This being Canada and all, Toronto has mastered how to live it up during the coldest months, but oh boy, do we love summertime. We cherish the months you can sip a cocktail on a patio or spend a celebratory weekend at one of many fantastic festivals happening across the city from music to food, theater to fine arts.
Now that temperatures are on the rise (finally!) as the summer season approaches and the Kimpton Saint George is counting down to its grand opening, we’re sharing some of the great ways our guests can enjoy summer in the city—besides staying with us, of course.
The Toronto Jazz Festival. Photo by Tracey Nolan.
The 6ix is Alive with the Sound of Music
- The Toronto Jazz Festival (June 22 – July 1) is the perfect soundtrack to early summer, with over 165 free shows in Yorkville, and performances by Macy Gray, CeCe Winans and No BS! Brass Band happening right around the corner from the Kimpton Saint George. If you like your jazz with a beachier vibe, there’s the Beaches International Jazz Festival (July 6 – 29), celebrating its 30th year in 2018.
- If you’re of the opinion that it’s not a festival worth attending if you can’t pump your fist and dance your heart out, you’ll find like-minded revelers at Toronto electronic music festivals Bud Light Dreams (June 23 & 24) and Veld (August 4 & 5), which also hosts hip-hop acts like Migos and A$AP Ferg.
Al Di Meola playing at the Toronto Jazz Festival. Photo by Bill King.
Caravan Palace, the 7–piece Electro swing band from Paris, performing at the Toronto Jazz Festival. Photo by Randall Cook.
George Clinton playing at the Toronto Jazz Festival. Photo by Don Dixon.
‘Tis the Season for Drinking and Dining Al Fresco
- Pilsners, lagers, ales and porters are just the beginning. There’s so much for beer aficionados to say “cheers” to at the Toronto Craft Beer Festival (June 22 – 24) and Festival of Beer (July 26 – 29).
- August brings an embarrassment of riches when it comes to food-focused events. The Toronto Food Truck Festival (August 3 – 6) kicks off the month, and the following weekend marks the 25th anniversary of Taste of the Danforth (Aug 10 – 12). This massive street festival takes over the Greektown neighborhood with a combination of tasty eats, performances and family-friendly events. The festival is a cultural mosaic of culinary delights. Save room for a butter tart or three at Sweetery (August 11 & 12), a local festival that caters to anyone with a sweet tooth.
- Summer is unofficially dubbed “patio season” in Toronto. Restaurant rooftops, backyards and sidewalks become sought-after destinations for enjoying a drink and a meal while soaking up the sun and people-watching. While you can find a great patio in virtually every Toronto neighborhood, Madame Beouf & Flea, The Pilot Tavern, Harvest Kitchen and Café Cancan are all great spots within a 10-15 minute stroll from the Kimpton Saint George.
Pouring a glass at the Toronto Craft Beer Festival.
Corn on the cob at Taste of the Danforth.
Arts and Culture and Sports, Oh My
- People come from all over the world to expand their artistic horizons at Luminato (June 6 – 24), Toronto’s festival of arts and creativity devoted to visual art, music, theater, dance and more.
- The spirit of the city is especially joyous during the Pride Festival (June 22 – 24). Parties, performances, a street festival and multiple parades make for a fabulous atmosphere.
- Beginning June 28 and running through September 2, you can catch Shakespeare in High Park. Enjoy classics like Romeo & Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream under the stars in the park’s gorgeous amphitheater.
- Celebrities, filmmakers and fans descend upon the city each September for TIFF (September 6 – 16). Come for the films and stay for the experience of potentially running into your favorite star on the streets of Toronto.
- Catching a Blue Jays’ game is always a good time, or kick it (sorry, we couldn’t resist) with Toronto’s Major League Soccer team, Toronto FC. As last year’s MLS Cup winners, they’re entering the new season at the top of their game. Toronto also hosts the Rogers Cup tennis tournament every August. In 2018 it’s August 3 through August 12.
The Malpaso Dance Company performing ‘Dreaming of Lions‘, a semi-abstract meditation on Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, at Luminato. Photo by Alex Boerner.
A performance of ‘RIOT‘ combining dance, drag, circus, and comedy at Luminato. Photo by Fiona Morgan.
After a long day of taking advantage of Toronto’s hottest summer offerings, come back and cool off at the Kimpton Saint George. We can’t wait to welcome you.
