toronto jazz festival

The Toronto Jazz Festival is shutting down streets for 175 free concerts

It's going to feel like New Orleans in Toronto this summer when the TD Toronto Jazz Festival shuts down streets in Yorkville for 10 whole days in June.

Cumberland Avenue will be closed down the entire time, replacing honking BMWs with live programming, meant to evoke a Bourbon Street party feel.

The festival runs from June 21 - 30, and will also include an edition of the ROM's Friday Night Live inspired by Mardi Gras carnivals.

Other venues in the area will be hosting events during the fest as well, including Hemingway's, The InterContinental and the very jazzy Gatsby bar in the historic Windsor Arms.

Opening weekend is sure to be the biggest splash with not only the stunning Friday performances on the Bloor main stage, but also a gospel choir headed by 12-time Grammy award winner Shirley Caesar, performing for the Festival's first ever Gospel Sunday, plus performances by Shad.

Dan Aykroyd will also be making an appearance on Saturday. 

Throughout the festival, Toronto will also be visited by legendary voices like Diana Ross, Norah Jones, and countless more. 

Lead photo by

Bruce Reeve


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Music

Toronto's Phoenix Concert Theatre announces closure after 33 years

Win VIP tickets to see Trey Songz live in concert in Toronto

Thousands showed up to a Toronto park for Boiler Room this past weekend

Canada's biggest South Asian music festival comes to Toronto this week

50 essential live music venues in Toronto where you need to see a concert at least once

Toronto concert venue needs to raise almost $3M to pay for its new home

Drake makes surprise appearance at 21 Savage concert in Toronto

There's a free all-ages music festival in Toronto next month