Bundle your cultural experience and hotel for a curated vacation that makes the most of Toronto’s summer festivals.
Festival season is back, baby! Toronto’s summer festivals are must-attends.
Staying at a hotel that’s just a short walk or transit ride away from all the fun means you can spend more time soaking in the arts and culture and less time commuting. Get set to get your fête on!
Luminato
Luminato Festival Toronto (June 5–16, 2024) is dedicated to performance, media and visual arts that go beyond traditional forms of art.
This year's lineup includes free movement and dance workshops hosted by Afrikan Party, a free public art exhibit SPACED, curated by Banded Purple and an immersive large-scale public art exhibit Evanescent by Atelier Sisu.
Location(s): Venues across the city.
Hotel Pick: Located in the heart of the Entertainment District, Sonder The Slate puts you a short walk from the Evanescent exhibit, live theatre, the TIFF Lightbox, Osgoode subway station and stops for the King and Queen streetcars.
NXNE
Canada’s festival of emerging music, NXNE (June 12–16, 2024), puts the spotlight on over 300 up-and-coming Canadian music acts.
Location(s): Shows take place in more than 20 of the city’s top live music venues.
Hotel Pick: The Drake Hotel is a design gem of a boutique hotel on the trendy Queen Street West strip that will impress music lovers with its legendary live music venue, The Drake Underground.
Toronto Jazz Festival
The Toronto Jazz Festival (June 21–30, 2024) is an iconic and international jazz celebration. Its lineup includes emerging and established artists, including this year’s headliner, André 3000, who will perform at Massey Hall.
Location(s): Live music venues throughout the downtown core.
Hotel Pick: Located across from Union Station, you’ll be well situated to take the TTC to your next live jazz fix from the Fairmont Royal York. You’re also close to delectable restaurants like Toronto institution, Terroni, and Top Chef Canada Season 2 winner Carl Heinrich’s Richmond Station.
Toronto Fringe Festival
Toronto Fringe Festival (July 3–14, 2024) is a grassroots, non-juried festival that celebrates the arts with a rich variety of performances, from comedy and musicals to drama, improv and children’s shows. Fun fact: Kim’s Convenience made its debut here before becoming a popular CBC television comedy.
Location(s): You’ll find performances at 16 across Toronto.
Hotel Pick: With The St. Regis Toronto as your outpost, you’re close to Queen subway station and a short walk to Yonge-Dundas Square, Nathan Phillips Square and CF Toronto Eaton Centre—all excellent spots to soak up the city’s buzzy summertime energy.
Salsa in Toronto Festival
The Salsa in Toronto Festival (July 6 & 7, 2024) transforms much of Midtown’s St. Clair Avenue into one weekend-long open-air party, complete with Latin music, dancing and food.
If you’re here on an extended trip, check out the festival’s dance lessons, screenings, exhibitions and concerts, which run through June and July in venues across the city.
Location(s): The Fiesta Parade and Salsa on St. Clair take place on St. Clair Avenue West between Winona Drive and Christie Street; other events take place across the city.
Hotel Pick: The luxe midtown Kimpton Saint George Hotel is just steps from St. George subway, which will whisk you north to St. Clair station. Plus, you’re only a short walk from Yorkville’s haute spots, should you require any festival fashion finds.
Toronto Caribbean Carnival
Toronto Caribbean Carnival (August 1–5, 2024) is North America’s largest Caribbean carnival, featuring King and Queen and Pan-Alive Showcases, the Grand Parade, and more.
Location(s): Carnival Showcases take place at Lamport Stadium, and the Grand Parade starts on the Exhibition Grounds and continues along Lake Shore Boulevard West.
Hotel Pick: With the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Toronto as your home base, you’re a half-hour stroll to the free portion of the Grand Parade, but much closer to the after-dark carnival parties in the Entertainment District.
The Ex a.k.a Canadian National Exhibition
This beloved end-of-summer festival (August 16–September 2, 2024) brings carnival rides and over-the-top gastronomic creations in the Toronto Star Food Building.
Live music, talent and stunt shows, and the aeronautical displays of the Canadian International Air Show, round out the programming.
Location: Exhibition Place, not far from the Liberty Village neighbourhood.
Hotel Pick: Skip the Uber and stay at Hotel X Toronto with a super-short walk to the fairgrounds. Plus, when you need a reprieve from the crowds, you can take a breather in the rooftop pool, where you’ll score a phenomenal view of Toronto’s downtown skyline.
