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Riverside Eats & Beats 2025 THANK YOU and Photos

We celebrated, we had incredible weather, and put all our efforts together as a community for an amazing 11th year of Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest!!

The summer and community vibe was perfect at this year’s Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2025 – a BIG THANKS to our amazing BIA festival team, volunteers, local businesses and organizations, vendors, entertainers, City of Toronto, TPS, and everyone’s efforts for making this such a wonderful experience for everyone.

Enjoy some of the fun memories with our festival video courtesy of J & C Toronto Real Estate Group and photos below (Big thanks to Pawelec Photo!).

P.S. Please share testimonials and feedback via our survey!! The Riverside BIA is a not for profit and this festival depends on funding to help support its continuation each year. We would appreciate your testimonials and feedback to help us seek that support for 2025.

THANKS GO TO….

Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2025 was supported by the Riverside BIA, Hullmark, Isaan Der Thai Kitchen, and Baird McGregor Insurance Brokers LP.  Thanks to our amazing Riverside BIA Board and incredible Festival Team who brought their expertise and experience to make the event a success. Thanks to all our local businesses and organizations who brought festive happenings together, and all the local vendors who took part. Thanks to all the volunteers from George Brown College School of ESL and from our local community who supported the festival, and to everyone who came out!

Samba Toronto helped kick off the festival on Broadview (Photo Credit: Riverside BIA)
Jenny Blackbird at the Broadview Main Stage did Traditional Singing and Drumming (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo)
Festival-goers enjoying the Eastbound Beer Garden near the Broadview Main Stage (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo)
The Pirate Life Team and Ship on Carroll St (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo)
Festival-goers testing out their Pirate skills on Carroll St (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo)
The Toronto Humane Society Team on Carroll St (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo)
Local market and free live music in Riverside Common Park (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo)
Vendor Chef Nicolas in Riverside Common Park (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo)
Musician Rudy Ray in Joel Weeks Park (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo)
Vendor Orikrea Joel Weeks Park (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo)
Question Everything Trivia in Joel Weeks Park (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo)
Moko Jumbie Stilt Walkers in Joel Weeks Park (Photo Credit: Riverside BIA)
Enjoying big games by Spiniko on Munro St (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo)
Sensory Stations with Oma Chiropractic & Wellness on Munro (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo)
Using bicycle-power to make smoothies on Munro St (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo)
BBQ at Real Greek Giros with business owner Jim and family (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo)
Grilling at Riverside Burgers (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo)
Festival-goer enjoying sliders at est restaurant (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo)
Sidewalk Sale by The Irish Design House with owner Sinead (at right) and staff (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo) 
Free activities by Queen/Saulter Library Branch on Saulter St (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo) 
Magic Shows on Saulter St by Magic Mel (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo) 
Ralph Thornton Community Centre on Saulter St
Festival-goers at the big Love Local sign beside the Queen Garden Centre on Saulter St (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo) 
The Fontbonne Ministries team at their Mustard Seed location (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo) 
Nell & Natasha at their Free BBQ and Blues on McGee (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo) 
Feeding the community at Nell and Natasha’s community BBQ (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo) 
The Three Amigos at Nell & Natasha’s BBQ and Blues (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo) 
Falafel and treats at Tabule Middle Eastern Cuisine (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo) 
The Timmie Cup Mascot meets festival-goers (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo) 
At the E & B big sign on Broadview (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo)
 
Murray Drive on the Broadview Main Stage (Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo) 

Reggadiction on the Broadview Main Stage ((Photo Credit: Pawelec Photo) 

Reminder: Please share testimonials and feedback via our survey!! The Riverside BIA is a not for profit and this festival depends on funding to help support its continuation each year. We would appreciate your testimonials and feedback to help us seek that support for next time.

WHAT’S NEXT IN RIVERSIDE:

* Don’t miss our 2025 upcoming events and vendor opportunities!

*Stay tuned for our 2026 festival date announcement and vendor opportunities in early 2026.

