1. DesignTO Festival
Up from #4
Toronto
Formerly the Toronto Design Offsite Festival, this newly renamed 10-day event is Canada’s largest cultural celebration of design and will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2020. Attendance in 2019 grew to 150,000, with 100-plus events, exhibits, installations and, for the first time, a guided bus tour. Next: January 17-26, 2020
Toronto
Formerly the Toronto Design Offsite Festival, this newly renamed 10-day event is Canada’s largest cultural celebration of design and will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2020. Attendance in 2019 grew to 150,000, with 100-plus events, exhibits, installations and, for the first time, a guided bus tour. Next: January 17-26, 2020
Photo: Courtesy of Brill Communications
2. Luminato
Toronto
The international arts festival had a smaller budget this year and downsized to 17 days from 19. More free programing was added in 2019, and highlights included the mesmerizing House of Mirrors and an interactive basketball play for Raptors-crazy Toronto. The province of Ontario returned as the major sponsor. Next: June 2020 See more: 10 Best Ideas of the Week: 'Fortnite's Neon Disco Ball Stage, Luminato's 'House of Mirrors,' Montblanc's Space-Theme Geodesic Dome
The international arts festival had a smaller budget this year and downsized to 17 days from 19. More free programing was added in 2019, and highlights included the mesmerizing House of Mirrors and an interactive basketball play for Raptors-crazy Toronto. The province of Ontario returned as the major sponsor. Next: June 2020 See more: 10 Best Ideas of the Week: 'Fortnite's Neon Disco Ball Stage, Luminato's 'House of Mirrors,' Montblanc's Space-Theme Geodesic Dome
Photo: Jeremy Mimnagh
3. Nuit Blanche Toronto
Toronto
About 300 artists are expected to participate in the city’s all-night arts festival again this year, when Fort York will be added as a new installation site. Other locations include Yonge-Dundas Square and a return to Scarborough. Last year, about one million night owls attended. Next: October 5, 2019
About 300 artists are expected to participate in the city’s all-night arts festival again this year, when Fort York will be added as a new installation site. Other locations include Yonge-Dundas Square and a return to Scarborough. Last year, about one million night owls attended. Next: October 5, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of City of Toronto
4. Contact Photography Festival
Up from #6
Toronto
The world’s largest photography event was seen by about one million people this year, with 200 exhibits and happenings in major museums, galleries, and artist-run centers. Scotiabank was the title sponsor for its first of five years in a new sponsorship agreement. Next: May 1-31, 2020
Toronto
The world’s largest photography event was seen by about one million people this year, with 200 exhibits and happenings in major museums, galleries, and artist-run centers. Scotiabank was the title sponsor for its first of five years in a new sponsorship agreement. Next: May 1-31, 2020
Photo: Clifton Li
5. Sobey Art Award Gala
Edmonton
Moving to Edmonton’s Art Gallery of Alberta this year, the cocktail reception for Canada’s best young contemporary artists is expected to draw a crowd of about 700. Prize money totals $240,000, including $100,000 for the winner, who is announced that night. The Sobey Art Foundation founded the award. Next: November 15, 2019
Moving to Edmonton’s Art Gallery of Alberta this year, the cocktail reception for Canada’s best young contemporary artists is expected to draw a crowd of about 700. Prize money totals $240,000, including $100,000 for the winner, who is announced that night. The Sobey Art Foundation founded the award. Next: November 15, 2019
Photo: Miv Photography
6. Doors Open Toronto
Up from #7
Toronto
Toronto’s city-wide buildings tour turned 20 this year, focusing on youth and indigenous themes. It offered behind-the-scenes tours of 20 architects’ studios and the newly renovated Holy Blossom Temple, home of Toronto’s oldest Jewish congregation. Schlage Locks Canada was a new sponsor. Next: May 30-31, 2020
Toronto
