Historic FREE Cabbagetown Festival returns September 6 and 7

City’s longest-running street festival is back with more food, music, shops, performers, and family-friendly fun than ever

The Cabbagetown BIA today announced details for the 46^th Annual Cabbagetown Festival – taking place on Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7 on Parliament Street (from Gerrard to Wellesley) and Carlton Street (from Parliament to Seaton).

New this year!

Toronto’s oldest street festival is a free-to-attend two-day event that entertains visitors of all ages with DJs and live music, street performers, artisan stalls and shops, food trucks and pop-up patios, giant outdoor games, a Kids’ Zone and a historical Cabbagetown photo exhibit. This year a new Indigenous Stage will feature storytelling, performances, poetry and demonstrations that honour Indigenous traditions.
 
With over 250 vendors representing cultures from Canada and across the globe, The Cabbagetown Festival is an inclusive and lively event with something for everyone – EDM DJs, blues and rock bands, indigenous performances, global eats and treats, kids’ entertainment, artisan shops with handcrafted goods, apparel, gifts, art and jewellery, plus stilt walkers, drag performers, and more.
 
“The Cabbagetown Festival is a true celebration of our diverse and welcoming community. There’s something here for everyone, and you don’t need to spend a dime to have an amazing time. Despite being one of the largest Festivals, it still has that small-town charm that reflects who we are as a neighbourhood,” said Matthew Mohan, Executive Director, The Cabbagetown BIA. “The event not only brings people together, it also showcases and supports hundreds of small businesses, Canadian artisans and local talent!”
 
Founded in 1976, the award-winning Cabbagetown Festival is Toronto’s longest-running street festival. Tucked away in the heart of Toronto, Cabbagetown is a vibrant and historic neighbourhood that blends old-world charm with modern energy. This unique district is home to the largest collection of preserved Victorian homes in North America, a must-visit for history buffs, architecture lovers, and food enthusiasts, it boasts an eclectic mix of independent businesses including local shops, cozy cafes, and delectable eateries.

Festival highlights:

Food & beverage vendors 

Daniel et Daniel, SaigonPai, The Epicure Shop, Maya Bay Thai, Butter Chicken Factory, Momo Ghar, La Gloria Mexican Coffee, Rayah Café, Parliament Ice cream Shoppe, St. Jamestown Steak & Chops, Kingyo Fisherman’s Market, Pop Pow Gelato, Mikaku Udon Bar, Viet Bites, Souvlaki Express, Liko’s Hawaiian BBQ, Mad Mexican, Bake Me Wishes, Tito’s BBQ Cookout, Nourish Happy, Churricos, WuBaEats, Lemon Bar, Souperwell, Laura Slack Chocolate, Galaxy Sweets, BWOOD Coffee, GoodLot Farmstead Brewing, So Daam Super Churros, and Pampa y Patagonia.
 

Shops, artisans, and makers 

Artisan MRKT, FTJCo Fine Jewellery, Kendall & Co., You’re Welcome Tattoos, Lost and Found Healing, The Village Art Studio, Cycle Solutions, The Beastiary Petshop, Sunbalm Jewelry, Roses without Thorns, Nusantara Indigenous Crafts,  Jelly Bros, Lisa Maxwell Jewelry, BeesButterCanada, Keepsake Studio, 99 Frames, Chic & Gitta, Annie Parkes, CC’s Closet Co., Clever Clippings, Ling Studio, Earthology, Blingetz Trends, Daisy and Pinecone Collection, Koze Kandles, and The CroChic Shop.
 

Entertainers across six stages 

DJ Mike, DJ Sena, ABBA Revisited, Päter, Shane Phillips, Holly Clausius,  TDot Batu, MC & Company, Lox Rutz, Trish Kerr and the Divas, Franks and Beans, The Wanted, Siobhan Bodrug, Snooky Tynes, as well as stilt performers and jugglers from Square Circle.

Kids’ Zone
 

The FREE family-friendly Kids’ Zone, situated on Carlton Street, will delight younger attendees with its exciting kids’ stage showcasing live music, magic acts, drag storytime, puppet shows, reptile petting, and more––plus bouncy castles, bubble fun, immersive games, face painting, craft tables, and giant games for all ages. 

PLUS many Cabbagetown restaurants will feature extended patios alongside food & beverage specials during the festival, including Salt and Tobacco, New Retro Basement Bar, Super Bargain, Stout Irish Pub, House on Parliament, and Wing House & Sports Bar.

Opening Ceremony

The Cabbagetown Festival will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 6^th with the Opening Ceremony where community representatives and elected officials – including Member of Parliament Evan Soloman, Member of Provincial Parliament Kristyn Wong-Tam, Councillor Chris Moise,  Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, previous Toronto Mayor Barbara Hall, and TD Branch Manager James Gayle – will speak and participate in the Annual Cabbage Cutting, a 46-year-long tradition. 

Closing Parade
 

On Sunday, September 7^th at 6:20pm, the beloved Closing Parade will mark the end of the festival. Open for all festival goers to join, the closing parade will run up Parliament Street and wrap with an epic dance party.

The Cabbagetown Festival would not be possible without the generous funding contributions from Gold Level sponsor TD Bank; Silver level sponsors Bostok Hathaway, ecobee, and Scotiabank; as well as from Bronze and local BIA sponsors, the Government of Ontario, and the City of Toronto.
 
Over 100,000 visitors are expected to attend the fully accessible street festival that represents and celebrates the creativity and culture of the diverse community that live, work in, and visit the historic Cabbagetown neighbourhood. Of over 250 local vendors participating in the festival, more than 80 are local Cabbagetown businesses.
 
With the Cabbagetown Festival, Cabbagetown Art & Craft Show, St. Jamestown Festival, Cabbagetown Community-Wide Yard Sale, Riverdale Farm Fall Festival, and Blair’s Charity Run all taking place over the same weekend, Cabbagetown is THE place to be!
 

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