ABOUT RIVERSIDE EATS & BEATS STREETFEST:

Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest spans 10 vibrant blocks along Queen Street East between the Don Valley Parkway to just past the world-famous De Grassi Street. It all happens just across the bridge from Toronto’s Downtown Core. Each year, the festival showcases:

*50+ local eateries and shops along Queen Street East serve food specials, sidewalk sales, and live entertainment.

*Riverside’s family-friendly food outlets, retailers, and unique small town in the big city atmosphere

*Destination points at five street closures and two local parks including beer gardens, demos, and entertainment with free live music ranging from Samba, New Orleans-style Jazz, Blues, Roots/Rock and Children’s entertainment.

Interested in being a 2026 event supporter? Contact Us!

Hey, Toronto: Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest is Back!

It’s almost that time of the year again — the Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest is back for its 11th run on June 7, 2025, 12pm-6pm!

Last year’s installment was a special one because it was the much anticipated comeback after a long hiatus due to the pandemic. If you attended last year’s festival, thank YOU for making it a success.

With that said, our goal this year is to make Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest even better.

Are you ready to taste the eats and feel the beats again in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood?! Here’s everything you need to know about Riverside’s biggest event:

When is it happening?

Back for its 11th year, Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2025 is happening on Saturday, June 7, 2025, 12pm-6pm.

Where is it taking place?

Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest will span 10 blocks along Queen Street East between the Don Valley Parkway to just past the world famous De Grassi Street. It all happens just across the bridge from Downtown Toronto and includes 5 side street closures, 2 parks and 10 blocks of sidewalk sales. Queen Street East will be fully open to traffic/transit throughout the festival.

How much do tickets cost?

$0. Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest is a FREE public event open to everyone with lots of live music, entertainment and festivities to enjoy! The festival showcases what local businesses have to offer through food specials and shopping – please come support local! You can RSVP HERE

What can I expect at the event?

This year, the Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest will showcase:

  • 50+ local eateries and shops along Queen Street East with food specials, sidewalk sales, and live entertainment
  • Riverside’s family-friendly food outlets, retailers, and unique “small town in the big city” atmosphere
  • Destination points at five street closures and two local parks including beer gardens, demos, and entertainment with free live music and activities

How do I get updates for the event?

Leading up to Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest, we’ll be teasing the cool vendors, amazing eats, and fun entertainment with a series of blogs so make sure to check out the Riverside Blog regularly. You can also follow @riverside_bia on Instagram so you’re always updated when a new blog drops!

In the meantime, let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at some of the highlights from last year’s Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest:

Photo credit: Pawelec Photo

Who’s Ready to Shop? Riverside Vintage Crawl – June 20th 2025

Did you hear, Riverside Vintage Crawl is back!

Join us on Friday, June 20th 2025 (6pm-9pm) for a fun night of vintage shopping and summer vibes featuring your favorite vintage stores in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood.

If you’re new to the Riverside Vintage Crawl or just need a refresher, here’s a few reminders before the event:

Photo credit: Riverside BIA

Plan your time well.

This year’s Riverside Vintage Crawl is bigger with a total of seven locations to check out within three hours. Make sure to come early so you have ample time to browse at every stop. 

Photo credit: Ran’s Closet

Prepare a list.

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or your loved ones, it’s always helpful to have ideas on what you’re looking for beforehand. In case you didn’t know, HST on all purchases made during the event will be shouldered by the stores, so take advantage of this deal.

Photo credit: Common Sort

Dress strategically.

By this, we mean plan an outfit that you can easily try clothes in. Wear a fitted top as a base so it’s easy to try on clothes. All participating stores have fitting rooms. Another tip: use a crossbody bag so you can browse and shop hands-free.

Photo credit: Pawelec Photo

Tell your family and friends.

We don’t gatekeep here so spread the word! Racks of stylish and unique vintage goods await you and the whole gang. Worried about leaving your pups? Fret not, all participating businesses are pet-friendly so you can bring them along.

