A city-wide celebration of creativity is set to take over Toronto this month, turning everyday storefronts and galleries into a playground for the “design-curious.”
Returning for its 16th year, the DesignTO Festival is officially back from January 23 to February 1, 2026. As Canada’s largest annual celebration of design, it’s one of the best ways to shake off the winter blues, offering a massive lineup of over 100 free exhibitions and installations scattered across Toronto’s most iconic neighbourhoods.
For 10 days, the city becomes a living museum. Festival-goers can expect an inspiring mix of architectural tours, design and craft exhibitions, window installations, thought-provoking talks, and immersive experiences spread across Toronto’s neighbourhoods.
In its most recent edition, the festival featured over 500 artists and designers, welcomed over 170,000 visitors, and generated more than $31 million for the local economy, a testament to its role in Toronto’s cultural and creative ecosystem. Since its founding in 2011, DesignTO has welcomed over one million visitors, showcased the work of 6,500+ designers and artists, and reached over two billion people worldwide through print and digital media.
This year’s event kicks off with a massive Launch Partyon January 23 at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). It’s a 19+ event where you can explore three floors of art, catch a first look at the Jeff Wall photography exhibit, and dance the night away to live DJ sets.
While some special workshops and the opening party require a ticket, the vast majority of the festival is completely free to explore. Many of the most stunning installations are designed specifically for storefront windows, meaning you can take a self-guided art crawl through areas like Kensington Market, Roncesvalles, and Yonge + St. Clair at any time of day.
Whether you’re looking for a unique date night idea or just want to see the city through a more creative lens, DesignTO offers a little something for everyone. You can find the full festival map and schedule of events on the DesignTO website.