Welcome to my Canadian 2026 food-and-drink bucket list.

As a full-time writer at BuzzFeed, I cover books, relationships, and my weekly pop culture recap quiz, Double Pop.

Where: REVIVAL, 783 College Street, Toronto, ON M6G 1C5

What to expect: Unlimited pancakes, live DJs and musicians, local art on the walls, and body painting. 

Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre (North Building), 255 Front St W., Toronto, ON, M5V 2W6

Cost: $17 CAD online, or $25 CAD at the door

What to expect: Samples, showcases, mixology classes, live music, expert chefs, and 200 of the best food and drink brands.

Where: Saskatoon Prairieland Park, 503 Ruth Street West, Hall B

Cost: $22 CAD online, $35 CAD at the door

What to expect: 200 different liquor and food samples from across the prairies from over 50 booths. 

Where: Various venues in Powassan, ON, P0H 1Z0

What to expect: An outdoor family-friendly festival with maple treats, pancake flipping contests, tours, crafts, vendors, and activities. 

When: Weekends and holidays only, April 24–October 12, 2026 

Where: 8351 River Rd, Richmond, BC V6X 1Y4

Cost: $7 CAD for general admission. Food purchases available. Kids under 7 are free.

What to expect: One of the largest night markets in North America, famous for its wide variety of Asian street food — takoyaki, grilled skewers, bubble waffles, ramen burgers, and desserts — plus live entertainment and booths for games. 

Where: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON, M5H 2N3

Cost: Free entry. Food purchases available. 

What to expect: An outdoor food, culture, and art festival celebrating diverse halal cuisine, community, and the arts. 

Where: Commissioners Park, Dow’s Lake, Ottawa, ON K1S 4N7

Cost: Free entry. Some optional activities and purchases are available.

What to expect: Massive tulip displays, food vendors, markets, outdoor movies, and evening light shows.

Where: Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 6050 176 St, Surrey, BC V3S 1V3

Cost: Entry donations encouraged. Food purchases available.

What to expect: One of the biggest food truck events in the Vancouver area, featuring 30–40 food trucks, live music, a beer garden, contests, and a family-friendly kid zone.

When: Dates are typically mid-June. 2026 dates are yet to be confirmed.

Where: College Street (Little Italy), Toronto, ON M6G 1A9

Cost: Free entry. Food purchases available.

What to expect: A street festival celebrating Italian culture and cuisine. Pizza, pasta, gelato, espresso, patios spilling into the street, live music, dancing, and family-friendly activities. 

Where: PNE Playland, 2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V5K 5J1

What to expect: A modern, high-energy wine festival with curated wines from around the world, guided tastings with industry experts, chef pop-ups, and a lively outdoor atmosphere inside Playland — including rides and entertainment. 

When: The first Friday of each month, May–October 2026 

Where: Olympic Park (Parc Olympique), 4141 Pierre-de Coubertin Ave, Montreal, QC H1V 3N7

Cost: Free entry. Food purchases available.

What to expect: 40+ food trucks serving everything from gourmet burgers and poutine to global street food. Expect live music, DJs, picnic-style seating, and new vendors each month.

Where: Centennial Park, 256 Centennial Park Rd, Etobicoke, ON M9C 5N3

Cost: Entry donations encouraged. Food purchases available.

What to expect: One of the largest ribfests in North America. BBQ ribs, pulled pork, brisket, corn on the cob, and classic fair food, plus live music, a beer garden, and a Canada Day fireworks show. 

Where: Stampede Park, 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2W1

Cost: $25 CAD general admission. Food purchases available.

What to expect: Over-the-top, experimental fair food — deep-fried everything, extreme milkshakes, loaded BBQ, and viral food trends. As well as rides, games, live entertainment, and rodeo events.

Where: Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 1N2 

Cost: Free entry. Food purchases available.

What to expect: A street festival celebrating Greek culture and cuisine, live music, dance performances, and family activities.

Where: 58 Festival St, Shediac, NB E4P 1S4 

Cost: Site access is often free. Concerts, special events, food, and drink purchases available. 

What to expect: Fresh lobster dinners, seafood tastings, cooking demos, competitions, live music, and family-friendly activities.

When: July 24–26, 2026 (typically held the last weekend of July; exact dates TBC)

Where: Toronto Events Centre, 15 Saskatchewan Rd, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3

Cost: $45–$65 CAD for general admission. Drink tokens extra. 

