Introducing Water/Fall Festival

Toronto welcomes its first-ever Water/Fall Festival at the beautiful Toronto waterfront, providing two action-packed weekends of arts, fun, creativity, and entertainment on September 27th and 28th, and October 4th and 5th, from Queens Quay to Bay St., between Bathurst St. and Bay St.

Presented by The Waterfront BIA, the free-to-attend, fall-inspired arts and cultural festival will transform Toronto’s waterfront into a cultural hub providing visitors with spectacular public art installations (on and off the water), harvest-themed food & drink markets, live music and dance performances, a sustainable makers market, illuminating boat tours, and more.

Festival Kick-Off: A Lake Story

This all-ages festival will kick off with Lake Story, a bold public art performance featuring over 100 colorfully choreographed canoes being paddled across Toronto’s eastern waterfront by internationally renowned artist Melissa McGill. The impressive two-hour performance will be visible from a range of waterfront locations, including Biidaasige Park and Sugar Beach, for spectators to enjoy, with 11am and 4pm start times on September 27th and 28th.

Other Festival highlights

Water Wonders – Public Art Installation, on the water

A large floating art piece of local wildlife in vibrant colors from acclaimed 3-D artist Melissa Mathieson, inspiring spectators to help protect local wildlife habitats

Location: ​Spadina Pier, 415 Queens Quay W

Date and Time:

• September 27th to October 5th

Farmers Market

From farm-fresh eggs and locally-raised meats to artisanal baked goods, preserves and jams, sustainable seafood, handmade pastas, and specialty coffee. Experience the freshest flavours while supporting Ontario’s hardworking farmers and small-batch producers.

Location: 235 Queens Quay W.

Date and Time: September 27th, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Copper Canopy – Public Art Installation

A large-scale outdoor public art exhibit hangs above Ontario Square, facilitating moments of stillness as visitors stand beneath a suspended grid of copper leaves. Designed by RAW Works and fabricated by Anex Works.

Location: Ontario Square, 235 Queens Quay W.

Date and Time:

• September 27th to November 16th

A Lake Story – Public Art Performance, on the water

The Bentway presents A Lake Story, a bold public art performance featuring over 100 colourfully choreographed canoes being paddled across Toronto’s eastern waterfront, from internationally renowned artist Melissa McGill.

Location: Toronto’s Eastern Waterfront

Dates and Time:

• September 27th, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
• September 28th, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Tkaronto Open III

Tkaronto Open III is a celebration of Indigenous culture and beauty, presenting the highest level of showmanship among Indigenous dancers from across Turtle Island. This powwow-style competition will feature a Women’s Jingle Dress Showcase.

Location: ​Union Station, 65 Front St

Date and Time:

• September 27th, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Sustainable Makers Market – Public Market

The OCAD University’s Sustainable Makers Market will feature eco-friendly goods and services from artists, designers, and creative changemakers working at the intersection of sustainability, climate action, and circular design.

Location: ​OCAD University, 585 Queens Quay West

Date and Time:

• September 27th, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
• September 28th, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Gatsby Redux

Step into the sights and sounds of the Jazz Age with a contemporary dance piece that reimagines F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic masterpiece into Gatsby Redux, an immersive outdoor performance transporting Harbourfront Centre into the glamorous world of the Roaring Twenties.

Location: 235 Queens Quay West

Date and Time:

• September 27th, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
• September 28th, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Fall Harvest Market – Public Food/Drink Market

Discover fresh produce, delicious treats, artisanal goods, unique finds, and more from over 40 vendors.

Location: HTO Park, 339 Queens Quay W

Date and Time:

• September 27th, 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
• September 28th, 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
• October 4th, 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
• October 5th, 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Music Garden Concerts – Free live music performances

Music Garden Concerts offer a celebration of sound and light with free live music performances from acclaimed artists, enhanced by interactive lights that turn each set into an immersive experience. You can view the full artist line-up here.

Location: ​Toronto Music Garden, 479 Queens Quay W.

Dates and Time:

• September 27th, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
• September 28th, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
• October 3rd, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
• October 4th, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
• October 5th, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Harbour and Skyline Boat Tours – Guided boat tours

Guided by the Toronto Society of Architects, these 90-minute engaging boat tours will share fascinating stories and history behind the buildings and landscapes of Toronto’s Inner Harbour. The tour will conclude with a visit to the eastern waterfront and Ookwemin Minising, where one of the world’s most significant waterfront revitalization projects is underway.

Location: Pier 6, 145 Queens Quay W

Dates and Time:

• September 27th, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
• September 28th, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
• October 1st, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
• October 4th, 130 pm – 3:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
• October 5th, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Discover all the exciting programming and schedule here. Toronto’s first-ever Water/Fall Festival is set to bring a mix of culture, creativity, and community to the waterfront this season. With art installations on water, Indigenous showcases, sustainable markets, and breathtaking performances, it’s a can’t-miss experience this fall.

As always, you can keep up with all the fun happenings in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area on efosa.

2025 Water Fall Festival

When: September 27th to 28th and October 4th and 5th

Where: Queens Quay, from Bathurst St. to Bay St.

Admission: Free