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Experiencing the Festival on September 14, 2025

A Family Day Full of Culture, Food, and Music

The annual Toronto Ukrainian Festival took place this year from September 12–14, 2025 in the heart of Bloor West Village. Known as the largest Ukrainian street festival in North America, it stretches along Bloor Street West between Jane and Runnymede subway stations.

Although the festival lasted for three days and featured a spectacular parade, our wedding photography schedule only allowed us to visit on the last day, Sunday, September 14. As soon as we stepped out of the subway station, we were greeted by the sight of amusement rides and the lively sounds of Ukrainian music echoing down the street.

Buying tickets for the rides was simple — all the prices and required number of tickets were clearly displayed at the counters. Some attractions even allowed payment directly by card, making the experience quick and easy. Our first stop was the Ferris wheel, where we rode together with our daughter Anya and enjoyed a beautiful view of Toronto’s skyline above the festival.

Alt text: Vintage Ferris wheel against a blue sky with fluffy clouds, featuring colorful seats and metal framework, at an outdoor amusement park.
Inflatable dragon-themed ride at a street fair, surrounded by a metal fence, with a brown brick building and trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A bustling urban street during a daytime festival, with people enjoying activities and carnival rides, surrounded by buildings and lush green trees, under a partly cloudy sky.
A vibrant street food market featuring a Ukrainian BBQ stand with a colorful banner reading Real BBQ Street Food and Ukrainian Grill House. Customers browse freshly prepared food displayed on tables under a blue canopy, enhancing the lively atmosphere of the outdoor market.

Ukrainian Food, Merch, and Community Spirit

After the rides, we walked into the heart of the festival, and the smell of food immediately drew us closer. The street was lined with vendors offering authentic Ukrainian dishes such as:

  • Varenyky (dumplings)
  • Grilled shashlik
  • Borscht served hot
  • Pancakes and stuffed crepes
  • Homemade pastries and sweets

Every corner of the festival felt like a journey back to Ukraine. Beyond food, there were stalls with traditional embroidered clothing (vyshyvanky), handmade crafts, souvenirs, and unique festival merchandise. Many tents also collected donations for Ukraine, raising funds to support the country during the ongoing war with Russia.

Street food market stall featuring a variety of dishes, including rice, cookies, and skewers, with a vendor and customers in the background.
Grilled chicken skewers sizzling on an outdoor barbecue grill, showcasing a delicious summertime cookout scene.
Outdoor street festival with a diverse crowd. People are browsing vendor stalls on a sunny day, featuring food trucks, market tents, and lush greenery under a partly cloudy sky.
Man taking a selfie in the reflection of a mirror at an outdoor event, surrounded by promotional materials for immigration services in Canada, with red balloons and informational banners visible.

Music, Dance, and Stages Across the Festival

One of the most impressive aspects of the Toronto Ukrainian Festival is its live performance program. A massive stage stood at the center of the event, where talented dance ensembles and singers performed throughout the day. We also noticed that there wasn’t just one stage — the festival hosted several performance areas with simultaneous concerts, folk music, and cultural showcases.

The energy was contagious — children in colorful traditional outfits, professional dance groups, and enthusiastic audiences all celebrating Ukrainian culture together.

Exterior view of St. Pius X Parish Catholic Church, featuring a prominent welcome sign and a decorative wall with stained glass accents. People are casually standing and sitting outside the entrance, creating a sense of community engagement.
Rack of traditional embroidered blouses at an outdoor market stall under a blue sky, showcasing Eastern European folk clothing patterns in vibrant colors.
Young girl wearing a straw hat, holding a purple stuffed animal outdoors on a sunny day.
Two vibrant Adirondack chairs in blue and yellow sit on a concrete sidewalk against a stone building exterior, capturing a cozy outdoor setting.

More Than a Ukrainian Festival

What makes the Toronto Ukrainian Festival truly unique is that it isn’t just about Ukrainian businesses. Alongside cultural vendors, there were also Canadian companies, banks, and local organizations taking part. They offered games, free giveaways, and entertainment to engage with the community.

This combination of Ukrainian heritage with Canadian multiculturalism created a warm, welcoming atmosphere where everyone — regardless of background — could enjoy the day.

Street festival at a bustling city intersection with people exploring vendor stalls under a white canopy. A brick building with various storefronts, including a Lebanese food shop and a burger place, serves as the backdrop. Pedestrians walk across the crosswalk, and informational displays are set up throughout the area. Street signs and traffic lights are visible.

Captured on Film with the Pentax 17

All photos in this article were shot on the brand-new Pentax 17 half-frame film camera using Kodak Portra 400. The Pentax 17 turned out to be the perfect companion for documenting the vibrant colors, food, and atmosphere of the festival.

If you’d like to learn more about this camera and see how it performs in real wedding photography, check out my detailed review here:
👉 Wedding Photography with the Pentax 17

Outdoor stall representing Ivan Franko Homes at a community event with two people in traditional attire, promotional materials, and colorful decorations, set against a brick building background.
A young girl wearing a straw hat smiles warmly while holding a purple plush toy, with sunlight creating patterns through the hat's weave.
Crowded street festival with people enjoying food stalls and outdoor vendors under a blue sky on Durie Street.
A diverse group of people sits together on white chairs under a sunny sky at an outdoor festival. They are positioned near a large white canopy tent, surrounded by trees and brick buildings, suggesting a lively community event in an urban setting.
Two young girls in traditional Ukrainian attire perform a folk dance at an outdoor cultural festival, surrounded by people in traditional costumes.
Ferris wheel next to Mimi's Mini Donuts food truck at a street fair, with sunny sky and people enjoying the attractions.
Street fair scene with a diverse crowd on a sunny day, featuring carnival games and a person wearing a blue and yellow flag.
Young girl in a striped dress playing a colorful balloon dart game at a carnival, surrounded by plush toys and a price sign, under a sunny sky.
A young girl in a blue and white striped dress stands in front of a wrought iron fence, wearing a sun hat and pink sneakers, with a brick building and green lawn in the background.
Outdoor festival performance on the Temerty Festival Stage featuring a group of dancers in colorful traditional costumes, with a large crowd gathered under a partly cloudy sky in an urban setting.

A Family Tradition Worth Experiencing

Visiting the Toronto Ukrainian Festival with family is an unforgettable experience. From rides and delicious food to music, dancing, and cultural pride, the event reflects the resilience and joy of the Ukrainian community in Toronto.

Even though we could only attend on the final day, we left with full hearts, full stomachs, and lots of memories captured on film. For us, this festival is not just an event — it’s a tradition we look forward to continuing every year.

Ukrainian Festival in Toronto 2025

TORONTO EVENTS

September 14, 2025

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