Do West Fest was created by our community and remains a festival built by and for the members of the Little Portugal Toronto BIA.

Some of this year's biggest successes included expanded children's programming and the introduction of a dedicated family area for kids' performances and activities. We also activated the Green P lot near Ossington as a new festival hub, relocating one of our three main stages there and creating a more accessible space with ample seating and room for people to gather comfortably. Overall, we saw a record number of local business members activating their store fronts, enthusiastic community participation, over 75% local Toronto vendors and positive engagement. The festival welcomed a diverse audience ranging from neighbourhood residents and visitors from across the GTA to guests from elsewhere in Canada and abroad, demonstrating both the local significance and growing reach of Do West Fest. 

One unique aspect of Do West Fest is that it has grown largely through word of mouth and the strength of the neighbourhood itself. Over the past five years, the festival has invested very little in traditional marketing beyond limited postering and local bus shelter advertising. Its popularity reflects the reputation of both the festival, the neighborhood, and the local businesses and artists that make it culturally unique.

With attendance expected to exceed one million visitors over the weekend (pending confirmation through crowd-counting data), managing an event of this scale presents ongoing challenges. We worked closely with multiple city divisions, including Toronto Police. In consultation with TPS our request for paid duty officers was nearly doubled from last year, to assist with traffic management, crowd control, and public safety. With many large events happening this weekend and in the coming weeks- this year police resources were stretched thin and our request was underfulfilled. We did have increased security in place throughout the weekend. 

While overcrowding and subsequent incidents can occur at any large public gathering, we continually review our operations and security measures to identify opportunities for improvement.

The Events Committee, composed of Little Portugal Toronto BIA board members who are local business representatives, is already evaluating this year's event and discussing adjustments for 2027. Options under consideration include modest changes to operating hours, further refinements to amplified sound management, and additional measures to improve the experience for residents, visitors, businesses, and festival-goers.

As attendance continues to grow, ensuring public safety, centering our local businesses, and delivering meaningful cultural and economic benefits to our wider communities remain at the core of every decision we make.