The Word on the Street Toronto Festival

The Word On The Street Toronto is Canada’s largest free literary festival, celebrating storytelling, ideas, and the power of books to connect communities. Taking place September 26–27, 2026, at David Pecaut Square in downtown Toronto, the festival transforms the city into a vibrant hub for readers, writers, and publishers of all kinds.

Over two days, audiences can experience an exciting lineup of author readings, thought-provoking conversations, workshops, and performances across multiple stages. The festival also features a bustling marketplace of publishers, booksellers, and literary organizations, offering a unique opportunity to discover new voices, explore diverse perspectives, and connect directly with the people behind the books.

Committed to accessibility, inclusion, and community engagement, The Word On The Street Toronto showcases a wide range of stories that reflect the richness and diversity of Canadian and Indigenous voices and authors. From emerging writers to celebrated authors, the festival creates space for meaningful dialogue and creative exchange.

Whether you’re a lifelong reader, an aspiring writer, or simply curious, The Word On The Street Toronto invites you to explore, learn, and be inspired, completely free of charge.

September 26 from 11:00am – 6:00pm

September 27 from 10:00am – 5:00pm

The Very Silly Summer Slam

The Very Silly Summer Slam is Concrete Cabaret’s all ages outdoor experimental puppetry and performing object cabaret. We offer a platform for local performing artists to experiment with materials on stage, in front of a curious audience. You never know what you’re going to see! In previous outdoor cabaret’s we have welcomed a stilt-walking butterfly, a worm queen with 20 work servants, a pair of evil racoons, and a small story about a giant dragon. The Very Silly Summer Slam will feature a collection of short 5-10 minutes pieces, some raucous music, and some silly snacks.

Our outdoor summer cabarets are always offered as a pay-what-you-can experience to an all ages crowd. Come and join us for some radical summer fun!

Performances at 2pm and 4pm

Summer Music in the Garden: The Happenstancers

Welcome to the 25th season of Summer Music in the Garden!

Summer Music in the Garden is an intimate live music experience by the waterfront, occurring Thursdays at 7pm and Sundays at 4pm all summer. Presenting a multicultural slate of songs, sounds and stories, the Music Garden can be a place of joyful discovery or a reminder of a home far away. Featuring 20 free performances Canadian musicians and celebrated local artists, this year’s Summer Music in the Garden highlights include the classical storytelling of Juno nominee Julie Lumsden, the Afrocentric choral music of The Nathaniel Dett Chorale, the electric Cuban rhythms of Montano Cubano and the Western, Classical, Persian fusion of Ladom Ensemble.

BEING: PASCALKAIJA – A hybrid ensemble for the 21st century, communicating powerful narratives about the world we live in.

June 21: The Sovereignty of Song featuring Julie Lumsden

June 25: Garden Rhythms: Taiko Among the Trees featuring Nagata Shachu Japanese Taiko and Music Group

June 28: And Still We Sing… Walk Together, Children featuring The Nathaniel Dett Chorale

July 2: Sofreh Tisch featuring Ladom Ensemble

July 5: Paisajes Argentinos featuring El Ceibo

July 9: Most Definitely Toronto Music featuring Alex Lukashevsky and Mayme Joach

July 12: Bringing The Heat featuring Montuno Cubano

July 16: From the Highlands to the Heartland featuring Duncan Cameron

July 19: Acalypha featuring Labyrinth Ensemble

July 23: Summertime Swing featuring The Sweet Hots

July 26: Rhythm Speaks Many Languages featuring Agneya

July 30: It’s A Gut Feeling featuring Arparla and Elixir Baroque Ensemble

August 2: Gather Ye Rosebuds featuring Rosebud String Quartet

August 6: It’s A Groove Thing featuring The Heavyweights Brass Band

August 9: Where I Am Is What I Need featuring Tara Kannangara and Chris Pruden

August 13: Songs of Stolen Children featuring Daughters of Donbas

August 16: You Don’t Think About Me featuring Madeleine Roger

August 20: Persian Psychedelia featuring Neda Mohamadpour

August 23: Journey to the Middle East featuring Al Qahwa

August 27: BEING: PASCALKAIJA featuring The Happenstancers

Summer Music in the Garden: Neda Mohamadpour

Welcome to the 25th season of Summer Music in the Garden!

Summer Music in the Garden is an intimate live music experience by the waterfront, occurring Thursdays at 7pm and Sundays at 4pm all summer. Presenting a multicultural slate of songs, sounds and stories, the Music Garden can be a place of joyful discovery or a reminder of a home far away. Featuring 20 free performances Canadian musicians and celebrated local artists, this year’s Summer Music in the Garden highlights include the classical storytelling of Juno nominee Julie Lumsden, the Afrocentric choral music of The Nathaniel Dett Chorale, the electric Cuban rhythms of Montano Cubano and the Western, Classical, Persian fusion of Ladom Ensemble.

Persian Psychedelia – Folk songs about moving from the distant homeland of Iran to a new home in Toronto.