Thousands set to attend largest-of-its-kind street festival in Toronto this month

Toronto's very own Roncy neighbourhood is about to come alive as the Roncesvalles Polish Festival returns on September 13 and 14, bringing two days of food, music, and Polish culture to one of the city's most lively areas.

Now in its seventeenth year, the celebration continues to spotlight Polish cuisine and art while also embracing the broader diversity of Roncesvalles Village, with performances and fun activities that stretch across the entire community — think special entertainment lineups, live DJs, carnival-style rides, and more.

Visitors can shop across an impressive lineup of 150 vendors and boutiques opening their doors with sidewalk sales, alongside 40 eateries offering delectable dishes, from pierogi and kielbasa to modern twists on Polish favourites.

This festival continues to create buzz amongst the Toronto community; people from all walks of life look forward to attending. Year after year, Redditors take to the platform and leave their honest reviews of what their experience was like.

Last year, one festival-goer remarked, "It was really great! Had a delicious kielbasa on a bun and an ice cream sandwich for dessert from the chocolateria. I think it's important to keep supporting these street fests. It's one of my favourite things about the city. I also picked up some cool canvas art pieces." 

The Roncesvalles Polish Festival will once again prohibit vehicle traffic for the weekend to accommodate the thousands of expected festivalgoers.

Street closure details have not been announced yet, but the City of Toronto should update the public about any closures closer to the festival dates.

The festival was at the centre of a major controversy just a few years earlier. In 2022, organizers drew criticism when they attempted to drop the word "Polish" from the event's name, sparking backlash from community members because they felt their culture was being erased.

A petition demanding the return of the original name quickly circulated, and even the Polish Consulate General in Toronto intervened to reverse the change. The result? The Roncesvalles BIA reinstated "Polish" to the festival's title, which remains to this day. 

Roncesvalles Polish Festival takes place on Roncesvalles Avenue, from Queen Street West to Dundas Street West.