Overview & visitor information
This world-class festival is a 10 day event that showcases more than 1,500 of the best Canadian and international musicians in indoor and outdoor venues in the heart of downtown Toronto.
Festival
Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival
This world-class festival is a 10 day event that showcases more than 1,500 of the best Canadian and international musicians in indoor and outdoor venues in the heart of downtown Toronto.
City guide
More festivals in Toronto
Keep exploring Toronto.
torontoWinterlicious
Activity
This annual event is held at the end of January for duration of 2 weeks. Here numerous fine dining restaurants offer special fixed price menus, allowing visitors to sample their food at a reduced price. This event includes cooking demonstrations and other culinary events held at a variety of locations.
torontoWinterCity Festival
Activity
This event is held annually and offers free entertainment and tastes of a variety of cuisines at discounted prices. There are three stages of this 14-day festival - the WOW! Series, the Warm Up Series, and Winterlicious. The WinterCity festival offers something to please every taste.
torontoCanadian International Auto Show
Activity
This show, held every February, features official displays by the world’s top automobile manufacturers. Featured are, classic cars, rare cars and race cars of well known brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Rolls-Royce, Ford, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
torontoSt.Patrick’s Day Parade
Activity
Held annually on a Sunday in March, this procession includes pipe and drum bands, Irish dancers and music, floats and a ball.
torontoCanadian Music Week
Activity
During the Canadian Music Week, hundreds of artists play at 40 venues around the city over the course of four nights. This event also includes a film festival and other industry events.
toronto
torontoHot Docs- Canadian International Documentary Festival
Activity
“Hot Docs” is North America’s largest documentary film festival. The festival showcases a100 films from around the world.
torontoCity of Toronto Festival of Architecture and Design
Activity
Films, lectures, readings and walking tours take place around Toronto. This event features the works of international architects, designers, activists and academics.
torontoDoors Open Toronto
Activity
This event showcases many of the city's unique and historically important buildings to the public.Over 140 buildings around the city offer free admittance so you can explore the breath-taking architecture without it.
torontoInternational Dragon Boat Festival
Activity
This festival is a two-day spectacular event that brings together sports and entertainment in a multicultural atmosphere. Close to 180 teams compete in over 100 races. Athletes from all over the world take part in this ancient Chinese tradition and friendly competition.
More places in Toronto
Keep exploring Toronto.
toronto
torontoRoyal Ontario Museum
Museum
The ROM is Canada's biggest museum, with over six million objects in its collections. This spectacular building was made by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind. Some of their best galleries include the World Culture Gallery, Natural World Gallery, T. T. Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art, the Gallery of Korea, and the Bishop White Gallery of Chinese Temple Art. 6 new galleries have also been added, including the new Gallery of Canada's First Peoples and the A.G. Leventis Foundation Gallery of Ancient Cyprus
torontoBata Shoe Museum
Museum
Anyone with a shoe fetish will love this museum, which showcases the Bata family's 10,000-item collection. From the outside, the museum looks like a quirky shoebox. The main gallery outlines the history of footwear- ‘All about shoes’. The galleries house everything from 17th century French spiked clogs to crush chestnuts, to Elton John’s foot-high platforms. The galleries on the second floor continuously change their exhibits, drawing light on serious topics like the history of foot binding in China.
torontoSt. James Cathedral
Churches
This spectacular Gothic style cathedral has a rich history dating back to 1803. It has the tallest steeple in Canada and stunning stained glass windows. The High Altar Window, in particular, which resembles Da Vinci’s ‘the Last Supper’ is spectacular. The serenity of this place is very welcome in the bustling Downtown area where it is located. Free concerts are held here every Tuesday at 1 p.m.
torontoCN Tower
Tower
This is the tallest freestanding structure in the world. Walking on the glass floors 113 stories above the ground is exhilarating-like walking on air! The sky pod raises you another 33 stories up. Timings: Daily 9AM-11 PM Admission: C$ 21 [Adults] C$ 14 [Children] Address: 301 Front St. W Tel: 416/868-6937 Website: www.cntower.ca
torontoMt. Pleasant Cemetery
Cemetery
A beautiful and tranquil place shaded by stunning trees, this cemetery is the resting place of many interesting people; Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada's greatest war hero, Lt. Col. William Barker; to name a few Timings: Daily 8AM-Dusk Admission: Free Address: 375 Mount Pleasant Rd Tel: 416/485-9129 Website: www.mountpleasantgroupofcemeteries.ca
torontoMuseum of Contemporary Canadian Art
Museum
This museum is playful and interesting. Its growing collection includes talented artists like Stephen Andrews, Genevieve Cadieux, Ivan Eyre, Betty Goodwin, Micah Lexier, Arnaud Maggs, and Roland Poulin. Their temporary exhibits are fascinating such as the one on tattoo art-‘Art for the Human Canvas’. Timings: Tues-Sun 11AM-6 PM Admission: Free Address: 952 Queen St. W Tel: 416/395-7430 Website: www.mocca.toronto.on.ca
torontoKensington Market
Market
This vivacious district should not be missed. The market sells squid and crabs in pails; chickens, pigeons, bread, cheese, and mangoes from the West Indies; salted fish from Portugal, lace, fabrics, and everything you can think of. Kensinton Avenue is a gem of a place too with a wealth of vintage clothing stores, shops selling knickknacks and a delicious global cheese shop. Timings: Mon-Sat Address: Bounded by Dundas St., Spadina Ave., Baldwin St., and Augusta Ave
torontoArt Gallery of Ontario
Gallery
The Art Gallery of Ontario houses the works of world famous artists like Pissarro, Monet, Boudin, Sisley, Renoir, Waterhouse and Picasso. Local artists like Tom Thomson, F. H. Varley, and Lawren Harris. As well as modern artists like De Kooning. The Henry Moore Sculpture Centre is another reason to visit here. Timings: Daily 10AM-5:30 PM Admission: C$ 18 [Adults] C$ 10 [Children] Address: 317 Dundas St. W Tel: 416/977-0414 Website: www.ago.net
torontoDistillery District
Town
The distillery district was founded in 1832 and is therefore rich in history. This 45 building complex belonged to Canada’s largest distilling company in Victorian times and includes a wind mill, grain mill and the red-brick mill buildings. The Historic Distillery District holds events all year round- including a blues festival, jazz festival, and an outdoor art exhibition
More restaurants in Toronto
Keep exploring Toronto.
