ArtsXplosion Cultural Society is thrilled to announce that the 14th annual Panamerican Food & Music Festival (PANAMFEST) will take place July 24–26, 2026 at Nathan Phillips Square, with a VIP Gala Opening Reception on July 16 at Daniels Spectrum. The FREE 3-day festival is expected to welcome over 90,000 visitors and will feature groundbreaking new programming aligned with Toronto as a FIFA World Cup 2026 Host City.

“PANAMFEST has grown from a small waterfront gathering to one of Toronto’s most beloved and economically significant cultural events,” said Daniel Garcia Herreros, Executive Director of ArtsXplosion Cultural Society, which produces the festival. “In 2026, we’re proud to welcome the world to Toronto at a historic moment—combining the passion of Panamerican culture with the global excitement of the FIFA World Cup.”

The 2026 festival will spotlight the Dominican Republic as the Feature Country, presenting an immersive showcase of Dominican music, dance, cuisine, and visual arts. Audiences will experience authentic performances by artists from the island alongside Toronto’s vibrant Dominican Canadian community. “The Dominican Republic has a profound cultural legacy, from merengue and bachata to world-renowned gastronomy,” said Garcia Herreros. “We are honoured to share their creativity and spirit with Toronto and visitors from around the world.”

For the first time in PANAMFEST’s history, the festival will present the World Cup of Traditional Food—a multi-round culinary competition where chefs from across the Americas compete head-to-head in live cooking challenges. Audiences will taste signature dishes and vote in real time, celebrating the incredible diversity of Panamerican cuisine from ceviche to jerk chicken.

“Food is culture, and this competition brings together the flavours that unite us across borders,” said Mary Luz Mejia, PANAMFEST’s Culinary Curator. “It’s a chance for Torontonians and visitors to experience authentic tastes from 25 countries—all in one incredible weekend.”

Over three days, PANAMFEST will present:

The festival is entirely FREE and open to the public.