Toronto is a very dynamic city with a very rich life. Being an important focal point of English cultural life, just after New York and London, Toronto attracts creative talents and from all over the world.
Toronto is home to over 50 ballet and dance companies, six opera ensembles, two orchestras and a large number of theatres.
Among the most important theatre companies in Toronto are National Ballet of Canada, Canadian Opera Company, Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Canadian Stage Company.
The most important theaters are Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Princess of Wales Theatre, Royal Alexandra Theatre, Roy Thomson Hall, Massey Hall, Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres and the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.
If you want to know what’s on in Toronto right now, visit Toronto Entertainment Calendar and Toronto theatre tickets to buy tickets to the current productions.
Once a year, one Saturday and Sunday, around 150 historical and other important buildings in Toronto, normally closed to the public, open their doors. Event is usually held in the late May.
One of the largest auto shows in the world, Canadian International Auto Show presents new concepts and the latest car models which should soon appear on the market. The event usually takes place in February.
Toronto is home to the festival that celebrates gay sexuality. It’s a very multi-colored event that gathers every year up to a million participants and spectators. They key events of the festival are Dyke March (march of lesbians and transsexuals, which is a political demonstration), and Pride Parade (parade of homosexuals). Usually held in June-July.
Caribana is a festival dedicated to celebrating the cultural heritage of immigrants from the Caribbean islands. It’s one of the most prominent cultural events in Toronto. The culmination of the festival are the King & Queen Show (selection of the best costume), Pan Alive (performance of the orchestra) and the Caribana Parade (carnival parade). A very colorful event, similar to the carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Held in late July – early August.
It’s an annual exhibition of photographers presenting their work in various galleries in Toronto. Over 200 galleries exhibit about 500 photographers from around the world. The event is usually held in May.
It’s an annual cultural festival, one of the most significant events of its kind in Toronto. It is attended by hundreds of artists, musicians, artists, dancers and cinematographers who exercise their imagination and present their pilot projects. The festival lasts for a week in mid-June.
A very colorful Festival of street arts, that gathers creative teams and individual street performers from around the world. the festival is held in late August.
One of the most significant events in world cinema, Toronto International Film Festival is second only to the festival in Cannes, standing in a row with Berlin, Venice and the Festival of San Sebastian. It’s held in early September.
It’s a Traditional German beer festival, held in the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo, close to Toronto. It’s held in early October.
It’s a very colorful and a bit scary event that takes place before the Halloween. The event draws crowds of people dressed in zombie costumes who walk through the city. Don’t miss it!