JANUARY – Toronto International Boat Show
Shake off winterish doldrums at the summer preview event. Toronto International Boat Show offers over 250 seminars and workshops, the world’s largest indoor lake, beautiful boats of all sizes, and celebrity guests. In the middle of Canadian winter, there is only one lake in Toronto that will let you enjoy boating and experience free boat rides, canoeing, kayaking, and pedal boating, and it’s part of the Boat Show. Besides fun, you will meet boating experts from all over the world who educate and inspire visitors with their experience in areas from boat purchase basics to offshore cruising and round-the-globe adventures.
FEBRUARY – Canadian International AutoShow
Come and see the latest in automotive innovation and design across 600,000 square feet of bright displays and attractive exhibits. This auto-heaven showcases over a thousand cars, trucks, classic cars and concept vehicles, so there is plenty to see and drive.
MARCH – Toronto Comicon
The biggest party for cosplay fans, comic characters and celebrities, ComiCon presents 150,000 square feet of Comic heaven in downtown Toronto. Prepare to check over 400 exhibitors through the labyrinth of colour, characters and creatures. Toronto Comicon brings workshops, presentations, celebrity guests, and thousands of like-minded attendants under one roof.
APRIL – Hot Docs International Documentary Festival
The largest documentary festival in North America offers an excellent selection of films from around the globe to over 200,000 attendees. Hot Docs also mounts a full agenda of conference sessions, services for documentary practitioners, and market events like Hot Docs Forum and The Doc Shop.
MAY – Canadian Music Week
Every May, CMW pulsates in Toronto for a week. One of the top entertainment events in North America, it is a mix of top-notch conferences, award shows, a cutting-edge exhibition, a film festival and a great new music festival. No matter if you’re in the music industry or want to be, there are plenty of events for you to join all in downtown Toronto.
JUNE – Toronto Pride
Join over 1 million people at one of the largest LGBT celebrations in the world. Besides the famous Pride Parade, Toronto Pride includes a special Trans Pride, Family Pride program, and the Dyke March. Shows, parades, lectures, parties—a month full of Pride events will bring colour to Toronto streets.
JULY – Toronto Fringe Festival
Toronto’s liveliest grassroots theatre festival, Fringe Festival, features over 155 indie shows in every theatre genre in different venues across the city. You will watch new plays old favourite ones, see experimental works and fresh hits. Dance lovers will enjoy dance productions and families will love “FringeKids!” shows where the youngest Fringers take part.
AUGUST – Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana)
A breathtaking explosion of Caribbean culture, cuisine, music, and visual and performing arts. Over the fifty years of its history, Caribana has become a significant international event and the largest Caribbean festival in North America. A few weeks of the Caribana Toronto 2018 culminate with the Grand Parade with colourful masqueraders, steel pan bands, and millions of spectators along the stretch of Lake Shore Boulevard.
SEPTEMBER – Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
Are you ready for a cinematic overdose at the largest public film festival on the planet? TIFF 2018 screens more than 300 films from around the globe in numerous venues across the city. You will see every genre from heart-melting drama to hair-raising horror or ground-breaking documentary films. World premieres, gala events, cutting-edge films, and industry shmoozes all blend into amazing “TIFF” cocktail. What a great occasion to see your favourite celebrities!
OCTOBER – International Festival of Authors
Meet the best international novelists, playwrights, poets, biographers, and short story writers at the IFOA, one of the largest literary festivals on the planet. Eleven days of readings, lectures, interviews, public book signings, and round-table discussions.
NOVEMBER – Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Weekend & Legends Classic
Every autumn, the legends of hockey gather for a few days filled with tributes and fan events all dedicated to Canada’s favourite game—hockey. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Weekend kicks off with the Game between Toronto Maple Leafs and opponent team. The next day, you can get up close with the Hockey Hall of Fame Inductees at the Q&A Fan Forum. Could you imagine a better occasion to learn everything about Canadian hockey?
DECEMBER – The Toronto Christmas Market & New Year
Enjoy the European traditions and heritage at the charming Christmas Market in the heart of Toronto. This month-long event celebrates everything about Christmas—the sounds, sights and scents. Walk in the Victorian-era, cobblestone-lined Distillery Historic District to meet local craftspeople, food-makers, and musicians for a truly festive spirit. Have a mug of mulled wine while being hypnotised by hand-made ornaments and wood carvings. Listen to carollers and brass bands to cheer your heart and soul.
