The countdown is on — we’re just one month away from the 2025 Toronto Jazz Festival!

The Toronto Jazz Fest is celebrating its 38th year from June 20 to 29 with 10 days of FREE outdoor performances alongside ticketed shows featuring some of the best local and international jazz artists. With venues across the city, the Toronto Jazz Fest will have neighbourhoods pulsing with music, culture, and community as Toronto reaffirms its place as one of North America’s most vibrant music cities.

OLG Opening Weekend kicks off the Festival’s free admission programming with an incredible diversity of music. From the tap dance of Johnathan Morin to the groove of Soul Stew to David Occhipinti’s chamber jazz and the blues and soul of Dione Taylor, OLG Opening Weekend is a fantastic snapshot of the breadth of the Festival’s programming.

This year’s Sounds Like Toronto series shines a spotlight on homegrown talent. This curated lineup celebrates musicians who are not only building on the legacy of jazz but reshaping it through the lens of Toronto’s multicultural identity. From Waleed Kush Afro-Jazz to Dánae Olano to Lavender Town, Alex Pangman and Jeremy Ledbetter, you’ll get to hear why jazz made in Toronto sounds like nowhere else in the world.

Sidewalk Sessions presented by OLG will bring music directly to the streets, turning the Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood’s sidewalks into spontaneous stages where passersby can discover some of Toronto’s most engaging musicians. From the Flamenco of Tamar Ilana, the trad sounds of the West End Riverboat Band, the soulful SexBandit or Tania Gill’s bike-powered trio, discover some of Toronto’s most engaging musicians!

For ten days, some of the best musicians in the world will join our lineup. From gospel, blues, soul and civil rights icon Mavis Staples, to forward-looking drummer and producer Makaya McCraven, to the incredible Pakistani vocalist Arooj Aftab and local legends Broken Social Scene, you’re sure to find your musical taste on a Festival stage

Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime concert event, celebrating Toronto’s musical legacy with performances by Jackie Richardson, Molly Johnson, Joe Sealy, Jay Douglas, Joy Lapps and many more.

Catch a stellar series of shows featuring top performers from across North America in an intimate club setting – don’t miss your chance to see these outstanding artists up close!

To learn more, see the full festival schedule, or to buy tickets visit: torontojazz.com

The 2025 Toronto Jazz Festival has been made possible in part by the generous support of OLG; The Government of Canada; the Province of Ontario; the Ontario Arts Council; the Toronto Arts Council; ABCRA; and the Bloor-Yorkville BIA. Community support provided by GYRA. “Sounds Like Toronto” is supported by The City of Toronto Music Office, the Music Performance Trust Fund and the Toronto Musicians Association; Long & McQuade is Presenting Partner for Festival educational initiatives.

Source: Toronto Jazz Fest

For 45 years, the Ottawa Jazz Festival has been a big part of the Canadian jazz community, proudly celebrating the talent and innovation of musicians from across the country. Each year, the city comes alive with the sound of over 350 Canadian artists, transforming downtown Ottawa into a hub of rhythm, creativity, and connection.

This rich tradition continues from June 20 to June 29, 2025, as the Festival once again shines a national spotlight on Canadian jazz with a stellar lineup that stretches from coast to coast to coast. From the electrifying energy of Main Stage headliners to the boundary-pushing brilliance of artists featured throughout each series, the 2025 edition promises an unforgettable musical journey.

Not just performers – they’re award-winning artists, renowned composers, dynamic conductors, and passionate educators from some of the top music institutions in the world. They’re improvisers and innovators defining the sound of Canadian jazz today – and tomorrow.

And the celebration doesn’t stop there. Stay tuned for the announcement of the outstanding free local lineup, featuring some of Ottawa’s finest jazz talent.

Friday, June 20

• Allison Russell – Main Stage, 8:30pm (Opening Night Headliner) 
  Self-taught singer, songwriter, poet, activist, multi-instrumentalist and Grammy-winning artist from Montreal, redefines 21st-century music with her powerful second album The Returner.
• Carl Mayotte Quartet – Main Stage at Confederation Park, 6:30pm
  Bassist and grand laureate of the 2020-2021 Radio-Canada Jazz Revelation title, his latest album Carnaval, which is a vibrant tribute to Brazilian and Latin music.
• Christine Jensen Quartet – NAC Fourth Stage, 6:30pm
  Saxophonist, composer and conductor from Montreal, the Juno award winner for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year in 2011 and 2014 currently resides in Rochester, where she is an Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at the Eastman School of Music.
• Tanika Charles – OLG Stage at Marion Dewar Plaza (in front of Ottawa City Hall), 7:30pm 
  A leading voice in Canadian soul, with two Juno nominations and three Polaris Prize long-list nods.
•  François Houle‘s The Secret Lives of Colour – NAC Fourth Stage, 9pm
  A renowned clarinetest and composer who leads a global ensemble of the music world’s top improvisers including Joëlle Léandre – double bass, Myra Melford – piano, Gerry Hemingway – percussion and Gordon Grdina – guitar/oud.
• The Bros. Landreth – OLG Stage After Dark Series, 10:30pm
  Juno-winning band blending roots, soul, and atmospheric textures. Come Morning reflects the introspection of the pandemic era. 

