The absolute best time to be in Toronto is during the warmer months. Spring and summer come with their stream of festivals that splash life and colour into the streets. Communities become vibrant as musicians give their souls to musical play, their awesome acoustic and digital creations bouncing off of city walls and setting a new rhythm for the city. We love June specifically for the music festivals, two of which highly are anticipated every year, and 2016 is no exception: Toronto Jazz Festival and Bestival.
Toronto Jazz Festival is an award winning celebration of the Jazz genre that has been running strong since 1987. The core of Toronto’s jazz fest takes place at Nathan Phillips Square, host to a main and outdoor stage with 1 200 seats. With over 400 performances taking stage over the 10 days of Toronto Jazz Festival, music lovers can soak up the chance to encounter jazz celebs that are attracted to sharing in this nationally recognized jazz hub. The effect this music event has on even Canada’s national image on a global scale is one of cultural significance.
This year, Toronto Jazz fest takes place from June 24th to July 3rd.
A spinoff from the European festival, Bestival comes to Toronto every June as a musical extravaganza and massive costume party. That’s right, this is your chance to dig out that awesome wig and unsightly (but totally memorable) outfit from the back of your closet. This giant party centralizes on a high passion for musical talent and it’s an exploration and display of human creativity. Adventure from stage to stage while exploring your social personas in a festival not reserved for the ordinary.
The full 2016 line-up has been released and gives us a reason to be excited about Bestival this year. Performers like Jamie XX, Odesza, Grimes, and Daughter will be hitting the stage to unleash their musical genius and entertaining wonders. Not to mention a collection of other notorious live performers and DJ artists, which is boasted on the Bestival website as “the most eclectic you’ll ever experience.”
The weirdness and auditory delights unfold in Woodbine Park on June 11th and 12th. Gates open at noon both days. Tickets can be purchased online.