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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!

Let’s Get Ready for Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2025!

And just like that, Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2025 is only A WEEK AWAY!

On Saturday, June 7th, 12-6pm, enjoy delicious food, live entertainment, special sidewalk sales, and exciting activities at the much anticipated street festival in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood.

Happening from Davies Ave to Empire Ave along Queen East, Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest is the biggest annual programming of the BIA. Now in its 11th year, the event is a showcase of small and local businesses and a celebration of community.

To ensure you have the best time possible, we’ve got a handful of tips for you, whether you’re a returning visitor or a first-timer. Here are 5 things to prepare for this year’s Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest:

Read our blogs. 

We’re counting down the days but there’s still time to catch up and do some light reading. We’ll link the rest of our Eats & Beats blog series below. Let’s just say those who do their homework get dibs on festival-only deals and discounts from our awesome vendors.

Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2025 Blog Series:

Hot Eats | Cool Buys | Fun Happenings | Exciting Entertainers | Vendor Spotlight

Come up with a game plan.

A lot will be happening in a span of six hours, so it’s best to come with a rough itinerary of what you want to check out. Some activities are time-sensitive like the brewery tour at Eastbound Brewing Co. or the Question Everything Trivia in Joel Weeks Park, so plan accordingly!

Choose the right outfit.

Riverside Eats & Beats is a rain-or-shine event so it’s best to be prepared for all types of weather: a hat and sunglasses for the heat or an umbrella and waterproof shoes for the rain. A crossbody bag is also a good idea if you want to be handsfree throughout the day.

Tell your family and friends.

There’s something for everyone at Riverside Eats & Beats, from sidewalk sales for the fashionistas to streetside dining for the foodies. As we said, Riverside Eats & Beats is a celebration of community — so bring yours to ours!

RSVP to the event.

Let us know you’re coming by RSVP-ing through the Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2025 event page. By signing up, you’ll get the event guide with the map, schedule and vendor roster straight to your inbox.

So see you on June 7th? For updates and highlights on what to expect at Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2025, follow @riverside_bia on Instagram!

Photo credit: Pawelec Photo

Vendor Spotlight: Who’s Participating in Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2025?

If you’ve attended Riverside’s biggest annual festival in the past, you know that it’s not just a fun, family-friendly event for the whole community; it’s also a showcase for many amazing small businesses in Toronto!

On Saturday, June 7, 2025 (12-6pm), Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest is back for another round of fun activities, exciting outdoor dining, special sidewalk sales and more from Davies Ave to Empire Ave along Queen East.

Meet 5 (of many!) exciting outside vendors participating in this year’s Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest:

Photo credit: Chef Nicholas Douglas

Chef Nicholas Douglas (@dreamscr3ation)

Location: Riverside Common (657 Queen St E)

Enjoy delicious Jamaican staples and freshly made pastries by Chef Nicholas Douglas who is world- renowned for his Caribbean and Jamaican cuisine.

Photo credit: The Overthinkers Club

The Overthinkers Club (@_theoverthinkersclub)

Location: Riverside Common (657 Queen St E)

Cozy apparel meets mental health and wellness in The Overthinkers Club’s line of premium hoodies and tees.

Photo credit: Orikrea

Orikrea (@orikrea)

Location: Joel Weeks Park (10 Thompson St)

Orikrea showcases impeccable craftsmanship and tailoring while highlighting African fashion with accessories like hats, shoes, bags and jewelry.

Photo credit: Ivy & Lua

Ivy & Lua (@ivyandlua)

Location: Riverside Common (657 Queen St E)

Ivy & Lua specializes in handmade and curated hypoallergenic jewelry including gemstones, pearls, resin, clay, gold-plated and gold-filled earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces.

Photo credit: Young Engineers

Young Engineers (@ youngengineers_torontoeastend)

Location: Riverside Common (657 Queen St E)

Dedicated to inspiring children in the East End through a hands-on approach to STEM, Young Engineers offers in-school and after-school classes, camps, and workshops for ages 5 to 9.

These are just a handful of the many participating vendors! For more information, download the official event guide HERE or grab a physical copy from select businesses in Riverside.

… or better yet, come to Riverside on June 7th and join us! Get your FREE tickets to Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2025 by clicking on the RSVP button below —

Come back on the Riverside Blog next week for tips on how to get ready for Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2025. In the meantime, follow @riverside_bia on Instagram for updates!

Talent Takes to the Streets (5 Exciting Entertainers at Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2025)

As you probably know by now, Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest will be back on Saturday, June 7th, 12-6pm! Happening 10 blocks along Queen St East between the Don Valley Parkway to just past the world-famous De Grassi Street, it’s going to be a jam-packed day!

