#1 Music Event (up from #7)
Now in its seventh year, hometown favorite Drake’s three-night event has evolved into one of North America’s most important hip-hop festivals, and is moving to a high-capacity venue: the Air Canada Centre. Past year’s surprise guests have included Jay Z, Kanye West, and Lauryn Hill. Next: July 29-August 1, 2016
#2 Music Event (up from #4)
Canada’s largest free jazz festival continues to grow, with planners expecting to draw more than one million people over 23 days this year. Multi-arts programing expanded for 2016 thanks to Ontario Trillium Foundation grants, and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport became a sponsor. Next: July 2017
#3 Music Event
The TD-sponsored crowd-pleaser consistently draws about 400,000 to free and ticketed performances in the city’s core. Highlights for 2016 included a rare Toronto appearance by Avishai Cohen, as well as Sarah McLachlan and Wynton Marsalis. Next: June 2017
#4 Music Event (new to the list)
A capacity crowd of more than 5,000 Canadian music fans and CBC listeners packed lakeside’s TD Echo Beach for the fifth incarnation of the family-friendly fest. The kids’ area was expanded in 2016, with Tokyo Police Club and Whitehorse serenading the tots. Next: May 2017
#5 Music Event (up from #8)
For its fourth year, the two-day festival at Fort York’s urban oasis boasted international headliners The National and Robyn. Extended day camp appealed to urban hipsters with kids, and Lululemon replaced American Apparel as the clothing sponsor. Next: June 2017
#6 Music Event (up from #8)
The hybrid industry/public event shrank to seven days this year from 10, but still grew attendance to 190,000. More than 800 artists were showcased in 40-plus venues, and highlights included the inaugural Live Music Industry Awards. Jim Beam and Rogers were sponsors. Next: April 18-22, 2017
#7 Music Event
The festival moved to the Port Lands for a new outdoor gated venue in 2016, but with fewer events and venues, attendance dropped to 32,600. New sponsors included KLM, Texas Tourism, and Daniels Homes. Next: June 12-18, 2017
#8 Music Event
The gala at the swanky Carlu celebrate's Canada best album of the year based solely on artistic merit. The event featured winner Buffy Sainte-Marie as well as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra covering Drake. CBC is the new title sponsor for a two-year stint. Next: September 19, 2016
#9 Music Event
Supermodel Gigi Hadid hosted the 2016 show, which took over Queen Street for 12 free performances by the likes of Nick Jonas and Macklemore. This year’s event was broadcast in 4K and featured the biggest stage to date: 3,700 square feet. Next: June 2017
