There are plenty of things to do in and around Toronto. Here’s a calendar that lists some of the top festivals and events you can experience in the area!
To jump to a specific month, click on any of the following:
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Festivals and Events in Toronto
Listed below are the biggest and most important events and festivals each month in Toronto. (Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
January Festivals & Events
- New Year’s Day (Stat Holiday) – January 1, 2025.
- Cavalcade of Lights – every night during the holiday season Nathan Phillips Square is lit up with lights and hosts live music and ice skating. (December until early January)
- 21C Music Festival – a classical and operatic music festival that includes a series of concerts. (January 18 to 25, 2025)
- Interior Design Show – an exhibition featuring a variety of design and interior decor brands. (January 23 to 26, 2025)
- Toronto International Boat Show – this event showcases a preview of the upcoming summer season, with details on all sorts of boats, gadgets and more. (January 18 to 26, 2025)
February Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Ontario Family Day (Stat Holiday) – February 17, 2025.
- Kuumba – part of Black History Month, there are dance and music performances, workshops and more all month long. (February 1 to 28, 2025)
- The Rhubarb Festival – the longest-running experimental theatre festival in the country, you can never be sure what to expect. (February 8 to 18 in 2024)
- Canadian International Autoshow – the biggest show of its kind in Canada, there are over a thousand cars on display along with other exhibitions. (February 14 to 23, 2025)
March Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade – the city’s annual celebration of Irish culture with live entertainment, food and drinks. (March 17, 2025).
- One of a Kind Craft Show – this craft fair has taken place for nearly 50 years and consists of works made by local artisans. (March 27 in 2024)
- Toronto Comicon – a go-to event for all comic fans as well as fans of sci-fi, gaming and anime in general, with plenty of special guests. (March 14 to 16, 2025)
St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March
April Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Good Friday (Stat Holiday) – on April 18, 2025.
- Easter Monday (Stat Holiday) – on April 21, 2025.
- Hot Docs Festival – the biggest documentary film festival on the continent, there are movies covering all sorts of topics to enjoy. (April 25 to May 5 in 2024)
- Total Health Show – a convention that focuses on natural health remedies and diets with a series of guest speakers. (2025 status TBC)
May Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- CONTACT Photography Festival – this festival includes an “open call exhibition” program, where any photographer can submit their work. (May 1 to 31, 2025)
- Fashion Art Toronto – a celebration of fashion that aims to be as inclusive as possible with different showcases and events. (May 2 to 5 in 2024)
- Hot Docs Festival – the biggest documentary film festival on the continent, there are movies covering all sorts of topics to enjoy. (April 25 to May 5 in 2024)
- Toronto Comic Arts Festival – held at multiple venues in the city, there are comic book workshops, panels, Q&As and more. (May 11 to 12 in 2024)
- Sporting Life 10k – this marathon that runs down Yonge Street has raised millions of dollars for CAMPFIRE CIRCLE which provides a fun summer experience for children fighting cancer. (May 12 in 2024)
- Victoria Day (Stat Holiday) – on May 19, 2025.
- Inside Out – an LGBTQ+ film festival that provides a platform for queer voices of all kinds. (May 24 to June 1 in 2024)
- Doors Open – every year over 100 historic buildings around the city become open for free visits from the general public. (Virtual event in 2024)
June Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Inside Out – an LGBTQ+ film festival that provides a platform for queer voices of all kinds. (May 24 to June 1 in 2024)
- Toronto Pride – a full month of LGBTQ+ events headlined by the massive annual Pride Parade on June 30 in 2024.
- RBC Canadian Open – the most prestigious PGA Tour event in Canada, many of the world’s top golfers come to compete each year. (May 28 to June 2 in 2024)
- Canadian Music Week – a celebration of all things music with a festival, conference, tradeshow and more. (June 1 to 8 in 2024)
- Luminato – an arts and culture festival headlined by massive public art and live music performances. (June 5 to 16 in 2024)
- North By Northeast Festival – this music festival focuses on lesser-known Canadian artists with the chance at a bigger spotlight. (June 12 to 16 in 2024)
- Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival – thousands of athletes participate each year in dozens of races over two days. (June 15 and 16 in 2024)
- TD Toronto Jazz Festival – dozens of venues host jazz performances with some of the biggest names in the genre playing live around the city. (June 21 to 30 in 2024)
- Royal Canadian International Circus – a family-friendly circus with shows in Etobicoke (June 27 to July 1 in 2024). There are also shows later in the summer in Pickering (July 4 to 14), Scarborough (July 18 to 28), Vaughan (August 1 to 5), Mississauga (August 9 to 18) and Burlington (August 22 to September 2).
July Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Canada Day (Stat Holiday) – on July 1, 2025.
- TD Salsa Festival – an annual celebration of Latin culture with plenty of dance performances and more. (on July 6 and 7 in 2024)
- Beaches International Jazz Festival – a nearly month-long festival held outdoors with a wide variety of shows that are all free to attend. (July 5 to 28 in 2024)
- Toronto Fringe Festival – Toronto’s hub for theatre on the “fringe”, with smaller-scale shows that you’re not as likely to see elsewhere. (July 3 to 14 in 2024)
- Grand Prix of Toronto – the Toronto stop on the Indy Car racing tour, held at Exhibition Place every summer. (July 19 to 21 in 2024)
- Toronto Summer Music Festival – a classical music festival held in tandem with an academy that holds both concerts and classes each year. (July 11 to August 3 in 2024)
- Royal Canadian International Circus – a family-friendly circus with shows in Etobicoke (June 27 to July 1 in 2024). There are also shows later in the summer in Pickering (July 4 to 14), Scarborough (July 18 to 28), Vaughan (August 1 to 5), Mississauga (August 9 to 18) and Burlington (August 22 to September 2).