Toronto’s city-wide buildings tour turned 20 this year, focusing on youth and indigenous themes. It offered behind-the-scenes tours of 20 architects’ studios and the newly renovated Holy Blossom Temple, home of Toronto’s oldest Jewish congregation. Schlage Locks Canada was a new sponsor. Next: May 30-31, 2020
Photo: Courtesy of City of Toronto
7. Art Toronto
Toronto
About 23,000 collectors, gallerists, artists, and enthusiasts returned to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for Canada’s largest modern and contemporary art fair in 2018. Sales to institutions and private and corporate collectors were strong, and RBC returned as the presenting sponsor. Next: October 25-27, 2019
About 23,000 collectors, gallerists, artists, and enthusiasts returned to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for Canada’s largest modern and contemporary art fair in 2018. Sales to institutions and private and corporate collectors were strong, and RBC returned as the presenting sponsor. Next: October 25-27, 2019
Photo: Rebecca Tisdelle-Macias
8. Interior Design Show
Up from #11
Toronto
With an expanded B-to-B offering called IDS Contract, a move to a bigger space within the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and Roots drummer Questlove as a featured speaker, the show attracted 53,000 design professionals. Appliance maker Miele was a sponsor. Next: January 16-19, 2020
See more: See 9 Stand-Out Trade Show Booths From This Interior Design Event
Toronto
With an expanded B-to-B offering called IDS Contract, a move to a bigger space within the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and Roots drummer Questlove as a featured speaker, the show attracted 53,000 design professionals. Appliance maker Miele was a sponsor. Next: January 16-19, 2020
See more: See 9 Stand-Out Trade Show Booths From This Interior Design Event
Photo: Arash Moallemi
9. Governor Generals Awards in Visual and Media Arts
In a ceremony at Rideau Hall, the official residence of Canada’s governor general, eight artists were feted for their artistic achievements, which earned them $25,000 each. Vernissage took place at the National Gallery of Canada, and the Canada Council for the Arts was the main funder, administrator, and promoter. Next: Spring 2020
Photo: LS Anne-Marie Brisson/Office of the Secretary to the Governor General
10. Papier Contemporary Art Fair
Montreal
A new, bigger venue, at the Port of Montreal’s Grand Quay, allowed this paper-based art fair to double its footprint and open up to other contemporary art practices. More than 500 artists and 46 galleries participated this year, and 11,000 art enthusiasts attended. Banque National was the presenting sponsor. Next: April 23-26, 2020
A new, bigger venue, at the Port of Montreal’s Grand Quay, allowed this paper-based art fair to double its footprint and open up to other contemporary art practices. More than 500 artists and 46 galleries participated this year, and 11,000 art enthusiasts attended. Banque National was the presenting sponsor. Next: April 23-26, 2020
Photo: Jean-Michael Seminaro
11. Toronto Outdoor Art Fair
Toronto
About $2 million in art was sold at Canada’s largest juried contemporary art fair this year, which featured 380 artists who showed their work at Nathan Philips Square and a crowd of 120,000 people. This year’s theme was “Art: unwalled,” acknowledging the inclusive and welcoming environment. Henderson Brewing Co. returned as a key sponsor. Next: July 2020
About $2 million in art was sold at Canada’s largest juried contemporary art fair this year, which featured 380 artists who showed their work at Nathan Philips Square and a crowd of 120,000 people. This year’s theme was “Art: unwalled,” acknowledging the inclusive and welcoming environment. Henderson Brewing Co. returned as a key sponsor. Next: July 2020
Photo: Andrew Williamson
12. Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Gala
Ottawa
Big-ticket names like Sandra Oh, Colm Feore, and Rick Mercer helped sell out the annual performance celebrating laureates at the National Arts Centre. Air Canada was the new presenting sponsor and jeweler Birks returned as a sponsor. Next: April 25, 2020
Big-ticket names like Sandra Oh, Colm Feore, and Rick Mercer helped sell out the annual performance celebrating laureates at the National Arts Centre. Air Canada was the new presenting sponsor and jeweler Birks returned as a sponsor. Next: April 25, 2020
Photo: George Pimentel Photography
