Entertainment Trends in the Toronto Area: What’s Up-And-Coming in 2025?

By Staff

September 27th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

One of the best reasons to live near Toronto is to take part in its booming entertainment world.

Residents in Hamilton and Burlington can travel into the city whenever they’re interested in joining the fun—then retreat back to the comfort of home when it’s time to call it a day. As one of North America’s most bustling metropolises, it’s not hard to find something to do in the city.

Thriving is probably the best way to describe the city.

But it’s always a good idea to stay at the forefront of Toronto’s latest trends in nightlife and entertainment. After all, the city is known for its underground projects, indie shows, and similarly low-key events. Only those in the know will be able to make the most of it.

Let’s take a closer look at the biggest trends in the Toronto area, including digital and in-person entertainment.

iGaming Diversifies

Those following casino news might have noticed a few trends hitting virtual platforms. Given the popularity of online casinos across Canada, it’s no surprise that the industry is constantly evolving. But what’s on the docket for the coming year?

Some providers are looking to build out their seasonal offerings, like Wildz’s summer deals from this year. These types of special events help build on the hype of each season. But they also help introduce first-time gamers to Canada’s booming casino scene. From slots to blackjack to roulette, there’s something for everyone.

Escape Rooms Take Off

The city has more Escape Rooms that can be covered during a short visit.

Escape rooms have slowly become more popular across the country—but they’re preparing for a boom in Toronto. The city is home to a handful of high-production escape rooms, which offer satisfying critical thinking challenges blended with immersive themes. Just like with casino gaming, these offer a great way to explore a new and highly entertaining hobby.

 Toronto is home to seasoned escape room organizers, including Secret City Adventures, The Great Escape Canada, Imaginarium, and Mission45. Don’t worry—they offer challenges at a range of difficulty levels, which means you can focus on fun more than critical thinking.

More Indie Music Events

Toronto has always been a hub for indie and folk music. However, it’s stepped up its range of indie events over the last five years. With NOW Magazine and UpFRONT Festival taking center stage, there’s even more diverse music for locals to sample. Not only is the range of artists expanding, but the events are also growing in size and scope.

If you’re looking to discover a new musical obsession, then look into the latest events from NOW. If concerts aren’t your thing, then you can also explore music events. Some are based on teaching about instruments and music, while others are designed to showcase retro music and even variety-show-style performances. Best of all, many events are priced affordably, which makes for a great weekend affair or even a first date.

 Fashion Takes Center Stage

TIFF is when Hollywood is located in Toronto

Toronto is home to thousands of influencers. One of the more unique ways that they’re influencing the city’s entertainment trends is through fashion. Usually, the Toronto International Film Festival marks the height of the city’s fashion-forward events. The red carpet is lined with celebrities in high-end getups.

But thanks to the presence of influencers, there are more pop-up and indie design shops around the city than ever before. These showcase more ‘indie’ forms of fashion, just like Toronto’s music scene. They’re one way that fans of the TIFF red carpet can start to incorporate the same pieces into their own wardrobe.

While fashion doesn’t traditionally fall into the realm of entertainment, Toronto’s growing number of boutique shops, second-hand stores, and edgy pop-ups are a great way to spend an afternoon. And who says shopping isn’t entertainment?