Given its world-topping diversity, impressive arts funding, and unparalleled urban energy, it’s no wonder Toronto is an artistic and cultural hub. But just because Toronto’s prodigy seems inevitable, doesn’t make it any less impressive.

On any given weekday, you can saunter into a literary reading series in the Annex, a sculpture exhibit in a Parkdale, a three-act play at Soulpepper, and an indie film screening at one of the city’s independent theatres. Top the night off with a crisp martini next to a tight, three-piece jazz ensemble – and, wow, you haven’t even scratched the surface of what Toronto can offer.

It’s a level of creative energy that can seem both dizzying and daunting. But don’t worry – we’ve got your back. As the city’s premier real estate agency, allow us to be your tour guide through the painting-lined halls, raucous dance floors, quiet mezzanines, and thought-provoking literary spaces of the best city on earth.

Below, find the complex scene divided into four key subcategories: music, visual arts, literature, and live theatre. Let’s explore!

Music

The music scene in Toronto has nurtured luminaries across genres and eras, from early folk icons like Joni Mitchell to recent hip-hop megastars like Drake. And in between those polar opposites lives a world of musical talent. Whether you want country-tinged indie band, a screaming metal ensemble, or a sophisticated blues outfit, you’ll find it here.

Some of our favourite venues in Six include:

• The Rex: a mainstay for jazz located in a vibrant stretch of Queen Street West
• The Horseshoe Tavern: a “spit-and-sawdust” kind of rock bar where bands like the Rolling Stones used to hang out.
• Lee’s Palace: a gritty mecca for indie bands that’s been blaring tunes in the Annex for nearly 40 years.
• The Cameron House: Another well-entrenched venue with a wildly eclectic roster of musicians at Queen and Spadina.
• Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Need we say more? For a sophisticated evening at Roy Thomson Hall, these world-class musicians deliver.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, these venues are the tip of the iceberg; when attempting to keep up with the onslaught of shows around the city, we recommend revisiting this Eventbrite page.

Visual Arts

Toronto’s visual arts scene is split between local artists showcasing their craft and international artists finding a home in the city’s welcoming gallery scene. Often, you’ll see these two camps under the same roof.

Whether you’re new in town (welcome!), visiting Toronto (welcome!), or you’ve lived here for years (enough time to pronounce it “Chu-ronna”), you can always find new ways to spend an afternoon around art. Here are a few of our favourite galleries and arts spaces:

• The AGO: The Art Gallery of Toronto needs no introduction. The 45,000-square-meter Frank Gehry building houses over 120,000 works in its permanent collection, making it one of the most expansive galleries in North America.
• The MOCA: The Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto is like the AGO’s younger, edgier cousin. It routinely hosts cutting-edge and avant-garde exhibits in its Bloordale Village space.
• Gallery Arcturus: Located in a gorgeous Gerrard East heritage building, this small yet mighty gallery hosts several historical and contemporary Canadian artists – an intimate alternative to the galleries above.
• The Aga Khan Museum: Talk about a beautiful building! The museum, designed by Fumihiko Maki, is a marvel in and of itself. But the works inside are equally impressive – a broad range of ancient and modern Islamic art.

If you’re looking for more “homework,” consider also checking out galleries like the Bayramov, The Market Gallery, the Gardiner Museum, and these free art exhibitions in Toronto. Depending on how you define “art,” you can also throw the Bata Shoe Museum on your list – a fascinating exploration of shoes throughout the ages.

Literature

The city’s many reading series and book launches are often sporadic, and relegated to the back rooms of bars or after-hours book shops. That said, the best way to keep pace with the literary arts scene in Toronto is to check events calendars like (the aforementioned) Eventbrite, The Writers’ Union of Canada webpage, or Facebook’s event search.

For a more consistent way to enjoy the written word, here are a few of the city’s enduring series and festivals:

• Art Bar Poetry Series: The long-running literary series features new and established poets taking the stage every Monday at 7 PM at Free Times Café, just north of Kensington Market.
• Word on the Street: The sprawling annual festival of all things literary takes place every May at Queen’s Park. This year, the event will be held May 27^th and 28^th, featuring some of Canada’s leading authors. It’s a great event for families, too, boasting several kids’ authors and exciting stalls.
• TIFA: The Toronto International Festival of Authors is to books what TIFF is to movies. An annual, multi-day September event, the festival pulls in big-name writers from around the globe. Throughout the rest of the year, the organization hosts several book launches, reading events, and kid-focused literacy initiatives.

Whether you’re an aspiring novelist, an occasional poet, or simply like feeling immersed in words, Toronto has you covered. If you want to mix in a little shopping or fine dining with your literary appreciation, you can also find events in vibrant neighbourhoods like Yorkville and The Annex.

Live Theatre

Toronto’s theatre scene is a roiling mix of big-budget mega-productions, indie critical darlings, one-person shows, and dazzling multi-act revues. Much of the action is concentrated in the aptly named Toronto Theatre District (a subsection of the Entertainment District), but you can find big and small theatres throughout the downtown core. A few noteworthy spots for live theatre, opera and ballet include:

• The Ed Mirvish Theatre: Mirvish productions are Toronto’s answer to NY’s big Broadway bashes, and often feature the same productions – Les Mis, Wicked, The Lion King, etc. If you want a spectacle, you’ll find it at a Mirvish theatre (which also includes Royal Alexandra Theatre and Princess of Wales Theatre).
• Soulpepper Theatre: For quieter, more thought-provoking productions, check out Soulpepper in the historic Distillery District. A perfect date night might include dinner in the Distillery District, followed by an intimate play at this well-renowned theatre.
• The Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts: Shared by the National Ballet of Canada and the Canadian Opera Company, the Four Seasons is your go-to venue for a buttoned-up, sophisticated night on the town.
• Buddies in Bad Times Theatre: The “largest and longest-running queer theatre in the world,” Buddies in Bad Times features alternative theatre with a focus on LGBTQ+ experiences. They mix well-known productions like Angels in America and Shakespeare with smaller, local, and indie plays.

To summarize the mountain of recommendations above, there’s one key takeaway in this article: in every corner of this magnificent city, at any point in the week, you can find stimulating, thought-provoking and awe-inspiring art playing out. Toronto is brimming with creative energy. We hope you’ll join us in appreciating and adding to it.