The popular Dundas West Fest returns this June, and this year, the festival’s fifth, is extended to Friday night and all day and night Saturday.
About Dundas West Fest
Dundas West Fest is back from Friday, June 1st from 6p-1am, and Saturday, June 2nd from 10a-1am. The street will be closed to traffic with extended patios for shopping, eating and drinking. The festival runs west from Ossington all the way to Landsdowne Avenue.
Special Dundas West Fest events
The festival includes something for everyone: shopping, comedy, kids programming, lots of food options (every restaurant on the street will be open and serving, most with licensed patios), and lots of music.
The Garrison Music Stage at the Beer Store parking lot
The Garrison hosts rocking music most nights, and they bring out all the stops with two free outdoor concerts on a stage just across the street from the venue. This year’s lineup is a good one! The Friday show runs from 6:30P – 11:30P and, on Saturday, local favorites Lowest of the Low and Taylor Knox headline. The show begins after noon on Saturday and runs until about 11:30PM. 1200 Dundas Street West.
Lulaworld Stage
Just like the Garrison, the Lulaworld Stage has always been a highlight of the festival. Good news! It’s back for both nights and a day! Lula Lounge always offers talented international music and this year’s lineup includes Cuban salsa, Colombian hip hop, reggae and samba. People will be dancing in the streets.
Friday from 7-10p and Saturday from 2p-10:30pm at 1630 Dundas Street West
Art and Design Walk
Take a guided tour of the many galleries, design shops and special exhibits just for Dundas West Fest. There is also the option to do a self-guided tour. The guide leaves from St. Clarens Park to walk east at 12PM and from West Neighborhood House to walk west on Saturday at 2:30PM. There are many stops along the way!
Community Mural Painting Workshop
The Dundas West festival offers people a chance to learn how to paint murals taught by international artists. The final product will be a beautiful mural on Dundas Street West.
The mural painting workshop is free and starts at 11am on Saturday, June 2nd at 1637 Dundas West.
Instagram Contest 
The Dundas West Fest is running a very detailed scavenger hunt over the weekend of the festival. Get photos of all the requested items (the list is 28 items long!) and whoever is judged the best wins a dinner at Dundas West restaurant Sukho Thai. If you are creative and good with photography, you’ve got a good shot as most people will probably be too drunk or busy to complete the task. Sukho Thai is at 1442 Dundas Street West.
MusiCamp Youth Stage
A whole stage of music for kids by kids! It’s true. The MusiCamp youth stage will set up at 1525 Dundas Street West. Expect free African drumming and dance workshops and live performances from talented young people. The concert runs Saturday from 11am to 4:45pm.
Magic in the Park
Harry Potter themed bar The Lockhart is going outside for Dundas West Fest. Expect fun for kids of all ages with musicians, magicians, contortionists and more when they take their magic and fun outdoors into the park at St. Clarens, 1717 Dundas Street West.
Spillin’ The Beans Comedy
Dundas West coffee shop Full of Beans is hosting a comedy stage on both Friday and Saturday nights. Visit the front of 1348 Dundas Street West to see Toronto comics present stand-up shows. The comedy shows happen both nights from 7-9PM.
Street Brass Performance
Once again this year, the Street Brass ensemble is inviting any brass players to join them in performing at Dundas West Fest on Saturday. Check it out here. For those who want to watch and hear the show, be near Lula Lounge when they start at 1PM on Saturday.
Lula Lounge is located at 1585 Dundas West.
DuWest Fest Beer Garden
Opera Bob’s is camping out in the West Neighborhood House‘s spacious backyard garden for the duration of Dundas West Fest. They’ll have a beer garden, music and food, and the event is supporting the West Neighborhood House. Good times and a good cause! WNH is at 248 Ossington Avenue, northwest corner of Ossington and Dundas.
This is only a sampling of what will take place during the festival. With so much on offer and, hopefully, good weather, expect big crowds and good times just like years past at Dundas West Fest.
See you on Dundas West this weekend!
