Annual Events

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival is North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market. Each year, the Festival presents a selection of more than 150 cutting-edge documentaries from Canada and around the globe.
April 25 - May 5, 2013 | More about Hot Docs International Documentary Festival

CONTACT, the world’s largest annual photography event, is a month-long festival of photography with over 1000 local, national and international artists at more than 200 venues across the Greater Toronto Area in May.
May 1 – 31, 2013 | More about Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival

Toronto was the very first city to host Doors Open in North America! Over 130 architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings open their doors for the weekend and highlight the people who built the city. All for free!
May 25 & 26, 2013 | More about Doors Open Toronto

North by Northeast is all about rocking the city with a week of great music and the coolest music-related films from around the world. You’ll hear original music you’ve never heard before and get a first look at hand-selected music movies.
June 10 - 16, 2013 | More about NXNE: North by Northeast Music & Film Festival

Spend some memorable family time at Port Credit Memorial Park, a beautiful, world-class waterfront park in Mississauga. Enjoy a colourful carnival, outdoor concerts, theatre and a petting zoo. Be sure not to miss this event for kids of all ages.
June 14 - 16, 2013 | More about Mississauga Waterfront Festival

Luminato has taken centre stage as the world’s newest international multidisciplinary arts festival encompassing a broad spectrum of creative expression including music, dance, theatre, film, literature, visual arts and lectures. Discover a world of creativity at Luminato.
June 14 - 23, 2013 | More about Luminato

A unique festival that provides on-water and on-land programming, while positioning and promoting Toronto locally, nationally and internationally as a waterfront destination. This summer, the Festival brings the East Coast to Toronto! At HtO Park – “Toronto’s Urban Beach.”
June 20 - 23, 2013 | More about Redpath Waterfront Festival Toronto

Brought to you by North America’s premiere jazz festival producers, the TD Toronto Jazz Festival delivers the sounds of the world’s greatest jazz musicians from the quaint and most intimate of venues to the large concert halls. Be sure to schedule this smooth festival into your summer calendar.
June 20 - 29, 2013 | More about TD Toronto Jazz Festival

One of the largest Pride celebrations in the world, with an estimated attendance of over 1 million people. It includes a three-day street festival (Friday, June 28 to Sunday, June 30), a special Family Pride program, a Dyke March (Saturday, June 29) and the infamous and fabulous Pride Parade (Sunday, June 30).
June 21 - 30, 2013 | More about Toronto Pride

Electronic Nation presents the Digital Dreams Festival – Canada’s largest EDM festival with headliners DJ Tiësto and Richie Hawtin. Coming to The Flats at Molson Canadian Amphitheatre over Canada Day Long Weekend.
June 29 & 30, 2013 | More about Digital Dreams Festival

Fringe festival-goers measure the quality of the experience not by the script (or absence thereof), but rather, by the pure enthusiasm of the performance. It’s city’s liveliest grassroots theatre festival.
July 3 - 14, 2013 | More about Toronto Fringe Festival 25th Anniversary

As the largest outdoor art exhibition in Canada, the TOAE offers a fresh-air and free alternative to conventional art shows and galleries. Approximately 500 artists participate and over 100,000 visitors attend the exhibition every year.
July 5 - 7, 2013 | More about Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition

Enjoy mouth-watering fare offered by some of the city’s best restaurants. Three course, prix-fixe menus for lunch or dinner. Check out several of the over 150 participating restaurants and you will experience an excellent variety of some great cuisine. Bon Appetit!
July 5 - 21, 2013 | More about Summerlicious

Feel the vibe at the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto (formerly Caribana) – an exciting cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, revelry and visual and performing arts. In its 45th year, it has become a major international event and the largest cultural festival of its kind in North America.
July 9 - August 4, 2013 | More about Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival

The Honda Indy Toronto will feature an important addition in 2013: a doubleheader weekend of IZOD IndyCar Series races. The addition of back-to-back races in Toronto is a first in the history of the event, which will run July 12-14 at Exhibition Place.
July 12 - 14, 2013 | More about Honda Indy Toronto

Brought to you by TLN Telelatino, Hillcrest Village BIA and the City of Toronto. Join in on the fun as St. Clair Avenue West will be transformed into a showcase of Latin life.
July 13 & 14, 2013 | More about Salsa on St. Clair

