World City Guide

Special Events

Toronto Winterfest, ice skating and fun in the snow (website: www.toronto.ca/winterfest), early Feb, Nathan Phillips Square and Mel Lastman Square
St Patrick’s Day Parade, Sunday nearest 17 Mar, downtown Toronto
Canadian Music Week, upcoming bands (website: www.cmw.net), late Mar–early Apr, various venues
World Stage Festival, international theatre festival (website: www.harbourfront.on.ca), Apr, Harbourfront Centre
CONTACT, photography festival (website: www.contactphoto.com), May, throughout the city
Inside-Out, Toronto lesbian and gay film and video festival (website: www.insideout.on.ca), mid–late May, various cinemas
Doors Open Toronto, free access to many of the city’s historic properties (website: www.doorsopen.org), late May, throughout the city
Distillery Jazz Festival (website: www.distilleryjazz.com), late May, the Distillery Historic District
Milk International Children’s Festival of the Arts, theatre, music, dance, crafts and workshops (website: www.harbourfront.on.ca/milk), late May, Harbourfront Centre (website: www.harbourfrontcentre.com/milk)
NXNE – North by Northeast Music Festival and Industry Conference, Canadian and international bands (website: www.nxne.com), early Jun, various venues
Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival (website: www.torontodragonboat.com), late Jun, Toronto Islands
Queen’s Plate Horse Racing (website: www.woodbineentertainment.com), late Jun, Woodbine Racetrack
Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival (website: www.tojazz.com), late Jun, various venues
Pride Week, gay and lesbian pride celebration (website: www.torontopride.com), late Jun, various venues
Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival (website: www.fringetoronto.com), early–mid Jul, various venues
Molson Indy, CART auto racing (website: www.molsonindy.com), mid Jul, Exhibition Place
Outdoor Art Exhibition (website: www.torontooutdoorart.org), mid Jul, Nathan Phillips Square
Beaches International Jazz Festival (website: www.beachesjazz.com), late Jul, The Beaches
Toronto International Carnival (website: www.torontointernationalcarnival.info), late Jul–early Aug, throughout the city
FFIDA – Fringe Festival of Independent Dance Artists (website: www.ffida.org), early–mid Aug, the Distillery Historic District
Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), agricultural fair, exposition and amusement park (website: www.theex.com), mid Aug–early Sep, Canadian National Exhibition Grounds
Toronto International Film Festival (website: www.e.bell.ca/filmfest), early–mid Sep, various venues
Niagara Wine Festival, wine tasting, concerts and other events (website: www.grapeandwine.com), late Sep, Montebello Park, St Catherine’s
Canadian International Marathon (website: www.runtoronto.com), mid Oct, throughout the city
International Festival of Authors (website: www.readings.org), late Oct, Harbourfront Centre
Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (website: www.royalfair.org), early–mid Nov, Exhibition Place
Santa Claus Parade (website: www.thesantaclausparade.org), mid Nov, midtown to downtown
Canadian Aboriginal Festival (website: www.canab.com), late Nov, SkyDome
Toronto Christmas Market (website: www.torontochristmasmarket.com), Dec, opposite St Lawrence Market
Cavalcade of Lights, skating, ice-carving, festive lights and more (website: www.toronto.ca/special_events), late Nov–Jan, Nathan Phillips Square
First Night Toronto, family-oriented New Year’s Eve activities (website: www.firstnight.toronto.com), late Dec, City Hall and other venues