to charge multiple devices throughout the day.
From noon to 6 p.m., the island is filled with traditional Celtic dancers and musicians from Canada, Ireland, and Scotland. The official lineup is on their website. Tickets for this festival sell out quickly, so grab yours well in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Toronto Worth Visiting in September?
September is the perfect time to visit Toronto. The weather is perfect for exploring the city, and there are several festivals each weekend. Festivals are a great opportunity to experience a town's culture. Visit during the Polish, Ukrainian, or Celtic festival for delicious, traditional foods. Enjoy live music and performances.
What’s the Most Popular Festival in Toronto in September?
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is Toronto's most popular September festival, drawing thousands of people to downtown. This festival celebrates filmmaking by screening movies at various cinemas downtown. Catch a fun screening and check out the red carpet event. You may even see Hollywood movie stars and famous directors.
Toronto Festivals Showcase Culture, Food, and Music
With all the festivals happening this month, there’s plenty of opportunity to embrace the nice weather and indulge in community and culture. Check out the TIFF music festival for engaging movie screenings across downtown. Enjoy traditional Polish, Ukrainian, and Celtic food at culture festivals. Or, you can head over to the Cabbagetown Festival for community fun.
While walking around these festivals, recharge your phone when it gets low. Bring an EcoFlow RAPID Power Bank (25,000mAh) to keep your device powered and ready for capturing pictures or navigating town.