Toronto Ukrainian Festival 2024

Toronto Ukrainian Festival is a three-day free entertainment event for the entire family. Every fall, The Bloor West Village welcomes thousands of visitors who come to try outstanding Ukrainian food, hear Ukrainian music, and enjoy its art. It's one of the largest ethnic festivals in the Greater Toronto Area.

Festival Highlights

The Festival features dozens of artists from North America and Ukraine. It also celebrates Toronto's diversity and discovers new talents each year. The highlight of the Festival is the opening parade, which is often attended by prime ministers, well-known politicians, famous musicians, and other celebrities.

Activities

Throughout all three days, attendees can enjoy a wide array of activities, including a children's midway, cultural pavilions, entertainment across various stages, and performances by buskers. Additionally, there will be craft and artisan markets, vendors offering delicious food and beverages to indulge in.

Music

Music acts include the Canadian Bandurist Capella, Zubrivka Folk Ensemble, the Bloor West Village Gypsy Rebels, violinist Vasyl Popadiuk, and many other local artists. Past headliners from Ukraine included Vopli Vidopliassova, Mad Heads XL, Mandry, Ruslana, and Pikardiska Tertsia.

Parking

Due to limited parking at the Festival, visitors are strongly encouraged to travel by subway or bus. The Festival, located between Jane St. and Glendonwynne Rd, is conveniently accessible from Jane or Runnymede TTC stations. Green P Parking Lots are available at 265 Armadale Ave, 257 Willard Ave, and 272 Beresford Ave. Additionally, public parking lots with a low monetary fee are situated along Bloor between Old Mill TTC station and High Park station at 2489 Bloor St West, 256 Willard Ave, 265 Durie St, and 2186 Bloor St West. Street parking is available on residential streets, but spaces are limited and subject to permit restrictions and posted regulations.

History

Since the 1880s, when the first Ukrainian immigrants moved to Canada, the Ukrainian Canadian community grew to over four million people. In 1995, the first Toronto Ukrainian Festival in Bloor West Village was held to mark the occasion when Toronto twinned with Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. Now, it has become the biggest Ukrainian event in North America, reaching 500,000 attendees.