10 Performing Arts Events in Toronto Not to Miss this Winter

21C Music Festival

The 21C Music Festival (select dates: January 18–25, plus May 3, 2025) consists of eight contemporary music concerts at various Royal Conservatory of Music venues.

Touted as fresh sounds from fearless vocalists and musicians, the festival includes an eclectic mix of talent and genres.

Don’t miss Elena Howard-Scott playing the title role in The Journal of Hélène Berr (January 21–23, 2025), a moving portrait of a young Jewish student deported from Paris to the Auschwitz concentration camp. Belgian composer Bernard Foccroulle based his lyrical drama for voice, piano and string quartet on Berr’s historical manuscript.

Another must-see and must-hear is Measha Brueggergosman-Lee: Zombie Blizzard (January 24, 2025), which features the legendary Canadian soprano in a song cycle that Toronto composer Aaron Davis based on Margaret Atwood’s poetry.
 

Puccini’s Madama Butterfly

The Canadian Opera Company stages Puccini’s legendary Madama Butterfly (January 24–February 16, 2025) at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

The heartbreaking tragedy stars next-generation opera stars in the lead roles, with Japanese soprano Eri Nakamura as ill-fated geisha Cio-Cio San and Australian Chinese tenor Kang Wang as the unfaithful naval officer Pinkerton.

Thanks to its prime location at the nexus of Queen West and the Entertainment District, a night at the opera is guaranteed to include unforgettable dining options too.

Fifteen Dogs

This stage adaptation of Canadian author André Alexis’s multi-award-winning best-selling novel, Fifteen Dogs (January 28–February 16, 2025) explores what happens when 15 canines are granted human consciousness and language following a bet between Greek gods Hermes and Apollo.

Staged at Mirvish Productions’ CAA Theatre on downtown Yonge Street, this funny, charming, moving and thought-provoking play about animals is just as much a meditation on the human condition itself.
 

KUUMBA30

Harbourfront Centre’s annual KUUMBA festival turns 30 this year, with events taking place through the month of February. 

Toronto’s largest and longest-running Black Futures Month Festival celebrates Black artists and creators shaping the future via music, theatre, dance, spoken word and other media:

• Catch JUNO Award Winners Jay Douglas and the All Stars and other musicians at a concert celebrating Bob Marley’s legacy (February 6, 2025)
• Be inspired by Silent Legacy (February 14–15, 2025), a contemporary dance duet by Adeline Kerry Cruz and Saskia Chareyre
• Find your groove during two nights of cutting-edge breakdance at Rock Harder (February 15–16, 2025), a competition that draws the world’s best B-boys and B-girls

The Darkest Dark

Back by popular demand, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield’s The Darkest Dark (February 10–March 16, 2025) returns for an encore run at Young People’s Theatre (YPT).

Inspired by Hadfield’s best-selling children’s book, the play chronicles how a young Chris (circa 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing) must face and overcome his fear of the unknown to follow his dream of becoming an astronaut.

YPT is Canada’s largest and oldest professional theatre for young audiences. Its programming is suitable for ages three and up. The Darkest Hour is recommended for ages 6–12 or grades 1–6.
 

Toronto Black Film Festival

Immerse yourself in powerful narratives, compelling storytelling and groundbreaking cinema at this year’s Toronto Black Film Festival (February 12–17, 2025), which takes place at multiple venues across the city.

While foremost a film fest, the annual event includes speaker sessions and live performances that explore the intersection of film, art and music. Follow the festival’s Instagram for program updates as they are announced.

Rhubarb Festival 2025

Canada’s longest-running queer live arts festival is a genre-busting affair hosted by Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, where the lineup may include poetry, music, dance, drag, wrestling, space opera, clowns and other well-crafted, 2SLGBTQ+ chaos.

Located in Church-Wellesley Village, Buddies is the largest and oldest queer theatre in the world. Bonus: the theatre centre is also home to Tallulah’s Cabaret, an in-house bar, night club and performance space.

Follow Rhubarb Festival (February 13–23, 2025) programming developments on Buddies’ Instagram.
 

Swan Lake

Classical ballet masterpiece Swan Lake (March 8–22, 2025) is revisited in this interpretation choreographed by Karen Kain and her artistic team. 

Set to Tchaikovsky’s haunting score, the legendary Kain—who enjoyed an illustrious 50-year career with the National Ballet of Canada, including stints as Principal Dancer and Artistic Director—emphasizes the love story at the heart of the tragedy.

With its sumptuous set and costume designs, this production of Swan Lake promises to be a thriller for dance lovers. Sign up for the National Ballet’s e-newsletter for cast announcements in the new year.

There is Violence and There is Righteous Violence and There is Death or, The Born-Again Crow

After an act of resistance (or “public breakdown”) gets Beth fired from her job at a big-box superstore, she has to move back into her mother’s home in the suburbs.

Described as a “cul-de-sac gothic,” Métis playwright Caleigh Crow’s tour de force includes a talking crow, searing punk rock sensibility and an X Files-informed vibe—and compelling lessons about harnessing the power of political rage.

An apt tale for turbulent times, There is Violence… (March 9–29, 2025) includes a mask-mandatory performance on Saturday, March 15, 2025 (2 p.m.).
 

The Mixolydian

An Indigenous tale about connecting generations, culture and language, The Mixolydian (March 24–29, 2025) tells the story of Bellevue, an 11-year-old Anishinaabe/Métis girl who feels alienated from her grandfather’s stories.

Embarking on a journey through the woods with her shapeshifting friend, Thomas, Bellevue makes enlightening discoveries along the way—with some help from her wise ancestor, Nokomis.

Written by Métis and Saulteaux playwright Ashley Cook, this Green Thumb Theatre Production returns after its sellout run last year. Geared at ages 6–12 or grades 1–6, it includes music and puppetry in its storytelling.

Pro tip: For a more sensory-friendly experience, book tickets for the 1 p.m. performance on March 27, 2025, which is a Relaxed Performance with adjusted lighting and sound, a calm area and other resources.