Our autumn Toronto events begin one weekend after Labour Day.

It’s an amazingly busy time with dragon boat racing, a Celtic festival, the end of an exhibition by Hungarian-Canadian artists, vegetarian food and street festivals.

Dragon Boat Races at Marilyn Bell Park in Toronto

"Dragon Boat Racing at Wellington Waterfront" image by 4nitsirk (Kristina D.C. Hoeppner)

Dragon Boat racing is a great spectator sport even for the uninitiated, since the strength and determination are visible to landlubbers.

As well, dragonboat regattas are contested by divisions. This means that most races are hotly contested among crews of similar skills, so it’s usually a fight to the finish.

Details for the Sept. 2012 Dragon Boat Races

The venue is Marilyn Bell Park, just west of the CNE and Ontario Place, and south of Lake Shore Blvd West and the Gardiner Expressway. Jameson Avenue’s sidewalk is the safe way to walk or bike south.

The dates are Sept. 8-9, 2012. Races begin at 8:30am each day.

I’m sure that spectators may cheer politely at no cost or obligation.

The Great White North official web site offers more details, especially for the competitors.

2012 Vegetarian Food Festival at Harbourfront

Since you’re near Lake Ontario anyway, head to Harbourfront on Queen’s Quay for the Vegetarian Food Festival on Sept. 7-9, 2012. There will be cooking demonstrations as well as vendors. Admission is free.

Hungarian Visual Artists of Canada

"Map of Todmorden Mills, Toronto" image by Mike DeHaan

An exhibition of works by “Hungarian Visual Artists of Canada” has been running from Aug. 29 but wraps Sept. 9 at Todmorden Mills Museum on Pottery Road, in the Papermill Art Gallery.

The exhibit is available on Tuesday, Thursday & Friday from 10 a.m.to 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday & Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. Parking is free and admission is well under $10/person including tax.

The 2012 Beach Celtic Festival in Toronto

I’d written about this event last year, in “Beach Celtic Festival 2012 (and 2011) in Kew Gardens of Toronto“. In brief, head to Kew Gardens on Queen Street East on Sept. 8-9, 2012 for Irish music and culture in the park.

Toronto’s “only outdoor ceildh” is free to enjoy from 9am through 7pm.

The official Toronto Beach Celtic Festival web site provides the most up-to-date list of performers.

Toronto’s Taste of the Kingsway Festival 2012

Centred at 3029 Bloor St. West from Sept. 7-9, the Taste of the Kingsway returns between Prince Edward Drive and Montgomery Road with staged entertainment, food and yet more entertainment.

Support the “Out of the Cold” charity by buying a pancake breakfast.

The 2012 Toronto Chinatown Festival

Spadina Avenue from Dundas to College is the street for the 2012 Toronto Chinatown Festival. Naturally it’s free to stroll down the street for the entertainment and cultural environment on Sept. 8-9. You also have the opportunity to buy food to maintain your strength.

The Fiera Street Festival, or Tarantella Toronto 2012

Little Italy hosts the 2012 Tarantella Festival on College Street between Shaw and Bathhurst on Sept. 8-9, 2012. Taranta bands are featured, along with street vendors, a singing festival and the Tarantella Dance competition.

The 2012 Cabbagetown Festival of the Arts in Toronto

Head for Parliament Street between Wellesley and Gerrard on Sept. 8-9, 2012 between 11am and 8:30pm for the 2012 Toronto Cabbagetown Festival of the Arts. Musicians, dancers and buskers will entertain; food will be on sale.

Expect to find vendors with wares or not-for-profits explaining their programs.

Looking for More Annual Toronto Events?

Use my Squidoo lens, “The DeHaan Lens of Annual Toronto Events” to plan your other weekends. It tracks all the annual Toronto events that I find interesting.

I really must give props to “Festivals Toronto” who cover this beat very well. I found a couple of Toronto street festivals there, and hope to goodness that we’ve covered the bases.

Disclaimer: DeHaan Services has no relationship to the organizer(s); I am not reimbursed for writing this article.