It’s time for TIFF! From September 10-20, the city will become a hub for all things film as celebrity guests, filmmakers, and film lovers gather to celebrate their love of cinema.
With the festival just around the corner, we have the lowdown on the hottest celebrity guests, star-studded premieres, and free entertainment taking place all festival long. Read on to see the festival’s confirmed guests, what to do and see on Festival Street, how to browse the Criterion Collection at TIFF, and more.
Stay up to date with all things TIFF by following SheDoesTheCity on Instagram and TikTok, and subscribing to our newsletter! Keep an eye out for star-studded red carpets, inside looks at some of the hottest film premieres, and on-the-ground coverage of festival happenings.
Celebrity Guests
Wondering which stars will be in town this year? TIFF is always a star-studded affair, and this year is no exception. The full list of celebrity guests is yet to come, but here are some names who are confirmed to be attending TIFF 2026:
- Andrew Scott
- Colman Domingo
- Curry Barker
- Hudson Williams
- Inde Navarrette
- Lee Min-ho
- Rachel Morrison
- Seth Rogen
- Sir Gary Oldman
- Zooey Deschanel
Festival Street
There’s so much to love about Festival Street! From September 10-13, the magic of TIFF will spill out to the streets as half a million people are expected to take over a stretch of King Street West. Toronto film lovers can immerse themselves in the festival’s vibrant energy and enjoy four days of free entertainment, activations, art installations, food, drinks, and more—whether or not you scored TIFF tickets. Here are a few Festival Street highlights to look out for this year:
New TIFF Festival Street Sign
TIFF has revealed that its iconic festival street sign has a bold new look— and it is no longer orange! No further details have been released, but be sure to drop by to see the new design and snap a photo with the beloved LED sign.
Toronto Tempo & AFC Toronto
If you’re feeling sporty on Festival Street, stop by to meet players from AFC Toronto, the city’s professional women’s soccer club. The Toronto Tempo will also be hosting fun activities, including a spin-the-wheel and pop-a-shot, with giveaways and prizes to be won!
Cinema Park
At Cinema Park, another beloved TIFF tradition, visitors can enjoy outdoor movies in David Pecaut Square throughout the festival! This year, watch City Lights (Sept 10), The F Word (Sept 11), Madagascar (Sept 12), Now You See Me (Sept 13), Strangers on a Train (Sept 14), Freaky Friday (Sept 15), Hoosiers (Sept 16), Spy Kids (Sept 17), Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (Sept 18), and The Great Muppet Caper (Sept 19). Screenings begin at 10pm.
Festival Street Art Market
The Festival Street Art Market will return with 10 community arts organizations showcasing their work and initiatives along Festival Street. It’s an excellent way to get involved in Toronto’s art scene and learn more about the support available to Canadian creators. Featured organizations this year include Toronto Film School, Inside Out, Reel Asian, Workman Arts, and new this year, the Liaisons of Independent Filmmakers Toronto (LIFT).
Fan Zones
This is where the action happens! Watch the arrivals and red carpet debuts of TIFF’s hottest stars in the Fan Zones. This may be your best shot at a celebrity sighting at TIFF—stars often approach the zones to greet their fans, take photos, and sign autographs. In addition to two Fan Zones on King Street, there are also three zones in David Pecaut Square. This year, advance registration is not required, but arrive early to secure your spot!
TIFF: The Market
New this year at the festival is TIFF: The Market! Designed for screen industry professionals, The Market will offer exhibition spaces, networking events, talks with industry leaders, and creative development labs. These will only be accessible to Market passholders; however, on September 15 & 16, the public will be able to access The Innovation Hub, a bold showcase of projects that demonstrate the best in immersive storytelling, including VR and mixed reality experiences.
Criterion is Coming to TIFF
Criterion fans, we have good news! Following last year’s wildly popular Criterion Mobile Closet at TIFF, Criterion is establishing a permanent home in Toronto, starting this month. Criterion’s celebrated catalogue will be available at Cinema Cellar’s new store, opening at 129 John Street. During TIFF, visitors can stop by to explore the Collection, preview the forthcoming box set, The Complete Kubrick, and add their own photos to the Polaroid wall featuring filmmakers, artists, collectors, and movie lovers.
The Rogers Red Carpet
If you’re looking to soak up the festival spirit outside of the Entertainment District, Yorkville will transform into a glamorous, immersive red carpet experience from September 10-13. At The Rogers Red Carpet, guests can experience the magic and excitement of the festival with shareable photo moments, interactive games, live musical performances, and movie screenings. Look forward to performances from Kid Koala, the Casa Loma Orchestra, and Our Lady Peace (ahead of the TIFF premiere of Gail, a documentary following a superfan of the band). At dusk, enjoy open-air screenings of La La Land, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The Princess Bride.
Must-See Film Premieres
With nearly 300 titles to choose from, there is so much to see at TIFF this year. We’re here to help you navigate your choices with our guide to TIFF 2026: a curated selection of titles that we think you’ll love. Choose from titles like YAGA, Hudson Williams’ follow-up to Heated Rivalry, portraits of musical icons like Darlene Love and Lisa, or new films with stars like Anna Kendrick, Cynthia Erivo, Chase Infiniti, Julianne Moore, Margaret Qualley, and many more. Depending on your film(s) of choice, it may be difficult to score last-minute tickets, but you can always try your luck with the Rush Line!
For more information about TIFF and the full schedule of events, visit their website.
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