Saturday, June 21

• Peggy Lee with Open Thread – NAC Fourth Stage, 4pm
  Renowned cellist, improvisor and composer from Vancouver. Now living in Australia and performing with Open Thread. Together, the group weaves together music with anthemic melodies, diverse rhythmic structures and a broad range of improvised landscapes.
• Deborah Davis and Segue to Jazz – Main Stage, 6:30pm
  Opening for Mavis Staples, vocalist Deborah Davis explores jazz’s evolution from Gospel to the contemporary era.
• Anna Webber’s Simple Trio – NAC Fourth Stage, 9pm
  Guggenheim-winning saxophonist and flutist, and co-chair of Jazz Studies at New England Jazz Conservatory.
• La Pambelé in collaboration with Axé World Fest – OLG Stage, 10:30pm
  A high-energy Colombian salsa dura band featuring members of Canada’s Legaia Salsa Brava. 

Sunday, June 22

• Shuffle Demons – Main Stage, 6:30pm
  Pioneering indie-jazz fusion band known for their explosive style and early MuchMusic success.
• Pony Girl – OLG Stage, 7:30pm
  Ottawa artpop collective praised for their sonic depth and genre-bending live performances.

Tuesday, June 24

• Prime Rib Big Band – Main Stage, 6:30pm
  Led by trumpeter, composer and musical director Ed Lister, this 12-piece powerhouse brings swinging, feel-good energy to Ottawa.
• Peter Van Huffel‘s “CALLISTO” – NAC Fourth Stage, 6:30pm
  Latest avant-jazz project from saxophonist Peter Van Huffel, a bass-less quartet that blurs the lines between composition and free improvisation also with Canada’s extraordinary trumpeter Lina Allemano.
• Polky – OLG Stage, 7:30pm
  Toronto-based group of multi-talented female immigrant musicians offering high-energy performances and distinctive harmonies.
• Marc Copland & Roddy Ellias– NAC Fourth Stage, 9pm
  American pianist Marc Copland is considered brilliant and Canadian guitarist Roddy Ellias has been described as a genius. Together they bring to their duo a lyric sensibility and harmonic depth second to none. This performance in Ottawa marks their debut as a duo.

Wednesday, June 25

• Canadian Jazz Collective Septet – Main Stage, 6:30pm
  Award-winning Canadian jazz artists, take a collaborative approach to the presentation of original Canadian jazz on the international market. The Collective’s repertoire consists of original compositions from saxophonist Kirk MacDonald, and trumpeter Derrick Gardner, and guitarist Lorne Lofsky, all specially arranged for this ensemble.
• Tony D – OLG Stage, 7:30pm
  MonkeyJunk guitarist returns with Electric Delta, his first solo project in two decades.

Thursday, June 26

• Broken Social Scene – Main Stage, 8:30pm (Headliner)
  The legendary Canadian collective, created by Toronto musicians Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning, returns with their ever-evolving, boundary-pushing musical energy.
• Carn Davidson 9 – Main Stage, 6:30pm
  A chamber jazz ensemble led by William Carn and Tara Davidson, showcasing rich arrangements and dynamic interplay.
• Kris Davis Trio feat. Robert Hurst & Jonathan Blake – NAC Azrieli Studio, 7pm
  Grammy-winning pianist and  Associate Program Director of Creative Development at the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, performs with two jazz heavyweights.
• iskwē | ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ (short for waseskwan iskwew, meaning “blue sky woman”) – OLG Stage, 7:30pm
  Cree Métis artist blending Indigenous sounds with electronic rhythms across a bold, genre-defying catalogue. 

