PR

Toronto
#1 Trade Show & Convention
Despite a labor dispute between Exhibition Place and workers this year, locals and visitors flocked to the end-of-summer fair for food, concerts, games, rides, and exhibits. This year’s theme was Silk Road, celebrating the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism with the world’s largest indoor Chinese lantern festival and the Telus Asian Market. Next: August 16-September 2, 2019

Toronto
#2 Trade Show & Convention (up from #4)
Record-setting attendance of more than 358,000 drove home the ongoing strength of the Canadian auto industry in 2018. The 10-day event boasted more than 40 new car unveilings and celebrated 50 years of Hot Wheels and 70 years of Porsche. The Toronto Star returned as the presenting sponsor. Next: February 15-24, 2019

Toronto
#3 Trade Show & Convention (up from #5)
Exhibitor space sold out in record time this year for the 60th anniversary of North America’s largest indoor boat show, and attendance grew slightly to 77,500. The event returned to Exhibition Place’s Enercare Centre and added a $5 ticket for admission after 5 p.m., and free parking after 4 p.m. on weekdays. Next: January 18-27, 2019

Vancouver
#4 Trade Show & Convention
In a deliberate attempt to host an intimate and exclusive event this year, TED Vancouver reduced the number of delegates to 1,500 from 1,800, with all spaces selling out. The venue remained the Vancouver Convention Centre, where the focus was on attendees, allowing them, among other things, to create their own 45-second TED Talk. The theme for 2019 is Bigger than Us. Next: April 15-19, 2019

Toronto
#5 Trade Show & Convention
At the ripe old age of 96, attendance at the 10-day urban agricultural fair stayed level at about 300,000 in 2017. Named the best indoor horse show by the North American Riders Group, the fair offered up more than $1 million in prize money in 2017. New this year: hands-on cooking classes by notable chefs and sponsorship by the University of Guelph. Next: November 2-11, 2018

Calgary
#6 Trade Show & Convention (up from #7)
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the GPS launched an award gala to celebrate top companies disrupting the energy industry and a three-day technical and business conference. Attendance climbed past 51,000, indicating excitement and optimism in the energy industry. Next: June 11-19, 2019

Toronto
#7 Trade Show & Convention
With the cyclical mining industry in an upswing, attendance grew to 25,600 in 2018, including 26 ministers of mining, 556 speakers, and Facebook Live events that garnered more than 174,000 views. Next: March 3-6, 2019

Toronto
#8 Trade Show & Convention
Attendance at the 10-day show dropped slightly to about 170,000, where guests explored high-tech and hands-free living for indoors and outdoors. New this year: Common Good Brewing sponsored happy hour, with tastings and cocktail-making lessons. Home Hardware and Google Home joined as sponsors. Next: March 2019

Regina
#9 Trade Show & Convention (up from #10)
This year marked the largest show ever with 200 exhibitors and more than 34,000 visitors attending in the new International Trade Centre. The Launch Pad stage, showcasing agricultural innovations, was a first. Grain handler Viterra remained the title sponsor. Next: June 19-21, 2019

Toronto
#10 Trade Show & Convention
The celebration of pop culture hosted about 140,000 comics, sci-fi, anime, and gaming fans at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in late summer. Canadian celebrity guests at the family-friendly event included Michael J. Fox, William Shatner, and the Wasp (actress Evangeline Lilly). Sponsors included Pizza Pizza and Hasbro. Next: September 2019

Montreal
#1 Benefit (up from #2)
The Canadian Cancer Society fund-raiser returned to Windsor Station for its 25th anniversary, reporting record revenue and a net profit of $2 million. Tickets to the silver-theme event sold out earlier than ever, and the decor, entertainment, and menu were silver-tinged. Top-tier sponsors included CIBC, Lowe’s Canada, and Cascades. Next: April 25, 2019

Vancouver
#2 Benefit
Despite not selling out, the black-tie gala raised $2.6 million and this year is aiming for $3 million when about 450 guests gather at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. New this year: online and mobile silent auction bidding and $5,000 bottles of Veuve Clicquot. Encana is the title sponsor this year, and proceeds will benefit blood cancer research. Next: November 3, 2018

