Mel Lastman Square hosts six of the year's festivals; four of them are free.
Taste of North York (June), Canada Day (July 1), the Toronto Korean Festival (late August), the North York Diwali Festival (late October), the Christmas Market (late November) and the Menorah Lighting (December) all happen at 5100 Yonge St, steps from North York Centre station. Black Creek's ticketed events fill the shoulder seasons.
Dates below are the 2026 editions. Organizers have not announced most 2027 dates, so each festival shows its usual month instead.
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All the Festivals, Side by Side
Sixteen recurring festivals are held in North York. "Usual month" is the pattern; the line under it is the 2026 edition. Costs are from the latest edition we could confirm.
| Festival | Usual month | Where | Cost | Our guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunar New Year | Late January to mid-February Community events Feb 21-22 | North York Centre Atrium, 5100 Yonge St; CF Fairview Mall, 1800 Sheppard Ave E | Free | Lunar New Year guide |
| Nowruz at the Aga Khan Museum | March, around the spring equinox weekend 2025 edition: Mar 22-23 (2026 dates not found) | Aga Khan Museum, 77 Wynford Dr | Free programs | - |
| March Break Maple Mystery | March Break week Mar 16-20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | The Village at Black Creek, 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy | $27.45 + HST adult | March Break guide |
| Ramadan and Eid | Lunar calendar Eid al-Fitr around Mar 20 | TARIC Islamic Centre, 99 Beverly Hills Dr, and community centres | Varies by event | Ramadan and Eid guide |
| Vaisakhi | Vaisakhi falls Apr 14 Parade Sun Apr 26 (downtown) | Free langar at Ramgarhia Sikh Society, 140 Rivalda Rd; parade from Exhibition Place to City Hall | Free | Vaisakhi guide |
| Doors Open Toronto | Late-May weekend May 23-24 | 15 North York and Yonge-corridor sites, including the Aga Khan Museum and Gibson House | Free | Doors Open guide |
| Taste of North York | Early June Jun 5-7 (4th edition) | Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St | Free | - |
| Canada Day | July 1 Wed Jul 1 | Mel Lastman Square (noon-10 p.m.); Downsview Park (4-10:30 p.m.); Aga Khan Museum | Free | Canada Day guide |
| Summerlicious | July Jul 3-19 | 31 uptown and North York restaurants | Lunch from $20, dinner from $25 (prix fixe) | Summerlicious guide |
| Toronto Korean Festival | Late August Aug 21-23 | Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St | Free | - |
| Fall Festival at Black Creek | Mid-to-late September Sep 19-20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | The Village at Black Creek, 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy | Ticketed separately | - |
| North York Diwali Festival | Late October Oct 23-25 | Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St | Free | North York Diwali Festival guide |
| Halloween at The Village and Enchanta | October Enchanta Oct 2-3; Halloween Oct 24, 25 and 31 | The Village at Black Creek, 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy | Ticketed | Halloween guide |
| We Love Willowdale Christmas Market | Late-November Saturday Sat Nov 28 | Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St | 2025 edition: suggested $5 donation (13+) | - |
| Public Menorah Lighting | Early December, on the first night of Chanukah Early December (exact date not confirmed) | Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St | Not listed | - |
| Festive Nights at Black Creek | Mid-December Saturdays Dec 12 and 19, 6-9 p.m. | The Village at Black Creek, 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy | Adult $37.20-$39.95 + HST | - |
The Calendar, Month by Month
January is the only month with no recurring North York festival we could source. Every other month has at least one.
January
No recurring North York festival we could source. This is the quiet month; check the events hub for one-off listings.
February
Lunar New Year
A free community celebration with lion dances at North York Centre, plus lion dances and a stage show at Fairview Mall.
Usual timing: Late January to mid-February; follows the lunar calendar. 2026: Community events Feb 21-22.
Where: North York Centre Atrium, 5100 Yonge St; CF Fairview Mall, 1800 Sheppard Ave E.
Cost: Free.
March
Nowruz at the Aga Khan Museum
A weekend of free programs built around the Haft Sin table, family crafts and calligraphy demonstrations.
Usual timing: March, around the spring equinox weekend. 2026: 2025 edition: Mar 22-23 (2026 dates not found).
Where: Aga Khan Museum, 77 Wynford Dr.
Cost: Free programs.
March Break Maple Mystery
Maple-themed stations and a clue-hunt through the heritage village, including how Indigenous Peoples practise maple sugaring.
Usual timing: March Break week. 2026: Mar 16-20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m..
Where: The Village at Black Creek, 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy.
Cost: $27.45 + HST adult.
Ramadan and Eid
Nightly Taraweeh, Eid prayers at multiple times and neighbourhood bazaars, with dates set by moon sighting.
Usual timing: Lunar calendar; moves roughly 10-11 days earlier each year. 2026: Eid al-Fitr around Mar 20.
Where: TARIC Islamic Centre, 99 Beverly Hills Dr, and community centres.
Cost: Varies by event.
April
Vaisakhi
North York's gurdwaras serve free langar through Vaisakhi week; the Khalsa Day Parade itself is a free downtown Sunday.
Usual timing: Vaisakhi falls Apr 14; the Khalsa Day Parade runs a late-April Sunday. 2026: Parade Sun Apr 26 (downtown).
Where: Free langar at Ramgarhia Sikh Society, 140 Rivalda Rd; parade from Exhibition Place to City Hall.
Cost: Free.
May
Doors Open Toronto
Buildings that normally charge, or aren't open at all, are free to walk through for one weekend.
Usual timing: Late-May weekend. 2026: May 23-24.
Where: 15 North York and Yonge-corridor sites, including the Aga Khan Museum and Gibson House.
