Departure Festival + Conference 2026
Monday, May 4, 2026 – Monday, May 11, 2026
10:00 p.m. – 3:59 a.m.
Various Venues
Canadian Music Week has been reborn as the Departure Festival + Conference, and the 2026 edition is a statement of intent. The week-long event fills venues across downtown with curated music showcases, comedy, film screenings, and a multi-day industry conference.
The Headliners
Sarah McLachlan. Wild Rivers celebrating their 10th anniversary at Massey Hall. Tommy Genesis at The Great Hall. Rupi Kaur. The showcase lineup spans emerging Canadian artists and international acts across genres, with over 100 performances in total.
The Conference
The conference side runs at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts and Fairmont Royal York, with panels and keynotes for industry professionals. A conference pass gets you city-wide access to all showcases, film screenings, and after-hours DJ sets.
Tickets
Festival passes (showcases + film screenings) start at $65. Conference passes at $499. Priority passes at $999. Prices go up April 1.
The Vibe
This is Toronto's answer to SXSW — a week where the whole city feels like it's tuned into music and culture. Go see a headliner, then stumble into a midnight showcase at a venue you've never been to.