What to expect: A beer festival showcasing 100+ breweries with hundreds of beers, cider, seltzer, and food to try from around the world. Expect an outdoor party with live music, beer sampling, and games. 

Where: Charlottetown Event Grounds, 360 Grafton St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 1L7

Cost: $10 CAD for an afternoon pass. $40–$70 CAD for weekend pass. Food experiences and premium event purchases available. 

What to expect: Fresh oysters, mussels, lobster, and other seafood, plus celebrity chef demos, cooking competitions, live music, and tasting events. Expect a lively maritime celebration filled with casual samplings and high-end culinary experiences.

Where: Riverside Park, 49 King St W, Cambridge, ON N3H 1B5

Cost: Free entry. Food and drink purchases available.

What to expect: Award-winning BBQ teams serving ribs, brisket, and pulled pork, with live music and other activities. 

Where: The Confluence, 750 9 Avenue SE Calgary, AB T2G 5E1

What to expect: All things pink, all things wine, a cocktail garden, and live DJ music. 

Where: Montebello Park, 64 Ontario St, St. Catharines, ON L2R 5J6 (plus various wineries across the Niagara region)

Cost: Site access is often free. Special events, tours, tasting, and activity purchases available — as well as food and drink purchases. 

What to expect: A wine festival celebrating the Niagara region's harvest season. Expect wine tastings from dozens of local wineries, vineyard tours, parades, live music, and food pairings. 

Cost: $50–$200+ CAD (Events and experiences are all paid separately) 

What to expect: A Newfoundland culinary festival focused on local and seasonal food and ingredients. Chef-led outdoor feasts, wild game, seafood, fire-cooked meals, storytelling, and cultural experiences.

Where: PNE Forum, 2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V5K 5J1 

Cost: $35–$70 CAD general admission. Food and drinks purchases available.

What to expect: A Bavarian-style harvest festival inspired by Oktoberfest, featuring craft beer, cider, Oktoberfest-style brews, sausages, pretzels, schnitzel, and other German-inspired foods.

Where: Multiple venues across Kitchener-Waterloo, ON 

Cost: $10–$30 CAD, plus food and drink purchases available. 

What to expect: Canada's largest Oktoberfest and one of the biggest outside Germany. Beer halls (festhallen), traditional German food, live music, dancing, and cultural events. There's also a famous Thanksgiving Day parade.

Where: 23 Commercial St, Wolfville, NS B4P 1A1 

Cost: $15–$150+ CAD (price per film and culinary experience) 

What to expect: A unique festival that blends food, film, and culinary culture, featuring food-themed movies, tasting events, workshops, and curated dining experiences.

Where: Whistler Conference Centre, 4010 Whistler Way, Whistler, BC V8E 1J2 (and other various venues around Whistler) 

What to expect: A premier food and wine festival featuring wine tastings, cocktail seminars, chef-led dinners, and culinary workshops. A mix of casual and high-end dining experiences, all set in a scenic mountain resort.

Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2W6

Cost: $20–$35 CAD general admission. Food and drink purchases available. 

What to expect: A chocolate lover's dream featuring artisan chocolatiers, pastry chefs, tastings, live demonstrations, fashion shows with chocolate-themed designs, and workshops.

Where: Distillery Historic District, 55 Mill St, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4

Cost: Admission is free on weekdays before evening hours; paid entry during peak evenings and weekends. Food and drink purchases available.

What to expect: A holiday market with festive food stalls, mulled wine, hot chocolate, and seasonal treats. Expect a European-style Christmas market atmosphere with twinkling lights, a giant Christmas tree, live entertainment, shopping, and cozy winter vibes in a historic setting. 

Where: Old Québec (Vieux-Québec), 16 Rue de Buade, Québec City, QC G1R 4A1 (main sites include Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville & surrounding streets)

Cost: Free entry. Food and drink purchases available.

What to expect: An authentic German-style Christmas market in the heart of Old Québec, featuring traditional European holiday foods like bratwurst, pretzels, roasted nuts, mulled wine, and gingerbread.

Where: Atwater Market (Marché Atwater), 138 Atwater Ave, Montreal, QC H4C 2H6

Cost: Free entry. Food and drink purchases available.

What to expect: A charming, European-style holiday market featuring local Québec food producers, festive treats, mulled wine, baked goods, and artisan vendors.