44 Best Performing Arts Venues in Toronto, Ontario

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We've compiled the best of the best in Toronto - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

Tarragon Theatre

The Annex

This converted warehouse presents plays by new and established Canadian playwrights, with special focus on nurturing emerging voices in Canadian theater. The complex features multiple theater spaces and studios, and maverick companies will occasionally mount interesting experimental productions in some of the smaller rooms.

30 Bridgman Ave., Toronto, ON, M5R 1X3, Canada
416-531–1827

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The Theatre Centre

West Queen West

Built in 1909 as a library funded by industrialist Andrew Carnegie, this heritage property underwent extensive renovations and reopened as a theater space in 2016. As well as boundary-pushing programming, visitors will find an open-door policy that reflects its community-first ethos—drop in for a coffee, set up your laptop for the day, or simply relax without pressure to make a purchase. The café/bar is open late on performance nights.

1115 Queen St. W, Toronto, ON, M6J 3T4, Canada
416-538--0988

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Théâtre français de Toronto

Old Town

Founded in 1967, the company is a cornerstone of the city’s vibrant performing arts scene, offering high-caliber French-language drama with English subtitles for accessibility. The company's repertoire spans classical pieces to bold contemporary works, spotlighting French and French-Canadian voices. Each season includes productions for a general audience, children and teens, making it a great cultural outing for all ages. Whether you're a Francophone or simply a Francophile, TfT delivers compelling theatre that transcends language barriers.

26 Berkeley St., Toronto, ON, M5A 2W3, Canada
416-534–7303

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Recommended Fodor's Video

Theatre Passe Muraille

Queen West

Toronto's oldest alternative theater company, established in 1968, focuses on presenting themes of the unique Canadian cultural mosaic through collaborative productions and has launched the careers of many actors and playwrights.

16 Ryerson Ave., Toronto, ON, M5T 2P3, Canada
416-504–7529

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TIFF Bell Lightbox

Entertainment District

A five-story architectural masterpiece, this glass-paneled building houses the year-round headquarters of the internationally acclaimed Toronto International Film Festival, which takes place in September. Throughout the year visitors can attend film-related lectures, watch screenings, and enjoy smaller film festivals, including the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival, a film festival with free movies for anyone under 25 that takes place in April. A stellar educational program includes summer camps and ongoing workshops—on how to produce a stop-motion movie, for example. The TIFF Cinematheque, open to the public, plays world cinema classics and contemporary art house films.

350 King St. W, Toronto, ON, M5V 3X5, Canada
416-599–8433
Performing Art Details
C$17

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Toronto After Dark

Dedicated to horror, sci-fi, and thriller films. Late October.

Toronto Mendelssohn Choir

Rosedale

This group of more than 120 singers and choristers was formed in 1894 and performs major classical choral works at various venues, including the lovely Koerner Hall and Yorkminster Park Baptist Church at Yonge and St. Clair. The choir often performs with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, including at its annual Christmas performance of Handel's Messiah.

1585 Yonge St., Toronto, ON, M4T 1Z9, Canada
416-598–0422

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Young People's Theatre

Old Town

Canada’s largest and oldest professional theatre for young audiences offers high-quality productions that engage both kids and adults. With a mix of fun, interactive shows like Where the Wild Things Are and powerful dramas like Hana’s Suitcase, YPT never talks down to its audience. Performances are thoughtful, age-appropriate, and rich with meaning—making it a must-visit for families seeking meaningful, entertaining theatre.

Canadian Opera Company

Queen West

Founded in 1950, the COC has grown into the largest producer of opera in Canada, and has proven innovative and often daring with presentations that range from popular operas to more modern or rarely performed works. The COC maintains its international reputation for artistic excellence and creative leadership by presenting new productions from a diverse repertoire, collaborating with leading opera companies and festivals, and attracting the world's foremost Canadian and international artists. It often hosts world-renowned performers, and it pioneered the use of scrolling SURTITLES, which allow the audience to follow the libretto in English in a capsulized translation that appears above the stage. Tickets sell out quickly. Tours (C$20 for adults; C$15 for seniors/students) of the COC's opera house, the magnificent Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, are given when the performance schedule allows (usually on Sundays); check the website for times and dates.

145 Queen St. W, Toronto, ON, M5H 4G1, Canada
416-363–8231

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Harbourfront Centre

Harbourfront

This venue has two theaters for dance and two renowned dance series: Next Steps which runs from September through the spring, and World Stage which also includes theatre and begins in January. The Fleck Dance Theatre was built specifically for modern dance in 1983. The proscenium stage hosts some of the best local and Canadian modern and contemporary companies, in addition to some international acts. The Enwave Theatre welcomes these same types of dance performances as well as plays and concerts. It has excellent acoustics. Both theaters are small (446 and 422 seats, respectively) so you're never far from the stage.

207 Queen's Quay W, Toronto, ON, M5J 2G8, Canada
416-973–4000

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Harbourfront Centre

Harbourfront

In July and August, free movies are screened outdoors as part of the Free Flicks program. Documentaries, frequently accompanying summer festivals, cultural events, and retrospectives, are presented ad hoc throughout the year.

235 Queen's Quay W, Toronto, ON, M5J 2G8, Canada
416-973–4000

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Opera Atelier

Since its opening in 1985, Opera Atelier has been dedicated to staging 17th- and 18th-century baroque operas, with extravagant sets and costumes and original instruments. The two annual productions are stage at the Elgin Theatre each fall and spring.

189 Yonge St., Toronto, ON, M5B 1M4, Canada
416-703–3767

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St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts

Old Town

This center has been presenting theater, music, dance, opera, film, and forums on public issues since 1970. The two main halls are the luxuriously appointed Bluma Appel Theatre and the Jane Mallett Theatre, both venues for recitals and performances by companies like the Canadian Stage Company, the Toronto Operetta, and Music Toronto (chamber music).

27 Front St. E, Toronto, ON, M5E 1B4, Canada
416-366–7723

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TIFF Bell Lightbox

Entertainment District

Operated by the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) organization, this state-of-the-art five-screen, five-story complex, opened in 2010, shows classic and avant-garde films, director retrospectives, actor tributes, national cinema spotlights, exclusive limited runs, and new documentaries and artistic films. Tickets are C$13.