RSVP.

Give us a heads up that you’re coming. When you pre-register, you can get event deets and other important updates straight to your inbox. There will be a raffle too where you can win prizes from our BIA members. Click on the RSVP button above to get your FREE tickets!

Participating Locations:

Follow @riverside_bia on Instagram so you’re always updated on exciting happenings in the neighbourhood like the Riverside Vintage Crawl. We look forward to seeing all of you tomorrow!

June 20th 2025 Riverside Vintage Crawl: All You Need To Know

Fashionistas, mark your calendars! The fun continues in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood. We’ve got another great event for you coming up this month!

After a successful launch last year thanks to all of you, Riverside Vintage Crawl will be back on Friday, June 20th, 6pm-9pm for a fun night of vintage shopping and more. 

This event aims to put Riverside on the map as an up-and-coming destination for sustainable fashion and vintage goods and, this year, we’ve got new BIA members joining us!

From new stores to event-exclusive deals, here’s a rundown of everything to expect at this year’s bigger and better Riverside Vintage Crawl:

Who is participating?

The charming neighborhood of Riverside boasts a good number of vintage shops, each one with its unique curation of vintage clothing, accessories and more.

“We Pay The Tax”

For the duration of the Vintage Crawl, the participating shops will be covering the HST, which means all purchases made in-store during the event will be tax-free. Yes, that’s a 13% discount on top of other deals they might have, so take advantage of this limited time offer.

Treats and Surprises

Aside from unbeatable deals on one-of-a-kind fashion finds, the participating shops will also be offering snacks and refreshments to Riverside Vintage Crawl shoppers + you can enter the Raffle in-store for  chance to win a gift card to the local paticipating shops!

Don’t forget to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram for updates on our events and programming. Check back on the Riverside Blog next week for tips on how to maximize the Riverside Vintage Crawl! 

In the meantime, let us know you’re coming by clicking on the RSVP button below!

5 Fun Things To Do for Father’s Day in Toronto’s Riverside

Planning the perfect day for your dad or father figure can be a challenge. Luckily, Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood in the East End has plenty of options to explore, whether your dad is a coffee lover, foodie or a fashionista.

If you need ideas on what to do this weekend, continue reading — we got you! Here are 5 ways you can spend Father’s Day in Riverside:

Photo credit: Tabule Middle Eastern Cuisine

Eats a celebration

From authentic Thai at Isaan Der to Middle Eastern classics at Tabule, Riverside has a great selection of international cuisines. If you have the appetite for it, you could even do a whole food trip and try out several restaurants in a day.

Photo credit: The West Cork Irish Pub

Cheers to dad

Places like The West Cork, Duke’s and Eastbound Brewing Co. have an excellent variety of beers, cocktails and spirits and even mocktails! If you want something more elevated (quite literally), you can also reserve a table at The Broadview Hotel’s The Rooftop for drinks with a breathtaking view.

Photo credit: Amber Kitchen & Coffee

Coffee o’clock

If dad loves something caffenated, he’s going to be in for a treat because Riverside has plenty of cafes to choose from, each with their own must-try specialty concoctions. Here’s a fun guide to cafe hopping in Riverside that you can check out!

Photo credit: Fevers Vintage

Secondhand shopping spree

Is dad looking to update his wardrobe for the summer? Check out Riverside’s growing community of vintage shops. Also, if you’re free on June 20th, feel free to join us for the Riverside Vintage Crawl — it’ll be fun, we promise!

Photo credit: Glassbox Barbershop

A cut above the rest

Treat dad to a much needed pampering. You can go to the legendary George the Barber from Broadview Beauty Parlour for the quintessential barbershop experience or Glassbox for something hip and modern. UNTITLED by Flaunt Boutique and Album Hair are also known for their treatments.

To all the amazing dads and father figures out there, Riverside celebrates you — Happy Father’s Day!

Follow @riverside_bia on Instagram so you’re always in the know on cool events and exciting promotions in Riverside!