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Ontario Investing $200,000 to Bring Back the Taste of the Danforth

  • Stephen Lecce, MPP
  • Jun 11
  • 2 min read

TORONTO — The Ontario government is supporting local businesses and workers and boosting the City of Toronto’s tourism economy by investing $200,000 to help bring back the Taste of the Danforth, one of Canada’s largest and most popular street festivals. Returning to Toronto this summer for the first time in three years, the iconic three-day festival is expected to welcome over one million visitors, showcasing the best of Toronto’s Greektown through its restaurants, food vendors, live entertainment and cultural experiences.


“Taste of the Danforth is an iconic street festival that attracts visitors from across the city and beyond, generating over 100 million dollars in economic impact,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Our government is proud to invest in the return of this historic festival so families, friends and neighbours can experience the very best of Toronto’s Greektown.”


The Taste of the Danforth festival, a world-renowned celebration of Greek food, culture and community, will run from August 7 to 9, 2026, marking its first return since 2024. One of Canada's largest street festivals, the event has been a staple of Toronto’s Greektown community for more than three decades, generating significant economic benefits for local restaurants, and retailers.


“Taste of the Danforth has been one of Toronto’s premier cultural festivals, bringing together hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to celebrate Greek heritage and experience the diversity that makes our province so special,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “Through our government's $200,000 investment to help bring back this iconic event, we're supporting local jobs and businesses, strengthening Toronto's tourism sector and helping ensure this celebrated tradition continues for years to come.”


"Thank you to Minister Cho and the Government of Ontario for their investment in the return of Taste of the Danforth," said Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto. "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. 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."


Today’s funding builds on the Ontario government’s investment of over $200 million in 2025-26 to protect the province’s tourism sector and workers through industry funding, grant programs, Destination Ontario marketing, ministry attractions and tourism agencies. This includes a $20 million investment through Experience Ontario 2026 to support nearly 400 festivals and events across the province this year. As a major contributor to Ontario’s economy, the tourism sector supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, generates billions in revenue and helps showcase Ontario as a premier destination for tourists.


Quick Facts

  • The City of Toronto is also investing $200,000 to support the return of Taste of the Danforth.

  • Taste of the Danforth began in 1993 and is organized by the Greektown on the Danforth Business Improvement Area (BIA).


Additional Resources


MEDIA CONTACT                                                                                              

Stephen Lecce, MPP for King—Vaughan

Constituency Office

Tel.: 647-560-9700        

© 2025 by Stephen Lecce, MPP for King— Vaughan

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