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Harbourfront Centre presents top Canadian and international artists in creative disciplines like music, dance, theatre, visual arts, literature and film at multiple stages on each World Routes weekend. All festivals are FREE and suitable for all ages.

World Routes Summer Festival Weekends:

June 27 to 29
A Rocky Mountain High: The Banff Centre – Presented by Banff Lake Louise Tourism – Celebrate The Banff Centre's 75th anniversary with a festival of dance, theatre, music, literature and film inspired by this world-renowned arts centre and its spectacular mountain setting.

June 30, July 2 & July 3
World Routes Concerts – Free weekday evening concerts at the SIRIUS Satellite Radio Stage by internationally known performers – Dub Reggae legend Lee Scratch Perry (June 30), Afrobeat royalty Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 (July 2) and a performance by Senegalese Afro Soul and Jazz icons Orchestra Baobab (July 3).

July 1
Canada Day – In the spirit of history and family, this festival celebrates all that Canada has to offer. Featuring live music, dance, film, visual arts and family events all day and into the night.

July 4 to 6
Smirnoff Ice Beats, Breaks & Culture – Presented by NOW Magazine – The fifth anniversary of one of North America's leading electronic music and culture festival. The first ever Toronto-based electronic festival plugs into the latest currents of modern musical expression showcasing the best in Canadian and international electronic artists

July 11 to 13
Ritmo y Color – This long running biannual Latin American festival visits the vibrant cultural arts scenes of Latin artists from abroad and from across Canada.

July 17 to 20
Tirgan: Iranian Festival – Presented by Heydary Hamilton Law Office – This inaugural festival reveals the diversity and vitality of Persian culture with performances from prominent international, Iranian and Canadian artists.

July 25 to 27
What is Classical? – This new festival beckons audiences to question definitions of classical music with performances from a variety of global classical music genres and styles.

August 1 to 4
Island Soul – A kaleidoscope of cultures that is the Pan-Caribbean diaspora. A weekend of the finest cultural expressions and culinary offerings to spice up your summer! There will be food demonstrations, dance and music from renowned Reggae, Soca, Creole and Calypso artists and more.

August 8 to 10
South Asia Calling – Showcasing the diversity of South Asian culture through music, film, dance, theatre, literature and comedy. With a focus on contemporary performance, South Asia Calling will incorporate all generations by presenting the icons of the region and their impact on the greater South Asian culture.

August 15 to 17
Hot & Spicy Food Festival – Presented by NOW Magazine – The 11th edition of this popular festival features local, international and celebrity chefs dishing up hot, sweet and spicy cuisine in demonstrations and at workshops, panel discussions and tutored tasting. Live music and dance enrich the palette of food events along with the return of the fifth annual Iron Chef Competition and the Red Hot Market.

August 22 to 24
TELUS TAIWANfest: World in an Island – Presented by Mandarin Restaurants – Celebrate the cultural treasures of this beautiful Island with performances from artists directly from Taiwan and from Canadian artists of Taiwanese heritage. This year the festival explores in performance and in exhibitions the intermingling of Dutch, Canadian, Japanese, Indigenous Peoples and Chinese heritage into the cultural history of Taiwan.

August 28 to September 1
The Ashkenaz Festival – Merging all the cultures of the Jewish diaspora into a diverse and dynamic festival of new Yiddish culture! Performances include Klezmer and Middle-Eastern inspired music, theatre and comedy. Co-produced by the Ashkenaz Foundation.

Getting there: Spadina streetcar to Queens Quay

For more information contact: Ramona Noor
Phone: 416-973-4342
Email: rnoor@harbourfrontcentre.com

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