It Takes a Village Festival
A nine-week community event series bringing together Upper Village businesses, local restaurants, vendors, performers, and residents for weekly Thursday evening celebrations.
Nine Thursdays of Community, Food & Music
It Takes a Village Festival is a nine-week community event series bringing together Upper Village businesses, local restaurants, vendors, performers, and residents for weekly Thursday evening celebrations.
Each week features a unique theme with live entertainment, family-friendly activities, local shopping, community experiences, and opportunities to discover the businesses that make Upper Village special.
🎭 A New Theme Every Week
Nine unique Thursdays, each with its own programming, performers, and surprises.
🍽️ Local Food & Drink
Food vendors and local restaurants serving up something new each week.
🎸 Live Entertainment
Local musicians perform throughout the afternoon, every Thursday.
🛍️ Local Vendors & Passport Prizes
Shop local vendors, collect passport stamps, and win prizes.
Weekly Schedule
Nine Thursdays, nine themes. Tap a week to see what's on.
W1 July 30 — BBQ & Blues
Kick off the Upper Village Summer Series with an afternoon of live blues music, delicious BBQ, and family-friendly fun! Enjoy performances from talented local musicians, explore the farmers’ market, shop from local vendors, and savour signature BBQ features from participating restaurants and food vendors. Bring your friends, family, and lawn chairs as we celebrate the start of summer in Upper Village with great food, great music, and a vibrant community atmosphere.
Live Performances
- 3:00 PM – Jesse Seberras · Solo Acoustic Guitar Folk
- 4:00 PM – Daniel Greer · Solo Acoustic Folk Rock (Guitar)
- 5:00 PM – Johnathan Davies · Solo Acoustic Folk Rock (Guitar, Keyboard)
- 6:00 PM – Daniel Greer · Solo Acoustic Folk Rock (Guitar)
Activities
- Kiddie Zone featuring coloring, painting, and giant lawn games
- Farmers’ Market
- Community Seating Area
Special Programming
- FREE Ice Cream
- FREE Popcorn
- FREE Airbrush Tattoos
- Community Prize Draws + Giveaways
Vendors
- Zephyr Bee Honey
- Kinsip House of Fine Spirits
- Gaia Organics
- Blend Society
- Magic Oven
- Tun Up Hot Sauce
- The Pop Stand
- Lunar Rhythm Gardens
- Garlicky
- The Smokeman House Bar & Grill
- Naturaw
W2 August 6 — Crafted in the Village
Celebrate creativity at Crafted in the Village! Discover talented local makers, get hands-on with interactive workshops, and create something uniquely yours. From custom keepsakes to fun family activities, this is the perfect afternoon to explore, shop, and unleash your creativity while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of the Upper Village.
Live Performances
- 3:00 PM – Jesse Seberras · Solo Acoustic Guitar Folk
- 4:00 PM – Spectral Eyes · Solo Synthpop
- 5:00 PM – Erica Red · Solo Acoustic Rock
- 6:00 PM – Blackout Orchestra · Solo Lofi Post Pop
Activities
- Farmers’ Market
- Community Seating Area
- Jewellery Making Workshop
- Pottery Painting Booth
- Custom Fluid Bear Keychain Workshops (while supplies last)
- Live Caricature Artist
- Balloon Twisting
Special Programming
- FREE Cotton Candy
- Community Prize Draws + Giveaways
Vendors
- Kinsip House of Fine Spirits
- Gaia Organics
- Blend Society
- Magic Oven
- The Pop Stand
- Lunar Rhythm Gardens
- Garlicky
- Naturaw
- Refillery Market
- Diva Jewlz Designs
W3 August 13 — Community Gardening Day
Get growing at Community Garden Day! Celebrate the beauty of summer, connect with your community, and get creative with hands-on garden-inspired activities. From building your own bouquet and terrarium to exploring local vendors and enjoying live music, there’s plenty to discover. Bring the family, grab a snow cone, and spend the afternoon enjoying everything the Upper Village community has to offer!
