Just in time to kick off Asian Heritage Month, a huge celebration will be taking over North York this weekend complete with delicious food and drinks, art, and live performances.
The Welcome Market will return to take over Mel Lastman Square for a two-day festival on May 9 and 10. What started as a local initiative has grown into a major community staple, and this year’s edition is set to be their largest yet anticipating 40,000 guests.
Over 95 Asian-owned small businesses will be setting up shop in the square, offering everything from curated vintage finds and handmade jewelry to original artwork. Foodies will have plenty to indulge in, with a diverse lineup of local vendors serving up authentic street food and modern fusion bites.
To wash down your meal, pay a visit to the Sapporo Beer Garden and try their new Vodka Lemon Sour, a traditional Sapporo Premium Beer, or non-alcoholic offerings.
The square will also light up with a full schedule of live entertainment, featuring over 16 performances over 2 days. Attendees can catch traditional and contemporary performances throughout the day, showcasing the incredible talent within Toronto’s Asian community. There will also be interactive activations, including a Sukoshi Stamp Station where you can collect free limited-edition stamps from the event.
The Details
The festival is completely free to attend and is designed to be a family-friendly outing for all ages. It’s a perfect way to celebrate the start of May while supporting the local entrepreneurs who help make Toronto’s cultural scene so unique.
The Asian Heritage Month Celebration will run at Mel Lastman Square (5100 Yonge St.) on Saturday, May 9 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, May 10 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. You can find more details and the full vendor list on The Welcome Market’s website.
