Food, Wine & Hospitality Events Canada 2019

Vancouver
Paid attendance and ticket-sale revenue rose to an all-time high in 2019, with more than 25,000 great grape fans in attendance, along with 160 wineries from 16 countries. In the works for 2020: an award-winning wine writer as the keynote speaker and new sponsorship from Nespresso. Next: February 22-March 1, 2020

St. Catharines, Ontario
This Niagara-area festival expects to draw more than 125,000 food and wine lovers this year, with 40 wineries offering their products. New draws included a wine garden lounge and the Tim Hortons family fun zone. Next: September 2020

Toronto
Attendance grew to 19,500 chefs, owners, managers, and buyers at Canada’s top foodservice event in 2019, when the gastronomy contest Bocuse d’Or held qualifying rounds on site and industry talks included a discussion on the impact of cannabis legalization. The show returns to the Enercare Centre in 2020 for its 75th anniversary. Next: March 1-3, 2020

Toronto
Held at Exhibition Place’s Bandshell Park, attendance stayed level at 35,000 people despite the massive beer bash's decision to scale back to three days instead of four. This year’s new country stage sponsors included music provider Complete Country and hard beverage company Twisted Tea. Next: July 2020

Up from #6
Montreal
To celebrate its 20th year, the event showcased fine dining, holding a Nuit Gourmande and introducing the “Reserve your spot” booking service. Taking place in the Quartier des Spectacles, the fest’s outdoor activities such as the 600-foot RBC Zip-line and the Quebec Maple Ferris Wheel were standout attractions. Bell returned as the co-presenter. Next: February 20-March 1, 2020

Montreal
Attendance fell in 2019 below the previous year’s high of 98,000, but organizers of this street fair and lumberjack party are aiming to attract more people in 2020 by marketing in New York and Vermont. Highlights from 2019 included a special beer brewed for the event by Benelux and a bigger site, still in the Verdun area. Next: March 19-22, 2020

Toronto
This free, Asian-theme night market drew a crowd of 135,000 this year—an increase of about 5,000 people—by including more family-friendly activations and sports-theme games at the Markham Civic Centre. This year’s beneficiary charity, Rainbow Railroad, received $10,000, and TD Bank returned as a sponsor. Next: July 2020

New to the list
Toronto
North America’s largest vegetarian food festival turned 35 this year, offering free admission to about 35,000 vegetarian- and vegan-curious attendees. Curated by the Toronto Vegetarian Association, the festival returned to Harbourfront in 2019 and was sponsored by King’s Café and Whole Foods. Next: September 2020

Charlottetown
About 10,000 lovers of crustacean cuisine were expected at the Charlottetown Event Grounds this year when total prize money for oyster shucking and other competitions was $24,000. New for 2019: the Eat the Raw Bar Dry ticketed event with unlimited sampling of six brands of PEI oysters. Motts Clamato and Sysco returned as sponsors. Next: September 17-24, 2020

Toronto
This industry and public event will host about 28,000 gourmands and beverage enthusiasts when it returns to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in 2019 for its 25th edition. Highlights in 2018 included the craft distillery market, the fine wine tasting lounge, and, once again, the Mott’s Best Caesar in Town competition. Next: November 21-24, 2019

Okanagan Valley, B.C.
This valley-wide festival will host 100 events in 2019 including the new Sensation, which pairs wines with experiences such as an author reading or a musical presentation. Two popular returning events include WestJet Wine Tastings at the Kelowna airport and the Young Chefs competition. Valley First Credit Union returns as the presenting sponsor. Next: October 3-13, 2019