Toronto
#3 Benefit
The must-attend event for foodies—including the biennial silent auction—netted $3 million for research at the University Health Network in 2017. About 775 generous diners supped on chef-cooked meals at the homes of 30 Toronto philanthropists. This year, a non-auction year, about 400 supporters are expected. Miele and Raymond James are sponsors. Next: October 27, 2018

Toronto
#5 Benefit
The fund-raiser for veterans and military families honored uniformed women last year and raised $1.5 million. The 2018 cocktails-and-dinner soiree, at the Metro Toronto Conference Centre, marks the event’s 10th anniversary, and 1,100 supporters are expected. Bell returns as the presenting sponsor, along with CTV and National Post. Next: November 8, 2018

Toronto
#6 Benefit
Some 850 people dined and danced in support of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada at the 2017 gala. Newscaster Amanda Lang co-hosted at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre where consulting services firm CGI was the patron partner, with Scotiabank and TD also lending support. The 2018 edition sold out by early September. Next: October 27, 2018

Toronto
#7 Benefit
The sit-down dinner on the field at the Rogers Centre grew to 1,500 guests in 2018, including the full Blue Jays roster. More than $1.5 million was raised for the benefit of children and youth in the Jays Care programs across Canada. Sponsors included Rogers, Cisco, and Samsung. Next: June 2019

Toronto
#8 Benefit (up from #11)
Rebranded with a one-word name and a new venue for 2018 at the Evergreen Brickworks, the benefit for Reach, which advocates for youth with disabilities, is aiming to match its 2017 fund-raising take of $500,000. The gala dinner will again be followed by the Crystal Club after-party for charitable Toronto millennials. Next: November 3, 2018

Toronto
#9 Benefit
The 2017 edition of DXI changed venues, to the former Unilever soap factory, and doubled in size because it also celebrated the inaugural opening of EDIT: The Expo for Design, Innovation and Technology. Attendance this year, back at the Design Exchange, is expected to return to normal size of about 1,000 guests. Next: November 8, 2018

Ottawa
#10 Benefit
The legendary Diana Ross will take the stage with the National Arts Centre Orchestra this year at the gala for the NAC’s National Youth and Education Trust, where more than $780,000 was raised in 2017. Sophie Trudeau remains the event’s honorary chair. Next: October 3, 2018

Toronto
#11 Benefit
The theme for the 20th anniversary celebration was Carousel, with the Power Plant gallery reimagined as a carnival-esque adult fun land, filled with naughty and provocative artistic installations. More than 1,300 people attended, although the event did not sell out, and about $360,000 was raised. Max Mara returned as the presenting sponsor. Next: June 2019

Toronto
#1 Music Event (up from #5)
The 10-day jazz fest returned to posh Yorkville in 2018, drawing about 500,000 jazz fans to 165 free concerts and other ticketed events. Highlights of the TD-sponsored festival included the opening-night party at the Royal Ontario Museum and performances by Macy Gray, Herbie Hancock, and Alison Krauss. Next: June 21-30, 2019

Toronto
#2 Music Event
Rainy weather on the last two weekends of this free, 24-day jazz festival reduced crowds to 750,000 this year. New for 2018: the weekend-long Sounds of Leslieville and Riverside Block party. Ontario Lottery and Gaming returned in 2018 as a mainstage sponsor, with Mill Street Brewery and Delta Airlines also supporting the festival. Next: July 5-28, 2019

Montreal
#3 Music Event
TD remained as the official sponsor of the Montreal jazz festival in 2018, when crowds shrank to one million due to a heat wave that kept many people indoors. Hendricks Gin sponsored a hot air balloon that flew above the festival, which had crowds buzzing. Jaïn, Jessie Reyez, and the Urban Science Brass Band were among the performers. Next: June 27-July 7, 2019

Toronto
#4 Music Event (new to the list)
The electronic, dance, and hip-hop festival, presented by Ink Entertainment and Live Nation, returned to Downsview Park for the seventh year this summer, with more than 70,000 in attendance. Headliners included DJ Snake, Marshmello, and Migos. Hennessy, Bud Light, and Uber were sponsors. Next: Summer 2019

