Event Details

Incorporated in 2006, The Roncesvalles Village BIA has been part of the community since 1986 and always fostered relationships between the business community and the wider community of Roncesvalles Village. The membership of the Roncesvalles Village BIA is composed of commercial property owners and their commercial tenants within the boundaries of the BIA. The board of management of the BIA is composed of members of the BIA who volunteer their time and expertise to serve the community. A BIA allows local business people and property owners to join together to: host cultural events; improve, beautify, decorate and maintain the main street within the BIA; promote the area as a business and shopping area; and recruit new businesses. The BIA has been producing the Roncesvalles Polish Festival since 2006. The Roncesvalles Polish Festival is the world’s largest Polish Festival outside of Poland. The Festival plays host to local musical acts, North America’s best polka bands, a variety of Polish dance and folklore groups. The Festival also features visual art, buskers and street performers, vendors, displays of Polish culture, history, and Polish cuisine.

This application is for the "2026 Roncesvalles Polish Festival", a two-day free outdoor festival taking place September 19 and 20, 2026, along Roncesvalles Avenue in Toronto. The festival features continuous entertainment across multiple stages, Polish cuisine, vendors, art displays, buskers, and displays of Polish culture. Programming includes: (1) Main Stage: live performances by Polskie Klimaty, Polanie, Blues & Plus, Maestro Rozbicki with Celebrity Soloists, Dr. Draw & the Strange Parade and many more throughout the two-day Festival; (2) Polkamania Stage: Non-Stop Stompers, Polmix, Seven, The Beat, Kapela Pokolynie, and additional polka bands to be confirmed; (3) Garden Stage: Band of the Royal Regiment of Canada, Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Band & Bugles, 7th Toronto Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery Band, DJ Martin Danov, Polskie Klimaty, and over ten Polish song, dance, and folklore ensembles from across Ontario including groups from Brantford, London, Oshawa, Hamilton, and Toronto; (4) Additional activations: a DJ Zone sponsored by OLG, a Pierogi eating contest sponsored by Supreme Pierogies, a Canine Circus Show, a midway, a local artist and artisan vendor area, historical exhibits on Polish Canadian contributions to WWI and WWII, a First Nations activation and book sale at Roncesvalles United Church, a Bark and Splash activation by Roncesvalles Animal Hospital, an Art of the BBQ activation sponsored by Home Hardware, multiple beverage gardens, and a photo opportunity at the Roncy Sign; and (5) 20th Anniversary Sunday Morning programming: a Celebration Breakfast featuring Polish crepes hosted by Polanaise, commemorative programming recognizing long-time volunteers, sponsors, Festival Founders, vendors, performers, and community partners, live coverage by CP24, and community testimonials recorded at the Garden Stage.