Live Performances
- 3:00 PM – Jesse Seberras · Solo Acoustic Guitar Folk
- 4:00 PM – Black1ce · Jazz Funk
- 5:00 PM – Ryan Gaio · Indie Rock
- 6:00 PM – Black1ce · Jazz Funk
Activities
- Farmers’ Market
- Community Seating Area
- Bouquet Making Workshop
- Terrarium Workshop
- Seasonal Pot Workshop
Special Programming
- FREE Snow Cones
- FREE Face Painting
- Community Prize Draws + Giveaways
Vendors
- Kinsip House of Fine Spirits
- Zephyr Bee Honey
- Magic Oven
- The Pop Stand
- Lunar Rhythm Gardens
- Garlicky
- Naturaw
- Tun Up Hot Sauce
- Anga’s Farm
- Ecovine
- Magical World
- Maarte Flowers
W4 August 20 — Village Wellness Day This Week
Take a moment to move, recharge, and reconnect at Village Wellness Day! Join us for an afternoon dedicated to health, fitness, self-care, and community. Whether you want to try a workout, cool off in a cold plunge, explore wellness services, or simply relax and enjoy the atmosphere, there’s something for everyone. Come ready to move, unwind, and leave feeling refreshed!
Wellness Programming
- 4:15 PM – Youth & Teen Performance · SXS Fitness (ages 8–16)
- 5:15 PM – Boxing Bootcamp · SXS Fitness
- 6:15 PM – CrossFit Bootcamp · SXS Fitness
- All afternoon – Cold plunge, wellness café & consultations
Activities
- Farmers’ Market
- Community Seating Area
- Fitness Classes
- Cold Plunge
- Wellness Café
Special Programming
- Live DJ
- Fitness classes and demonstrations throughout the afternoon
- Wellness consultations and complimentary services
- Cold plunge experience
- Community Prize Draws + Giveaways
Vendors
- Kinsip House of Fine Spirits
- Zephyr Bee Honey
- Magic Oven
- The Pop Stand
- Lunar Rhythm Gardens
- Garlicky
- Naturaw
- Tun Up Hot Sauce
- Anga’s Farm
- Ecovine
- Magical World
- Maarte Flowers
W5 August 27 — Rhythm on the Hill
Turn up the rhythm at Rhythm on the Hill! Get ready for an afternoon filled with music, movement, and community. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or stepping onto the dance floor for the first time, come learn some new moves, enjoy the market, and dance the afternoon away with your neighbours!
Dance Classes
- 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM · Salsa Dance Lesson
- 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM · Bachata Dance Lesson
Activities
- Farmers’ Market
- Community Seating Area
- Dance Classes
Special Programming
- Live DJ
- Salsa Dance Lesson — 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
- Bachata Dance Lesson — 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- Community Prize Draws + Giveaways
Vendors
- Zephyr Bee Honey
- Kinsip House of Fine Spirits
- Magic Oven
- The Pop Stand
- Lunar Rhythm Gardens
- Naturaw
- Donna’s Crafts
Bring your friends, grab your dancing shoes, and get ready to move to the rhythm!
W6 September 3 — Savour the Village
Entertainment
- Schedule TBA
Activities
- Activities TBA
Vendors & Featured Performers
- TBA
Special Programming
- TBA
W7 September 10 — Family Fun Fest
Entertainment
- Schedule TBA
Activities
- Activities TBA
Vendors & Featured Performers
- TBA
Special Programming
- TBA
W8 September 17 — Screen in the Green · Movie Night
Entertainment
- Schedule TBA
Activities
- Activities TBA
Vendors & Featured Performers
- TBA
Special Programming
- TBA
W9 September 24 — Last Call in the Village · Beer Garden Finale
Entertainment
- Schedule TBA
Activities
- Activities TBA
Vendors & Featured Performers
- TBA
Special Programming
- Season finale programming TBA
Wellness Experiences
Village Wellness Day brings three local wellness partners to Hilltop Green for the afternoon. Drop in for a class, take the plunge, or book a complimentary consultation.
Take the Plunge
Thrive Collective
Take the plunge and try a refreshing cold-water experience! Guests are encouraged to bring a bathing suit and towel.
