There are plenty of Toronto events and festivals throughout the year, and this year’s lineup looks like it’s gonna be one for the books! From food to films, to anything in between, there’s a Toronto event for you.
Toronto Events 2019
- CN Exhibition – ‘The Ex’
- Toronto Pride
- TIFF 2019
- Hot Docs Film Festival
- Inside Out LGBTQ Film Fest
- Canadian Music Week
- Toronto Jazz Fest
- Festival of Beer
- Toronto Comicon
Toronto’s Top Summer Events
Don’t miss the top TO festivals this year! For a family Toronto vacation excursion, the Canadian National Exhibition during the last few weeks of August is a popular Toronto event that offers everything for the whole family! Epic rides for all ages, animal exhibits and shows, entertainment, and plenty of food.
Supporters and members of the LGBTQ2 community can enjoy the month-long Toronto Pride Festival in June for its live music, parades, and much more throughout the city.
Further reading: Check These off Your Toronto Summer Bucket List
Toronto Art Festivals
Toronto also has plenty of arts, food, and music events throughout the year just waiting to be discovered. Toronto’s film festival lineup starts in the spring with the Hot Docs International Film Documentary Festival kicking off at the end of April, and the Inside Out LGBT Film Festival. For a grassroots theatre experience, try out the Fringe Theatre Festival which shows off indie productions in film, theatre, and dance.
The Toronto International Film Festival takes place every year in September and this is an A-list event happening in our very own backyard! TIFF is the largest public film festival in the world, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see celebrities if you go. See what’s in store at TIFF 2019 here.
Toronto Music Events 2019
One of the earliest Toronto events of the year for music occurs in downtown Toronto during Canadian Music Week. This event aims to please crowds with over 1,000 bands and helps artists and groups network and learn with workshops and talks. Fly to Toronto to join the music fans at the events.
The TD Toronto Jazz Festival, held in June, is a classic Toronto summer music festival. Check out Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto for free and paid entertainment events, including concerts. Another great music event in Toronto is the Beaches International Jazz Festival in July. This year’s headliners include Diana Ross, Norah Jones and a 50th anniversary show for Tower and Power.
All musical performances are free and occur across the multiple stages spanning the lakeside neighbourhood of Toronto. There are several “sub-festivals” like the StreetFest in Queen Street East playing jazz, Latin, Cajun, and more in July.
If you prefer electronic music, the Bud Light Dreams Festival in July takes place off of Lake Ontario with headliners including ZEDD, REZZ, Felix Cartal and more.
Another not-to-be-missed Toronto event this summer is the 90’s Nostalgia Wayback Dance Party! Featuring some of our favourite bands from back in the day, you’ll find all the 90s nostalgia you need right here, with Aqua, The Vengaboys, S Club 7, to name a few.
Toronto Events for Food and Drink
The Toronto’s Festival of Beer in July and the Toronto Oktoberfest in September both showcase Toronto’s brewing history. You can also try locally brewed Toronto beverages at events like the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition in July.
Toronto has also become Canada’s top foodie travel destinations, so it’s no surprise that food festivals make their way to the Toronto scene every summer. Some of the best include Tastemaker and Summerlicious, which offers prix-fixe dining options at popular restaurants all over the city. Other popular food and drink festivals include Taste of the Danforth for a Greek cuisine focus and GraceJerk Fest to celebrate the best of Guyanese and Caribbean cuisine. Sounds delish!
Toronto ComiCon
The Toronto ComiCon brings together fans of comics, animation, and gaming in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Let your fandom fly with a full weekend of costumes, exhibits, meet-and-greets with some of your favourite stars, and much much more. You can also find tons of famous graphic artists, illustrators, and cos-players at the annual convention.