National
#5 Music Event
Juno week moves to London, Ontario, in 2019, and the awards will be broadcast from Budweiser Gardens. The 2018 festivities in Vancouver drew 34,000 Canadian music fans who witnessed the rebranding of the Junos logo by J. Walter Thompson. CBC Music returned as the official broadcast and content partner after 16 years. Next: March 2019

Winnipeg
#6 Music Event
This summer folk music festival is held annually in Birds Hill Park, just north of Winnipeg. More indigenous programming was added this year as Bahamas, A Tribe Called Red, Strumbellas, and Sheryl Crow entertained the crowd. Big Rock Brewery and Fairmont Winnipeg were top-line sponsors. Next: July 11-14, 2019

Montreal
#7 Music Event
The Arctic Monkeys, Florence and the Machine, Post Malone, and the National were among the 120 acts that performed for 135,000 people over three days at Parc Jean-Drapeau’s Île Notre-Dame. The festival was presented by Bell Alt TV in collaboration with Coors Light. Next: August 2-4, 2019

Oro-Medonte, Ontario
#8 Music Event (new to the list)
The country music festival grew again in 2018, with 40,000 people on site for each of the event’s four days. Festival fun included an LED Ferris wheel, a 100-foot swing ride, and free Wi-Fi throughout the campground. Sponsors this year included Coors Light and Jack Daniels, while Monster Energy and Shoppers Drug Mart participated with activations. Next: August 8-11, 2019

Toronto
#9 Music Event
Canada’s largest all-Canadian music festival sold out again this year, with 5,000 patriotic partiers soaking up the sounds on five stages, including the new CBC Comedy Stage and the River Bar Stage for emerging acts. The family-friendly festival—kids get in free—took place at RBC Echo Beach. Next: May 2019

Montreal
#10 Music Event
Bringing upcoming and groundbreaking electronic music to the Old Port of Montreal, IglooFest welcomed 70,000 festivalgoers over nine nights last winter. The Igloocantine—an outdoor food court—was new this year, and Red Bull and Casino de Montréal sponsored. Next: January 17-February 2, 2019

Toronto
#1 Art & Design Event
The international arts festival grew to 19 days this year from 10, and included 1,000 artists. A highlight was the on-stage conversation between Amal Clooney and her journalist father-in-law at Roy Thomson Hall during the celeb lawyer’s first visit to Toronto. Sponsors included the province of Ontario and Volvo. Next: June 2019

Toronto
#2 Art & Design Event (up from #3)
The all-night art crawl is expanding eastward into the community of Scarborough in 2018, and it will feature more than 75 contemporary art projects created by some 300 local, national, and international artists. Shopping center Scarborough Town Centre is a new sponsor this year. Next: September 29, 2018

Ottawa
#3 Art & Design Event (up from #4)
Returning to Ottawa’s National Gallery of Canada, the cocktail reception for the country’s best contemporary artists takes place in the Scotiabank Great Hall. Prize money will more than double in 2018, with a total of $240,000 being awarded—including $100,000 to the winner. Grocer Sobeys remains the title sponsor. Next: November 14, 2018

Toronto
#4 Art & Design Event (up from #5)
The independent design festival hosted a record 140,000 attendees at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in 2018 and will grow again in 2019, expanding to 10 days from seven. George Brown College sponsors the fourth annual symposium next year, titled Unlocking the Future of Work. Next: January 18-27, 2019

Toronto
#5 Art & Design Event (up from #6)
With RBC as the presenting sponsor, this international contemporary and modern art fair returns to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in 2018. Attendance grew to a record 23,500 in 2017, when talks, tours, and offsite V.I.P. events helped boost traffic and sales to private collectors and museums. Next: October 26-29, 2018

Toronto
#6 Art & Design Event
About one million viewers took in the world’s largest photography event this year, with 200 exhibits and happenings in major museums, galleries, and artist-run centers. Scotiabank returned as the title sponsor and pop-up marketer Big Digital was a new sponsor. Next: May 1-31, 2019

Toronto
#7 Art & Design Event
“Film, the Great Romance” was the theme for Toronto’s 2018 behind-the-scenes buildings tour, which allowed the public to tour 55 buildings featured in the Toronto film and TV industry. Great Gulf remained the presenting sponsor and Carpenters and Allied Workers Local 27 also provided support. Next: May 25-26, 2019

