This article is part of FT Globetrotter’s guide to Toronto
With its booming arts scene, lively music festivals and sporting events galore, Toronto’s cultural calendar is awash with activities this year. Below are some 2024 highlights that the FT Globetrotter team are particularly excited about, from a celebration of major women artists to one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, so do tell us in the comments about any other Toronto highlights on your radar this year that other FT readers might like to know about.
January
Art
‘Keith Haring: Art Is for Everybody’ and ‘KAWS: FAMILY’, Art Gallery of Ontario
More than 120 artworks and archival materials can be seen at the Art Gallery of Ontario right now, tracing his career from his early experimentation to his activism. The exhibition focuses on the sense of community and collaboration in the late artist’s work. Until March 17; further information and tickets here
The Brooklyn-based artist known as KAWS and his iconic Pop art-style bubble statues is also currently at the AGO. Centred around a huge painted bronze sculpture called “Family”, the show features more than 75 pieces in several mediums. Expect a peek behind the veil of the KAWS persona at the artist’s creative processes. Until March 17; further information and tickets here
‘Noelle Hamlyn: Lifers’ and ‘Death: Life’s Greatest Mystery’, Royal Ontario Museum
In Lifers, Canadian visual artist Noelle Hamlyn tackles the impact of the fashion industry on the environment with more than 20 repurposed and decorated life jackets that each tell a different story, while Death: Life’s Greatest Mystery is an immersive exploration of mortality. Until February 19 and April 7 respectively; further information and tickets here
‘Ghosts of Canoe Lake: New Work by Marcel Dzama’, McMichael Canadian Art Collection
An exhibition celebrating the Winnipeg native’s newest art, which draws on his youth in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Until June 9; further information and tickets here
February
Art
‘Painted Presence: Rembrandt and his Peers’, Art Gallery of Ontario
A selection of Rembrandt’s masterpieces — never shown together until now — displayed alongside paintings from the AGO’s European art collection. From February 17 (closing date to be announced); further information and tickets here
Performance
‘Uncle Vanya’, CAA Theatre
The world premiere of a new adaptation of Chekhov’s classic by Toronto-based company Crow’s Theatre. Director Chris Abraham is at the helm. February 2 to 25; further information and tickets here
‘Dance to the Abyss’, Harbourfront Centre Theatre
Experience the jazz and cabaret culture of the Weimar Republic in a musical portrait of a society on the brink of tragedy. There will be excerpts from Kurt Weill’s “The Threepenny Opera Suite” and classically hedonistic music by some of the era’s forgotten artists. February 23 to 25; further information and tickets here
‘Don Giovanni’, Canadian Opera Company
Danish director Kasper Holten injects new life into Mozart’s tragicomedy, with show-stopping set design including dizzying video projections and a network of rotating rooms. February 2 to 24; further information and tickets here
‘Three Sisters’, Soulpepper Theatre
The Canadian premiere of playwright Inua Ellams’ reimagining of Chekhov’s exploration of family, love and emancipation, with the action transferred to 1960s Nigeria. February 29 to March 17; further information and tickets here
March
Art
‘Making her Mark: A History of Women Artists in Europe, 1400—1800’, Art Gallery of Ontario
A deep dive into women’s contributions to European art, showcasing pieces by well-known artists alongside metal work, ceramics, textiles and cabinetry made by women. March 27 to July 1; further information here
Performance
‘La Bête’, Harbourfront Centre Theatre
This Molière-inspired comedy will come to life at the Harbourfront Centre. The play follows a 17th-century French playwright and examines the role of art and the artist in society. March 2 to 16; further information and tickets here
‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’, National Ballet of Canada
The company brings Lewis Carroll’s timeless tale to the stage with an exuberant ballet in three parts. It features a scene where each dancer making up the caterpillar’s body has 100 Swarovski crystals on their pointe shoes. March 6 to 17; further information and tickets here
‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead’, CAA Theatre
The Lord of the Rings stars Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd appear in Tom Stoppard’s classic comedy. March 5 to 31; further information and tickets here
Sport
Major League Baseball
The 162-game MLB season kicks off in March. Catch the Toronto Blue Jays’ first regular season match on March 28 as they go head to head against the Tampa Bay Rays. From March 28 (the regular season ends in the autumn); further information and tickets here
April
Art
Artist Project, Better Living Centre
A major show featuring more than 250 artists, with thousands of works on display, curator-led tours and installations. The Untapped section profiles emerging talent. April 11 to 14; further information here
Performance
‘Swan Lakes’, Fleck Dance Theatre
Four international choreographers — Hofesh Shechter, Marie Chouinard, Marco Goecke and Cayetano Soto — each present a contemporary 20-minute twist on Swan Lake in this Canadian premiere. April 18 to 20; further information and tickets here
‘Don Pasquale’, Canadian Opera Company
Donizetti’s Don Pasquale returns to the COC for the first time in 30 years, this time set in 1960s Rome and showered with a Pop art aesthetic. April 26 to May 18; further information and tickets here
Festivals
Hot Docs Festival
A celebration of the world’s best documentaries, with hundreds of screenings across the city. April 25 to May 5; further information and tickets here
TO Food and Drink Fest, Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Three days of food, drink and culinary demonstrations. Watch top chefs in action, try your hand at shaking cocktails and attend tastings. April 5 to 7; further information and tickets here
Sport
End of the NBA and NHL regular seasons — and Toronto in the playoffs?
