Fast Facts 

The festival is happening from September 14 – 15, 2024 at Sugar Beach on Toronto’s Waterfront.   Festival hours are 10am-7pm on Saturday and 10am-6pm on Sunday. 

The festival is FREE to attend, however in 2024 we are asking attendees to voluntarily pay what they can at our information booths. With rising operations costs and dramatic reduction in government funding from all levels this year, it is a very tough time for most festivals and events in Ontario. As a result, we are asking our visitors to pay what they can to help in any small way to continue to keep the festival alive.

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. 

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. 

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.

We loved having the World’s Largest Rubber Duck at our festival in 2017 and 2023 and plan to bring her back in the near future. However, 2024’s event will only have her baby in attendance, the 10ft mini duck ‘Lucky’. Snap a selfie and flash your Duck faces at Sugar Beach from September 14-15.

The Canine Watersports Canada Schedule will be up on our home page shortly as well as entertainment information. 

After visiting our festival each day, we encourage you to check out this great list of things to do on the Waterfront HERE.

Join Empire Sandy in celebrating Toronto’s beautiful waterfront during our Festival weekend.

Enjoy a unique 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 and a link to book.

Don’t miss this awesome opportunity to sail along Toronto’s waterfront on the last official weekend of summer!

(Morning Cruise)
10:30am – 10:45am boarding
10:45am – 12:15am sailing
12:15am – 12:30pm disembarking

(Afternoon Cruise)
2:00pm – 2:15pm boarding
2:15pm – 3:45pm sailing
3:45pm – 4:00pm disembarking

(Evening Cruise)
6:00pm – 6:15pm boarding
6:15pm – 7:45pm sailing
7:45pm – 8:00pm disembarking

https://empiresandy.com/2024-public-cruise-schedule/

20% off using code TOFEST20