City: Toronto
Top Things to do in Toronto
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Things to do in Toronto, Canada: The Best Concerts & Shows
We've heard Toronto described as "New York City run by the Swiss," and it's true—you can find world-class theater, shopping and restaurants here, but the sidewalks are clean and the people are friendly. The best place to start is literally at the top—the CN Tower, the tallest freestanding structure in the Western Hemisphere.
Restaurants in Toronto
1. Royal Conservatory of Music
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 265 reviews
Classical, jazz, pop, opera, and world music are right at home in Koerner Hall. Its high ceiling and first-rate projection and communication technology make it perfect for films, lectures, and educational or corporate conferences. With its layered ribbon of wood forming a floating ceiling canopy, integrating an acoustic reflector, performance lighting, and technical bridges, Koerner Hall provides a dramatic yet intimate ambience between the audience and performers. The spectacular glass lobbies welcome guests to Koerner Hall and offer an extraordinary view of the city.
Reviewed By Getaway21469 - Toronto, Canada
One of the most successful architecture of merging old with new, in my opinion. The theatre itself is gorgeous and the acoustics superb. Most performers who stepped onto the stage for their first time always commented on the beauty of the space. It is! It is indeed such a perfect theatre; perfect also in size as one can't have a bad seat there. The choice of programming is varied, eclectic, and they offer music for all tastes. I absolutely adore the Royal Conservatory of Music (Koerner Hall).
2. The Toronto Magic Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 73 reviews
Congratulations, You have just discovered Toronto's underground magic scene. The Toronto Magic Company produces magic shows all over the city every single week featuring the best magicians from around the globe! So stop missing out on the fun, here are a few which might interest you: 'The Newest Trick in the Book'- $0 - FREE Weekly open mic magic show featuring 5 different performers attempting brand new material 'The Art of Magic' - $20 - Monthly Art installation/magic show featuring TMC founders, local favourites, and world famous headliners 'Ben Train - WEIRDO' - $30 - Half Comedian. Half Magician. And a FULL night of fun at Dave and Busters Oakville! Featuring a mind blowing magic show, Unlimited Video Game Card + 60 chips for ticketed games! We have magic shows all the time for people of all ages, head to Torontomagiccompany.com, or send us a message and we'll make sure to find the right magic show to make your night amazing!
Reviewed By katiedR9256FU
My friends and I attended the virtual Halloween show last night, and we had a ball! Lots of great tricks, fun jokes, and awesome magic! Thanks for an awesome evening Toronto Magic Company!
3. Canadian Opera Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company (COC) is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America. The company enjoys an international reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation. The COC presents six fully-staged productions each season at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.
Reviewed By jenelldiegor - Toronto, Canada
I love how the COC offers a Free Concert Series on certain Tuesdays-Wednesdays-Thursdays of the year. They have a wide range of talent and every time I attend, it’s so enjoyable! Most are held at 12 noon til 1 pm but on some Wednesdays there are 5 pm shows. Seating is limited but give it a try - it’s free!
4. Roy Thomson Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 222 reviews
This curved glass structure, a downtown architectural landmark, is a well-known concert hall.
Reviewed By ChefDorisFin - Toronto, Canada
Since TSO Soundcheck began offering 19-35 year olds $19 tickets to concerts every month, I have been attending a lot more symphonies and getting my dose of musical therapy. I love this location, the structure makes for balanced acoustics and their movie nights accompanied by orchestra are especially worthwhile to attend. The location is easy to access from the subway (just a walk up the stairs, never needing to step foot outside...great for winter) and easy to find parking in the area. For anyone parking before Nov 1st 2018, use code "kingpilot" on the green p parking app for 2 free hours of parking anywhere near king street.
5. Royal Alexandra Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,403 reviews
A masterpiece of beaux-arts architecture, the historic Royal Alexandra is Toronto's senior theatre and, at 101, never having been converted to any other use, the oldest continuously operating legitimate theatre in North America.The Royal Alexandra is also North America's first truly "royal" theatre - "royal" by patent from Edward VII - named with royal permission for his consort, Alexandra, a Danish princess and great-grandmother of the present queen.
Reviewed By jimbS8651DH
There are many excellent musicals around, all entertaining. But Come From Away eclipses them all. It’s not based on a fictitious story line, but on a real event. If that’s not enough, it’s one of those events that most of the audience members recall personally. “I remember what I was doing when...”. Add to that the amazing performances of the talented cast members, effortlessly transitioning from one character to another; the excellent musical score; the mood swings from laughter to tears and back again; the superb lighting changes; the random acts of kindness; and the fact it’s unabashedly Canadian. See it, and tell your friends!!
