Spring has finally sprung in Toronto! This season offers some of the city’s most engaging and inspiring arts festivals. From the vibrant stalls of Artist Project to the eye-popping designs at Fashion Art Toronto’s Fashion Week, there are so many enriching experiences and Toronto events to look forward to in the coming months.
It’s an excellent time to attend a local film festival like Canadian Film Fest, Hot Docs, or Inside Out, or to discover a new spot in Toronto with city-wide events like Doors Open or the CONTACT Photography Festival.
Music, art, film, food and fashion lovers will love the events we’ve gathered here. So read on for 15 of our top picks for Toronto events and festivals to explore in Spring 2025:
Courtesy of CFF
Canadian Film Fest
Celebrate the wonderful world of Canadian film at this year’s edition of CFF. This film festival exclusively showcases work from Canada, with a total of 16 features and 50 shorts. Highlights include Naomi Jaye’s Toronto-based film Darkest Miriam and WWF documentary Lunatic: The Luna Vachon Story. There’s no better time to support our country’s homegrown talent! More info.
When: March 24-29
Where: Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
Courtesy of One Of A Kind Show
One Of A Kind Spring Show
Support artisans from across Canada at the One Of A Kind Spring Show, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! With more than 450 artists exhibiting their unique creations, this massive craft show is the perfect opportunity to meet and connect with makers directly. Plus, there are always special offerings and events, like this year’s After Hours Beach Party on March 27. More info.
When: March 26-30
Where: Enercare Centre
Photo by Leah Dean Cohen
Next Wave Film Festival
TIFF’s Next Wave Film Festival is all about celebrating fresh, bold, boundary-pushing work from the next generation of filmmakers. In addition to 10 featured films from young creators around the world, this year’s festival promises an electric opening night party, a rockin’ band competition, screenings of films like Shiva Baby, Bottoms, and Josie and the Pussycats, and appearances from Chandler Levack and Emma Seligman. More info.
When: April 10-13
Where: TIFF Lightbox
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T.O. Food and Drink Fest
Toronto foodies! Don’t miss out on 3 epic days of tastings, classes, pairings, and shopping. Prepare your tastebuds for Canada’s largest food and drink festival, returning this April. Taste the very best that local chefs and restaurants have to offer, explore wines of the world, or take a mixology class! More info.
When: April 11-13
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Courtesy of Hot Docs
Hot Docs Festival
Hot Docs is North America’s leading documentary festival, showcasing hundreds of timely, moving, and powerful documentaries from Canadian and international filmmakers. Special presentations already announced include The Nest from filmmakers Chase Joynt and Julietta Singh, Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, and Deaf President Now! Stay tuned for the full slate of films coming soon. More info.
When: April 24-May 4
Where: Various cinemas
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CONTACT Photography Festival
Celebrate the best in lens-based art this May with a month-long, city-wide showcase of groundbreaking photography. See some early highlights from the 2025 festival here, including work that explores anti-colonial practices, community-building, Afro-futurism, activism, protest, and revolution. Discover a new artist or even a new spot in the city at this wide-ranging festival! More info.
When: May 2025
Where: Various locations
Courtesy of Departure
Departure
Explore an incredible lineup of 100+ artists performing at venues across Toronto this spring! Departure is a reimagination of the iconic Canadian Music Week, with expanded offerings including comedy, art, and tech, plus a stacked lineup of musical talent. Guests at this year’s festival include Tegan and Sara, Fefe Dobson, Jully Black, Tia Wood, Sadboi, DijahSB, Noeline Hofmann, Elvira Kurt, Leslie Liao, and more! More info.
When: May 6-11
Where: Various venues
Courtesy of OCAD
GradEx 110
OCAD University’s annual graduate exhibition is another springtime tradition in the city. GradEx is Toronto’s largest free art and design exhibition, with more than 800 emerging artists and designers displaying their work. Take in the innovation and creativity from the graduating class of OCAD students across artistic disciplines—from visual arts to design and digital media. More info.
When: May 7-11
Where: OCAD University
Courtesy of Artist Project
Artist Project
Strolling through the vibrant displays of creativity at Artist Project is always a delight. This beloved, four-day event returns on Mother’s Day weekend with an exciting array of offerings any art lover will love. Discover and shop for work from 250+ artists, including paintings, sculptures, photography, mixed media, ceramics, textiles and installations, plus enjoy live performances and food trucks! More info.
When: May 8-11
Where: Better Living Centre
Courtesy of Inside Out
Inside Out Film Festival
Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQ+ film festival returns ahead of Pride Month! Inside Out celebrates queer storytelling with a showcase of films made by and about 2SLGBTQ+ people from around the world. Details are still to come on this year’s festival, which will mark Inside Out’s 35th anniversary. More info.
When: May 23-June 1
Where: TIFF Lightbox
Courtesy of The City of Toronto
Doors Open Toronto
Always wanted to explore behind the scenes? Don’t miss Doors Open Toronto! This annual, weekend-long event allows Torontonians to explore some of the city’s most beloved spaces for free. This is a rare opportunity to visit spaces that are often closed to the public or charge admission fees—so wander, discover, and admire while you can! More info.
When: May 24-25
Where: Various locations
Photo by Shayne Gray
Fashion Art Toronto: Spring/Summer Fashion Week
Toronto’s longest-running fashion week is always an eye-popping, artful celebration of Canadian designers. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, expect even more showstopping programming this spring, from runway shows to performances, art, and a boutique shopping experience. More info.
When: May-June 2025 (dates TBA)
Where: TBA
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ImagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival
ImagineNATIVE is the world’s largest presenter of Indigenous screen content. Their annual festival amplifies work from Indigenous artists from around the world, showcasing films, video, digital, interactive, and audio works. As they celebrate their 25th anniversary, join them at the festival in Toronto this June, just in time for Indigenous Peoples’ Month. More info.
When: June 3-15
Where: TBA
Photo by Markus Ravik
Luminato Festival
Celebrate the energy of Toronto at this boundary-pushing multi-arts festival. Luminato is one of the city’s largest arts festivals, highlighting artists from Canada and around the world and showcasing bold, memorable works of music, dance, performance art, and theatre. More info.
When: June 4-22
Where: TBA
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NXNE
With 250+ artists performing at 20+ venues across Toronto for 4 nights, there is so much to discover at NXNE (North by Northeast). Emerging musical acts from Canada and around the world will perform intimate gigs, and admission is accessible with low-cost festival passes. Explore the lineup and get ready for some incredible live music! More info.
When: June 11-15
Where: Various venues
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