Scarborough's Massive Taste of Lawrence Festival Returns This July With 180+ Vendors

Mark your calendars, because one of the GTA’s biggest summer kickoffs is just weeks away. Taste of Lawrence, presented by TD, hits Scarborough’s Wexford Heights neighbourhood from July 3 to 5, and organizers promise this 22nd edition is bigger than ever.

Over 180 vendors will line a stretch of Lawrence Avenue East between Warden and Birchmount. The free three-day event blends street food, live music, soccer celebrations and family fun in one of the city’s most beloved summer traditions.

Here’s everything happening at this year’s festival.

What To Expect At Taste Of Lawrence 2026

A massive crowd gathered in front of the main stage under the Taste of Lawrence banner at the Wexford BIA event. — *Photo via Taste of Lawrence 2026 — Wexford Heights BIA*

Festival-goers won’t go hungry. Vendors will serve dishes from around the world, including jerk chicken, curries and countless other street eats.

The Wexford Heights BIA, which represents over 250 local businesses, organizes the event each year. This year’s theme leans hard into global soccer excitement, with a brand-new addition built specifically for the sport’s biggest fans.

A few quick facts about this year’s edition:

Dates: July 3–5, 2026
Location: Lawrence Avenue East, between Warden and Birchmount
Admission: Free
Vendors: Over 180, offering food, products and cultural showcases
Founded by: Councillor Michael Thompson

A World Tour Of Food Awaits On Lawrence Ave

This year’s vendor lineup reads like a passport stamp collection. Specialty vendors will represent Colombia, Jamaica, China, Turkey, South Korea, Belgium, Nigeria, Canada, Ecuador, Mexico and Brazil, among many others.

A few standout stalls to watch for:

Tropical Foods (Jamaica) and Crazy Snack Inc. (Colombia)
Sunny Hotdog (Turkey) and Chung Chun Rice Hotdog (South Korea)
Nigeria Palace Restaurant and Beaver Tails (Canada)
Hyper Acai (Brazil) and Picante Mix (Mexico)
Super Smash Juice (Belgium) and Mis Amigos Festival Catering (Ecuador)

Sports apparel fans can also browse booths from OneUp International Inc. and Stitched Legends.

The New TOL Soccer Hub Steals The Spotlight

This year’s festival introduces the all-new TOL Soccer Hub, set up at Lawrence Avenue East and Birchmount. The dedicated space brings a mini soccer pitch right to the street, plus free workshops, a giant LED foosball table, soccer darts and an AI photo booth.

Soccer fans can also catch giveaways, interactive experiences and watch parties for matches throughout the weekend. Big-screen viewings run alongside the festival’s main attractions, so fans never have to choose between the game and the grub.

Free soccer workshops run multiple times daily across all three days, with sessions starting as early as noon and running into the evening — check the festival map on-site for exact workshop times near you.

Kids Can Compete In A 3v3 Soccer Tournament

Young athletes get their own spotlight this year. White Haven Community FC, a volunteer-run non-profit soccer club, is hosting a three-day 3v3 tournament as part of the Soccer Hub.

Here’s what teams need to know:

Players must be between 10 and 12 years old
Teams need 6 players total (3 on the field, 3 substitutes)
Mixed, boys’ or girls’ teams are all welcome
A $10 per-player commitment fee confirms registration
Parental or guardian consent is required for all participants

The tournament runs a group stage followed by playoff rounds, with 28 total matches across the weekend. The Championship Final lands on Sunday, July 5, and all championship players take home medals, with extra prizes for the winning team.

Live Entertainment Runs All Weekend Long

The festivities kick off Friday, July 3 with the Opening Ceremony at the Main Stage at 6 p.m., followed by the Kick-Off Parade from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Expect vibrant multicultural dance performances from groups including Taposh Dance Group, Bluewave, Habeeba Dance Company, Sunny Tang Lion Dance Troupe, Carnival Nationz and 3S Harmony Dance Group.

*Photo via Taste of Lawrence 2026 — Wexford Heights BIA*

The Main Stage features Canada’s top tribute bands alongside rising local talent throughout the three days. The Rising Stars Talent Contest, sponsored by J’Danse Studio, returns to spotlight emerging GTA performers of all ages — organizers have already revealed this year’s finalists on the festival website.

Other entertainment highlights include:

The Ultimutts Animal Actors Show, near Roselm/Ellington Drive — catch the stunt dogs, skateboarding, jump rope and backflips Saturday and Sunday at 1, 3 and 6 p.m.
A midway with rides and games for kids and families
Great Lakes Brewery and Lume Cocktails beverage garden for the 19+ crowd

How To Enter The Festival’s Big Travel Giveaway

Taste of Lawrence isn’t just about food and music. Attendees who stop by the survey booth near the Main Stage and complete the Taste of Lawrence 2026 survey get entered into a draw for an all-inclusive trip for two to Antigua and Barbuda, including airport transfers, food, beverages and activities.

Additional prizes up for grabs include four tickets to the Aga Khan Museum and six $100 coupons to Pho Metro on Lawrence Avenue East.

It’s a small time investment for a shot at a major summer prize, so festival-goers shouldn’t skip the survey booth.

Getting To Taste Of Lawrence

The festival runs along Lawrence Avenue East in the Wexford Heights neighbourhood, easily reachable via TTC bus routes serving the Lawrence and Warden corridor. Organizers recommend arriving early on opening night to catch the parade and ceremony at 6 p.m.

This year’s event also runs thanks to support from sponsors including Scarboro Mazda, OLG, BMO, Virgin Radio and the City of Toronto, among others. Those interested in helping out behind the scenes can also sign up to volunteer through the Wexford Heights BIA.

Frequently Asked Questions About Taste of Lawrence 2026

Is Taste of Lawrence free to attend?

Yes, admission is completely free for all three days of the festival. The only cost comes from optional food and drink purchases at vendor booths, plus the small $10 commitment fee for kids signing up for the 3v3 soccer tournament.

What are the festival hours each day?

Festivities begin Friday, July 3 at 6 p.m. with the Opening Ceremony and run through the evening. Saturday and Sunday programming starts in the late morning, with workshops, watch parties and performances continuing into the night — check the festival’s official site closer to the date for exact daily start and end times.

Where can festival-goers park?

The festival closes off Lawrence Avenue East between Warden and Birchmount, so street parking near the site will be limited. Organizers recommend taking the TTC, since several bus routes run along the Lawrence and Warden corridor directly to the festival grounds.

Will you be heading to Taste of Lawrence this summer? Drop a comment below and let us know which vendor or performance you’re most excited for.

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