10 Spring Festivals Worth a Toronto Trip This Year

Springtime in Toronto brings warmer weather, new blooms and some of the best festivals around. Visit April through June to take part in a dynamic array of arts and cultural festivals, including music, film, photography, architecture and more.

Check out these 10 spring festivals worth planning a Toronto weekend getaway around.

Hot Docs

Hot Docs 2026 (April 23–May 3, 2026) features 10 days of powerhouse documentary storytelling from every corner of the globe, centred at the iconic Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema in the vibrant Annex neighbourhood.

As North America’s largest documentary festival, this year’s event is set to showcase over 100 films. It remains a magnet for film lovers, offering a front-row seat to the year’s most pressing social issues, human rights triumphs, and provocative real-life stories.

The 2026 lineup doubles down on timely global narratives, featuring deeply personal looks at climate resilience, the evolution of artificial intelligence in art, and the shifting geopolitical landscapes of the mid-2020s.

CONTACT Photography Festival

The CONTACT Photography Festival (May 1–31, 2026) celebrates its landmark 30th Anniversary this year, once again transforming Toronto into a massive open-air gallery. From high-impact billboards to immersive public installations at sites like Sankofa Square and the Aga Khan Park, the festival brings lens-based art directly to the streets.

A staple of the spring season, CONTACT is the perfect excuse to explore Toronto’s diverse neighbourhoods. You can discover global perspectives through free public exhibitions or dive deeper by attending the CONTACT Photobook Fair (May 2) and various artist talks and workshops held throughout the month.

The 2026 milestone edition features a stellar lineup of talent, including thought-provoking work by Delali Cofie, April Hickox, Aaron Jones, and Sin Wai Kin, whose large-scale projects tackle everything from personal memory to queer realities and decolonial practices.

Departure Festival + Conference

Departure Festival (May 4–10, 2026) is the bold evolution of what was formerly known as Canadian Music Week. Now a massive multidisciplinary takeover of the city, Departure bridges the worlds of music, film, comedy, and tech through high-energy performances, industry-leading summits, and interactive pop-ups.

This year’s festival turns Toronto into a “creative campus,” with over 100 emerging artists performing in venues across the city. Highlights include the Departure Honours, which celebrate major cultural icons, and the SiriusXM Spotlight Series featuring the best in new Canadian talent.

The 2026 headliners and honourees include legendary singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan, global entertainer Lilly Singh, literary trailblazer Rupi Kaur, and comedian Russell Peters. Plus, don’t miss a special 10th-anniversary performance by indie-trio Wild Rivers at Massey Hall.

Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival

One of North America’s largest queer film festivals, the Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival (May 22–31, 2026) draws global audiences to the city for a high-energy celebration of 2SLGBTQ+ storytelling.

Hosted at the iconic TIFF Lightbox, the 10-day event features a curated selection of film screenings, panel discussions, and artist-led installations that highlight the voices of this vibrant, intersectional community.

A cornerstone of Toronto's cultural scene since 1991, this year’s 36th annual festival will showcase over 100 films from Canadian and international directors. Beyond the screen, Inside Out continues to be a vital platform for emerging talent through its competitive juried awards—including the Emerging Canadian Artist and Best First Feature prizes—and its lively industry networking events.

Doors Open Toronto

Each May, Doors Open Toronto (May 23–24, 2026) invites the public to step inside some of the city’s most unique, historic, and architecturally intriguing spaces—completely free of charge.

This year’s theme, “The World in a City,” celebrates Toronto’s global identity as it prepares for the FIFA World Cup 26™. The weekend-long event offers rare access to over 150 buildings, ranging from hidden “ghost” subway stations and historic courtrooms to cutting-edge private design studios and cultural centres that reflect our diverse community.

An annual tradition since 2000, Doors Open Toronto remains the largest event of its kind in Canada. Be sure to check the site list in advance to book mandatory registrations for popular guided walking tours and to peek at the special programming offered at each location.

SING! The Toronto International Vocal Arts Festival

SING! The Toronto International Vocal Arts Festival (May 20–June 1, 2026) celebrates all things a cappella with a week of concerts by Canadian and international singers.

The festival shows the limitless capacity of the human voice with free outdoor concerts at Nathan Phillips Square, plus ticketed performances at the Royal Ontario Museum and Koerner Hall.

Celebrating its 15th anniversary, this year’s festival includes the Canadian A Cappella Championships and a special focus on community sing-alongs, showcasing everything from jazz and pop to traditional world music.

Luminato Festival Toronto

Luminato Festival Toronto (June 3–28, 2026) offers visitors live music, performance art, and visual art in interactive exhibitions across the city’s downtown core. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, this multi-arts festival transforms Toronto into a playground with the 2026 theme: PLAY.

From the giant RedBall installation to world premieres like Penn & Teller: 50 Years of Magic, Luminato showcases local and international talent through bold, large-scale spectacles. Follow the festival’s Instagram for lineup announcements and free event hubs at Harbourfront and Sankofa Square.

Do West Fest

If there’s one thing Toronto does best, it’s a street fest! Do West Fest (June 5–7, 2026) closes down traffic along 16 blocks of Dundas Street West in Little Portugal to highlight local businesses, music, art, and food.

Stretching from Ossington to Lansdowne Avenue, the festival features multiple performance stages, extended patios, and artisan pop-ups. While the street party rocks Dundas West all weekend, catch the Portugal Day Parade nearby on St. Clair Avenue West (June 6, 2026) for a colourful celebration of heritage and community.

Toronto Comic Arts Festival

The Toronto Comic Arts Festival (June 6–7, 2026) is one of the world’s premier indie comic arts festivals. This fan-led event celebrates the medium through large-scale exhibitions, creator panels, and hands-on workshops.

Now held at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Mattamy Athletic Centre, the free festival hosts over 315 artists in a historic setting. Past creative luminaries include Art Spiegelman, Alison Bechdel, and Junji Ito, with 2026 featuring a massive spotlight on international graphic novelists.

Mix and mingle with creators, discover rare indie zines, and hear from world-class illustrators about their craft at this vibrant, downtown cultural staple.

NXNE Music Festival

The NXNE Music Festival (June 10–14, 2026) returns for its 31st edition with five jam-packed days of live music. Presenting 300+ artists at 30+ venues across town, this event is the ultimate low-cost way to discover new talent and check out Toronto’s iconic concert spaces.

This year’s festival lineup features a heavy focus on rising stars and “Billboard Canada LIVE” showcases. Catch homegrown talent like indie-pop artist Grae and R&B singer Leila Dey, alongside hundreds of emerging global acts spanning every genre from punk to soul.