Ottawa
#8 Art & Design Event
In a ceremony at the Governor General’s residence, Rideau Hall, eight artists each received $25,000 and were feted for their artistic achievements. Vernissage took place at the National Gallery of Canada this year, and the Canada Council for the Arts was the main funder. Next: Spring 2019

Toronto
#9 Art & Design Event (up from #10)
Canada’s largest, longest-running contemporary outdoor art fair debuted a new brand identity this year and modified its name, becoming a “fair” rather than an “exhibition.” Artist participation increased to 360 and visitors increased to 120,000. Sponsors included Shopify and Henderson Brewing Company. Next: July 2019

Montreal
#10 Art & Design Event
The new admission fee at the art fair celebrating all things paper was the likely cause for the drop in visitors in 2018, from about 18,000 to 11,000, but sales of art works increased by 17 percent to $1.2 million. Loto Québec returned as a sponsor. For 2019, look for a doubling of exhibition space. Next: April 26-28, 2019

Toronto
#11 Art & Design Event
The three-day event at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2018, drawing more than 53,000 design fans to experience work from more than 240 international exhibitors, as well as conferences, parties, and workshops. Miele and Caesarstone were sponsors. Next: January 17-20, 2019

Toronto
#1 Festival & Parade
The monthlong celebration—culminating in the 38th Pride Parade—brought together some 2.6 million revelers, expanded southward to Dundas Street this year, and included a Wellness Zone with vendors and exhibits. LiveNation sponsored the new Pride Toronto app, TD returned as a sponsor, and Lyft debuted as a sponsor. Next: June 2019

Calgary
#2 Festival & Parade
Great weather helped drive attendance in 2018 to almost 1.3 million—the second-highest ever. New draws at this urban rodeo included sidesaddle racing and North America’s tallest and longest multi-point zip line. BMO Bank of Montreal and Cenovus continued their support of kids’ day and family day, respectively. Next: July 5-14, 2019

Toronto
#3 Festival & Parade (up from #4)
More than 1.2 million partiers—including a growing number in the under-35 demographic, plus plenty of Americans—took in the Carnival and the Grand Parade this summer. E-commerce app Peeks returned as the presenting sponsor and Caribbean Airlines was a new sponsor. Next: Summer 2019

Quebec City
#4 Festival & Parade (up from #5)
There were more than 500,000 visits to the world’s biggest winter carnival in 2018, with over 200 activities to keep participants warm and busy. New additions included the Sap Tap Bar and a strength and fitness test for kids. The Loto-Québec Zone was home to the famed Ice Palace and Via Rail increased its sponsorship this year. Next: February 1-17, 2019

Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario
#5 Festival & Parade (new to the list)
Southwestern Ontario goes Bavarian for nine days every October, with about 700,000 beer-and-bratwurst aficionados eating 20,000 pretzels and 50,000 sausages from the tapping of the first keg to the closing ceremonies. Oktoberfest celebrates 50 years in 2018 and Erdinger Weissbrau, a Bavarian beer, is a new sponsor. Next: October 3-15, 2018

Quebec City
#7 Festival & Parade
RBC returned as the pyrotechnic show’s presenting sponsor in 2018, when about 700,000 sky-gazers took in the events. New this year: a reserved-seating section, bars and food trucks, plus a drag queen as emcee and DJ for the pre-show dance parties. Next: Summer 2019

Vancouver
#8 Festival & Parade
Attendance grew to 1.2 million this year over three nights as South Africa, Sweden, and South Korea competed to wow crowds with music and fireworks displays using “love” as the theme. Honda remained the title sponsor and Red Bull joined with the Red Bull Air Force Air Show dazzling the audiences before the sun went down. Next: August 2019

Halifax
#10 Festival & Parade
The free, oceanfront event drew about 250,000 spectators over six days in 2018 to witness scary, silly, and sublime acts from Canada, the U.S., Australia, Ireland, and the U.K. New this year: a Marquee Music Stage featuring musicians from Nova Scotia. Budget car rental was a sponsor. Next: July 31-August 6, 2019

Ottawa
#11 Festival & Parade
More than 1 million tulips were in bloom for over 600,000 flora-philes in the capital this year. The theme was A World of Tulips, and 40 embassies joined the festival, expressing friendship through this iconic flower. Lee Valley was a new sponsor this year. Next: May 10-20, 2019

