It’s full-on summer out there, and Toronto is alive with food, culture, and music festivals aplenty. We’ve found the top 10 August events in Toronto that you won’t want to miss.
Le Dîner en Blanc
August 27 (Toronto) & August 30 (Niagara), 6pm – 10pm
You know the upscale, high-class, super-top-secret soirées you always hear about celebrities attending? Well, Le Dîner en Blanc is your ticket into the lifestyles of the rich and famous. The catch? You have to know someone who’s already been invited to this secret evening and convince them to bring you as their plus one. Talk about exclusive. Attendees are required to dress in white elegance from head to toe. Look forward to a first class picnic and an unforgettable night featuring—what else—great food.
Pizza Showdown
August 5
The name of this event alone should entice you—anything involving pizza is inevitably fantastic. Toronto’s own Cheese Boutique and Samuel Adams have teamed up to present 5 uniquely themed dinners with 5 very talented chefs. This one’s gonna cost you $60.00 (plus taxes and tips), but seeing a pizza showdown is definitely worth that. Make sure to bring your stretchy pants when you come out to Danforth’s Pizzeria Libretto to enjoy this cheese-filled feast.
Jerkfest 2015
August 8 & 9, 11am – 10pm
Contrary to what the name suggests, this is not a festival where all the douchebags in Toronto come to congregate and share their wisdom. No, this is one of Toronto’s most sought after foodie events; a celebration of Caribbean Cuisine. There’s tons of live Caribbean music, a VIP garden experience, and a KidsZone so you can make it a weekend event for the whole family. This is a great option for those wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of Toronto’s downtown area for a weekend – this Caribbean meat extravaganza is nestled in the heart of beautiful Etobicoke.
CNE (The Ex)
August 21 – September 7
Who doesn’t love 18 days of amusement park rides, live entertainment, food, shopping, and more? And if you’re an airplane enthusiast, the Canadian International Air Show drops jaws every summer when their pilots perform loop de loops and synchronized maneuvers on the last weekend of summer. And as if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a ton of concerts, performances, and special events!
VELD
August 1-2
Looking to get your EDM on? You’re in luck! There are still tickets available for VELD this weekend, ranging from $280.00 for general admission to $364.00 for VIP. See the likes of Steve Aoki, deadmau5, A$AP ROCKY, and 30 more internationally acclaimed EDM acts at this dance festival that’s sure to rock your weekend. Don’t forget to make some hella cool rave costumes.
Pintxos Toronto: A Celebration of Tapas
August 23, 12-6 pm
Looking to get a real Española experience but don’t have the euros to shell out for a flight? No problem! Spotlight City Events is bringing back a taste of Spain this August in this celebration of tapas – and admittance to the event is just $10! If that’s not enough to convince you, they’ve also partnered with “The Beer of Barcelona,” Estrella Damm Beer, so you get the most authentic experience possible. Come out to this summer block party with good food and great beer inspired by the “small plates” tapas style of Spain.
Meet a Victoria’s Secret Angel
August 6
Head over to the Eaton Centre between 4 and 5 p.m. to meet and get an autograph (and duly worship, of course) Victoria’s Secret angel Elsa Hosk. Sound good? All you have to do is purchase a Body by Victoria or spend $30 on VS body care. We’re betting there are going to be quite a few awkward gentlemen “looking for a gift.”
Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival
August 8-9
The Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival takes over the Roundhouse Park with a slew of food and beer offerings from craft breweries such as Muskoka Brewery, Flying Monkeys, and Left Field Brewery and food trucks Pappa’s Greek and Sugar Mamma’s (ha ha). Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door, and it makes for quite the hoppy weekend in the sun.
Toronto International Buskerfest
August 27-30
There are few things as magical as encountering a Toronto busker on the street. They’re the robots, the musicians, and the hilariously costumed that will cheer you up in Yonge Dundas Square, and now they’re taking over the downtown Yonge area. Admission is by donation to Epilepsy Toronto, and new this year, they’ll also be holding a star-studded Busker Soiree on August 13.
OVO Fest
August 2-3
Sadly, Drake’s annual festival is sold out on Ticketmaster, but there’s still both single and weekend passes available on Stubhub, ranging from $90.00 – $265.00, so you may still be able to see Big Sean and J. Cole party it up in the Tdot.
Related Link: A definitive guide to your August long weekend in Toronto
Did we miss any of the best August 2015 events? Let Vv Magazine know in the comments below, or tweet us @ViewtheVibe.