TIFF 2026: Things to Do in Toronto During Festival Season

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) runs September 10–20, 2026 — the 51st edition of the festival, presented by Rogers.

For 11 days every September, downtown Toronto transforms into one of the world’s biggest film events — red carpet premieres, celebrity sightings, industry deals, and hundreds of screenings across the city. Whether you’re coming specifically for the festival or you just happen to be in Toronto during this stretch, here’s what’s actually happening this year, plus what to do if you want a break from the crowds.

TIFF 2026: The Basics

Dates: September 10–20, 2026 (11 days) Location: Screenings and events across downtown Toronto, centered around TIFF Bell Lightbox and the Entertainment District Scale: Roughly 200 feature films and 100+ shorts, with attendance historically topping 500,000 people including industry, press, and the public

What’s new this year: TIFF is launching TIFF: The Market, a standalone film industry trading hub running September 10–16 out of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre — the first time the festival has run an official market alongside the public event. The Convention Centre’s John Bassett Theatre has been added as an official screening venue as a result.

Opening night: The festival opens with Apple Original Films’ Being Heumann, directed by Siân Heder (the Oscar-winning director of CODA).

Awards during the festival: The 8th annual TIFF Tribute Awards ceremony takes place during the festival, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present the Student Academy Awards to this year’s winners at a ceremony inside TIFF Lightbox on Monday, September 14.

How to Get Tickets

TIFF ticket access typically rolls out in tiers:

• TIFF Members get access to curated ticket packages first
• Visa cardholders (TIFF’s official card partner) get early presale access
• General public tickets go on sale later in August via Ticketmaster.ca

Individual screening tickets and festival passes are both available — pricing and exact on-sale dates are confirmed closer to the festival and are best checked directly at tiff.net or Ticketmaster.ca, since these details can shift year to year.

Best Things to Do in Toronto During TIFF

1. Catch a Public Screening

Many TIFF films are open to the general public, not just industry and press — this is the most direct way to experience the festival itself, and one of the few chances to see major upcoming releases months before wide release.

2. Celebrity-Spot Around the Entertainment District

King Street West and the surrounding blocks around TIFF Bell Lightbox and the major festival hotels are the classic spots for a chance at a celebrity sighting during the festival. Red carpet events draw crowds, so arrive early if that’s the goal.

3. Explore TIFF Bell Lightbox Even Without a Ticket

TIFF’s home venue often has public-facing exhibits, galleries, and a bar/restaurant space worth visiting even outside of screening times.

4. Make Something at ZuoZuo Studio ⭐ — A Break From the Crowds

If the downtown festival crush isn’t your scene, or you want a genuinely different way to spend a September afternoon or evening, a hands-on creative workshop is worth considering.

At ZuoZuo Studio in North York — a short trip from the downtown TIFF crowds — you can spend a couple of hours making something with your own hands instead:

Rug Tufting — design and tuft your own custom rug using a professional tufting gun.

Size	Price
Small (50×50cm)	$110
Medium (70×70cm)	$138
Large (90×90cm)	$178
X-Large (100×120cm)	$210

Fluid Bear Painting — pour and blend acrylic paint onto a bear figurine for a one-of-a-kind result, from $30 to $300 depending on size.

Pearl Jewelry Making — open a real clam, discover your pearl, and craft it into a piece of jewelry. $150 (Buy 1 Get 1 Free).

A genuine 4.9-star rating from 256+ Google reviews — see what our guests are saying

📍 1315 Lawrence Ave E, Unit 406, North York, Toronto 📞 226-348-4177 🕐 Thursday to Sunday, 12pm–8pm

Book ahead — September weekends fill up fast.

5. Distillery District

A calmer alternative to the downtown TIFF crush — cobblestone laneways, galleries, and patios, with none of the red-carpet crowds.

6. Toronto Islands

Early September still has good weather in most years, and a ferry ride to the Islands is a genuinely relaxing way to spend a day entirely away from festival energy.

7. Kensington Market and Chinatown

Two of Toronto’s most walkable neighbourhoods, both a reasonable distance from the main festival zone if you want a change of pace mid-visit.

Tips If You’re Visiting Specifically for TIFF

• Book accommodations early. Downtown hotels near the festival hub fill up well in advance, and prices climb the closer you get to September.
• Plan around screening times, not just film choices. With hundreds of films across many venues, logistics matter as much as your watchlist.
• Public transit beats driving downtown during the festival. Traffic and parking around the Entertainment District get significantly harder during TIFF.
• Not everything requires a ticket. Street-level festival energy, gallery exhibits, and people-watching around the venues are free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Make the Most of Festival Season in Toronto

Whether you’re chasing premieres and red carpets or just want something memorable to do during the same two weeks, Toronto has real range in September. If you’re looking for a break from the crowds — or just a different kind of memorable afternoon — a hands-on workshop is worth the trip.

Book a session at ZuoZuo Studio

📍 1315 Lawrence Ave E, Unit 406, North York, Toronto 📞 226-348-4177 🕐 Thursday to Sunday, 12pm–8pm ⭐ 4.9/5 from 256+ Google reviews