Victoria
#12 Festival & Parade
Victoria harbor hosted 40,000 music fans this year—and more tuned in via Facebook live stream—when movie music was the theme of the floating concert. Highlights of the night included renditions of the themes to Star Wars and ET. Quality Foods returned as the presenting sponsor. Next: August 4, 2019

Collingwood, Ontario
#13 Festival & Parade
Hundreds of tribute artists and thousands of fans attended the world’s largest Elvis festival this year. Tim E. Hendry won the pro-division competition, securing a spot for his ninth attempt to become the Ultimate Champion in Memphis. OLG returned as the main sponsor. Next: July 26-28, 2019

Toronto
#1 Entertainment Industry Event
Julia Roberts, Lady Gaga, and Viola Davis were among the leading ladies in Toronto for this year’s festival, which draws international media and kick-starts industry award conversations. Bell remained the lead sponsor for this massive 11-day event that screened more films (342) from more countries (83) than last year. The TIFF street party on opening weekend was free and family-friendly. Next: September 2019

Montreal
#2 Entertainment Industry Event
More than two million comedy fans attended the comedy festival this year, with Bell as a new sponsor. The festival included more than 350 artists, more than 40 free outdoor performances, and more TV and podcast recordings than in the past. Big names in attendance included Dave Chappelle, Amy Schumer, Trevor Noah, Wanda Sykes, and Tiffany Haddish. Next: July 2019

Toronto
#3 Entertainment Industry Event (up from #4)
For its 25th anniversary in 2018, Hot Docs continued to break attendance records, with 223,000 doc lovers screening 247 films at 16 venues over 11 days. Scotiabank returned as the presenting partner, with Netflix and Samsung also supporting the festival. Next: Spring 2019

Vancouver
#4 Entertainment Industry Event
About 130,000 filmgoers are expected to take in around 320 films from some 75 countries this year, with a schedule packed with 450 public screenings. Expanded live music and conference offerings are anticipated, while a 2017 highlight was the Kronos Quartet performing a live score to director Guy Maddin’s film The Green Fog. Telus remains the premier partner. Next: September 27-October 12, 2018

Edmonton
#5 Entertainment Industry Event
The 11-day festival put on 1,661 indoor performances at 39 venues over 11 days this year. Campari was on site mixing up Aperol Spritz beverages to sip while listening to the music series, and the Alberta Motor Association sponsored the Fringe map. KidsFringe grew this year, introducing a playground, splash park, and theater for young audiences. Next: August 15-25, 2019

Toronto
#6 Entertainment Industry Event
Returning to the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in 2018, comedians Jonny Harris and Emma Hunter hosted the gala this year, where writer Margaret Atwood and broadcaster Peter Mansbridge were honored. Sponsors included CBC, Telefilm, Bell Media, Netflix, Canada Media Fund, Cineplex, and Cogeco Fund. Next: March 2019

St. John's
#7 Entertainment Industry Event
Attendance was expected to be level this year, with 4,500 attendees viewing 10 feature films and 38 shorts made by women at four St. John’s venues. Screenings include two features shot locally with local directors. CBC and Telefilm Canada will be sponsors. Next: October 17-21, 2018

Vancouver
#1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
The 40th anniversary festival drew 25,000 attendees to sniff and sip at the Vancouver Convention Cenrtre and shone a spotlight on wines from Portugal and Spain. For 2019, 160 wineries from 15 countries are expected to participate, and Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival will be the charitable beneficiary once again. Next: February 23-March 3, 2019

St. Catharines, Ontario
#2 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
The new Harvest Moon Festival is expected to draw additional crowds at this year’s event, along with the Premier Sommelier Lounge for elite Ontario wines and sparkling wines. Forty wineries are scheduled to participate in 2018, and new sponsors include Telus Mobility and Trillium College. Next: September 2019

Toronto
#3 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
About 18,000 chefs, owners, managers, and buyers attended Canada’s largest food service event at the Enercare Centre this year, pushing attendance up by 15 percent. Sponsors included Canada Beer, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, and Energy Star. The theme for 2019 is sustainability: energy, waste, and the greening of restaurants. Next: February 24-26, 2019

