Welcome to The 19th Toronto Chinatown Festival

About Toronto Chinatown Festival

Copyright: Global News

Toronto Chinatown Festival started in 2000 and it has been growing ever since to ensure the celebration surpasses the previous success. In 2018, the Toronto Chinatown Festival attracted approximately 250,000 visitors during this 2-day event. This year, the theme is “12 Chinese Zodiac”. The Chinese zodiac, or shengxiao, is a repeating cycle of 12 years, with each year being represented by an animal and its reputed attributes. In order, the 12 Chinese horoscope animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. In Chinese Astrology, people believed each zodiac represents a specific personal character and different compatibility between each zodiac, just like the Western Horoscope. A few highlights of the 2019 Toronto Chinatown Festival will be various cultural performances on two stages with about 80 vendors to showcase Asian culture and communal diversity in Canada while improving local tourism and economy. There will be also interactive activities for visitors to learn more about Toronto Chinatown and Chinese culture, such as a Free Chinatown Walking Tour with Professor Leo Chan to explore the history of Chinatown.

Dates and Times:

August 17: 12:00pm – 11:00pm

August 18: 11:00am – 8:00pm

Location:

West side of Spadina Avenue

(between St Andrew St & Sullivan St)

Performance Schedules

(Click on the links below for full performances schedules)

Saturday: August 17, 2019
Sunday: August 18, 2019

Features & Attractions

Dragon Dance & Lion Dance

Lion dance brings good fortune and prosperity to the community. The Toronto Chinatown Festival will feature lion dance as part of the Opening Ceremony.

Traditional Dancing & Opera Performances

A mix of traditional and modern Asian dance groups, bands, musicians, and other artists are invited to perform during the festival. Not only will the performances be a feast to the eye, but they will also prove to be culturally educational.

Kung Fu Performances

City-wide Kung Fu (Martial Art) masters from different schools of disciplines will be showcasing their skills and expertise alongside their students on a second stage. Mastering such arts require significant levels of discipline and dedication – their hard work will most definitely show through.

Art & Culture Booths

Lots of Asian artist will be invited to the event to present the modern art and craft. TCF provide a chance for the local artist to showcase different angle of Asian culture and the extension of Chinatown spirit.

Multi-Cultural Street Food

There will be multicultural street food vendors selling treats from all over Asia. These authentic street snacks are a taste into all the different cultures that the Toronto Chinatown Festival has to offer.

Special Activities

FREE Chinatown Walking Tour

Interested in learning more about the history of Toronto Chinatown? Join Professor Leo Chan’s historial Chinatown Walking Tour on August 17 & 18 from 1pm to 2pm! This fun and interactive activity will be the highlight of this year’s Chinatown Fest, and it is perfect for participants of all ages! 

Date & Time: August 17 & August 18, 1 pm to 2 pm

Please sign up at the Chinatown BIA information Booth (located in front of Chinatown Centre) before 1pm. 

 

About Professor Chef Leo Chan:

Professor Chef Leo Chan is a renowned Chinese Canadian Chef who has accomplished great things beyond his culinary artwork for the City of Toronto. Emigrated to Canada in 1966, Chan is the recipient of numerous awards from the hospitality industry in Canada. His many titles led him to teach “Chinese cuisine” at George Brown College and Humber College, and serves as the Director of Operations for the Mandarin Restaurant Franchise Corporation. He was also a guest lecturer and host for various media networks. 

He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at York University, Hotel, Restaurant and Resort Management at Ryerson University, and Graduated from Cornell School of Hospitality at Cornell University in New York.

Scavenger Hunt (Chinese Zodiac Edition)

Legend has it that the Cat was supposed to be an animal symbol in the 12-year cycle of Chinese Zodiac. Tricked and disqualified from the race, the Cat’s revengeful spirit has returned and demands a re-race.

Your Mission: Start the race at the CBIA Info Booth where you will complete your initial challenge to find out your zone (A, B or C). Meet all the animals from the Zodiac in your assigned zone to complete the race. You get a stamp for each location completed. The race ends at Huron Square.

Time: Sunday, August 18 from 2pm to 4pm (You have until 5 pm to finish the race)

We have some amazing prizes awaits you!


Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Toronto Chinatown Festival about?

Toronto Chinatown Festival is an annual festivity started back in 2000. This year, the Toronto Chinatown community will be celebrating its 19th anniversary under the thematic of the “Chinese Zodiac”. In 2018, the TCF attracted approximately 250,000 visitors during the two-day event.

What is the theme for this year’s festival?

The theme for this year’s Chinatown Festival is “Chinese Zodiac”. Chinese zodiac is a scheme that assigns an animal and its attributes to each year for a 12-year cycle. In the Chinese astrology, people believe that each zodiac represents a specific personal character, fortune, health, and compatibility between each sign.

Do you have to register for the Chinatown Festival?

The Toronto Chinatown Festival is a FREE festival for everyone to attend, therefore no registration is needed. However, there are a few activities that needs registration such as Chinatown Tour with Prof. Chef Leo Chan (online or at the CBIA Info Booth during the event) and Scavenger Hunt (CBIA Info Booth).

Where is the festival being held? Is the venue generally accessible?

The venue is accessible by foot only. The festival will be held on the west side of Spadina Avenue, between St. Andrew Street and Sullivan Street.

Does the subway system serve this area?

The nearest subway stations are Spadina Station and St. Patrick Station. If you are coming from Spadina station, take the street car (#510) south and get off at Dundas Street (either North or South side: 6 stops). If you are coming from St. Patrick Station, take the #505 bus (4 stops) or walk west to Spadina Avenue for about 12 minutes.

Will washrooms be available, especially disabled spots?

Yes.

Sponsor

Entertainment Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Media Sponsor

Media Sponsor