Luminato Festival

The World Comes to Toronto to Celebrate Creativity

The Luminato Festival was born out of Toronto’s cultural and creative energy and has become one of the preeminent arts festivals in North America. It’s an event for art-lovers looking to change their outlook on the world.

5 Things to See at Luminato 2019

With dozens of thought-provoking and beautiful events and exhibits taking place across the city, narrowing down which ones to check out is difficult. Here are five that should not be missed.

1. Maada’ookii Songlines

Taking place by Toronto’s waterfront, the Maada’ookii Songlines is a massive choral event with 200 singers from 11 diverse choirs, four soloists and a fusion Indigenous ensemble. This choral experience, all composed by Juno Award-nominated Cris Derksen, will tell a tale of history and promise.

June 23 at Harbourfront Centre, Lakeside

2. House of Mirrors

Making its North American debut, this immense kaleidoscopic mirror maze sits at over 12 feet tall and weighs over 55 tonnes. Guests of all ages can walk through the maze where optical illusions meet vanity. Seeing is believing…or is it?

June 7 to 23 at Harbourfront Centre, East Campus

3. True North

Explore Toronto’s basketball scene by watching a documentary series following five of the city’s top players as they chase their dreams of becoming NBA superstars. With Canada becoming an increasingly popular recruiting ground for NBA players, this documentary will showcase the impact basketball has made upon these young and talented players and the strong community of family and coaches rallying behind them in support.

June 15 at Harbourfront Centre, Studio Theatre

4. Flowers for Kazuo Ohno (and Leonard Cohen)

What do Kazuo Ohno and Leonard Cohen have in common? They are both the muses behind a Colombian contemporary dance tribute by the Compañía del Cuerpo de Indias. With songs by Cohen and choreography inspired by Ohno, Flowers for Kazu Ohno (and Leonard Cohen) will enchant and inspire.

June 19 to 22 at Bluma Appeal Theatre

5. Forget Me Not

Canadian Puppet master Ronnie Burkett returns to Luminato with the world premiere of Forget Me Not. This heart-warming theatre piece engages audience members who are each given a handmade puppet to interact with. Explore the world of “The New Now”, where written words are forbidden and an underground movement of hand-drawn love letters is a powerful act of defiance.

June 5 to 23 at Joey & Toby Tanenbaum Opera Centre