A celebration of creativity, culture and community on the city’s waterfront to feature art, food, entertainment and more
The Waterfront BIA today announced details for the inaugural Water/Fall Festival, a free-to-attend arts and culture festival coming to Toronto’s vibrant waterfront neighbourhood over two action-packed weekends this autumn – September 27th and 28th and October 4th and 5th.
With fall-inspired activities happening at popular destinations along the waterfront, including Toronto Music Garden, Harbourfront Centre, HTO Park and Spadina Pier, Toronto’s newest festival promises something for everyone.
Visitors of all ages will enjoy a variety of dynamic programming, including interactive public art installations (on and off water), food & drink markets, a ‘makers’ shop, live music and dance performances, boat tours and more.
To launch the Water/Fall Festival, the Bentway sets sail with A Lake Story, a bold new public art performance by internationally renowned artist Melissa McGill, featuring over 100+ colourfully choreographed canoes paddling across Toronto’s waterfront. Presented on Lake Ontario itself, this dynamic processional performance will unfold over September 27 and 28, uniting nature, art and community in a large-scale celebration of water and place.
“Locals and visitors are all invited to experience Toronto’s waterfront in a new way this Fall — with a trail of markets, events and art exhibits across a two kilometre stretch of Queens Quay,” said Tim Kocur, Executive Director, The Waterfront BIA. “Framed by the colour of changing leaves and crisp autumn air, the Water/Fall Festival will be a way to rediscover the energy of the waterfront through food, arts and culture experiences and live entertainment.”
The Water/Fall Festival is proudly presented by a coalition of waterfront partners including the Waterfront BIA, PortsToronto, Billy Bishop Airport, Nieuport Aviation with Harbourfront Centre, The Bentway, OCAD, Waterfront Toronto, Ontario Culture Days, StreetEats, Union Station and OCAF.
Stay tuned – additional Water/Fall Festival details and programming to be announced in early September.
Toronto Waterfront; photo credit Harbourfront Centre
Toronto Waterfront; photo credit: WBIA
The Water/Fall Festival has also been financially assisted by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund a program of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation
2025 Water/Fall Festival
Saturday, September 27th and Sunday, September 28th
Saturday October 4th and Sunday, October 5th
Locations, hours and programming details to be released soon
Website: waterfallfestival.ca
Instagram: @waterfrontbia
Facebook: @waterfrontbia