Now in its 11th year, the Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest is a celebration of community.  At Riverside’s biggest annual festival, expect delicious food, fun shopping, interactive activities and awesome live entertainment courtesy of Toronto artists!

Catch these 5 stellar Toronto acts who will be gracing us with their talents at this year’s Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest:

Photo credit: Jay Smooth

Jay Smooth (@jays2smooth)

Time and Location: 2pm-2:45pm at Riverside Common | 4pm-4:45pm at Broadview Ave Main Stage

Jay Smooth will have you up dancing with the magic of the saxophone.

Photo credit: Murray Drive

Murray Drive (@murraydriveband)

Time and Location: 3pm-3:45pm at Broadview Ave Main Stage

Enjoy covers and originals by talented musician duo Murray Drive.

Photo credit: Priyana

Priyana (@priyana.music)

Time and Location: 5pm-6pm at Joel Weeks Park (10 Thompson St)

Be serenaded by the smooth vocals of singer-songwriter Priyana.

Photo credit: The Three Amigos

The Three Amigos (@thethreeamigosband)

Time and Location: 12pm-2pm at McGee Street

Listen to modern renditions of iconic rock classics by local cover band The Three Amigos.

Photo credit: Pawelec Photo

DJ Stevie Kicks (@steviekicksdj)

Time and Location: 12pm-6pm at Saulter Street

Groove to the beats by East End DJ and Riverside BIA regular Stevie Kicks!

Let us know you’re coming by clicking the RSVP button above and get FREE tickets to Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2025 straight to your inbox.

If you want to know more about who’s participating and what’s happening at this year’s festival, check out our previous entries on the Riverside Blog.

Be sure to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram so you’re always in the loop!

A Splendidly Good Time (5 Fun Happenings at Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2025)

Mark your calendars: Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest is back for its 11th run on Saturday, June 7, 2025 (12-6pm), which will take place 10 blocks along Queen East, from Davies Ave to Empire Ave.

Aside from Hot Eats and Cool Buys, visitors can also expect exciting activities at the festival, highlighting the diverse roster of businesses this charming East End neighborhood has to offer. From drag brunch to free BBQ, it’s going to be a jam-packed day!

Here are 5 Fun Happenings at this year’s Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest:

Photo credit: Riverside BIA

Sensory Stations at Oma Chiropractic & Wellness

Address: 1 Munro St, Toronto, ON M4M 2B7

Explore your nervous system through Oma Chiropractic & Wellness’ interactive sensory stations. While you’re there, you can inquire about their services, such as naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, chiropractic care for animals and more.

Photo credit: Eastbound Run Crew

Riverside 1km Fun Run with Eastbound Run Crew

Address: Munro Street closure

Join the Eastbound Run Crew for a family-friendly one-kilometre run/walk through the neighbourhood! Complete with cheer stations and local runner pace bunnies, it’ll be a fun run from start to finish. It will start at the Munro Street closure at 1pm, loop through portions of the festival and end at the Carroll Street closure.

Photo credit: Riverside BIA

Ready, Set, Play! on Saulter Street

Address: Saulter Street closure

  • 12pm-6pm | Bring the whole family for free showtimes with Magic Mel (12pm-12:30pm, 1pm-1:30pm, and 4pm-4:30pm), Drag Queen Story Time with Gila Münster (2pm-3pm), and beats by DJ Stevie Kicks (’til 6pm).
  • 12pm-5pm | There will be lots of interactive kids’ activities hosted by the Queen/Saulter Library including bubbles, rainbow crafts, a 3D printer demo and more (materials will be provided).
  • 12pm-5pm | Join the Ralph Thornton Community Centre for tasty treats and fun, free activities for kids!

Photo credit: Pawelec Photo

Nell & Natasha’s Rhythm & Blues BBQ 

Address: McGee Street closure

Feed your stomach and soul on McGee Street with a FREE community BBQ (12pm-3pm) by Nell & Natasha’s Real Estate Homeward Brokerage, with live music on the patio by The Three Amigos (12pm-2pm) and The Don Valley Stompers (2pm-5pm), plus face painting, crafts and more fun.

Photo credit: Question Everything Trivia

Question Everything Trivia

Address: Joel Weeks Park (10 Thompson St)

Get ready for 4 exciting rounds of trivia fun with Question Everything Trivia at Joel Weeks Park (2pm-4pm)! Prizes await for winners of every round. Don’t miss your chance to play, win and show off your brainpower!

Click the RSVP button above to get your FREE tickets to Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2025.

For more information on Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2025, read our previous entries on the Riverside Blog. Be sure to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram to stay updated on what to expect at the festival!