If you’ve been following the Riverside Blog over the past few weeks, then you already know that Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest will be back on Saturday, June 6th (12-6pm)!
Every year, the Riverside BIA works hard to outdo the previous year and make every installment of the festival, a long-running tradition of Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood, even better than the last!
Now in its 12th year, here’s what’s new with the 2026 Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest:
Photo credit: Pride Toronto
Pride Toronto
This year, Pride Toronto will be taking over Joel Weeks Park (10 Thompson St) with exciting programming, from live DJ sets to drag performances. Stay tuned for a separate blog post next week on Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2026 x Pride Toronto!
Photo credit: TO Newcomer Office
Chinatown Community Lion Dancers
The Chinatown Community Lion Dancers will be performing throughout the day starting at noon. Catch their performances and demos on the Main Stage at Broadview Ave (2-2:45pm)! Otherwise you can find them roaming along Queen East between 12-2 and 3-4:30pm, culminating with a meet-and-greet on the Saulter Street Closure (4:30-5:30pm)!
Photo credit: Aerial Screw
Aerial Screw
From 12-6pm, kids and youth can explore the Visual Education Project ‘Aerial Screw’, the most authentic reconstruction of Leonardo Da Vinci’s helicopter, at the Carroll Street Closure (North of Queen E).
Photo credit: Chickadeedee
Chickadeedee Puppet Theatre School
Kids can stop by the Carroll Street Closure (North of Queen E) to make their own puppets with Chickadeedee Puppet Theatre School, and explore how they move and perform — plus, enter the raffle and get a chance to win spots in their summer camps!
Photo credit: Toronto Bike Share
Toronto Bike Share
Learn about Bike Share, get support with the app, and test ride a Bike Share bike with the Toronto Parking Authority at the Thompson Street Closure (12-6pm)!
Photo credit: Rabbit and Bear Paws
Chad Solomon’s Rabbit and Bear Paws
Catch Chad Solomon’s Rabbit and Bear Paws: The Way, an interactive Indigenous puppet show, happening at the Saulter St Closure (South of Queen E) from 2-3pm.
Photo credit: C.M. Duffy
Riverdale ArtWalk
Although not a new event, it is the first time that the Riverdale ArtWalk is happening alongside Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest. Check out amazing work by local artists at Jimmie Simpson Park (872 Queen St E)!
Photo credit: Barker and Snouts
New Activities + New Members!
Riverside favourites are back with fun new activities for festival goers! Dirty Pawz Dog Wash (804 Queen St E), for example, will be having the most adorable gelato cart for dogs by Barker and Snouts. New BIA members such as Naz Treasures (717 Queen St E) and Hume Restaurant (782 Queen St E) are also joining in on Eats & Beats fun for the first time!
The Riverside Eats & Beats Raffle will also be back! Win local prizes at this year’s festival by entering the raffle either in person at the BIA booth (Queen E/Broadview) OR through the QR code in the festival guide anytime during the festival hours. Winners will be drawn and announced at the main stage throughout the day!
Click the button below to RSVP and get the official guide to Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest with full details and schedule, plus festival perks and promos straight to your inbox!
We’ve got a few more stories in our Eats & Beats blog series coming next week, so be sure to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly for new content on the festival!