Taste of the Danforth Festival Canceled Again for 2024

The annual Taste of the Danforth festival in Toronto has been canceled for a second consecutive year. This popular event, which celebrates Greek culture through food, music, and entertainment in the city’s Greektown neighborhood, was set to take place during the second week of August 2024.

The cancellation is attributed to a failure by the festival organizers to apply for necessary permits and funding. According to a statement from the office of Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, “The organizers did not apply for either festival funding or a street permit for this year. No permit or funding applications in 2025.”

The absence of food vendors and live performances this weekend marks a significant loss for the community, which had anticipated the festival’s lively atmosphere. In an email to the Toronto Sun, the executive director of the Greektown Business Improvement Area (BIA) indicated that she was not authorized to provide comments on the situation. However, the chair of the Greektown BIA shared with CTV that efforts are underway to revive the festival for next year.

Last year, the festival was also canceled due to funding constraints, which has raised concerns about its future viability. Attempts to reach Paula Fletcher, the Toronto City Councillor representing the area, for additional comments were unsuccessful before the deadline. Fletcher had previously mentioned to CTV that the usual organizer for the event was unavailable this year.

The Taste of the Danforth festival has become a long-standing tradition in Toronto, drawing thousands of visitors who enjoy the vibrant celebration of Greek heritage. The community hopes that with renewed efforts and support, the festival can return in 2025, bringing back the beloved experience of “Opa!” and plate smashing that defines this cultural event.