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Kensington Market

A vibrant, multicultural neighborhood in Toronto celebrated for its diversity, eclectic shops, vintage boutiques, and bustling food scene.

Tips from the community

Let’s start with the city’s quintessentially hip artistic neighbourhood, which should rightfully be cordoned off for pedestrians only (and, in practice, is not a place you want to drive anyway). Kensington’s rich and diverse history dates back over a century, and includes waves of Jewish, Chinese, Latino, African and Southeast Asian immigration. Today, you’ll find brightly painted cafes and vintage clothing shops packed into duplex row houses next to synagogues, Chinese associations, art galleries and ethnic supermarkets. Raising rent has forced the closure of a few classic mainstays, but you can brave the lines to find good eats at Rasta Pasta (a small fusion Jamaican-Italian joint with excellent jerk chicken), Wanda’s Pie in the Sky (a beautiful little bakery with massive and heavenly croissants), Seven Lives (a small taco shop, always packed) and Pow-Wow Cafe (modernized Native American food with world-class frybread).

mfraiman 3 years ago

Originally named The Kensington Market Festival of Lights in 1988, this annual tradition has continued into the modern day as an artistic celebration of art, street performance, and finding warmth in the chilly temperatures. Every year on December 21st, an artistic parade encompassing warmth and light takes place in Toronto’s most eclectic neighborhood: Kensington Market. The parade honors the cultural significance of the winter solstice as an ancient cardinal point. Complete with handmade lanterns, giant puppets, fire breathers, stilts, theatrical performances, and more, this fantastic night of celebration is one of the most fascinating, time-honored Toronto events happening in the wintertime. While in the area, check out Cold Tea, one of our favorite snack bars in Toronto.

madeleineray 3 years ago

Kensington Market Guides

  • Best Things To Do In Toronto

    madeleineray (Madeleine Ray)
    Toronto, Canada is the shimmering heart and soul of the country, with a diverse mixture of culture that is evident through the extensive variety of cuisine and shopping available. One of the most exciting cities in North America, Toronto has something for everyone. Including idyllic islands, gleaming skyscrapers, victorian homes full of funky thrift shopping, and one of the largest aquariums in the world- this is my personal list of the best things to do in Toronto.

  • Favorite things to do in Toronto

    mfraiman (Michael Fraiman)

Kensington Market Articles

  • 13 Things to Do in Toronto in the Winter

    This season, we’re all about chilly winter getaways complete with shimmering snowflakes and cozy layered outfits. Toronto is easily one of the most stunning cities to explore in the wintertime. Think: heated outdoor markets with local vendors serving up spiced cider and poutine, stunning illumination displays reflecting off of fresh snow, and frozen cascading waterfalls […]

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  • 46 of the Best Things to Do in Toronto

    Twenty years ago, nobody would have called Toronto a world-class city. But things change quickly in Canada’s biggest metropolis. A skyrocketing real estate market, a championship-winning NBA team, burgeoning high-end restaurants, expansive bike lanes and waterfront trails, the existence of Drake, one of the world’s biggest Pride parades— Toronto is now home to some of […]

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