Toronto’s beloved music festival and summer mainstay, the Beaches Jazz Festival, returns from July 2 – 26, 2026 to celebrate its 38th year of unparalleled music from both established and emerging artists.

The Beaches International Jazz Festival is a month-long music festival held each year in the lakeside Beaches community of Toronto in July. It’s now one of Canada’s largest free jazz festivals with nearly 1,000,000 attendees throughout its month-long span. The Festival takes place across several venues; stage concerts are held in several different parks within the area and also along a two-kilometre stretch of the Beach’s main street during StreetFest – Queen Street East.

Every year, the Festival brings in internationally acclaimed jazz performers while also showcasing local talent, including “new generation” jazz musicians. The Festival now hires around 1000 artists per annum, including 50 bands for its “StreetFest” event along Queen Street East. The Festival offers concerts at various locations: the Woodbine Park Main Stage, Jimmie Simpson Park Main Stage, and Big Band Stage. The Festival holds a Workshop and Lecture Series which varies each year and is programmed to appeal to both professional musicians and to the general jazz-loving public.

2026 Festival Highlights

• Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside | Jimmie Simpson Park | July 2 – 4, 2026
  A vibrant weekend of live music, local talent, food vendors, and community spirit, transforming Jimmie Simpson Park into an open-air celebration of sound, culture, and neighbourhood vibes.
• Salsa on the Beach | Woodbine Park | July 10 – 12, 2026
  Feel the rhythm at this lively beachfront celebration featuring salsa bands, dance lessons, DJs, and energetic performances, inviting everyone to move, mingle, and enjoy summer vibes by the lake.
• TD WEEKEND | Main Stage, Woodbine Park | July 17 – 19, 2026
  A high-energy weekend of major performances, diverse musical genres, and exciting cultural experiences on the Main Stage, drawing festival-goers for unforgettable outdoor entertainment in Woodbine Park.
• STREETFEST | Queen St. East | July 23 – 25, 2026
  Queen St. East comes alive with outdoor patios, live bands, pop-up performances, vendors, and family-friendly fun, turning the neighbourhood into a bustling, music-filled street party all weekend.
• OLG Weekend Series | Woodbine Park | July 24 – 26, 2026
  A dynamic weekend featuring crowd-pleasing concerts, interactive activities, and community programming, offering engaging entertainment for all ages within the relaxed, festival-style setting of Woodbine Park.
• TD Workshops Series | TBA
  Hands-on music workshops led by accomplished artists, offering interactive learning, cultural exploration, and creative engagement for participants of all ages, with dates and locations to be announced soon.