March 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DESIFEST Celebrates 20 Years of South Asian Culture at Sankofa Square; Announces the Return of TD as Premier Sponsor
TORONTO, ON – April 13th – Canada’s largest South Asian music and arts festival, DESIFEST, returns to Toronto’s iconic Sankofa Square on June 19th - 20th, 2026, to celebrate a landmark 20th anniversary. To mark two decades of showcasing vibrant global sounds and “Building the Next Wave” of artists, the festival is proud to announce the return of TD as a Premier Sponsor, reaffirming their longstanding commitment to South Asian arts and culture in Canada.
What began as a grassroots initiative to amplify South Asian voices has evolved into a cornerstone cultural event for the City of Toronto. This year’s 20th-anniversary milestone promises to be the largest celebration yet, uniting multi-generational families and music lovers under the theme: Where South Asian Culture Meets the World.
Since its inception in 2006, DESIFEST has supported over 1,000 artists, injected more than $3 million into cultural development, and hosted over 60,000 live attendees annually. In 2024 alone, the festival reached 45+ million people digitally.
With curated stages spanning Bollywood, Punjabi, Bangla, Carnatic Fusion, Hip Hop, and R&B, DESIFEST is not only a music festival — it’s a movement. From open mic nights and artist showcases to large-scale productions, DESIFEST is where emerging South Asian talent becomes part of the national conversation.
For 20 years, DESIFEST has been the heartbeat of the South Asian diaspora in Canada. This 20th anniversary is about honouring our roots while aggressively spotlighting the global future of South Asian music.
Sathish Bala, Founder, DESIFEST
Festivals like DESIFEST help bring people together to experience the vibrancy and diversity of our communities. As DESIFEST marks 20 years, TD is proud to support cultural events that foster connection and provide a platform to showcase the diverse talent that contributes to local communities.
Robyn Small, Senior Manager, Philanthropy, Corporate Citizenship, TD Bank Group
As a premier sponsor, TD proudly supports DESIFEST’s year-round artist development initiatives, including the Open Mic Season 4 showcase, the intimate Sofa Sessions, and dynamic mainstage performances at Sankofa Square.
Sathish Bala
Founder, DESIFEST
sbala@desifest.ca
