This Weekend in Toronto: A Festival Roundup - September 19-21, 2025

With the crisp air of autumn just around the corner, Toronto is buzzing with a fantastic lineup of events to fill your weekend. Whether you're a foodie, a culture enthusiast, or looking for a memorable experience with family and friends, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Experience your weekend, transformed. Discover a fresh mix of festivals, food, and fun.

VegTO Fest 2025

📍Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St W, Toronto 🗓️ Saturday, September 20th & Sunday, September 21st | 🕒 11am-7pm

Get ready to celebrate a milestone! VegTO Fest is back for its 40th anniversary, bringing Canada's largest free plant-based festival to the heart of downtown Toronto. This is more than just a food festival; it's a vibrant celebration of compassionate living. Indulge in an incredible array of delicious plant-based food from vendors, discover innovative ideas from trailblazers in the veg community, and connect with like-minded people. The festival also features interactive experiences, contests, and live music, making it a can't-miss event for everyone—from lifelong vegans to the "veg-curious."

Photo credit: @vegtofest

Mississauga Lantern & Mid-Autumn Festival

📍P6 Parking Lot, Square One Shopping Centre, Mississauga 🗓️ Friday, September 19th | 🕒 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. 🗓️ Saturday, September 21st & Sunday, September 22nd | 🕒 12 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Step into a world of magic and tradition at the Mississauga Lantern & Mid-Autumn Festival. This beautiful event invites the community to honour one of Asia's most cherished holidays with a stunning display of lanterns, cultural performances, and a variety of delicious treats like traditional mooncakes. It's a perfect opportunity for friends and family to gather under the harvest moon, with a free lantern giveaway for all attendees to light up the night.

Etobicoke Ribfest

📍Colonel Sam Smith Park, Etobicoke 🗓️ Friday, September 19th | 🕒 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. 🗓️ Saturday, September 21st | 🕒 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. 🗓️ Sunday, September 22nd | 🕒 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Calling all BBQ lovers! The 4th Annual Etobicoke Ribfest is back and ready to satisfy your cravings. Located at Colonel Sam Smith Park, this weekend-long event brings together five of North America's best rib teams, serving up mouth-watering, award-winning smoked ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and more. Beyond the incredible food, you can enjoy a variety of festival favourites and a cold drink in the beer garden while listening to live music all weekend, including tribute bands celebrating AC/DC, The Tragically Hip, and Bob Marley.

Water Lantern Festival

📍Downsview Park, North York 🗓️ Friday, September 19th & Saturday, September 20th | 🕒 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Experience a truly unique and enchanting evening at the Water Lantern Festival. As the sun sets, watch the water come alive with the soft glow of thousands of floating lanterns. Each lantern represents a hope, dream, or message, creating a beautiful and peaceful spectacle. This is a special night for connection and reflection, perfect for a serene and unforgettable weekend outing.

Photo credit: @waterlanternfestival

The Egyptian Coptic Festival

📍Celebration Square, Mississauga 🗓️ Friday September 20th | 🕒 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. 🗓️ Saturday September 21st | 🕒 1:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Discover the rich heritage and vibrant traditions of the Egyptian Coptic community at this inclusive cultural event. Held at Mississauga Celebration Square, the festival is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in Egyptian culture through history, arts, music, and of course, traditional food. With live shows, documentaries, kids' activities, and a bustling marketplace, this free-admission festival offers a fun and engaging experience for the whole family.

Photo credit: @egycoptfest

These community events truly highlight what makes Toronto a fantastic place to live. If you're interested in calling one of these amazing neighbourhoods home, contact us to explore your real estate options.

👩🏻‍💼 Khoa Le, Broker
📱 647-271-5461
📧 khoa@realimpactgroup.com
🏡 @realimpactgroup | @realbrokerage