Let’s party like it’s 2019. Toronto’s summer festivals expected to return this year

Thestar.com
Feb. 7, 2022

After two years of COVID-related cancellations or virtual events, many of Toronto’s major festivals have confirmed plans to come back live and in-person for the summer of 2022.

The Star contacted the organizers of 10 large-scale events and the response was unanimous: They’re ready to party like it’s 2019 (with some safety protocols, of course).

Luminato, an arts festival featuring local and international talent which premiered in 2007, will formally announce a full slate of events running from June 9 to 19.

“We’re going ahead, we’ve got a full program. I think we need this, I think the whole city needs this (in 2022),” said spokesperson Sarah Jean Harrison. “We are planning some really fabulous outdoor free events, and we are looking to be all over the region.”

Doors Open Toronto, which offers walking tours of more than 150 properties of architectural, historic and cultural significance, will run the weekend of May 28 and 29, a city hall spokesperson confirmed.

Pride Toronto has confirmed it is planning a month-long series of events for June, culminating in Pride Weekend from June 24 to 26, which will include the Trans March, the Dyke March and the Pride parade.

“We are very excited about the return to an in-person festival,” said executive director Sheldon Modeste. “It is going to bring the city to life. Throughout Pride Month, we will be continuing our new initiatives to include different art forms and will give everyone a reason, time, and space to celebrate.

“The hard-working team of Pride Toronto who is working hard to ensure Pride 2022 programming will be in alignment with the City of Toronto’s COVID-19 restrictions.”

The TD Toronto Jazz Festival will celebrate its 35th anniversary from June 24 to July 3 with two new stages at the Victoria College Quad at the University of Toronto as well as an installation at Yorkville’s Cumberland Park.

CEO Howard Kerbel said the events will offer about 165 free shows and music from all genres, with a focus on local talent.

“Our wish this year is to welcome the city back to the city,” he said. “We want to welcome the city back to live events and bring the community together while we support our local artists and our local industry. It’s very important for us that we get as many local musicians and industry folk back to work.”

The Toronto Fringe Festival is returning from July 6 to 17, with performances at up to 13 indoor theatre venues across the city, spokesperson Damien Nelson said.

The Beaches International Jazz Festival, which held its first event in 1989, will offer performances from July 7 to 31.

“We are moving forward to go live, we’re moving forward like it’s going to happen,” said long-time producer Lido Cilelli.

The Hondy Indy will return to Exhibition Place on the weekend of July 15 to 17, spokesperson Steve Bidlack confirmed.

The Toronto Caribbean Carnival, also known as Caribana, will celebrate its 55th year with a series of events leading up to the final weekend of July 28 to August and the annual Grand Parade.

The Caribbean Carnival Grande Parade is among the events that is expected to make a post-COVID return in 2022.

“After two years of keeping the carnival culture alive with smaller gatherings and virtual celebrations, we are excited to host our much-anticipated annual Grand Parade along Lakeshore this summer,” said Laverne Garcia, chair of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival.

“We will ensure compliance with all public health and safety precautions as the safety and health of the community is our top priority. This year marks our 55th Emerald Anniversary, and we are thrilled to celebrate the freedom, diversity and inclusion that makes up the carnival arts,” she added.

Krinos Taste of Danforth, which celebrates the city’s 200,000-plus Greek community, expects to return for the weekend of Aug. 6 and 7.

“We hope to (open), we want to, our fans want us to. We’re just waiting for city approval,” said Mary Fragedakis, executive director of the Greektown on the Danforth Business Improvement Area.

And, last but certainly not least, the venerable Canadian National Exhibition, one of Toronto’s oldest and most celebrated summer events, will run from Aug. 19 to Sept. 5.

Riders on the Wave Swinger at The Canadian National Exhibition in 2019.

“We are busy planning an event that captures all the joy and exuberance that the Canadian National Exhibition has been celebrated for since 1879,” said spokesperson Karen Lynch. “We are planning for people to have ‘fun’ at our fair after two years of being closed.”