6. Massey Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 304 reviews
Reviewed By 23iulianu
If you have your favorite artist coming to Toronto at Massey Hall, don't hesitate to buy tickets. However, avoid the gallery tickets; the seats at Massey Hall are as they were one hundred years ago, ... and the gallery was the place for the low-class people.
7. The Carlu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
8. The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 350 reviews
The last operating double-decker theatre in the world. Built in 1913 and restored and renovated by the Ontario Heritage Trust in the 1980s today the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre is home to a diverse and variety of entertainment in Toronot. From TIFF to Ross Petty Holiday Family Musicals there is something for everyone. The downstairs auditorium is the elegant Elgin Theatre red and gold in Edwardian design. The upstairs theatre is the whimsical Winter Garden a unique botanical rooftop garden that blooms year around. Join us for musicals, operas, comedy and films. Public tours happen Mondays at 5pm and Saturdays at 10am check website for cancelations.
Reviewed By NiuMum
When I suggested to take a guided tour to the theatre，some of my friends said why dont we leverage a show to visit the theatre rather than investing additional time and money？I have to say it is really worth it！We attended the Saturday morning 10:00 2 hours guided tour. Two volunteers hosted us. Linda let us take the 1913 made Otis Elevator. It is manually operated！They spend two hours to relfect the theatre history and how it was restored including keeping the original spelling mistake. They keep it as Edward time style. It is really amazing to see the only operating double decker theatre in the world on site. I really recommend people pay a visit there. When you know the stories，you will see this theatre differently when you come for a show next time.
9. Ed Mirvish Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,571 reviews
The Ed Mirvish Theatre began its life in 1920 as a combination vaudeville and motion picture theatre in the Pantages theatre circuit. With its original 3373 seats, it was the largest cinema in Canada and, with its lavish interior - designed by the great theatre architect Thomas Lamb - the most elegant. David Mirvish officially renamed the iconic building The Ed Mirvish Theatre on December 6, 2011.
Reviewed By NorthernSpirit - Peterborough, Canada
Saw Bat out of Hell (Matinee) and we really enjoyed it. Arriving at the theatre early is a good idea. It gets crowded very quickly, and the doors to the actual theatre only open 30 mins prior to the start of the show. But, if you're there early you can use the washrooms, before showtime rather than during intermission (which is a zoo!). We also had a glass of wine while waiting to go in. All staff are friendly and helpful.
10. The National Ballet of Canada
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
One of the top international ballet companies, The National Ballet of Canada was founded in 1951 by Celia Franca. A company of 70 dancers with its own orchestra, the National Ballet has been led by Artistic Director Karen Kain, one of the greatest ballerinas of her generation, since 2005. Renowned for its diverse repertoire, the company performs traditional full-length classics, embraces contemporary work and encourages the creation of new ballets as well as the development of Canadian choreographers.
Reviewed By PavlaPavla - Chrudim, Czech Republic
My partner and I saw The Nutcracker performance at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on December 24th, 2019. It was the third time I saw this performance. And I liked it very much again. The James Kudelka's version is absolutely different than versions, you can see in Europe. The story is set in 19th century Russia. The first act is so nice! Showing a celebration of Christmas in a large village barn was a wonderful idea. (Normally this act takes place in a big room with a Christmas tree.) I liked the dance of Bears and the Horse, cannon firing confetti into the audience - another lovely idea. The Sugar Plum Fairy appeared on the stage in a huge golden Fabergé egg, the Snow Queen danced not only with Snow Flakes but with two men - Icicles, dance of the Waiters was simply amazing! Flower Waltz showes a Bee flying in the meadow from flower to flower. I really loved all the costumes. Santo Loquasto did a great job on them. Dancers were great, Koto Ishihara as the Sugar Plum Fairy (it was her debut that day) was so beautiful and I really appreciated her ballet technique. I would like to mention the orchestra - the musicians played very well, the sound of the music was clear and nice. I found very lovely and funny the gesture of the conductor, when he put during final curtain call a red nose on his nose. This the Nutcracker version is very unique and absolutely amazing. I would like to see it again and again when I'm back in Toronto during Christmas holidays.
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