Fast Facts
Dates times and location
The festival is happening from June 28 – 29, 2025 at Sugar Beach, 11 Dockside Drive on Toronto’s Waterfront. General festival hours are 10am-7pm on Saturday and 10am-6pm on Sunday. Deck Tour hours are 10am-6pm on both days.
How much is the festival
The festival is FREE to attend, however to get onboard the 4 visiting Tall Ships, you will need a ticket. Tickets are $15 plus taxes and fees and can be purchased on our website and onsite at the festival. Tickets must be redeemed for wristbands at our festival ticket booth. Tickets are also available for sail-aways on Empire Sandy, Canada’s Largest tall ship. Tickets for 2 hour sail-aways are $40 plus taxes and fees and can be purchased on our website or onsite while quantities last. Don’t miss the boat! Book your tickets today by clicking the ticket link at the top of our site.
How do I get there?
We encourage visitors to avoid driving and take a ride share, taxi, public transit, bike or walk wherever possible as there is a lot of construction on the waterfront and limited parking.
TTC : For detailed routes please visit the TTC Trip Planner. For accessibility options please visit Wheel Trans.
Walking from GO and Union Station
From Union GO and Subway Station walk south through Union Railway Station into the ACC Galleria and walk south to Queens Quay. At Queens Quay, turn left and walk for 15-20 minutes to reach 11 Dockside Drive / Sugar Beach. Look for the pink umbrellas and you’ll be there!
To plan your trip with GO visit GO Trip Planner.
Driving: To avoid congestion from construction and traffic delays, we suggest taking ride share, a taxi or public transit to the festival and walking south from Union station.
Is the event accessible?
The Toronto Waterfront Festival sites are always accessible and fully complies with the City of Toronto accessibility rules and regulations. The festival also fully complies with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. For accessible transit options please visit Wheel Trans and for any other specific needs, please visit our information booth onsite or email info@towaterfrontfest.com with any questions.
Is there parking?
Parking is limited on the waterfront, we recommend taking a ride share, taxi, public transit, biking or walking if possible. If driving, check out this great list that the Waterfront BIA put together HERE.
Where do I find a schedule?
The schedule will be up on our home page shortly as well as entertainment information.
What else is happening on Toronto's Waterfront that weekend?
After visiting our festival each day, we encourage you to check out the rest of Toronto’s Waterfront. Visit https://www.waterfrontbia.com for a list of restaurants, shops and activities. HERE.
Empire Sandy cruise information
Enjoy an exclusive sailing experience through the Toronto harbour and out onto Lake Ontario. Take stunning photos against the backdrop of incredible views of the city skyline onboard Canada’s largest Tall Ship. Food and drink available for purchase during each cruise. See below for times and schedule.
Don’t miss this very unique opportunity to sail on Canada’s Largest Tall Ship!
Saturday, June 28, 2025
• Boarding at 10:00am. Sail 10:15am – 12:15pm
• Boarding at 12:45pm. Sail 1:00pm – 3:00pm
• Boarding at 3:30pm. Sail 3:45pm – 5:45pm
• Boarding at 6:15pm. Sail 6:30pm – 8:30pm – Sunset Sail
Sunday, June 29, 2025
• Boarding at 10:00am. Sail 10:15am – 12:15pm
• Boarding at 12:45pm. Sail 1:00pm – 3:00pm
• Boarding at 3:30pm. Sail 3:45pm – 5:45pm
• Boarding at 6:15pm. Sail 6:30pm – 8:30pm – Sunset Sail
Tall ships rules, regulations, and accessibility information
Due to the nature of their construction, ships do not have wheelchair access, and there is limited access to people with mobility restrictions.
Tripping hazards are unavoidable aboard sailing vessels and the highest degree of care is expected of all visitors.
Proper footwear must be worn by anyone boarding the ships (ex. rubber sole shoes & sneakers). Leather sole shoes are slippery and dangerous on deck.
No spike heels are permitted aboard any ship.
Smoking or vaping tobacco and cannabis are not permitted aboard any ship. Beverages (alcoholic & non) and food (including chewing gum) are strictly prohibited.
Handrails must be used by visitors when boarding and departing the ships.
Visitors may not run, jump or bounce on the gangways or deck of the ships.
No bags more than 14 inches long permitted on the ships. No glass containers, cans, pets, strollers, umbrellas, motorized vehicles, bicycles, skateboards, roller blades or weapons.
Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
The purchaser ASSUMES ALL RISKS BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THE EVENT INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, INJURY FROM SPECTATOR AREAS, ON OR OFF THE SHIPS, ACCIDENTS OR INJURY FROM FIRES, and agree that Water’s Edge Festivals & Events, its members, subcontractors and the City of Toronto, owners and lessors of property used in connection with the event, all event participants, sponsors, sanctioning bodies, and any of their employees, agents, officers and directors are hereby RELEASED from any and all claims arising from the event. You grant permission to use your voice, image, and/or likeness in connection with any photograph, live or recorded display of the event, without any compensation. You agree that images and sounds of the event obtained by you, will not be broadcast, published or used for any commercial purposes. All disputes relating to the ticket shall be governed by Ontario Law.