PanamFest 2026 Takes Over Toronto With 3 Days of Food, Music and Culture
The Pan American Food & Music Festival returns to Toronto from July 24–26, 2026, bringing three days of food, live music, dance and cultural programming to Nathan Phillips Square. General admission is free, and this year’s lineup includes more than 25 music and dance acts, a Panamerican Parade, a street-food competition and a special focus on the Dominican Republic.
Note: Festival schedules, performers and programming can change, so we recommend checking the official PanamFest website or social media before heading out.
Nathan Phillips Square Hosts a Full Weekend of Pan-American Food and Culture
Food and Culture From Across the Americas
Now in its 14th edition, PanamFest brings chefs, food vendors, musicians, dancers and performers connected to communities across North, Central and South America to downtown Toronto. Organizers say the festival represents 41 Pan-American cultures.
Food remains a big part of the weekend, alongside live music, folklore, dance and visual art. The Dominican Republic takes a bigger role this year as the guest country of honour, with Carlitos Cruz & Band, Ballet Folklórico de Baní and Café Santo Domingo among the names on the program.
If you’re mainly coming for the food, give yourself time to walk around the vendors before settling in for one of the scheduled competitions.
What to Expect at PanamFest 2026
There is plenty happening across the three days, but these are some of the events worth keeping on your radar.
Start Friday With Salsa
Friday night kicks things off with the Friday Salsa Fiesta at 5:30 p.m. Salsa & Sabor will lead free dance lessons before a live salsa show and dance contest.
Soulful Steps, Colours, Bravo Entertainment — Hora Loca and Salsotika are also scheduled that evening.
Tip: Friday makes the most sense if salsa and dancing are at the top of your list.
Catch the Panamerican Parade on Saturday
The Panamerican Parade starts at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, with countries from across the Americas represented through flags, clothing and music.
Earlier in the afternoon, you can catch folklore performances connected to Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Venezuela, Bolivia, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
Tip: Get there before the parade begins so you have time to grab food and find a spot around the square.
Stay for Carlitos Cruz & Band
Saturday night’s headliner is Dominican singer Carlitos Cruz & Band at 9:30 p.m. The performance is part of this year’s Dominican Republic programming.
Ballet Folklórico de Baní is also scheduled for 5 p.m., bringing Dominican folklore to the stage earlier that day.
Watch the World Cup of Street Eats
Food takes centre stage on Sunday with the World Cup of Street Eats at 4 p.m.
Six chefs will go head-to-head with street foods connected to Argentina, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico and Panama.
The dishes include Argentinian-style beef empanadas, mini arepas de huevo con carne, chimi Dominicano callejero, shrimp ceviche, mini torta ahogada and Panamanian carimañolas.
Tip: Come before 4 p.m. so you can check out the food vendors and catch some of Sunday’s earlier performances before the competition begins.
See the Empanada Eating Competition
Still hungry? Saturday brings an Empanada Eating Competition at 5:30 p.m., where competitors race against the clock with Colombian empanadas.
It also lines up nicely with the evening schedule, since the Panamerican Parade follows at 7:30 p.m.
Grab Coffee at the Dominican Coffee Party
Café Santo Domingo hosts a Coffee Party at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, putting Dominican coffee in the spotlight.
It’s an easy stop to work into your afternoon between the folklore performances and later food events.
Check Out the Panamerican Colours Exhibition
The Panamerican Colours Exhibition runs throughout the weekend, featuring visual art from artists across the Americas.
It’s worth checking out between food stops or while waiting for the next stage performance.
PanamFest 2026 Schedule Highlights
Trying to figure out which day works best? Here’s the full PanamFest 2026 schedule so you can plan around the performances, food events and activities you want to catch.
