taste of little manila

The top 10 events in Toronto for August 2016

August events in Toronto show no signs of summer slowing down. Forget that Mercury will be at its highest point above the horizon (making it super easy to view the planet) shortly after sunset, this month is all about street festivals, live theatre and of course, the CNE.

Here are my picks for the top events you gotta check out this August.

SummerWorks Festival (August 4-14)
This 11-day Canadian cultural festival focuses on theatre, dance, music, and live art. This is the festival to witness new Canadian works from over 500 artists before they blow up. Tickets are already on sale, and you can view the full list of performances here.

Taste of the Danforth (August 5-7)
Taste of the Danforth is one of the city's most popular street festivals. The food is plentiful, with more souvlaki than anyone can reasonably handle. Greek-themed events, such as archery, plate smashing, traditional dancing are all happening amongst the joyful crowds.

Time Festival (August 6)
Doors open at Noon for this electronic music wonderland at Fort York. Bring your ear plugs 'cause Run The Jewels, Broods, Kehlani, Joey Bada$$, Cold Cave, Everything Everything and so many more takeover the mainstage. There's also the Overtime stage on the grounds. $20 at the door.

YouTube FanFest (August 13)
This totally free one-day festival at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre will let you see 17 YouTubers in the flesh. This year's event will feature lots of Canadian talent as well as Americans, like Kurt Hugo Schneider and Sam Tsui. For a round-up of some of the top Toronto talent in attendance check out this post.

Mad Decent Block Party (August 19)
Mad Decent has yet to release the festival's full line up, but the announced headliners will probably inspire you to hit Ticketweb sooner rather than later. Bishu, Diplo, Grandtheft, Louis the Child, Marshmello, NGHTMRE x Slander and Sleepy Tom are all on board for the August 19 noisy electronic bashment.

Sail-in Cinema (August 18-20)
Watch three films in the theme of "books to big screen" via an extremely large floating screen on the water, while you lounge safely on the mainland around Sugar Beach. 6-10 p.m. all three nights.

Camp Wavelength (August 19-21)
Spend the night camping on the Island before school starts up again at the second annual Camp Wavelength, which boasts an incredible lineup this year. This is one of the few chances to sleep under the stars in one of Toronto's most beautiful places.

Zine Dream (August 20)
One full day (11 a.m. - 6 p.m.) of self published art books, comics, crafts, music, zines from over 90 vendors inside The Great Hall. Small press is the only press worth feeling with your fingers lately, so spend a couple hours with the brilliant minds behind the beautiful works here.

Taste of Manila (August 20-21)
A celebration of Filipino food, culture, entertainment and culture. Here's what it looked like a couple years ago. Key words for this mega-street festival are food and fashion.

CNE (August 19-September 5)
The CNE rolls into town at the end of August and will run until September 5. Expect the regular roster of midway games, rides, exhibitions, outrageous fair foods and about a million ways to spend your hard earned money.

What events did I miss? Add more to the comments.


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