Toronto
#4 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event (up from #5)
The sold-out celebration of suds grew by nine percent in 2018, and added a Thursday night lineup, welcoming 35,000 over four days. Hometown rockers Broken Social Scene performed at Exhibition Place’s Bandshell Park, and OLG and Tech Savvy were new sponsors. Next: July 25-29, 2019

Montreal
#5 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event (up from #6)
Attendance at the street fair and lumberjack party grew by 23 percent in 2018 to more than 98,000. Visitors took part in ax-throwing contests, old-fashioned kids’ games, and taste-tested Quebec’s sweet maple sugar. Crown Royal and paper-products company Cascades sponsored. Next: March 21-24, 2019

Montreal
#6 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
The food-focused event returned to the Place des Festivals in the Quartier des Spectacles in downtown Montreal in 2018, when about one million people attended. The theme this year was Celebrating Knowledge, and all 14 workshops and conferences sold out. Bell and RBC remain key sponsors. Next year marks the festival’s 20th anniversary. Next: February 23-March 3, 2019

Toronto
#7 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event (up from #9)
More than 130,000 evening eaters and 120 vendors attended this year’s three-night Asian food market at Markham Civic Centre. Activations and concerts round out the foodie experience every year, with Mountain Equipment Co-op’s rock-climbing wall a big hit in 2018. TD and Yelp returned as sponsors. Next: July 2019

Charlottetown
#8 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
More than 10,000 lobster lovers were expected in 2018, when the new Junior Chef Challenge, presented by Dairy Farmers of Canada and hosted by celebrity chef Michael Smith, had tweens competing for a $1,000 cash prize. Prize money for adult shuckers grew to $26,000. Mott’s Clamato and Sysco came on board as new sponsors. Next: September 2019

Toronto
#9 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
More than 40,000 gourmands are expected at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in 2018, when the expo features the new Fine Wine Tasting Lounge for elite visitors, private buyers, and collectors. Returning sponsor Mott’s Clamato will again host the Best Caesar in Town contest on the Trend Stage. Next: November 22-25, 2018

Okanagan Valley, B.C.
#10 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
The festival will offer five signature events in 2018, including the Thanksgiving Brunch at the Watermark Beach Resort, and individual wineries will host another 90. This year the famous WestJet Wine Tastings move to the new 28,000-square-foot Carson Air hangar at the Kelowna International Airport, with planes, cars, and aerialists on site. Presenting sponsor is Valley First credit union. Next: September 27-October 7, 2018

Toronto
#1 Media & Literary Event
A maximum capacity crowd of 450 of Canada’s literary elite is set to return to the Ritz-Carlton this year for the televised awarding of the richest prize in Canadian fiction. The 2017 winner was Toronto author Michael Redhill for his novel Bellevue Square. Next: November 19, 2018

Montreal
#2 Media & Literary Event
In 2018, attendance at this festival with a social conscience grew to 120,000, including partnership events, with participation by 260 authors from 19 countries. The 2018 International Literary Grand Prix went to philosopher Charles Taylor, while Lee Maracle received the First People’s Literary Prize. Sponsors included Heritage Canada and TD. Next: May 2-5, 2019

Vancouver
#3 Media & Literary Event
Tourism Vancouver is a new sponsor, and credit union Vancity returns this year, when the festival expects attendance to stay level at 17,000, with about 100 authors—including Buffy Sainte-Marie and Patrick deWitt—participating. New this year: Canadian Métis writer Cherie Dimaline is the festival’s first guest curator. Next: October 15-21, 2018

Toronto
#4 Media & Literary Event
The outdoor celebration of reading expands to two days this year, with authors and leading Canadian personalities discussing current events and exploring Canadian identity. Attendance shrank to 200,000 in 2017 due to extremely hot weather but is expected to rebound in 2018. Toronto Public Library is a key sponsor. Next: September 22-23, 2018

Toronto
#5 Media & Literary Event
The 11-day festival will feature more daytime events and more free events than in the past, and it is expecting to draw upwards of 15,000 attendees. The Toronto Star is the major media partner and University of Toronto Bookstore is the official book seller. Next: October 18-28, 2018

