Entire food festival dedicated to just garlic wafts into Toronto this weekend

If you, like us, believe there's no such thing as too much garlic, you're in luck: an entire festival devoted to it is coming to Toronto.

We may be on the cusp of spooky season, but vampires ought to give Toronto a wide berth this weekend as the cherished annual Toronto Garlic Festival makes its grand return.

Back for its 14th year, the festival is coming in hot, ready to drench Spadina Road in allium-scented goodness this Sunday, Sept. 28.

The annual festival is a celebration of the yearly fall garlic harvest, and while you will be able to pick up plenty of whole bulbs to use in your pasta, stir-fries, and salad dressings, there's a whole lot more than just straight-up garlic on offer at the festival.

Expect a lineup of food vendors brimming with garlic-scented goodness, serving up everything from fries with garlic aioli to garlic-crusted popcorn.

You know, something for everyone!

If you lean towards the more adventurous side of the food spectrum, or you simply can't get enough garlic in your daily diet, there are some more out-of-the-ordinary offerings at the festival that you should keep an eye out for, too.

How do garlic-based desserts sound? In the past, some standouts have included Garlic Chocolate Brownies and Donuts in Black Garlic and Caramel Sauce, which pair perfectly with garlic-infused beverages, from garlic soda to garlic martinis.

Only time will tell what the standout, out-of-the-box garlic items of Toronto Garlic Fest 2025 will be, but, as long as you don't mind rocking severe garlic breath for the rest of the day, they're all worth a try.

You'll also be able to shop from a slew of local garlic-loving vendors, selling handcrafted treats like pickles, jellies, sauces, and even bulbs to grow your own garlic.

On top of the eats, the festival features a full schedule of fun programming to keep the vibes, however pungeant they may be, high. There's a free-to-enter garlic breath contest, keynote speakers, live music and dance performances, and even a vampire costume contest.

Like we said, it's highly unlikely that any real vampires will be in attendance, so all you have to worry about is dining down on some aromatic eats.

Toronto Garlic Festival takes place on Sunday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Spadina Road, from Davenport Road to Dupont Street.