Toronto Festivals and Events

1. Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)

Location: Various venues throughout downtown Toronto, including TIFF Bell Lightbox.
Date: Annually in September.
History: TIFF began in 1976 as the "Festival of Festivals," collecting the best films from other film festivals around the world. It was intended to bring attention to the burgeoning film industry in Canada.
What to Wear: Business casual or glamorous outfits, especially if attending premieres or galas.
How the Locals Celebrate: Locals engage with the festival by attending film screenings, panel discussions, and spotting celebrities along King and Queen Streets.

2. Pride Toronto

Location: Primarily in Toronto's Church and Wellesley neighborhood.
Dates: Month-long activities in June, culminating with the Pride Parade.
History: The event began in 1981 as a reaction to the infamous Bathhouse raids and has grown to celebrate the diversity of the LGBT community.
What to Wear: Anything colorful, festive, or whatever feels comfortable. Rainbow motifs are especially popular.
How the Locals Celebrate: Locals celebrate with parades, concerts, street fairs, and community events. It's a time for coming together in support of equality and diversity.

3. Caribana (Toronto Caribbean Carnival)
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Location: Events mainly take place along the lakeshore of Lake Ontario.
Date: the first week of August.
History: This festival started in 1967 as part of Canada's Centennial celebration to showcase Caribbean culture and traditions.
What to Wear: Bright and colorful costumes, often adorned with feathers, beads, and jewels.
How the Locals Celebrate: Locals participate in the grand parade, enjoy Caribbean music and food, and attend various community events and parties.

4. Luminato Festival

Location: Various locations, including public parks and art spaces.
Date: June annually.
History: Luminato was founded in 2007 to showcase Toronto’s arts and culture and to inspire a deeper appreciation for the arts.
What to Wear: Casual, comfortable attire suitable for outdoor and indoor venues.
How the Locals Celebrate: Locals engage by attending performances, interactive art installations, and live music shows.

5. Toronto Jazz Festival

Location: Takes place in Yorkville and other venues across the city.
Dates: Late June annually.
History: Established in 1987, the festival celebrates jazz music and its contributions to the music scene in Toronto.
What to Wear: Casual summer attire; evenings can be cooler.
How the Locals Celebrate: Locals attend concerts featuring famous jazz musicians, participate in workshops, and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

6. Nuit Blanche Toronto

Location: City-wide event with installations in various neighborhoods.
Date: One night in October, from sunset to sunrise.
History: Started in 2006, inspired by Paris’s Nuit Blanche, to make contemporary art accessible to large audiences.
What to Wear: Comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing (nights can be chilly).
How the Locals Celebrate: Locals wander around the city all night exploring different art installations and performances.

7. The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

Location: Exhibition Place.
Date: November annually.
History: The fair started in 1922 to promote agricultural advancement in Canada.
What to Wear: Casual attire; layers recommended as some areas might be chilly.
How the Locals Celebrate: Locals enjoy agricultural competitions, horse shows, food sampling, and buying local products.

8. Toronto Christmas Market

Location: Distillery District.
Date: Late November to December.
History: Inspired by traditional European Christmas markets to celebrate the season’s spirit and tradition since 2010.
What to Wear: Warm winter clothing as it is outdoors in the cold.
How the Locals Celebrate: Enjoying festive food and drink, shopping for handcrafted gifts, and soaking in the holiday spirit with family and friends.

9. Canadian National Exhibition (CNE)

Location: Exhibition Place.
Date: Two weeks leading up to and including Labor Day.
History: Began in 1879 to promote agriculture and technology in Canada.
What to Wear: Casual attire suitable for walking and enjoying outdoor rides.
How the Locals Celebrate: Engaging in fairground activities, watching air shows, concerts, and sampling unique and diverse foods.

10. Toronto Fringe Festival

Location: Various venues, including theaters, parks, and clubs across Toronto.
Date: July annually.
History: Started in 1989, inspired by the fringe festival movement to create an open and accessible platform for artists.
What to Wear: Casual, comfortable attire.
How the Locals Celebrate: Attending various independent theater productions, participating in workshops, and supporting local artists.

11. Toronto Jazz Festival

Location: Various venues, including theatres, parks, and clubs across Toronto. Venues including Roy Thomson Hall, the Toronto Centre for the Arts, and various smaller jazz clubs like The Rex Hotel and the Jazz Bistro.
Date: 10 days in June.
History: Originally started in 1987, the Festival was co-founded by Executive Producer Patrick Taylor and Former Artistic Director Jim Galloway (wikipedia)
What to Wear: Casual, comfortable attire. Opt for comfortable shoes to navigate between venues
How the Locals Celebrate: The festival also features street performances, food stalls, and artist meet-and-greets, with locals often participating in after-parties and educational workshops throughout the city.

12. Toronto Beaches Jazz Festival

Location: lakeside Beaches community of Toronto
Date: July annually.
History: Originally started in 1989, it is now one of Canada's largest free jazz festivals.
What to Wear: Relaxed, comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor events—think sun hats, sunglasses, and light layers.
How the Locals Celebrate: Residents flock to the streets and parks to enjoy live jazz performances, participate in dance workshops, and explore the vibrant food and craft vendors that line the festival’s pathways.