1. Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Next Wave (April 11th-14th)
Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox and other venues
Find out more: https://www.tiff.net/nextwave
Calling all aspiring auteurs and movie buffs with a fresh take! Unleash your inner Spielberg (or maybe your inner Greta Gerwig) at TIFF Next Wave, a film festival unlike any other. This electrifying event isn’t just about watching cool flicks – it’s about celebrating the next generation of cinematic storytellers. Think of it as a boot camp for brilliant young minds, where budding directors, writers, and film fanatics can screen their creations, rub shoulders with industry pros, and get their creative juices flowing. So grab your popcorn (and maybe a screenplay!), because TIFF Next Wave is where the future of film ignites!
2. Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival (Late April – Early May)
Where: Various venues across Toronto
Find out more: https://hotdocs.ca/
Reality isn’t always what it seems, and at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, truth gets its close-up! This isn’t your dusty history class DocFest – Hot Docs brings the world’s most thought-provoking and eye-opening documentaries together under one roof. Prepare to be challenged, surprised, and maybe even a little emotional as you delve into untold stories, groundbreaking investigations, and inspiring tales of human resilience. Moreover, it’s a cinematic journey that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew, and with a thirst to explore the real world beyond the filter.
3. Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) “Let’s Go To The Ex!” (April 6th-7th)
Where: Exhibition Place
Find out more: https://theex.com/
The carousel lights are flashing, the air is thick with the aroma of deep-fried everything, and there’s a joyful cacophony of screams and laughter in the distance – yup, the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is back in town! Dust off your cowboy hat and get ready for a blast from the past (with a modern twist, of course). The CNE is a whirlwind of classic fairground fun – thrilling rides, midway games that test your skills (and maybe your patience), and enough food creations to satisfy even the most adventurous eater. It’s a nostalgic adventure for all ages, a celebration of summer, and a must-do for any Toronto resident. So grab your friends and family, and get ready to make some unforgettable memories (and maybe win a giant stuffed bear) at the CNE!
4. Toronto Public Library Events
Where: Various branches across Toronto
Find out more: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/
Last on the list of “Festivals and Events in Toronto this April” Who says libraries are all about shhh-ing and dusty old tomes? Toronto Public Libraries are throwing the rulebook out the window with a treasure trove of FREE events that are as fun as they are enriching. Unleash your inner artist at a tie-dye workshop, travel the globe through a virtual reality experience, or brush up your coding skills with a tech whiz. There’s truly something for everyone, from aspiring astronauts to genealogy buffs. So ditch the overpriced museum tickets and head to your local library. Undeniably you will be left surprised by the vibrant world waiting to be explored!