Saturday, June 28

• Thanya Iyer – Main Stage, 6:30pm
  Experimental pop visionary exploring themes of identity and healing on her new album TIDE/TIED. 
• Magi Merlin – OLG Stage, 7:30pm
  Bold, soulful artist pushing against commercial norms with her latest introspective project A Weird Little Dog.
• Utopia Ontario – NAC Fourth Stage, 9pm
  Named after a quiet Ontario town, north of Toronto nestled on the Nottawasaga River, their music evokes nature, nostalgia, and introspective calm.
• June 29 Jazz Youth Summit – Main Stage, 6:30pm
  Nine emerging jazz music students Ottawa’s high schools and universities take the spotlight in an intensive program that runs during the Festival. Many also perform with renowned musicians in the Late-Night Jamming Series at the Lord Elgin Hotel.

Source: Ottawa Jazz Festival

The Bentway and Fort York National Historic Site have been confirmed as the official venues for FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto, marking a milestone in the city’s preparations to welcome the FIFA World Cup 2026™. 

The festival will bring fans together to celebrate the world’s largest sporting spectacle, showcasing Toronto’s unique cultural vibrancy through art, music and food while offering a free and inclusive space for residents and visitors to connect through the power of sport.

FIFA Fan Festival™

The FIFA Fan Festival™ is a global celebration of soccer, culture and community, designed for fans to enjoy free live broadcasts of FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches while experiencing the excitement of an official FIFA World Cup™ atmosphere.

The FIFA Fan Festival™ will run between Thursday, June 11 and Sunday, July 19, 2026 and will feature live match broadcasts on large screens, diverse cultural performances, interactive installations and a variety of local food experiences. Specific operating days and hours will be available at a later date. This celebration will highlight Toronto’s unmatched diversity, talent and global appeal, reinforcing the city’s reputation as being the “World in a City.”

The City is committed to keeping the community including local residents, businesses and Indigenous groups well-informed and actively engaged throughout the planning process for the FIFA Fan Festival™. The City will continue collaborating closely with these groups to ensure meaningful participation and dialogue. An information session for area residents and businesses is planned in the coming months. Details will be available on the City’s website: www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/fifa-world-cup-26.

About the venues

Fort York National Historic Site was built in 1793 and is best known as the location of the Battle of York during the War of 1812. The Fort served as the city’s primary harbour defence between the 1790s and 1880s and was the home of a military garrison until the 1930s. Today, Fort York is preserved as a 43-acre archeological park and encloses Canada’s largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings. Every year, thousands of people visit the site to explore its fascinating history and enjoy its public programs. Fort York was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1923.

A stunning outdoor public space located below the elevated Gardiner Expressway in west downtown Toronto, The Bentway has become known as a both a beloved backyard park and one of the city’s top creative destinations. As operators and programmers of the site, The Bentway Conservancy is an independent not-for-profit and registered charity fuelled by a mission to ignite the urban imagination. Bentway programming uses the city as site, subject and canvas for a range of artist installations, performances, experiments and community celebrations.

In addition to their rich cultural offerings, both locations are ideal for the FIFA Fan Festival™ thanks to their proximity to transit and to Toronto Stadium.

FIFA World Cup 26™

Toronto will host six matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, beginning with the first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup™ match on Canadian soil on Friday, June 12, 2026 and a round of 32 match on Thursday, July 2, 2026. Funding and services provided by the Government of Canada and Province of Ontario will contribute to enhancing the necessary infrastructure and logistics in delivering Toronto’s matches and ancillary events for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. In December 2024, FIFA released an economic impact assessment, prepared by Deloitte Canada, estimating that FIFA World Cup 26™ could generate up to $940 million in positive economic output for the Greater Toronto Area. This includes a projected $520 million in GDP growth, $340 million in labor income and $25 million in government revenue. The tournament is also expected to create more than 6,600 jobs between June 2023 and August 2026, providing a substantial boost to the region’s economy.

“This will truly be an only-at-The-Bentway moment. The FIFA Fan Festival™ will be Toronto’s meeting point for everyone to cheer on their favourite team, celebrate big wins, share in heart-breaking losses, and explore the best of Toronto talent with a range of artistic, creative, and food-based programming. Lots of surprises to come.” – Ilana Altman, Co-Executive Director, The Bentway

“Fort York National Historic Site and The Bentway offer the ideal setting for Toronto’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Festival™. This iconic venue reflects our city’s rich history while providing a dynamic space for fans to connect and celebrate their love of soccer, right in the heart of our city. We’re excited to welcome Torontonians and visitors alike to experience the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in this memorable location.” – Mayor Olivia Chow

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, innovation and climate action and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit www.toronto.ca

Source: DMPUBLIC