Latin American Festivals this Summer!

The nice weather finally seems to be arriving and with it comes the hope to have some fun in the sun.  We wanted to provide Alma Latina readers with highlights and information on some of the best and most popular Latin festivals that will be taking place later in the spring and in the summer throughout the city and surrounding areas, so that you too can join in the summer fun Latin style.

MAY:

Carassauga Festival of Cultures: Year after year this festival brings the best of all different cultures to Mississauga, including Latin American culture.  A festival that started in response to a challenge put out by Mayor Hazel McCallion to all ethno-cultural groups and that after humble beginnings quickly evolved into a 3-day, 22-hour event.  This year Carassauga is taking place from Friday May 24 to Monday May 26 and 72 countries will be represented, all together in 28 pavilions, with performances, showcases, activities for kids, food from all over the world and a sea of information available through its duration.  Check out the Latin American Pavilion Entertainment Program here.

JUNE:

Fiesta Week: Taking place east of Toronto, in Oshawa, from June 16 to 22, and organized by the Oshawa Folk Arts Council in Ontario, this festival has been voted one of the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario.  This week-long multicultural event gives Durham Region residents the opportunity to experience a variety of cultures and foods from all over the world.  It starts off with a parade on Father’s Day and it’s followed by a concert in Memorial Park in Oshawa. For the rest of the week festival-goers can enjoy food and entertainment from all over the world at the various pavilions located around Oshawa.

Salsa at Blue Mountain: On its 5th edition this year, TLN Telelatino is bringing once again its award-winning festival to Collingwood, where for three days (June 21 to 23) the popular all-seasons Blue Mountain resort will host a variety of Latin American musical and dance performances.  You can see last year’s coverage of this increasingly popular event on Alma Latina.

 

Festival de Verano Toni Reyes: Sponsored and organized by Toronto realtor Toni Reyes, this year the Toni Reyes Summer Festival is celebrating its 12th year, having started with the intention to get a few families together enjoying outdoor activities, music and entertainment and having grown into one of the biggest and most popular Hispanic festivals of the summer.  This free festival takes place at Downsview Arena in the Sheppard and Keele area on Sunday, June 30th, and it features international as well as local acts, as well as food, music and activities for the little ones.

JULY:

Ritmo y Color Summer Festival: Harbourfront’s showcase of Latin American culture, this trendy festival is now in its 9th edition and this year it promises to bring the best that Latin music, food and culture have to offer.  It takes place on the weekend of July 5 to 7, showcasing the cultural tapestry and vibrancy of today’s diverse Latin American communities.

TLN 9th Salsa on St. Clair Festival: Taking place the weekend of July 13/14, the organizers of this very popular festival– TLN Telelatino, the Hillcrest Village BIA and the City of Toronto– are bringing once again the largest free Latin-themed street festival to the city, transforming the stretch of St. Clair West from Winona Drive to Christie Street into a Latin American street party.  Check out Alma Latina’s coverage of this popular festival last year by clicking here.

 

Festival Vallenato Colombia en Mississauga: This west-end cultural festival is taking place this year at the Hershey Centre’s Sports Zone on the weekend of July 27 and 28, and it features a parade, movies, music, art showcases, food and folklore exhibitions.

 

Annual International Brazil Fest: Recognized as Canada’s largest Brazilian cultural event, this year it celebrates its 10th anniversary.  It takes place on July 21st at Earlscourt Park, located at St. Clair Ave West and Caledonia Road, a fantastic showcase of food, music, dance, crafts and workshops from this beautiful and colourful culture.

AUGUST:

Hispanic Fiesta: The longest-running Hispanic festival in Toronto, Hispanic Fiesta is now in its 32nd year and still going strong.  It takes place from August 30th to September 2nd at Mel Lastman Square, north of the city, and every year it features the best known local and some excellent International acts from Spanish-speaking countries including tango, flamenco, Mexican mariachis, Andean music, Latin bands and folklore exhibitions.  Check out Alma Latina’s coverage of Hispanic Fiesta last year here.

SEPTEMBER:

Pan American Food Festival: Taking place at Harbourfront on the weekend of September 20 to 22, this festival will allow everyone to experience the cultural diversity of the 41 countries of North, Central and South America and the Caribbean with restaurants, chefs and national and regional cuisines, art, music and folklore of the Western Hemisphere.  It features Alfredo de la Fe, Henry Vivel and Orchestra and Gran Cocina Latina with Maribel Presilla.

There are other festivals happening throughout the GTA and surrounding areas all through the summer, like Voces Latinas Inti Raymi festival at Christie Pits, the Colombia Independence Day fiesta at EarslcourtPark in the Caledonia Street area and many more.  Keep checking Alma Latina Online Magazine as we will be providing more information about these festivals as they become available, so that our readers can take advantage of all the different cultural and entertainment choices that Latin American culture has to offer.