With 2.6 million dollars U.S. prize money, this event attracts the world’s best tennis players. The impressive list of past champions on the Canadian stop of the professional tennis circuit bear such legendary names as John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Ivan Lendl, Andre Agassi and Roger Federer.
August 3 - 11, 2013 | More about Rogers Cup

Greektown hosts the annual Pilaros Taste of the Danforth festival. This event brings the delectable cuisine out of local restaurants and into the streets. Listen to Greek bands while getting your fill of authentic souvlaki, stuffed grape leaves, grilled lamb and moussaka.
August 9 - 11, 2013 | More about Pilaros Taste of the Danforth

This annual fair is fun for the entire family. Midway rides bring chills and thrills. The National Trade Centre boasts an International Marketplace with goods spanning the globe along with innovative products. Horse shows and dog shows entertain both young and old.
August 16 - Sept 2, 2013 | More about Canadian National Exhibition (CNE)

The Scotiabank BuskerFest is Toronto’s wildly successful international street performer festival – a showcase for hundreds of the most spectacular street performers on earth!
August 22 - 25, 2013 | More about Scotiabank Buskerfest

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is the world’s largest public film festival, screening more than 300 films from around the world in venues across the city. Visit our new home at TIFF Bell Lightbox to get into the Festival spirit year-round.
September 5 - 15, 2013 | More about Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)

Get the blues along with over 50,000 others at Port Credit’s Southside Shuffle and also enjoy the great pick-me-upper jazz acts throughout the festival. Last year’s main-stage artists included David Wilcox, Treasa Levasseur and Colin Linden. You’ll definitely enjoy feeling those glorified blues.
September 6 - 8, 2013 | More about Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle

Five days of music, comedy and film featuring some of Canada’s most popular and iconic performers. The Festival is held at a variety of venues in downtown Toronto and features over 100 performances, most of them free.
September 19 - 22, 2013 | More about Canada’s Walk of Fame Festival

For one sleepless night experience Toronto transformed by hundreds of artists. One night only. All night long. Nuit Blanche is a contemporary art event that magically transforms Toronto’s streets and parks into an artistic playground with exhibitions, live performances and creative programs.
October 5, 2013 | More about Scotiabank Nuit Blanche

Once a year, the country comes to the city bringing along over 300 vendors, regal horse shows, entertaining dog shows and everything else in between. The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the largest of its kind and truly is part of Canadian tradition.
November 1 - 10, 2013 | More about The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

Toronto’s 47th annual Cavalcade of Lights presented by Scotiabank returns to Nathan Phillips Square with the first lighting of Toronto’s official Christmas tree.
November 23, 2013 | More about Cavalcade of Lights

The Santa Claus Parade has been a Toronto tradition since 1905. Fantastic animated floats leave the corner of Christie and Bloor Street in the company of two dozen marching bands and a couple of thousand costumed participants, cheered along by excited kids.
November 2013 (tba) | More about Santa Claus Parade

Inspired by the Old World and influenced by the New, this free annual event captures all of the tradition, heritage and charm of a European Christmas Market, while showcasing hundreds of unique and local handcrafted products.
December 2013 (tba) | More about Lowe’s Toronto Christmas Market

Experience a series of mouthwatering culinary events and indulge in creative cuisine from around the world at great prix fixe value with the ever popular Winterlicious. Try something new, try something exotic, try something traditional or try it all!
January/February 2014 (tba) | More about Winterlicious

The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show has introduced many generations to Canada’s outdoor heritage during its 65-year history. Many youth and adults alike had their first fishing, archery and outdoor experiences at the show.
February 6 – 9, 2014 | More about Toronto Sportsmen’s Show

To mark its 40th anniversary, the 2013 Canadian International AutoShow combined a glorious past, the best of the present and visions of the future. Over 600,000 square feet of dazzling displays, big prize giveaways and engaging exhibits!
Begins February 14, 2014 | More about Canadian International AutoShow

Whether you’re a fashion lover or fashion designer; whether you’re looking to see or be seen, or just interested in the scene altogether, Toronto Fashion Week is the place to be as some of the biggest names in Canadian fashion (and from all over the world) gather to showcase their collections.
March 2014 (tba) | More about World Mastercard Fashion Week

Canadian Music Week is one of the premier entertainment events in North America, and features Canadian Music Fest spanning 6 nights of performances, with 1,000 bands at more than 60 live music venues in downtown Toronto.
May 6 - 10, 2014 | More about Canadian Music Week