Toronto Entertainment

As one of the most multicultural cities in the world, Toronto has an absolutely stellar array of entertainment options. New venues keep opening and old favourites get wonderfully refurbished as this city continues to propel itself to the heights of culture and fun. From top-notch theatre and world-class comedy shows to punk rock bands and retro martini bars, you will find something to suit all tastes in Toronto.

To find out what’s happening during your visit, pick up a free copy of Now or Eye, available in newspaper boxes, bars and cafés around town. Where Toronto and Toronto Life are also useful guides to current events and performances.
 

Nightlife

Toronto has an incredible bar scene, and the locals are fully dedicated to keeping it up and running. The city is full of quirky and authentic watering holes, many of which have been around for years, if not decades. Low-key pool (billiards) bars are popular as well as cigar and martini bars. But perhaps the greatest Toronto nightlife institution is the cocktail bar, and there are plenty to choose from. One of the hotter areas to have a drink these days is along Dundas West.

The club scene is also alive and well, and full of variety, though these types of venues definitely come and go. Every flavour from cross-dressing to Latin pulse can be found somewhere in the city, but it’s best to check the local entertainment guides to see what’s currently open. Most places start rocking around 23:00 and go on until 03:00. However, Toronto has a huge underground nightlife scene, ensuring that there are plenty of things to do after closing time.

Theatre and music

Toronto is one of the best cities in the world to catch the latest Broadway theatre performances, and when they come here, they head to the Royal Alexandra Theatre. The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is world-renowned and performs at Roy Thomson Hall from September to June. During June and July, the symphony puts on free concerts at outdoor venues around Toronto.

Canada’s first purpose-built opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, has just opened and will be the new home of the Canadian Opera Company and the National Ballet of Canada, which is the most beloved of Toronto’s cultural icons.

There are dozens of other venues around the city which showcase the best theatre, music and dance Canada has to offer. The Distillery Historic District is a beautiful complex consisting of 45 red brick buildings housing restaurants, bars, galleries and three performing arts venues.

Festivals

The summertime in Toronto is jam-packed with festivals, free outdoor concerts, street fairs and other fun cultural events. 

• The Toronto Downtown Jazz and Blues Festival is 10 days of world-famous international musicians performing by themselves and with each other at venues all over the city (June).
• Celebrate Toronto Street Festival is a chance for the locals to come out and enjoy the summer with art, music, food and a variety of crafts  (July).
• The Toronto Fringe Festival is one of the city’s highlights, featuring over 120 theatre companies from around Canada and the world, performing a staggering variety of plays and acts (July).
• Caribana is the largest Caribbean festival in North America. It runs for two weeks and features a parade, outdoor concerts, band competitions and lots of good food and music (July).
• The Toronto International Film Festival is one of North America’s premier film events, attracting many of the brightest stars in the industry. New films from all genres are shown at venues across the city (September).