Fitness Programming
SXS Fitness
- 4:15 PM — Youth & Teen Performance (ages 8–16)
- 5:15 PM — Boxing Bootcamp (everyone welcome)
- 6:15 PM — CrossFit Bootcamp (everyone welcome)
Wellness Café & Services
Curate Health
- Wellness Café
- FREE 15-minute Stretch Therapy
- Wellness consultations & postural assessments
- Blood pressure checks
- Tongue & pulse assessments
- Psychotherapist on-site
No sign-up needed — drop by the Curate Health tent any time during the event.
Digital Passport Program
Make every visit count with the Upper Village Summer Series Digital Passport — our free digital loyalty program that rewards you for attending our weekly events!
Sign Up
Sign up for your free Digital Passport.
Add to Your Wallet
Add it to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for quick and easy access.
Scan to Check In
Visit each Summer Festival event and scan the event QR code to check in.
🎟️ How It Works
Grand Prize: Valued at $500
- Attend 1 event and receive 1 entry into the end-of-season prize draw.
- Attend 5 or more events and earn 10 bonus entries.
- Attend all 9 events and earn 20 bonus entries.
One lucky winner will be selected at the end of the season to receive the $500 Grand Prize.
Live Entertainment
Music plays throughout the afternoon, every Thursday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Pull up a lawn chair and stay for the whole set list.
🎧 This Week’s Lineup
Live DJ
Spinning all afternoon for Village Wellness Day
Vendors
Browse local makers, retailers, and food vendors every Thursday. Vendors take part on a range of dates through the season — check back as new vendors are confirmed.
Gaia Organics
Refillery Market
Zephyr Bee Honey
Kinsip House of Fine Spirits
Blend Society Inc
Magic Oven
Diva Jewlz
Tun Up Hot Sauce
Asirí’s Treasures
The Pop Stand
Garlicky Mediterranean Grill
Lunar Rhythms Garden
The Smokeman House Bar & Grill
Naturaw
Want a spot at the festival?
Apply to Be a VendorOur Sponsors
It Takes a Village Festival is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors and community partners.
This project has been funded by the City of Toronto’s TERI FUND, as a part of Government of Canada support through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
Support a vibrant community event while increasing your brand’s visibility. Explore sponsorship opportunities and help make this summer unforgettable.
Sponsor FormVolunteer With Us
Be part of the team behind the Upper Village Summer Series! Volunteer with us, gain event experience, and help create memorable community experiences.
Whether you can join us for one Thursday or all nine, we'd love your help.
Volunteer roles include:
- Event setup & teardown
- Info booth & passport stamping
- Family activity stations
- Vendor & performer support
- Community ambassadors
Frequently Asked Questions
Is admission free?
Yes! All Upper Village Summer Series events are free to attend and open to everyone.
Do I need to register?
No registration is required. Simply come by and enjoy the event! Some activities may have limited capacity and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Where can I park?
Paid parking will be available at 995 Eglinton Ave W. Additional street parking and nearby public parking may also be available.
How do I get there by transit?
The event is easily accessible by TTC. Please check the TTC Trip Planner before travelling for the most up-to-date routes and schedules.
Is the event accessible?
Yes. The event site is wheelchair accessible, and we strive to make our programming welcoming and inclusive for all visitors.
Is the event pet-friendly?
Yes! Well-behaved pets are welcome. Please keep all pets leashed and clean up after them.
What happens if it rains?
The event will take place rain or shine whenever possible. In the event of severe weather or unsafe conditions, updates will be shared on our website and social media channels.
Will food and drinks be available?
Yes! Enjoy a variety of local food vendors, restaurants, and seasonal treats available throughout the event.
How can I stay updated?
Follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter to receive event updates, weekly themes, and special announcements.
Contact Us
Questions about the festival, vendor spots, sponsorship, or volunteering? We'd love to hear from you.
Follow along for weekly announcements: Instagram @uppervillageto
It Takes a Village Festival · Presented by the Upper Village BIA · Every Thursday, July 30 – September 24, 2026
