9 Best Performing Arts in Toronto, Ontario

Perhaps the most important film festival in the world after Cannes and Sundance, TIFF is open to the public and even the star-studded galas are accessible to the average Joe. More than 300 works by both acclaimed and lesser-known directors from around the world are shown. Movies that premiere at TIFF have won Academy Awards and launched the careers of emerging actors and directors—TIFF audiences have been among the first in the world to see movies like La La Land, Slumdog Millionaire, and Juno. The red carpet is rolled out for star-studded premieres, and actors and directors may be on hand afterward for Q&As. Along with the serious documentaries, foreign films, and Oscar contenders, TIFF has fun with its Midnight Madness program, screening campy horror films, comedies, and action movies.

North America's largest documentary film festival. April--May.

This major event features films made by and about people in the LGBTQ+ community. May--June.

Luminato. Every June, Luminato packs in 100 or more events spanning the arts from plays to tango lessons, from puppetry to poetry, and from art installations to funk bands. The festival attracts some big names such as Joni Mitchell, the Mark Morris Dance Group, and Marina Abramović. Toronto, ON. 416/368–3100. www.luminato.com.

North by Northeast. Each June, Toronto hosts North by Northeast, an annual festival that brings more than 1,000 musicians to the indoor and outdoor venues around the city. Affiliated with the similar South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, NXNE also presents film, comedy, art, and a digital interactive media conference as part of the week-long event. Massive free outdoor concerts anchor NXNE downtown, but the heart of the festival is the lineup at more than 50 club venues across the city. Tickets and passes are available on the website and go on sale as early as mid-January. (Significant early-bird discounts apply.) Front-of-the-line access is given to those with a Priority Pass (C$200)–others may have to line up for highly anticipated bands, sometimes hours in advance. Toronto, ON. 416/863–6963. www.nxne.com.

Taste of Little Italy. A smaller event when compared to the Danforth Festival, Taste of Little Italy takes place in June on College Street, where Italian-centric cuisine and live music are celebrated. Toronto, ON. www.tasteoflittleitaly.ca.

The Beaches International Jazz Festival. Held in late July, the 10-day The Beaches International Jazz Festival in the east Toronto Beach neighborhood showcases jazz, Latin, R&B, funk, soul, and world-music performers like eclectic R&B-pop-reggae group Jay Douglas and the All Stars and "blusion" pianist-saxophonist Deanna Bogart at its Woodbine Park and Kew Gardens stages. Musicians and food vendors also line 2 km of Queen Street East, which is closed to traffic for the event. All performances are free. Toronto, ON. 416/698–2152. www.beachesjazz.com. 501 Queen streetcar to Woodbine.

Dedicated to horror, sci-fi, and thriller films. Late October.

Toronto Jazz Festival. Late June and early July bring music lovers to Toronto for the Toronto Jazz Festival. The 2013 bill included Smokey Robinson, Trombone Shorty, and Willie Nelson. Performances are at various venues around town. Concerts are priced individually, but you can buy a three- or five-show pass for a 15% or 20% discount on Mainstage shows. Toronto, ON. 416/928–2033. www.torontojazz.com.