Taste of Danforth returns to Toronto with $400Gs in city and provincial funding

Olivia Chow and Doug Ford team up to fund iconic festival's return to Greektown this summer

Published Jun 11, 2026  •  Last updated 16 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

People enjoy the Taste of the Danforth festival on Aug. 10, 2019, in Toronto’s east end. Photo by Veronica Henri/Toronto Sun files

See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source

Article content

At $200,000 each, you could say it’s more than just a taste.

Article content

Recommended Videos

Article content

The City of Toronto and the province announced Thursday they are contributing a combined $400,000 to bring Taste of the Danforth back to Greektown this summer.

When foodies head to the Danforth from Aug. 7 to 9, it will be the first time the festival has been held since 2023 and only the second time since 2019. Mayor Olivia Chow confirmed the festival’s return for 2026 in February.

“This festival is one of Toronto’s most beloved summer traditions, bringing people together to celebrate Greek culture, support local businesses and experience the diversity that makes our city so vibrant,” Chow said in a statement released by the city on Thursday.

“The City of Toronto is proud to partner with the province to support the return of this iconic event and welcome residents and visitors back to the Danforth this August.”

Read More

1. 

   Toronto Police ETF officer killed executing search warrant
2. 

   Mayor Chow’s ‘welcome’ referee has terror ties, U.S. officials allege

3. 

   Mourners left in lurch by last-minute firefighter rain delay

Article content

Earlier this year, Premier Doug Ford said he misses the festival and pledged provincial funding if Chow committed city funding as well.

“Taste of the Danforth is an iconic street festival that attracts visitors from across the city and beyond, generating over $100 million in economic impact,” Ford said in a statement, released Thursday by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.

The announcement comes days after Toronto’s Do West Fest, which faced criticism over crowding, violence and petty crime. The event is similar in concept to Taste of the Danforth, featuring vendors along a stretch of Dundas St. W. that is closed to vehicle traffic between Lansdowne and Ossington Aves.

The Toronto Sun has asked city hall and the Toronto Police Service whether there are any safety concerns for Taste of the Danforth following the issues reported at Do West Fest, but has not yet received a response.

Taste of the Danforth is one of 400 festivals across the province receiving a share of $20 million in funding through the Experience Ontario program. The Sun has asked whether other Toronto events are receiving funding through the program, but the province has not yet responded.

Organized by the Greektown on the Danforth BIA, Taste of the Danforth has been held in Toronto’s east end since 1993.

[email protected]

Article content