Friday, July 24
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 5:00 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. | DJ Alejo |
| 5:30 p.m. | Free Dance Lessons with Salsa & Sabor |
| 6:00 p.m. | Salsa & Sabor Show |
| 6:30 p.m. | Dance Contest |
| 7:00 p.m. | PanamFest Opening Ceremony |
| 7:30 p.m. | Salsa Show: Colours & Soulful Steps |
| 7:45 p.m. | Hora Loca – Bravo Entertainment |
| 8:30 p.m. | Salsotika Band |
Saturday, July 25
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 12:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m. | DJ Alejo |
| 12:30 p.m. | Kids Entertainment: The Lizzie B Show |
| 1:00 p.m. | Inter Toronto Interactive Soccer Demo |
| 1:30 p.m. | Folklore Presentation: Bailando con Peru |
| 2:00 p.m. | Folklore Presentation: Raices de Chile |
| 2:30 p.m. | Folklore Presentation: Nueva Siembra from Ecuador |
| 3:00 p.m. | Folklore Presentation: Sentir Venezuela |
| 3:30 p.m. | Coffee Party with Cafe Santo Domingo |
| 4:00 p.m. | Folklore Presentation: Llasas & Kantuta de Bolivia |
| 4:30 p.m. | Folklore Presentation: Puro Mexico Ballet |
| 5:00 p.m. | Folklore Presentation: Bani – Dominican Republic |
| 5:30 p.m. | Empanada Eating Competition |
| 6:15 p.m. | Xtravaganza Show featuring Larry & La Clave |
| 7:00 p.m. | Tropicana Queens |
| 7:30 p.m. | Panamerican Parade |
| 9:30 p.m. | Carlitos Cruz and his band – Dominican Republic |
Sunday, July 26
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 12:00 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. | Capoeira Bamba |
| 1:00 p.m. | Colombia Independence Celebration – Colombia Entre Las Venas |
| 1:30 p.m. | Food Demo: Making Ceviche – Chef Carolina Martinez |
| 2:00 p.m. | Panamerican Star |
| 2:30 p.m. | Food Demo: World of Chocolate – Mary Luz Mejia |
| 3:00 p.m. | Folklore Presentations: Huairapungo from Ecuador, Bani – Dominican Republic, and Tonatiuh – Mexico |
| 3:45 p.m. | Blue Wave Interactive Drum Circle |
| 4:00 p.m. | World Cup of Street Eats Competition |
| 5:00 p.m. | Rice & Mango Band |
| 5:45 p.m. | Mia Feliz – Dominican Republic |
| 6:00 p.m. | Panamerican Chef Award |
| 7:30 p.m. | DJ Alejo |
Note: Festival programming is subject to change, so check the official schedule for the latest updates before heading out.
How to Get to PanamFest
Address: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St W, Toronto
Queen Station is only a short walk from Nathan Phillips Square. GO Transit connections, paid parking and bike parking are also available nearby.
Tip: Taking the TTC can save you from having to hunt for downtown parking during a busy festival weekend.
Tips for Your Visit
- Come hungry—it’s the only way
- Bring cash or card, as vendors vary
- Wear comfy shoes; you’ll be walking, dancing, and exploring
- Arrive early for cooking demos and headline performances
- Stay connected on Instagram and the official website for any updates
Event Details At a Glance
| Dates: | July 24–26, 2026 |
| Address: | Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St W, Toronto |
| General Admission: | Free |
| 2026 Guest Country: | Dominican Republic |
| What To Expect: | Pan-American food, live music, folklore, salsa, dance, visual art, the Panamerican Parade, Coffee Party, Empanada Eating Competition and World Cup of Street Eats. |
For the latest festival updates, schedules and programming, visit the official PanamFest website.
Reminder: All event details are subject to change. Check the official website for the latest updates on schedules, performers, and vendors.
What’s at the top of your PanamFest 2026 list? Share the food, performance or activity you don’t want to miss in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Dominican Republic is the 2026 guest country of honour, with Dominican food, music, folklore and other programming featured throughout the festival.
Yes. Beyond food vendors and concerts, the 2026 festival includes dance and folklore performances, cultural programming, competitions and a marketplace with artisans and other vendors.
Yes. The VIP Opening Reception is separate from the free festival and takes place on July 21 at Daniels Spectrum. Tickets are listed at $60 and include Dominican appetizers, entertainment, a welcome cocktail and an open bar.
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