Banff, Alberta
#6 Media & Literary Event
For the Festival’s 39th year, more than 1,500 delegates from over 20 countries took part in conferences, networking events, and sales pitches. NBCUniversal was named the company of distinction this year, and Alberta Film and Corus Entertainment were among the sponsors. New this year: the Netflix-Banff Diversity of Voices Initiative, a program designed to support and jump-start careers of underrepresented talent. Next: June 9-12, 2019

Woody Point, Newfoundland
#7 Media & Literary Event
Hosted again by CBC radio personality Shelagh Rogers and presented by Scotiabank, this intimate literary festival sold out early and featured writers such as Ian Brown, Sharon Bala, and Elizabeth Hay. Impromptu after-hours musical jam sessions are always a highlight. Next: August 2019

Ottawa
#8 Media & Literary Event
Tanya Talaga won the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing this year for her book about indigenous youth, Seven Fallen Feathers. Chateau Laurier hosted the sold-out, 500-person dinner gala again in 2018, and Microsoft, CIBC, and CN were platinum sponsors. Next: Spring 2019

Montreal
#1 Advertising & Marketing Event
This year’s meeting of creative minds, returning to the historic Griffintown district, was its biggest ever: 6,500 C.E.O.s, academics, students, and start-up entrepreneurs from 61 countries. The eco-friendly three-day event was named one of North America’s most sustainable business conferences by Quebec’s standards for responsible event management. Next: May 22-24, 2019

Toronto
#2 Advertising & Marketing Event
About 1,000 top marketers and their clients returned to the Westin Harbour Castle in 2017 for a reception, award show, dinner, and dancing. Cosette’s SickKids Foundation campaign won Best of the Best. New sponsored dance floor lounges, and late-night snacks kept the party going. Facebook and Twitter are among this year’s sponsors. Next: November 23, 2018

Toronto
#3 Advertising & Marketing Event
Koerner Hall hosted the Agency of the Year awards in 2017—and will again this year—when about 500 industry types celebrated the country’s top creative, media, digital, PR, and design shops with pre- and post-show cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Cosette won gold for the second year in a row. Next: November 1, 2018

Toronto
#4 Advertising & Marketing Event
The posh Carlu was the site of the Marketing Awards again this year, when Cosette took home two Best in Show awards, one for McDonalds and one for SickKids. The cocktails-and-dinner event did not sell out this year, and attendance was level with last. Formerly known as Marketing Magazine Marketing Awards, Strategy Magazine bought the title and took over the show. Next: Spring 2019

Toronto
#1 Fashion Industry Event
Following the death of the shows’ founder in late spring 2018, the October shows were cancelled and organizers looked forward to the Fall/Winter events for men and women in March 2019. About 40,000 fashionable folks attended the events’ parties, shows and conferences this spring, with 30 designers participating. Next: Spring 2019

Toronto
#2 Fashion Industry Event
The new ownership consortium, including a shopping mall, a hotel, and a developer, welcomed 20 designers and an expected 100,000 viewers to its Spring/Summer shows in September at Yorkville Village. Local chefs and bartenders joined in by creating dishes and drinks for the event. Grey Goose and the Yorkville BIA were sponsors. Next: Spring 2019

Toronto
#3 Fashion Industry Event
The April 2018 edition explored communications, connecting, and relationships in fashion. About 1,500 people attended at the Daniels Spectrum downtown, and 40 local and emerging designers presented uninhibited and multi-sensory runway fashions. Next: April 2019

Toronto
#4 Fashion Industry Event
About 700 people attended the award show at the Fairmont Royal York this year, where style maven Joe Zee played host. Look for the event to be streamed to a wider audience in 2019, thanks to Facebook Live, with a goal of televising the show in future years. Joe Fresh and Porter Airlines sponsored. Next: Spring 2019

Edmonton
#5 Fashion Industry Event (up from #6)
Asian designers were the real standout at the fall shows in March 2018, when about 6,000 people flanked the runways at the ATB Financial Art Barns. MAC cosmetics and CTV were among the sponsors. Next: September 26-30, 2018

National
#1 Sports Event (up from #2)
About 500,000 people attended this football festival last time it was in Edmonton, one of the biggest football cities around, and similar numbers are expected this year. Free festivities downtown will be a big draw for families, and a sell-out crowd of over 55,000 is expected at Brick Field for the big game. Shaw is the title sponsor. Next: November 21-25, 2018