Cost: Free.
June
Taste of North York
A food and community festival with 100+ performers on two stages; net proceeds support NeighbourLink's food banks.
Usual timing: Early June. 2026: Jun 5-7 (4th edition).
Where: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St.
Cost: Free.
Nearby, outside North York
- Luminato Festival (Jun 3-28) — The arts festival with a North York stop at Meridian Arts Centre.
- TD Toronto Jazz Festival (Jun 19-28) — Ten days with 100+ free sets.
July
Canada Day
Mel Lastman Square runs a full day of programming with fireworks at 10 p.m.; Downsview Park and the Aga Khan Museum run their own free programs.
Usual timing: July 1. 2026: Wed Jul 1.
Where: Mel Lastman Square (noon-10 p.m.); Downsview Park (4-10:30 p.m.); Aga Khan Museum.
Cost: Free.
Summerlicious
The City's prix-fixe dining festival; our guide lists the North York and uptown participants.
Usual timing: July. 2026: Jul 3-19.
Where: 31 uptown and North York restaurants.
Cost: Lunch from $20, dinner from $25 (prix fixe).
Nearby, outside North York
- Salsa on St. Clair (Jul 11-12) — Two days of free street festival, one Line 1 ride from North York.
August
Toronto Korean Festival
K-pop and traditional performances, 30+ food vendors and a K-beauty pavilion over three days.
Usual timing: Late August; held at Mel Lastman Square since 2001. 2026: Aug 21-23.
Where: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St.
Cost: Free.
Nearby, outside North York
- Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Grand Parade Sat Aug 1) — The Grand Parade and Lake Shore viewing are free.
- Taste of the Danforth (Aug 7-9) — Greek-Canadian street food festival on Line 2.
September
Fall Festival at Black Creek
An 1800s village dressed for autumn, with cider, food samples, crafts and games.
Usual timing: Mid-to-late September. 2026: Sep 19-20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m..
Where: The Village at Black Creek, 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy.
Cost: Ticketed separately.
Nearby, outside North York
- Toronto International BuskerFest (Sep 4-7) — 100 performers on 7 stages.
- TIFF (Sep 10-20) — The 51st Toronto International Film Festival.
October
North York Diwali Festival
Our flagship autumn festival: a three-night run at Mel Lastman Square with Bollywood, garba and food.
Usual timing: Late October. 2026: Oct 23-25.
Where: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St.
Cost: Free.
Halloween at The Village and Enchanta
Daytime family Halloween plus an after-dark Enchanta night, both inside the heritage village.
Usual timing: October. 2026: Enchanta Oct 2-3; Halloween Oct 24, 25 and 31.
Where: The Village at Black Creek, 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy.
Cost: Ticketed.
Nearby, outside North York
- Nuit Blanche (Sat Oct 3 7 p.m. to Sun Oct 4 7 a.m.) — Free all-night art.
November
We Love Willowdale Christmas Market
An artisan market with a tree lighting presented by the Yonge North York BIA; proceeds support NeighbourLink programs.
Usual timing: Late-November Saturday. 2026: Sat Nov 28.
Where: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St.
Cost: 2025 edition: suggested $5 donation (13+).
December
Public Menorah Lighting
Hosted by the Jewish Russian Community Centre of Ontario, with elected officials, live music and refreshments at past editions.
Usual timing: Early December, on the first night of Chanukah. 2026: Early December (exact date not confirmed).
Where: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St.
Cost: Not listed.
Festive Nights at Black Creek
Lantern-lit heritage buildings, seasonal refreshments, live entertainment, storytelling and Santa's Cottage.
Usual timing: Mid-December Saturdays. 2026: Dec 12 and 19, 6-9 p.m..
Where: The Village at Black Creek, 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy.
Cost: Adult $37.20-$39.95 + HST.
Nearby Festivals, One Ride Away
These run outside North York, so we list them second. Each has its own guide with the transit plan from North York.
| Festival | Usual month | Where | Cost | Our guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luminato Festival | June Jun 3-28 | Downtown venues; Meridian Arts Centre, 5040 Yonge St, is the North York anchor | Mixed free and ticketed | Luminato guide |
| TD Toronto Jazz Festival | Late June Jun 19-28 | Downtown, about 25 minutes from North York on Line 1 | Free sets and ticketed shows | Jazz Festival guide |
| Salsa on St. Clair | Mid-July Jul 11-12 | St. Clair West, Winona Dr to Christie St (midtown, outside North York) | Free | Salsa on St. Clair guide |
| Toronto Caribbean Carnival | Late July to early August Grand Parade Sat Aug 1 | Exhibition Place and Lake Shore Blvd | Free viewing; tickets for grandstand | Caribbean Carnival guide |
| Taste of the Danforth | August Aug 7-9 | Danforth Ave, Broadview to Jones | Free | Taste of the Danforth guide |
| Toronto International BuskerFest | Labour Day weekend Sep 4-7 | Woodbine Park | Free by donation | BuskerFest guide |
| TIFF | Early-to-mid September Sep 10-20 | Six downtown venues | Ticketed | TIFF guide |
| Nuit Blanche | Early October, overnight Sat Oct 3 7 p.m. to Sun Oct 4 7 a.m. | Downtown zones; the Aga Khan Museum hosts its own night and North York Centre has an installation | Free | Nuit Blanche guide |
How We Built This List
We include a festival only if it is held in North York, or if it is clearly labelled as nearby. Dates and costs come from organizer pages, the City of Toronto's Mel Lastman Square listing and The Village at Black Creek. We left out anything we could only find a past-year listing for, including a Yonge North York Night Market and a Nowruz night at Mel Lastman Square. For dated, week-by-week listings, use the events hub and this weekend.