Arts & Culture

With world-class art and a unique and diverse culture, you’ll never tire of the attractions Toronto has to offer.

Art Institutions
Indulge in the renaissance of art and culture in Toronto. With a flourishing art scene and recent renovations to many historical buildings housing art institutions, you can experience art and history come alive. Visit one of Toronto's many cultural institutions including, The Royal Ontario Museum, The Art Gallery of Ontario, The Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, The Canadian Opera Company and The National Ballet of Canada.

Art on the Street
Find culture on the streets, with artists and musicians displaying their work along Queen Street West. Peruse artist-run galleries for one-of-a-kind pieces by up-and-coming artists, or take in the history, events and nightlife of hip boutique hotels like The Drake and The Gladstone.

Theatre
The third largest centre for English language theatre in the world, Toronto boasts a wealth of performance companies and productions. From lavish Broadway-style musicals and edgy and provocative contemporary productions, to classical concerts being staged at any given time, you’ll find an endless selection of plays and productions.

Culture and Diversity
Submerge yourself in the tastes and aromas of a new culture. One of Toronto’s many ethnically themed streets can transport you to another place for a day, or evening. You’ll find shops, restaurants and entertainment in areas celebrating Toronto’s cultural diversity such as Chinatown, Little Italy, Little India, Little Portugal, and others.

Festivals and Special Events
World renowned festivals are an exciting part of Toronto’s vibrant culture. Mark your calendar with these special events that take place throughout the year:

• Luminato – a 10-day festival in June celebrating art and creativity in Toronto’s downtown core. Stages, streets, and public spaces light up with everything from theatre, dance, classical, and contemporary music, to film, literature, visual arts, and design.
• CONTACT – Toronto’s photography festival, held in May, showcases the innovation and evolution of photography. The largest photography event in the world, CONTACT draws in over 1000 local, national, and international artists to showcase, celebrate, and foster an appreciation for photography.
• TIFF – the Toronto International Film Festival is recognized as the most important film festival after Cannes and the most successful public film festival in the world, with hundreds of international, indie, and Hollywood screenings. Considered the launch of Oscar-buzz season, celeb-sightings around the city are in no short supply.
• Nuit Blanche – a sleepless night in September, where galleries, museums, and cultural and educational institutions across Toronto showcase the city’s art community.
• Summerlicious – a celebration of food and drink with over 2 weeks of exclusive prix fixe menus offered at 130 of Toronto’s top dining establishments during July.
• WinterCity – an outdoor spectacle of shows, live music concerts, performing arts, and prix fixe restaurant promotions (during Winterlicious), taking place from late January to early February.
• Caribana Festival – the largest Caribbean festival in North America, featuring sizzling music, colourful costumes, spicy cuisine, and performances.
• Pride Week – one of the largest pride celebrations in the world, Toronto’s Pride Week features 10 days of arts and cultural programming, community activities, and events, including an extensive and exciting street festival. The week concludes with one of the world’s best pride parades that promises a world filled with music, creativity, excitement, and pride.
• Doors Open Toronto – an entertaining event in June, when up to 150 buildings not normally open to the public, or that normally charge an entrance fee, open their doors for 2 fun days filled with exploration.