Ramadan in Toronto: Markets, festivals and Iftars mark the month

Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area will mark Ramadan with sign unveilings, community iftars, markets and library storytimes; several events are scheduled in late February and into mid‑March.

Ramadan is set to begin this week, and Toronto-area communities have scheduled a range of public observances and events. The month is traditionally marked by daily fasting from sunrise to sunset, increased worship and communal meals after sunset called iftars. Organizers across the GTA are planning sign unveilings, fundraising iftars, markets and family programs through mid-March. Key events: - A Ramadan Mubarak sign was unveiled at Nathan Phillips Square on Feb. 17 at 5:30 p.m., with free hot drinks provided. - Celebration Square in Mississauga unveiled a Ramadan Mubarak sign on Feb. 16 at 5:30 p.m., and Brampton City Hall will hold a sign unveiling on Feb. 23 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Islamic Relief Canada’s Grand Iftar is scheduled for Feb. 22 at the Scarborough Convention Centre and is reported to support vulnerable children and families. - The International Development and Relief Foundation’s Toronto Community Iftar is scheduled for Feb. 28 at the Versailles Convention Centre and is reported to support families in Gaza. - The National Council of Canadian Muslims will host an iftar on Feb. 22 in Mississauga featuring author and journalist Mehdi Hasan, with donations reported to support the organization’s work. - The GTA Ramadan Festival (Ronaq-e-Ramadan) in Mississauga runs Feb. 28–March 1, with additional final-Ramadan festivities March 14–19, and a Ramadan market in Scarborough is set for Feb. 28–March 1; Ramadan Storytimes are scheduled at several GTA libraries on Feb. 21, Feb. 28 and March 14. Summary: Community observances across Toronto and the GTA include public sign unveilings, fundraising iftars, markets and family-oriented library events, with many gatherings clustered in late February and continuing into mid‑March. Several events are explicitly tied to charitable causes or community outreach, and planned dates are publicized by organizers.