Event Planning Guide
Toronto
Source the best vendors and venues for your event.
Welcome to Toronto
As the leading tourism destination in Canada, Toronto serves as a popular choice for event and meeting planners who are drawn to the city’s multiculturalism, convenient location, and expansive roster of venues and hotels. Located about 90 minutes by air from New York, Chicago, Boston, and Washington, Toronto acts as an accessible point for event attendees traveling from the U.S., as well as those arriving from around the globe. Plus, the city offers a multitude of local experiences including dining, art, shopping, and more.
Toronto Highlights
From its thriving arts and culture scene to its championship sports teams, Toronto boasts a variety of attractions and activities suitable for all types of attendees as well as their guests and families. Immerse yourself in the Canadian pastime at the Hockey Hall of Fame; take in the expansive views atop the architectural landmark, the CN Tower; or browse works of art at one of the city’s many museums.
Royal Ontario MuseumCanada’s largest and most comprehensive museum houses 13 million artworks, cultural objects, and historical artifacts.
Hockey Hall of FameHome of the Stanley Cup and a collection of hockey artifacts, here you can explore the athletic achievements of Canada's national sport.
CN TowerA must-see attraction, Canada’s National Tower features a 58-second ride to the top where you can take in spectacular city views.
St. Lawrence MarketA city landmark for more than two centuries, this market contains 200 vendors selling everything from lobsters to fresh pasta.
Ripley's Aquarium of CanadaLocated in downtown Toronto, the aquarium includes 20,000 aquatic animals, as well as North America’s longest underwater viewing tunnel.
Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)More than 90,000 works of art are housed inside this building that was designed by renowned Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry.
Casa LomaThe only full-size castle in North Toronto, this grand home features towers, horse stables, secret passageways, and a massive wine cellar.
Toronto IslandsAlso known as “the Island” or Toronto Island Park, Toronto Islands are located in Lake Ontario, a 13-minute ferry ride from downtown.
Royal Ontario MuseumCanada’s largest and most comprehensive museum houses 13 million artworks, cultural objects, and historical artifacts.
Hockey Hall of FameHome of the Stanley Cup and a collection of hockey artifacts, here you can explore the athletic achievements of Canada's national sport.
CN TowerA must-see attraction, Canada’s National Tower features a 58-second ride to the top where you can take in spectacular city views.
St. Lawrence MarketA city landmark for more than two centuries, this market contains 200 vendors selling everything from lobsters to fresh pasta.
Ripley's Aquarium of CanadaLocated in downtown Toronto, the aquarium includes 20,000 aquatic animals, as well as North America’s longest underwater viewing tunnel.
Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)More than 90,000 works of art are housed inside this building that was designed by renowned Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry.
Casa LomaThe only full-size castle in North Toronto, this grand home features towers, horse stables, secret passageways, and a massive wine cellar.
Toronto IslandsAlso known as “the Island” or Toronto Island Park, Toronto Islands are located in Lake Ontario, a 13-minute ferry ride from downtown.
Toronto Weather
Even though Toronto is located in the southern part of Canada, you should still expect cold winters with snow-covered ground from mid-December to mid-March. But because it’s situated on Lake Ontario, the city is warmer in the winter than other parts of the country. In summer, visitors will experience warm to hot days, with sometimes high humidity thanks to its proximity to the lake.
Today
Clouds
39°
Wednesday, Mar 22
Toronto Weather Essentials
| Month | High | Low | Precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | 41° | 28° | 1.9 in |
| April | 54° | 39° | 2.8 in |
| May | 66° | 50° | 2.6 in |
| June | 76° | 59° | 3.1 in |
| July | 81° | 65° | 3.1 in |
| August | 80° | 64° | 2.5 in |
| September | 73° | 57° | 2.5 in |
7 Day Forecast
Wed, Mar 22
40°
Rain
Precipitation: 34%
Humidity: 75%
Wind: 12.62 m/s
Thu, Mar 23
43°
Rain
Precipitation: 100%
Humidity: 92%
Wind: 10.04 m/s
Fri, Mar 24
38°
Clouds
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 47%
Wind: 8.03 m/s
Sat, Mar 25
39°
Rain
Precipitation: 100%
Humidity: 98%
Wind: 26.69 m/s
Sun, Mar 26
42°
Clouds
Precipitation: 18%
Humidity: 55%
Wind: 25.77 m/s
Mon, Mar 27
41°
Clouds
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 48%
Wind: 7.25 m/s
Tue, Mar 28
42°
Rain
Precipitation: 78%
Humidity: 51%
Wind: 13.8 m/s
Wed, Mar 29
34°
Snow
Precipitation: 100%
Humidity: 80%
Wind: 19.3 m/s
Wed, Mar 22
40°
Rain
Precipitation: 34%
Humidity: 75%
Wind: 12.62 m/s
Thu, Mar 23
43°
Rain
Precipitation: 100%
Humidity: 92%
Wind: 10.04 m/s
Fri, Mar 24
38°
Clouds
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 47%
Wind: 8.03 m/s
Sat, Mar 25
39°
Rain
Precipitation: 100%
Humidity: 98%
Wind: 26.69 m/s
Sun, Mar 26
42°
Clouds
Precipitation: 18%
Humidity: 55%
Wind: 25.77 m/s
Mon, Mar 27
41°
Clouds
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 48%
Wind: 7.25 m/s
Tue, Mar 28
42°
Rain
Precipitation: 78%
Humidity: 51%
Wind: 13.8 m/s
Wed, Mar 29
34°
Snow
Precipitation: 100%
Humidity: 80%
Wind: 19.3 m/s
Toronto Resources
Helpful Resources
Get There
What is the best way to get to Toronto?
Flying: Most travelers will arrive via Toronto Pearson International Airport, while local Canadian travelers or visitors from nearby cities such as New York City and Chicago may enter through Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
Train: VIA Rail (the country’s intercity passenger rail service) and Amtrak stop at Toronto’s Union Station, which is Canada’s largest and busiest transit hub.
Car: You can reach Toronto via several highways, including Highways 2, 401, 407, and the Queen Elizabeth Way. The nearest Canada-U.S. border crossings are at Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, and Windsor.
What is the best time to visit Toronto?
Since summer is peak tourist season in Toronto, late spring (think late April through May) and early fall (September through October) are considered the best times to visit, if you want to avoid the biggest crowds. This is also when you’ll still be able to experience pleasant weather, but you’ll avoid the higher rates that come with the hotter summer months. Winters are cold, sometimes snowy, and can be uncomfortably windy. Also, keep in mind that winter storms can impact flights, as well as slow down public transportation. While many big outdoor gatherings take place in the summer, you’ll find major events throughout the year in Toronto, including the Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival in May, Luminato in June, Rogers Cup in August, and Toronto International Film Festival in September.
Get Around
Walking: While not every area in Toronto can be explored by foot, many of the city’s neighborhoods are walkable. Spring and summer are the best times to navigate the city on foot because of the warmer temps. But if you dress appropriately and bundle up, you can walk around in the winter as well.
Transit: The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates extensive bus, subway, and streetcar routes throughout the city and surrounding suburbs. For most travelers, Toronto is easy to get around without a car, thanks to the well-connected public transportation system.
Taxi: You can hail a cab on the street in Toronto or find them waiting typically in front of major hotels and attractions. Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft also operate in Toronto.
Get Inspiration From Previous Events in Toronto
Want to be inspired? Browse our Toronto galleries by event type, industry, vendor, venue and even attendee count.
