Toronto International BuskerFest for Epilepsy: Four Days of Street Magic

World-class buskers take over Woodbine Park for Labour Day weekend

📍 Get Directions Full Schedule

Since 2000, Epilepsy Toronto has turned Woodbine Park into one of North America’s biggest busker gatherings — circus acts, fire performers, magicians, comedians and musicians from around the world, all raising funds for the 40,000+ Torontonians living with epilepsy.

🎪 20+ circle acts 🐶 Bark in the Park TO 🍔 30+ food vendors 🍺 Beer garden

💡 There’s no ticket booth — admission is by donation. Bring extra small bills, though: buskers pass the hat separately after every act, and that money goes straight to the performer.

Why Go Schedule Performers Essentials Accessibility Getting There Tips FAQ

✨ Why This Festival Is Worth the Trip

Toronto BuskerFest has been a Labour Day weekend fixture since 2000, and it’s still one of the biggest street performer gatherings in North America — organized entirely by Epilepsy Toronto as its flagship annual fundraiser. It’s grown from a downtown street event into a full four-day takeover of Woodbine Park in the Beaches, with performers flying in from around the globe.

The lineup runs the gamut: contortionists, fire eaters, jugglers, magicians, comedians, and stunt acts share the grounds with more than 30 food vendors, an artisan market, and a licensed beer garden that hosts live music and drag shows after dark. This year’s roster includes Kenya’s high-flying Jambo Brothers, Guinness World Record holder Kai Cao, and Toronto’s own fire-eating legend FireGuy.

It’s also a two-for-one weekend — Bark in the Park TO runs alongside BuskerFest in its own dedicated area of Woodbine Park, with a canine circus, costume contest, and pet-friendly vendors. One donation gets you into both.

🎪 Festival Hours

Four days of performances across multiple stages. The Family Fun Zone and Bark in the Park TO run daily around sunset.

🎭 Performer Highlights

Most mainstage circle acts perform all four days unless noted. Check the official lineup page for exact stage times.

Anna Ki — All Strings Attached Kai Cao — juggling & tap Jambo Brothers Cate Great NorthFIRE Circus The Street Circus FireGuy (Sat night) Quinn Beasley Tex Rexman Same Same, But Different Dr. Draw & The Strange Parade SHOUT! the band

🐶 Bark in the Park TO

Running inside the same festival footprint, Bark in the Park TO is a dedicated area for dogs and their people, with the Canine Circus, a pet costume contest, a Dog Lovers Day lure course, and a market of pet-friendly vendors. It’s included with your BuskerFest donation — no separate admission needed.

📋 Essentials

♿ Accessibility

BuskerFest aims to be one of the city’s most accessible festivals. The BuskerAccess tent, near the Wheel-Trans drop-off on Eastern Avenue just east of Emdaabiimok Avenue, offers site navigation help, two designated accessible stages with reserved seating, and general festival information.

If booking Wheel-Trans, use the code “Buskers-W” for drop-off near the accessibility tent. ASL-interpreted performances run Monday, September 7, from 4–7 PM, and non-verbal acts run throughout the weekend.

🚗 Getting There & Parking

Woodbine Park sits at 1695 Queen Street East in the Beaches, between Lakeshore Blvd and Eastern Ave.

By TTC (Line 2): Get off at Coxwell Station, take the 22 bus south to Queen & Coxwell, then walk one block south. Or from Woodbine Station, take the 92 bus south to Lakeshore.

By TTC (Line 1): From Queen or Osgoode Station, take the 501 or 502 streetcar east to Coxwell Avenue, then walk one block south to the park.

By car: Ample street parking plus several lots near the park — arrive early on weekends, as spots fill up.

💡 A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Go

💵 Bring small bills. Your donation supports Epilepsy Toronto, but each individual performer earns their living by passing the hat after the show — loonies, toonies, and fives go a long way.

🌤️ Dress for the weather, whatever it is. The festival runs rain or shine. Sunscreen and a hat on clear days, an umbrella if it’s grey.

🪑 Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Woodbine Park is open green space — good sightlines for circle shows, but arrive early for the popular acts.

🐕 Bring the dog. Unlike some Toronto festivals, this one’s dog-friendly by design — Bark in the Park TO runs right inside the festival grounds all four days.

❓ Common Questions