As the cold grip of winter takes hold, those bright, airy spring nights can be easily forgotten. Take solace in the fact that they are not far away, and Toronto’s spring music season is arriving as a perfect accompaniment. The city has become a major stop for the world's greatest artists, from pop starlets to indie rockers. Put the jumper back in the wardrobe and prepare for a packed concert calendar the likes of which Ontario has never seen before.

The Departure Festival & Music Conference

Departure Festival is the updated name of Canadian Music Week. Not only is it a celebration of popular and contemporary music, but it is also an industry get-together. Filled with seminars, talks, and discussions, it has its finger on the pulse of Canadian music, both at home and across the globe.

Running from May 4 to the 10th, 2026, it is expanding on its successful 2025 launch. The doors have opened for artist and volunteer applications. Added to this have been a range of conference passes and an early-bird discount. The lineup is yet to be announced, but last year it hosted acts as varied as Tegan and Sara to Shaggy.

A Metal Fest at The Theatre at Great Canadian Casino Resort, Toronto

For fans of metal, two heavyweights of rock will land in Canada this year. The first is Lamb of God, playing on March 20th, 2026. Pioneers of the new wave of American Heavy Metal, they currently have nine studio albums under their belt. Sabaton then follow them on April 11, 2026, at the same venue. This power metal band, formed in Sweden, is very different from Lamb of God, taking cues from the heavy rock of Europe in the eighties.

Tickets are on sale for both events, though they may sell out. The venue is easy to reach and is part of a casino complex, with many of Toronto’s casinos diversifying in recent years, inviting everything from magicians to theatre to their halls. This diversification has also been true of many online casino Ontario platforms. They have branched out from standard table games and slots to provide new experiences for players, such as live casino gameshow-style titles and crash gaming.

Florence and the Machine at Scotiabank Arena

Florence and the Machine were one of the biggest bands to come out of the early noughties indie boom. They stood apart from their peers by utilising cinematic, grand orchestration, all overseen by the powerful vocals of lead singer Florence Welch. In 2025, they returned with their sixth studio album, Everybody Scream. They will play at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on April 16th, 2026.

Booking early for these events is advised. While they are not guaranteed to sell out, many do, and trying to find and buy tickets on the resale market is hard work and expensive. Plan your spring evenings in advance, get some live music booked in, and experience the best Toronto has to offer.