Montreal
#2 Sports Event (up from #3)
Ticket sales increased by 28 percent in 2018, when Formula 1 celebrated 40 years in Montreal. Highlights included Jacques Villeneuve driving his father’s winning 1978 car at the head of the drivers’ parade on Sunday and Ferrari winning in Montreal for the first time in 14 years. Next: June 2019

Toronto
#3 Sports Event (up from #4)
About 100,000 Indy fans attend the races and festival over the family-friendly weekend, including free-admission Fan Friday. New Zealand driver Scott Dixon racked up his third win of the season at this year’s Honda-sponsored event. Next: July 2019

Toronto
#4 Sports Event (up from #8)
The festival for Canada’s oldest thoroughbred horse race grew to three days this year, returning to the Woodbine Racetrack over the Canada Day weekend. Aside from the marquee event, the $1 million Queen’s Plate race, 2018 saw the return of the Stella Artois Hats and Horseshoes Party, and the Budweiser Beer Garden was a new addition. Next: July 2019

Montreal/Toronto
#5 Sports Event
Some 188 players—84 men in Toronto and 104 women in Montreal—took part in the Roger’s Cup this year, with attendance falling for the men’s event to about 150,000. Rain hampered play in both cities, and in Montreal the Women’s Tennis Association president Mickey Lawlor called for the building of a covered stadium to “futureproof” the event. Next: August 2019

Toronto
#6 Sports Event
The purse for the RBC-sponsored tourney grew again this year, by $200,000, to $6.2 million, and Steam Whistle Brewing became the new official beer partner. Named the most fan-friendly event by the P.G.A. Tour, the Canadian Open will change location and date next year: one week before the U.S. Open at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club. Next: June 3-9, 2019

Vancouver
#7 Sports Event
A record number of participants came out this year—some 17,000 runners—to race on Vancouver’s beautiful course and take in the stunning scenery. Local Robin Watson became the first Canadian to win the men’s marathon since 1983, and female runner Zhiling Zheng became the first-ever Chinese person to win. BMO remained the title sponsor. Next: May 5, 2019

Whistler, B.C.
#8 Sports Event
Participation was expected to remain level at about 4,500 riders this year’s European-style mass cycling event, with RBC returning as the main sponsor. This year also saw some big news: In 2018, the organization won the rights to hold the UCI World Gran Fondo Championships in 2020. Next year’s race will be a qualifier for the 2020 event. Next: September 7, 2019

Whitehorse, Yukon
#9 Sports Event
From Whitehorse, Yukon, to Fairbanks, Alaska
The field in the 1,600-kilometre (1,000-mile) dogsled race grew to 26 mushers in 2018, including at least three representing the second generation in their family to take on the wintertime challenge. The City of Fairbanks and Tourism Yukon remained the lead sponsors. Next: February 2, 2019

Lake Louise, Alberta
#10 Sports Event
The season for skiing’s World Cup speed events—the men’s and ladies’ downhill and super-G races—kicks off at Lake Louise Ski Resort again this year and will be broadcast to an audience of about 184 million. Audi returns as a key sponsor. Next: November 24-December 2, 2018

Toronto
#4 Benefit
With a new name, a more celebratory tone, and a move to Thursday night from Tuesday, the gala in support of Right to Play—which aims to empower children worldwide through sport—expects 1,200 patrons to raise more than $2 million this year. National Bank of Canada and Power Corporation are title sponsors, and four-time Canadian Olympic hockey champion Caroline Ouellette will be honored. Next: October 11, 2018

Ottawa
#12 Art & Design Event
The new Canada Room at the National Arts Centre hosted 500 arts patrons for dinner, with another 1,800 joining for the sold-out performance in Southam Hall. Founder Peter Herrndorf received a special award from former astronaut and Governor General Julie Payette. Next: June 2019

Ottawa
#6 Festival & Parade (new to the list)
Numbers were down in 2018 due to 2017’s amped up "Canada 150" celebrations and a heat wave in the capital. About 250,000 patriotic people visited the city and 48,000 attended festivities on Parliament Hill. New this year: celebrations started one day early, with family events and circus shows at Major’s Hill Park. Sponsors included President’s Choice and Tim Hortons. Next: July 1, 2019