The Toronto Raptors last home game in the NBA regular season is against the Indiana Pacers on April 9, before they head to Brooklyn and Miami for their final three matches. This Spring, all eyes (especially those of their most famous courtside regular, Drake) will be waiting to see whether they make the playoffs, which kick off at the end of the month.
Likewise with Toronto’s NHL team, the Maple Leafs, who hit the ice against Detroit in their last home game on April 13 before capping off the season away. Leafs’ fans will be pinning their hopes on a playoff appearance for their team that hasn’t won the Stanley Cup, ice hockey’s biggest prize, since 1967. Further information and tickets here and here
May
Art
‘Moments in Modernism’, Art Gallery of Ontario
This exhibition highlights the modern art in the AGO’s permanent collection, showcasing works from movements such as Realism, Minimalism and Pop art. Warhol, Rothko and Richter will flank lesser-known artists on the gallery walls, with a focus on Canadian artists too. From May 15; further information and tickets here
Performance
‘Medea’, Canadian Opera Company
Something of a collectible in the operatic world, Luigi Cherubini’s Medea is seldom staged, and until now has never been performed at the COC. Soprano Sondra Radvanovsky plays the title role in the ancient Greek myth. May 3 to 17; further information and tickets here
‘Hadestown’, CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre
The Tony- and Grammy-winning musical heads to Toronto. It reimagines two Greek myths: Orpheus and Eurydice, Hades and Persephone. From May 15 to 26; further information and tickets here
‘Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”’, CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre
Tony-winner Bartlett Sher directs Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of the Harper Lee classic. Highly anticipated. May 28 to June 2; further information and tickets here
‘Both Sides Now’, Harbourfront Centre Theatre
An ode to Joni Mitchell, this three-night run celebrates the long career of the Canadian singer-songwriter, with a medley of performers interpreting her work. May 9 to 11; further information and tickets here
‘Hamlet (Solo)’, Soulpepper Theatre
A “bare bones”, one-man performance of Shakespeare’s tragedy. May 23 to 25; further information and tickets here
Events and festivals
Doors Open Toronto
Sneak inside some of Toronto’s most famous buildings for free, and get access to beloved buildings not usually open to the public. May 25 to 26; further information here
Contact Photography Festival
Lens-based artwork from both established and emerging talents at spaces across the city. This year’s edition focuses on the gaps in historical archives. Throughout May; further information here
The Word on the Street
A book and magazine fair celebrating literacy and Canadian literature at Queen’s Park which typically dates place in May. Expect author readings and panels encircled by stacks of books and mags as well as exhibitor booths. Dates to be confirmed; further information here
June
Performance
‘Don Quixote’, National Ballet of Canada
The North American premiere of Carlos Acosta’s production for the UK’s Royal Ballet, based on the 17th-century Spanish epic. June 1 to 9; further information and tickets here
‘Jewels’, National Ballet of Canada
George Balanchine’s 1967 ballet comprises three acts, each named after a jewel and set to the music of a different composer: Fauré, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky. June 15 to 22; further information and tickets here
‘Aportia Chryptych’, Canadian Opera Company
Heralded as a ‘bold new Black opera’, Aportia Chryptych pays homage to Portia White, Canada’s first Black concert performer to receive international acclaim — and whose name has been largely lost to history. Spoken word, folk, hip hop and R&B are placed alongside traditional opera. June 14 to 16; further information and tickets here
Festivals
Canadian Music Week, The Westin Harbour Castle
Both the festival and conference run at The Westin Harbour Castle hotel, with a roster that explores all aspects of the music industry. Think talks, music performances and parties. Previous acts and artists include The 1975, Katy Perry, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and Janet Jackson. June 1 to 8; further information here
Luminato Festival
An arts festival with events spanning a weekend chock-full of performances, showings and exhibitions aplenty. The festival is a mix of contemporary art, music, theatre and dance. From June 6 until 16; further information here
Symphony in the Gardens, Casa Loma
The Casa Loma’s own symphony orchestra takes to the castle-style mansion’s charming Glass Pavilion on Monday evenings during the summer months for sunset concerts. Dates to be confirmed; further information here
Toronto Jazz Fest
