About

43rd Annual Festival of India - July 18-19, 2015
The Festival of India is coming to Toronto from July 18-19, 2015 and everyone’s invited to join the celebrations. With its roots steeped in the vibrant culture and traditions of ancient spiritual India, the festival draws nearly 40,000 participants every year. This unique, two-day event, presented by Toronto’s famous Hare Krishna Centre, provides a feast for the mind, body, and soul!

Pre-Festival Launch Party!
To kick off the festivities, a Special Launch Party will be held at Yonge and Dundas Square on Sunday, June 7th 2015.   A can’t miss event in its own right, the Yonge-Dundas Festival of India Launch Party will feature a cavalcade of activities, attractions and performances, including a South Asian bazaar, traditional foodstuffs, henna tattoos, cooking demonstrations, face-painting, dress-in-a-saree booths, outdoor yoga classes, and more.  Also, be sure to hang around towards the evening to participate in an entrancing, interactive mantra concert in which ancient sounds from the east will reverberate and grace the grit and steel of our downtown metropolis.

Rocking Mantra Meditation down Yonge!
If you have ever experienced the power of mantra meditation, then prepare to encounter it on a thrilling new level!  Weekend festivities kick off with a parade on Saturday, July 18th at 11:00 a.m. that cruises down Yonge, beginning at Bloor and continuing south to Queens Quay. During the parade, three 40-foot tall floats will be hand-pulled by participants amidst energetic singing, drumming, and dancing.

Explore India’s Spiritual Roots on Centre Island
After the parade on Yonge Street, celebrations continue at Centre Island for the remainder of the weekend with a massive, colourful, and free festival!  The biggest highlight is the free vegetarian feast served to all who attend! The festival also features a stunning arts and culture showcase, a South Asian Bazaar, cultural exhibits, a children's area, face painting, and much more!

An Arts & Culture Extravaganza
The Festival of India’s Arts & Culture Showcase presents a beautiful and soul-riveting array of devotional music, dance, and drama from the ancient subcontinent! The line-up presents all the spiritual allure and elegance of melodies and choreography that were once commonplace in ancient, spiritual India.  With a line-up of internationally acclaimed artists and performers, the festival’s Arts & Culture programme promises a unique and unforgettable weekend of sublime sounds and enchanting performances.

Yoga Meltdown
Celebrated as a “Festival within a Festival”, on Sunday, July 19th the 8th Annual Yoga Meltdown will present Toronto with an opportunity for relaxation & rejuvenation at a free outdoor yoga festival. Presenting the authentic, spiritual-depth of yoga, Yoga Meltdown will feature free yoga classes, vegan cooking demos and mantra meditation circles!