Toronto is about to get a whole lot sweeter. This weekend, Sweet City Fest is officially taking over STACKT Market for a four-day celebration of treats, creativity, and good vibes.
Falling right between Valentine’s Day and Family Day, the festival is the perfect mid-winter plan to curb your sugar cravings. Whether you’re planning a romantic date, a family outing, or a “Galentine’s” hangout, this is the season’s must-visit event for dessert lovers.
STACKT’s iconic shipping container market will once again be transformed into a playground for those with a sweet tooth, complete with a curated selection of local bakers and artisans. You can expect to find everything from gourmet chocolates to innovative pastries as you wander through the vendor markets.
The event also features a variety of interactive workshops to take part in. While you snack, you can enjoy the winter vibes with a lineup of live performances that keep the good vibes rolling. It will also have a number of sugary-themed backdrops, so you can snap the perfect photo op.
Visitors can wander through the “Tunnel of Love” for the perfect CN Tower backdrop or snap a photo inside the “Giant Light Cube.” If you’re looking for some friendly competition, the market’s signature street curling lanes are back, offering 30-minute tabletop sessions that are free for families on Sundays with the purchase of a few drinks.
When it comes to sweet treats, this year’s lineup features over 10 local dessert vendors, headlined by the grand opening of the Tiny Tom’s Donuts pavilion – a Toronto staple serving up warm, mini-donuts in exclusive seasonal flavours.
For those looking to get hands-on, the schedule is also packed with interactive experiences, including DIY workshops ranging from perfume making to floral arrangements, live entertainment, and a “Family Rave” for Family Day on Monday, complete with a dedicated games room to keep the kids entertained.
You can cozy up by the fire with a RumChata-infused hot cocoa or head to the hidden Speakeasy Whiskey Bar for a handcrafted cocktail. In honor of Black History Month, the festival also features a Vendor Village highlighting local Black-owned businesses, making it the perfect spot to pick up a last-minute Valentine’s gift that supports the community.
Sweet City Fest runs daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 28 Bathurst St. Admission is completely free, though some specific workshops and evening parties require tickets, which can be found on the STACKT Market website.