This week marks the start of several exciting festivals showcasing music, art, dance, film, and more. With Pride Month underway and the FIFA World Cup on the horizon, Toronto is buzzing with energy, offering something to experience every day of the week. Featured events include Schitt’s Rivalry, the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, the ROM’s PSYCHEDELICS exhibition, the Toronto Comic Arts Festival, and more.
View this post on Instagram
imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
imagineNATIVE’s in-person festival returns with more than 120 works representing 56 distinct Indigenous Nations across 20 countries. Guided by this year’s theme, “Open Dialogue,” the festival creates space for artists and audiences to reflect, connect, and engage with the experiences shaping their communities and the world around them. With low-barrier ticketing and free community events, including the Welcome Gathering and the Empowering Youth + Emerging Artists for Tomorrow’s Productions Workshop, this year’s festival further demonstrates imagineNATIVE’s dedication to supporting and celebrating Indigenous storytellers from around the world. More info.
When: June 2-7
Where: Various Locations
View this post on Instagram
#HotSquareSummer
For the first time, Sankofa Square is bringing a full season of free weekly programming to the heart of downtown Toronto. Running from June through September, the square will come alive with a diverse lineup of events, including Lunchtime in the Square on Tuesdays, Fitness in the Square on Wednesdays, Music in the Square on Thursdays, Movies in the Square on Fridays, and the Melanin Market in the Square on select Fridays. With fresh experiences and new programming each week, Sankofa Square will always have something exciting for you to experience in Toronto all summer long. More info.
When: Starts June 2
Where: Sankofa Square
View this post on Instagram
Luminato Festival
Toronto’s annual international festival of arts, culture, and creativity returns this June to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Centered on this year’s theme, PLAY, the festival invites audiences to embrace the spirit of play in all its forms, with programming that evokes child’s play, equal play, and power play. Throughout June, Luminato will transform the city with an exciting lineup of magic & circus, theatre, dance, visual art, music, opera, and more. More info.
When: June 3-28
Where: Various locations
View this post on Instagram
Schitt’s Rivalry
You read that right – two beloved Canadian TV worlds are colliding on stage. Players, the not-for-profit sketch comedy collective known for their musical comedy productions, is bringing an all-Canadian showdown to Comedy Bar, pitting the iconic Rose family against hockey’s hottest studs. Packed with sharp comedy, live music, and high-energy dance numbers, this hilarious production delivers, whether you’re a devoted fan of the shows that inspired it, a fan of musical comedy, or for people who are fans of a fun night out. Players promise an unforgettable performance that celebrates Canadian pop culture at its finest. More info.
When: June 4-6 & 11-13
Where: Comedy Bar
View this post on Instagram
Lassonde Art Trail
Lassonde Art Trail, a first-of-its-kind, open-air destination for outstanding contemporary art from around the world, is launching its LAT East trail this week. Located on Toronto’s newest island, Ookwemin Minising (formerly Villiers Island), the trail offers stunning views of the city skyline and an immersive outdoor art experience. Many of the works were created specifically for this location, responding to the unique history, landscape, and environmental conditions of Biidaasige Park—one of Toronto’s largest new parks. More info.
When: Launches June 4
Where: Biidaasige Park
View this post on Instagram
AccessFest
This new free festival is a lively celebration of inclusion, art and community. This Saturday, from 10am to 10pm, AccessFest is transforming David Pecaut Square with an incredible lineup of artists, speakers, and creators that will spark inspiration, featuring artists like X Ambassadors, renforshort, InterComplementary Journeys, and more. There will also be immersive workshops like accessible yoga, ASL workshops, panels, and MapMission Tours – a guided, interactive adventure that explores what accessibility design looks like in the city. AccessFest is guaranteed to provide you with a barrier-free, unforgettable experience where everyone is welcome. More info.
When: June 6
Where: David Pecaut Square
View this post on Instagram
Fierce and Fabulous Expo
Toronto’s first-ever drag and queer music convention, Fierce and Fabulous, is bringing some of the biggest names in drag and queer entertainment to the city. Fans will have the chance to meet performers from around the world, including stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race and Canada’s Drag Race, such as Van Goth, Aurora Matrix, Venus, Lexi Love, Haus of Devereaux, Gisele Lullaby, and many more. The convention will feature an exciting lineup of events, including the Lavender Lane Runway Show, interactive makeover lounges, meet-and-greets, and live performances from 2SLGBTQ+ artists and drag superstars. With its vibrant celebration of creativity, self-expression, and community, Fierce and Fabulous is sure to become a standout annual event, bringing together fans and performers for a fierce and fabulous day. More info.
When: June 6
Where: Metro Convention Centre
View this post on Instagram
TOgether
The inaugural TOgether Festival is a free event centred on celebrating what makes this city great; our passion, diversity, and our commitment to taking care of one another – all in support and to raise funds for the UHN Foundation and the Michael Carron Hospital Foundation. Taking place at Nathan Phillips Square, this family-friendly event will feature performances from popular Canadian artists like Feist, Alessia Cara, Broken Social Scene, and Paul Langlois of The Tragically Hip. Other highlights include kid-friendly activities and workshops, tasty bites and treats from local vendors, and special guests and prizes throughout the day. More info.
When: June 6
Where: Nathan Phillips Square
View this post on Instagram
Toronto Comic Arts Festival
One of the most notable comic arts festivals in the world, Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) returns for a two-day celebration of comics, illustration, and independent publishing, welcoming over 315+ artists from around the globe. Renowned for its commitment to independent arts, accessibility, and creative exchange, TCAF continues to offer a free, public, and non-commercial space for artists and audiences to connect. This year’s featured guests include Jeff Lemire, Tillie Walden, Mohammad Sabaaneh, Lee Lai, MINT Artists – a special Japanese publishing delegation, Poster Artists and more. With an exciting lineup of exhibitions, discussions, workshops, and presentations, TCAF promises a dynamic and inspiring experience for comic lovers and artists alike. More info.
When: June 6 & 7
Where: Toronto Metropolitan University’s Mattamy Athletic Centre
View this post on Instagram
All Things Go
All Things Go, one of North America’s most beloved music festivals, returns to Toronto for its second annual edition. Known for its celebration of indie, pop, and alternative music, the festival has built a reputation as an inclusive, queer, and feminist-forward event that spotlights some of the most exciting artists in music today. This year’s two-day lineup features performances from Kesha, Lorde, The Beaches, Rachel Chinouriri, Wet Leg, and many more. Designed with fans at its core, All Things Go continues to set itself apart with multiple accessibility amenities and no overlapping set times, allowing attendees to experience every artist on the bill as they please. All Things Go has created a welcoming space where music lovers can discover new artists, celebrate shared values, and enjoy unforgettable performances in a positive environment. More info.
When: June 6 & 7
Where: RBC Amphitheatre
View this post on Instagram
Psychedelics: Art. Culture. Science. @ The ROM
This groundbreaking exhibition challenges long-held narratives surrounding psychedelics, offering a balanced and thoroughly researched exploration of their cultural, historical, and scientific significance. Through a compelling mix of artworks, objects, botanical specimens, and interactive experiences, Psychedelics: Art. Culture. Science. provides an in-depth look at a once-taboo subject, encouraging thoughtful storytelling and an open dialogue. Running until December, the exhibition invites you to consider psychedelics’ impact on the past, present, and future, and to engage with the evolving conversations shaping their understanding today. More info.
When: June 6-Dec 6
Where: Royal Ontario Museum
Follow Us On Instagram
