Festivals, parades, and a variety of entertainment events—that’s what Toronto is all about! That’s why today, we’re diving into the history of the city’s entertainment events, talking about the Ukrainian diaspora’s festival, and the most popular events in Toronto. More on torontoski.
Toronto’s First Festival. The First International Event in the City
The first festival in the city is the Toronto Industrial Exhibition
(Toronto Industrial Exhibition). In 1879, the debut of this large-scale event took place. It was focused on showcasing achievements in the fields of industry, agriculture, crafts, and technology. This event later transformed into the renowned Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), which is still held annually in the city and is one of the largest and oldest fairs in North America.
But what about an even more large-scale event? For example, the city’s International Film Festival (TIFF, often stylized as tiff) is one of the most prestigious and largest film festivals in the world by attendance. It was the first international festival founded in Toronto, with its debut date back in 1976. The International Film Festival (TIFF) was launched as the “Toronto Festival of Festivals.” It gathered the best films from other film forums around the world and presented them to an interested local audience. The event’s founders were Bill Marshall, Dusty Cohl, and Henk van der Kolk. The first event took place from October 18 to 24, 1976. Despite it being the event’s first time, it gathered over 35,000 moviegoers who watched 127 films from 30 countries.
In 1994, Piers Handling became the festival’s CEO. Sometime later, another director was appointed – Noah Cowan (2004). At the end of 2007, he became the artistic director of TIFF Lightbox, with Cameron Bailey as his co-director (Bailey later took on the role of artistic director for the International Film Festival and also gained responsibility for managing the year-round programming at TIFF Lightbox). The Lightbox is a cultural centre and home for TIFF programs outside of the festival dates. Initially, the Toronto International Film Festival was held in the Yorkville neighbourhood, but it later moved its organization to the very heart of the city. TIFF has always been known for attracting significant attention thanks to numerous celebrities, and international media often station themselves near local restaurants and shops to get photos and interviews with the stars. Even though TIFF opened its permanent headquarters in 2010—the TIFF Lightbox, which serves as a year-round hub for film enthusiasts—TIFF films are still screened in various locations, including, for example, the Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
1995 – The Founding of the Ukrainian Diaspora Festival
In 1995, to mark the establishment of a sister-city relationship between Toronto and Kyiv, the Ukrainian Festival in Toronto (Bloor West Village (BWV) Toronto Ukrainian Festival) was founded. This event quickly became the largest Ukrainian festival in North America. The goal of the event is to showcase the rich culture, traditions, and history of Ukraine, as well as the contribution of the Ukrainian diaspora to the development and growth of Canada. In 2024, organizers also sought to draw attention to Ukraine’s struggle against Russian occupiers. Overall, the festival is designed to present the most outstanding aspects of Ukrainian heritage in Canada, including music, cuisine, visual arts, and dance. The event typically features well-known musical groups and prominent leaders and politicians.
Each year, the festival attracts up to half a million visitors from all over Canada, the US, and other countries, as reported on the event’s official website. In 2024, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland, participated in the festival along with government officials and members of parliament.
The Most Popular Events in Toronto. When Did They First Take Place and What Makes Them Unique?
Toronto hosts many festivals that reflect the city’s multiculturalism and diversity. Here are examples of some of the most famous ones:
1. Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana)
- First festival: 1967.
- What it is: The largest Caribbean festival in North America. It began as a celebration of Canada’s Centennial but has evolved into an annual event.
- Features: Colourful costumed parades, live music in soca, reggae, and calypso styles, and Caribbean cuisine. The event spans three weeks in July and August, welcoming over a million guests annually.
2. Luminato Festival
- First festival: 2007.
- What it is: An arts and creativity festival featuring theatre performances, music concerts, dance shows, and interactive art installations.
- Features: Events take place in various corners of the city—from outdoor venues to museum halls and theatres.
3. Taste of the Danforth
- First festival: 1994.
- What it is: A celebration of Greek culture that takes place in the Danforth neighbourhood (Toronto’s Greektown).
- Features: Greek food (souvlaki, baklava, gyros), music, dancing, and family-friendly entertainment. As of 2025, it is one of Canada’s largest food festivals.
4. Toronto Jazz Festival
- First festival: 1987.
- What it is: One of the world’s leading jazz festivals.
- Features: Performances by jazz legends and new artists, with concerts held at over 40 locations across the city.
5. Toronto Pride Festival
- First festival: 1981 (in its modern format).
- What it is: One of the largest LGBTQ+ festivals in the world.
- Features: The culmination is the Pride Parade, which takes place on the city streets, along with parties, arts events, and educational seminars.
These festivals and many others (like the Toronto Fringe Festival, Toronto Comic Arts Festival, and JerkFest) reflect Toronto’s multifaceted culture and its reputation as a centre of vibrant life in Canada.