Toronto’s highly anticipated arts and culture festival Luminato kicks off tomorrow for its 19th edition, bringing the city to life with an eclectic lineup of music, theatre, dance, performance art, and immersive installations.
Running from June 4 to 22, the festival’s theme this year is DAY:NIGHT, which seeks to explore how the city transforms over a 24-hour cycle. From first breath to final word, sunrise to last dance, the program dives into the extraordinary potential hidden within the rhythm of an ordinary day, reflecting on how we exist, disrupt, and gather as a community together in time and space.
With the city itself as a living canvas, festival-goers will get to experience art in unexpected places: early-morning choruses, after-dark installations, night shifts reimagined, even walks through cemeteries. Spanning nearly three weeks, there’s a lot to do and see. Unsure where to start? We’ve got you covered!
Whether you’re witnessing a beginning or an ending, here are some of the top must-see attractions to experience Day and Night at Luminato Festival this year:
🌞 DAY:
THAW (FREE)
Witness a striking climate statement in THAW, a durational performance taking place June 7 and 8 at Sankofa Square. Three dancers perform atop a nearly 3-tonne block of ice suspended in the air – an awe-inspiring symbol of our planet’s fragility and the urgency of global warming.
Rainbow Dreams (FREE)
Take a sensory break in the heart of Toronto’s financial district with Rainbow Dreams, an immersive, playful art installation designed to spark joy, wonder, and reflection. Expect daily mindfulness workshops like morning Pilates and meditation to help you reset and recharge.
Terceradix Luminarium ($20)
Step inside a luminous, cathedral-like structure at Harbourfront Centre’s Terceradix Luminarium. This monumental, walk-in sculpture bathes visitors in shifting hues of sunlight and colour, creating a serene and dreamlike atmosphere. Meander through glowing tunnels or relax under towering domes in this one-of-a-kind sensory experience.
HANS (TICKETED)
Celebrate the legacy of Hans Christian Andersen with HANS: My Life in Fairytales, a whimsical world premiere blending puppetry, video, and clowning. Full of humour and heart, this theatrical journey reimagines Andersen’s life and beloved tales for a new generation.
🌗 DAY and NIGHT Highlights:
Luminato at Harbourfront (MIX OF FREE & TICKETED)
From June 4 – 22, Luminato will transform Harbourfront Centre with all-day programming. Here’s some must-sees:
- By day: Explore Terceradix Luminarium and First Breath by Luke Jerram (June 4 – 8), a glowing tribute to new life.
- By night: Catch dynamic live performances including a tribute to Quincy Jones by Grammy winner Larnell Lewis, South Asian fusion from the Tawoos Initiative, Indigenous showcases from Miigwetch Collective, and Latin grooves by Lula Music & Arts.
- Special Feature (June 13 – 15): Don’t miss Hamlet like you’ve never seen it, performed by a cast of eight incredible actors with Down syndrome, breathing fresh life into Shakespeare’s classic.
🌙 NIGHT:
An Oak Tree (TICKETED)
Every night, An Oak Tree becomes a unique theatrical experience. Playwright Tim Crouch performs with a different guest artist each show – none of whom have seen the script in advance. This bold, improvisational piece is a moving exploration of grief, belief, and human transformation.
Queen of the Night Communion (TICKETED)
Slip into a church after dark for a rebellious operatic journey that reimagines sacred space. Queen of the Night Communion fuses powerful vocals with immersive staging, bringing opera’s most intense characters to life.
What the Day Owes to the Night (TICKETED)
Experience raw athleticism and spiritual beauty in this breathtaking performance by choreographer Hervé Koubi. Featuring twelve male dancers, What the Day Owes to the Night blends capoeira, street dance, and martial arts in a mesmerizing meditation on identity, resilience, and brotherhood.
The above are only a snapshot of the myriad of attractions happening at this year’s Luminato Festival. Visit their website here to see the full festival calendar of events!