torontoSusur
Susur is a jewel; elegant and unpretentious. The menu offers divine fusion cuisine prepared with great care. The menu is constantly updated and the rare venison loin with Gorgonzola-hawberry sauce is highly recommendable. The staff is extremely helpful and efficient.
torontoBistro 990
Bistro 990 is a favourite with celebrities. The menu proffers hors d'oeuvres, such as octopus and vegetables in citrus marinade. The main dishes are classics like roasted half chicken with garlic mashed potatoes. For dessert, opt for the Pineapple Tarte Tatin which is highly delectable and made fresh daily. The service is attentive and accommodating. Cuisine: French Address: 990 Bay St Tel: (416) 921-9990
torontoEdward Levesque’s Kitchen
This bistro presents elegant and utterly heavenly cuisine and smooth service. The entire menu is divine making it hard to choose from grilled leg of lamb rubbed with cumin and garlic, or an asparagus, chive and lemon risotto with Atlantic salmon. This Kitchen is all the rage at brunch time especially for their frittata made with goat cheese and fresh rosemary.
torontoNorth 44
This restaurant is highly reputed and does justice to its reputation. The menu is a combination of Mediterranean, American and Asian delicacies. Their creations are sumptuous to look at and to taste; take their roasted Muscovy duck breast with orange-soy marinade and foie gras, their caramelized squash ravioli with black truffle essence. The desserts, such as lemon meringue mille-feuille, are among the finest in Toronto. What really puts North 44 ahead of others is its faultless service.
torontoPerigee
This spectacular restaurant is full of surprises. All you have to do is decide whether you want a five, six or seven course meal. The attentive and well-trained staff then carefully note down your likes and dislikes regarding food to determine how daring your taste buds are. Perigee’s kitchen is situated in the middle of the room so you can watch your delicious masterpieces being made. The finished dish will be a surprise; but definitely a delightful one-creative, well-presented and delectable. Cuisine: Eclectic Address: 55 Mill Street Tel: (416) 364-1397
torontoKensington Kitchen
This Kitchen is a gem- Serving up big portions at a small cost, appetizing dishes like angel hair pasta with shrimps, mussels in tomato-coriander sauce; saffron paella with chicken and sausage; and Turkish-style braised lamb stuffed with raisins, eggplant, apricots, and figs are all on the menu. Their rooftop patio is a lovely place to eat.
torontoVeni Vidi Vici
This restaurant serves luscious food in a chic setting. The menu is divided into 2; on the Italian side are pasta dishes like linguine with mixed seafood, and risotto with portobello, cremini, and porcini mushrooms. But the Asian/fusion cuisine they offer is sensational: sea bass with fennel and cashews, phyllo-wrapped salmon with basmati rice. Desserts are classics; crème brûlée with fresh berries etc.
torontoThe Rivoli
The Rivoli is a lively place offering entertainment while you eat; live music, stand-up comedians and poetry readings. Their food is just as popular- Chicken marinated in jerk spices with sautéed spinach and plantain chips; mussels steamed in green curry with coconut and lime. Spinach-and-pear salads and burgers are also available.
torontoLa Palette
This is a terrific French Bistro, comfortable and casual, with efficient service. Their food is classic, from ballantine of chicken stuffed with peppers and rice to lamb chops with a crispy coating of mustard and rosemary. Be sure to try the sumptuous citron tart and dark-chocolate cake.
torontoSenses
Appropriately named; dining here is a treat for the senses. The décor is tranquil, there is soothing background music and the food is just divine. Try their delicious starters; the lobster and scallops covered with Osetra caviar and spicy mayonnaise. For the main-dish, triple-seared beef tenderloin with Stilton-and-miso tart and foie gras sauce is delectable, while the apple crumble with cardamom ice cream is the perfect ending. Service is excellent.