Toronto shutting down street to host hundreds of free concerts this summer

Music lovers, unite! It's almost time to welcome back one of Toronto's largest annual music festivals: the Beaches International Jazz Festival.

Now in its 38th year, the festival will run for a month across all four weekends in July, with the hope of continuing to attract nearly a million attendees who have supported it year after year. 

For those new to this citywide extravaganza, the format is simple: each weekend live performances take place at select venues across the city, with most shows free to attend. All you need to do is show up and let the street be your personal stage. 

Here's what the Beaches International Jazz Festival has on the docket this year:

• July 3-5: Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside — A weekend packed with music and food, taking place at Jimmie Simpson Park, located at 872 Queen St. E.
• July 10-12: TD Salsa on the Beach — Join the fun at the country's largest Latin music festival at Woodbine Park, located at 1695 Queen St. E.
• July 18-20: TD Weekend at Woodbine Park — A wide range of musicians will perform and keep the energy going all weekend long.
• July 21 & 22: Johannes Linstead — Internationally acclaimed guitarist Johannes Linstead will perform at Beach United Church, located at 140 Wineva Ave. These are the festival's only ticketed events.
• July 23-25: StreetFest — The party takes over the block as Queen St. E. transforms into a massive dance floor from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. each night.
• July 24–26: OLG Weekend Series / Groovin' in the Park — An outdoor celebration under the stars, as this popular dance party returns for its eighth year.

From the looks of it, the festival is shaping up to be quite the fiesta of music from around the world. More details are expected in the coming weeks, but for now, mark your calendars, Toronto.