The Toronto International Film Festival is back for its 50th year, running from September 4 to 14, 2025, and the city is already buzzing with excitement.
For film lovers and star spotters alike, TIFF is one of the best times of the year to catch a glimpse of Hollywood’s biggest names right here in Toronto. From glamorous red carpets to late-night dinners, there are plenty of ways to see celebrities during the festival if you know where to look. In attendance this year includes stars like Angelina Jolie, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, Paul Mescal, and many more as we’ve rounded up here.
Here’s some of the best places to spot celebrities in Toronto during TIFF:
1. TIFF fan zones
Fans at TIFF can watch their favorite stars walk the red carpet from special Fan Zones located at the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre, the Royal Alexandra Theatre, Roy Thomson Hall, and David Pecaut Square. Free tickets to these designated areas can be claimed daily through Ticketmaster, issued as digital QR codes, and allow access two hours before screenings. A rush line is also available for those without tickets, with entry granted if space permits. Check their website here for the rules of entry!
2. Bisha Hotel
Located right around the corner from the heart of all the TIFF action, Bisha Hotel is a prime destination for A-list celebrity sightings. From September 4 to 8 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., the Bisha Hotel at 80 Blue Jays Way will once again host the Deadline Portrait Studio, where a steady stream of celebrities stop by for exclusive photo sessions inside the luxury Bisha Suite, designed by Lenny Kravitz Design. In addition to its celebrity-filled studios, the hotel will feature fun touches for festival-goers, including a complimentary pop-up popcorn station in the lobby.
3. 1 Hotel Toronto
The luxurious 1 Hotel Toronto eco-chic retreat features a number of spots for star-studded encounters, including the gorgeous Flora Lounge with sustainably focused dishes, rooftop bar Harriets with breathtaking skyline views, or sophisticated Casa Madera restaurant. The Hollywood Reporter Studio will also be making a highly anticipated return to 1 Hotel Toronto from September 5 through 9, where A-list actors and filmmakers sit down for interviews and portraits.
4. Campari Cinema Center
The CampariCinema Center is back from September 5 to 11, serving as one of TIFF’s premier destinations for both daytime interviews and late-night celebrations. By day, the space doubles as the Collider Studio, where stars drop in for on-camera interviews before their premieres. By night, the venue becomes a hotspot for exclusive afterparties, with red carpets rolled out for stars heading in to celebrate their film debuts.
5. TIFF After Dark at The Drake Hotel
After catching a screening, head to The Drake Hotel for TIFF’s unofficial after-hours playground, offering late-night bites until 2 a.m., a special cocktail menu, and live DJ sets open until last call at 4 a.m. The trendy hotel also is offering a specialty TIFF-themed menu, featuring fun dishes like “Lord of the Wings”, “Jurassic Pork”, and cocktails like “The Gold Digger” inspired by the movie Hustlers.
6. Shangri-La Toronto
Another official hospitality partner of TIFF, the Shangri-La Toronto is perfectly located just steps away from TIFF Lightbox and several screening venues. Kicking off with the official pre-opening cocktail party on September 4, the hotel will feature a film-inspired afternoon tea offered from September 4 to 28, TIFF 50 signature cocktails, and themed bath rituals in partnership with Bathorium.
7. Nobu Hotel and Restaurant
After finally opening their Toronto restaurant by chef Nobu Matsuhisa last August and the hotel this past spring, the ultra-luxurious Nobu Toronto has been a go-to for star sightings even outside official events.
8. Soluna
Queen West’s trendy coastal-inspired restaurant and bar Soluna is back as a TIFF hospitality partner for the fourth year, and will host a number of star-studded events this year. From themed screening after-parties to curated dining experiences, Soluna has previously hosted actors Jennifer Lawrence, Zac Efron, and Daniel Craig.
9. PAI
A celebrity favourite year-round, you just might spot an A-lister or two dining at PAI’s downtown location on Duncan St, a Michelin-recommended Northern Thai restaurant. Jacob Elordi, Simu Liu, Alexander Skarsgard, Finn Wolfhard, and Oscar Isaac have all frequented the restaurant, many of who have raved about the food in the past.
10. Peroni Nastro Azzurro
Peroni Nastro Azzurro is back as the official beer sponsor of TIFF, bringing Italian style and flavour to Festival Village at The House of Peroni Nastro Azzurro. From September 5 through 13, guests can indulge in curated aperitivo boards by celebrity chef David Rocco, sip on premium Peroni beers and cocktails, and experience the new Aperitivo 50 Happy Hour, complete with drinks, small bites, and live DJ sets. For those hoping to spot stars, the Peroni Red Carpet Terrazza offers an exclusive vantage point, first-come, first-served. Please note, this event is 19+ only.