- Toronto Outdoor Fair – celebrating its 62nd anniversary in 2024, this outdoor art fair has a wide selection of pieces to explore. (July 12 to 14 in 2024)
August Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Toronto Caribbean Festival – also known as Caribana, this very popular festival is jam-packed with food, music, dance and colourful costumes. (August 1 to 5 in 2024)
- Civic Holiday (Stat Holiday) – on August 5 in 2024.
- Royal Canadian International Circus – a family-friendly circus with shows in Etobicoke (June 27 to July 1 in 2024). There are also shows later in the summer in Pickering (July 4 to 14), Scarborough (July 18 to 28), Vaughan (August 1 to 5), Mississauga (August 9 to 18) and Burlington (August 22 to September 2).
- Boots and Hearts – a country music festival at Burl’s Creek where many attendees camp at the site for the duration of the festival. (August 8 to 11 in 2024)
- Fan Expo Canada – the biggest convention for all things sci-fi, comics, gaming and more in Canada, with plenty of exhibitions packed into four days. (August 22 to 25 in 2024)
- The Canadian Open – the biggest annual tennis tournament in Canada, each year there’s either the men’s or women’s tournament in Toronto, with the other in Montreal. (August 3 to 11 in 2024)
- The Canadian National Exhibition – the biggest annual fair in the country, the CNE has everything from live entertainment, to shopping, to a carnival and much more. (August 16 to September 2 in 2024)
- Taste of the Danforth – a Greek food and culture festival where people browse hundreds of food options and take part in some fun outdoor games. (cancelled in 2024)
- Veld Music Festival – an EDM and hip-hop festival in Downsview Park that’s a massive weekend party. (from August 2 to 4 in 2024)
September Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Royal Canadian International Circus – a family-friendly circus with shows in Etobicoke (June 27 to July 1 in 2024). There are also shows later in the summer in Pickering (July 4 to 14), Scarborough (July 18 to 28), Vaughan (August 1 to 5), Mississauga (August 9 to 18) and Burlington (August 22 to September 2).
- The Canadian National Exhibition – the biggest annual fair in the country, the CNE has everything from live entertainment, to shopping, to a carnival and much more. (August 16 to September 2 in 2024)
- Toronto International Buskerfest – this festival features performances of all kinds including dance, acrobatics, mime, comedians and more. (August 30 to September 2 in 2024)
- Labour Day (Stat Holiday) – on September 2, 2024.
- Toronto International Film Festival – one of the biggest film festivals in the entire world, TIFF showcases the best films out of thousands of submissions each year. (September 5 to 15 in 2024)
- JFL42 – the Toronto stop of the Just For Laughs tour, there are shows with some of the biggest names in comedy to check out. (Sadly the event is cancelled in 2024 and might not come back)
- Cabbagetown Festival – the historic neighbourhood of Cabbagetown has a fun and welcoming outdoor festival each year. (September 7 and 8, 2024)
- Toronto International Festival of Authors – the flagship festival for this organization that holds various literary events throughout the year. (September 19 to 29 in 2024)
- Oktoberfest – the biggest celebration of Bavarian culture in the country, with plenty of beverages and cuisine on hand for all. (September 17 to October 9 in 2024)
October Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Thanksgiving (Stat Holiday) – October 14 in 2024.
- Oktoberfest – the biggest celebration of Bavarian culture in the country, with plenty of beverages and cuisine on hand for all. (September 17 to October 9 in 2024)
- Toronto Waterfront Marathon – one of the top certified marathons in North America, there are a few different race levels available. (October 19 in 2023)
- Toronto After Dark Film Festival – a horror film festival designed to get you in the mood for the Halloween season. (October 16 to 20 in 2024)
- Nuit Blanche – a city-wide art installation project that provides a variety of exhibitions to explore. (October 5 in 2024)
November Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Remembrance Day (not a Stat Holiday) – on November 11, 2024. The National Remembrance Day Ceremony usually takes place at the National War Memorial.
- Cavalcade of Lights – every night during the holiday season Nathan Phillips Square is lit up with lights and hosts live music and ice skating. (Was from November 25, 2023 to January 7, 2024)
- The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair – the biggest indoor equestrian and agricultural event in the world. (November 1 to 10 in 2024)
- Toronto Santa Claus Parade – a tradition for over a century, watch in-person or on TV as a long procession of decorated floats bring Christmas cheer. (November 24 in 2024)
December Festivals & Events
(Note: Dates and other details are subject to change. See official event websites for exact information.)
- Distillery Winter Village – a big Christmas market held in the Distillery District with a wide range of vendors. (November 13, 2024, until January 5, 2025)
- Cavalcade of Lights – every night during the holiday season Nathan Phillips Square is lit up with lights and hosts live music and ice skating. (Was from November 25, 2023 to January 7, 2024)
- Christmas Day (Stat Holiday) – on December 25, 2024.
- Boxing Day – a holiday for some people but not everyone on December 26, 2024.
- New Year’s Eve (not a Stat Holiday) – on December 31, 2024.
Other Information
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
For lists of festivals and events in a number of other Canadian cities check out the following websites:
- Ottawa’s Best Places
- Montreal’s Best Places
- Quebec’s Best Places
- Vancouver’s Best Places
- Victoria’s Best Places
- WhatToDoInWhistler.ca