Launched in 1987, this showcase of the best jazz performers from across the world takes over Toronto’s concert halls, music venues — and streets. June 21 to 30; further information and tickets here
Sport
Canadian Football League season begins
Following a few weeks of pre-season matches, the CFL, Canada’s answer to the NFL, is officially back on the pitch in June. The Toronto Argonauts’ first home game is on June 10 against the BC Lions, with the regular season running until the end of October. More information and tickets here
July
Art
Toronto Outdoor Art Fair
Art will fill Nathan Phillips Square in July as artists take their work alfresco. July 12 to 14; further information here
Sport
Honda Indy Toronto
The motorsports festival zooms back to Toronto, with a torrent of sports cars taking over the city’s streets. Dates to be confirmed; further information and tickets here
Festivals
Toronto Fringe
An unjuried theatre festival opening the stage to performers across the city — and from around the world. Venues in downtown Toronto will host performances of a wide variety of genres. July 3 to 14; further information here
Salsa in Toronto
For the 20th year, midtown Toronto will be transformed into a Latin dance floor with salsa performers, exhibitions, food and, of course, lots of dancing in the street. July 6 to 7; further information here
August
Sport
National Bank Open, Sobeys Statium
The men’s edition of the two-city tennis tournament (the women’s competition is held in Montreal) heads to Sobeys Stadium’s outdoor courts this summer. Jannik Sinner and Jessica Pegula were last year’s champions. August 4 to 12; further information and tickets here
September
Art
Toronto Biennial of Art
More than 70 days of free art, with exhibitions, performances, workshops and walks across Toronto. September 21 to December 1; further information here
Nuit Blanche
The city’s all-nighter dedicated to contemporary art, featuring a mass of installations around the city. October 5; further information here
Festivals
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
One of the world’s leading film festivals features some of the biggest film debuts of the year — and draws a slew of celebrities to Toronto. Its People’s Choice prize often suggests award-season success, with previous winners including Green Book, La La Land and Nomadland. September 9—19 (programme released in August); further information here
Toronto International Festival of Authors, Harbourfront Centre
Canada’s biggest literary festival brings together writers from across the nation and around the world. Previous guests include Margaret Atwood, Esi Edugyan and Anthony Horowitz. September 19—29; further information here
October
Art
‘Pacita Abad’, Art Gallery of Ontario
The late Filipino artist’s works come to Canada for the first time, marking her first retrospective. The exhibition charts her life through her exploration of different mediums and materials, such as her hanging trapuntos — a type of quilted painting — as well as prints and work with paper. October 9 to January 19 2025; further information here
Art Toronto, Metro Toronto Convention Centre
This huge art fair last year played host to more than 100 galleries from across the globe. The opening night usually means a big celebration, including a first look for collectors. October 24 to 27; further information here
Performance
‘Centre Stage’, Canadian Opera Company
Young opera singers vie for the Ensemble Studio career-development programme in a battle of aria aficionados. The company promises that “history will be made” with the crowning of a new operatic superstar. Date to be confirmed; further information here
Sport
Start of the 2024-25 national ice hockey and basketball seasons
October typically marks the start of the NHL and NBA seasons in North America; cheer on the Toronto Maple Leafs as they take to the ice or join the courtside crowds for the Raptors. Further information here and here
November
Events
Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Exhibition Place
The world’s biggest combined indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition. Find the Royal Horse Show, agriculture competitions and fine dining. Platinum- and gold-seat holders are granted access to the exclusive Tanbark Club where cocktails flow pre-show, followed by dinner and an after-party. November 1 to 10; further information and tickets here
The Distillery Winter Village
Cabins, shopping, food and drink make this festive market a favourite for Torontonians. Last year’s village was sponsored by Dior, with a huge Christmas tree designed by the fashion house. From November 13; Find information here
December
Art
‘The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century’, Art Gallery of Ontario
The story of hip hop and its influence on popular culture and aesthetics, as illustrated via contemporary art and fashion. Further information here
What are you looking forward to in Toronto this year? Share your calendar highlights in the comments
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