The Toronto International Film Festival
Considered one of the top film festivals in the world, the Toronto International Film Festival shows four hundred films, and is the world's largest film festival to be open to the public. It runs the day after labour day The films are shown on twenty three screens across the city of Toronto, but are mostly centered around the Bay and Bloor area, where several luxurious hotels and theaters are located. In more recent years, the festival has become known as the launch pad for the “Oscar-buzz” and what mainstream movies may be looking at winning an Oscar. Ray, starring Jamie Fox playing Ray Charles was premiered at the festival and he later won an Academy award for Best Actor. Tickets go fast for the festival so if you would like to attend, expect a great movie, a great atmosphere and maybe a brush up with some celebrities!
Price: Tickets range in cost depending on the movie you would like to attend; limit of four tickets per person, per movie.
Official Website: torontointernationalfilmfestival.ca
Winterlude
Winterlude is an annual festival located in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada's Capital) and Gatineau Quebec, run by Canada's National Capital Commission and was started in 1979. The festival has set an attendance record in 2007 with 1.6 million visitors to one of their four sites. The festival includes snow and ice sculpture carving competitions children's play areas, concerts at the Winterlude Snowbowl, as well as offering skating on the world's largest skating rink, the Rideau Canal. The festival lasts for three weeks, usually at the beginning of February. Most of the events begin on the weekends, and not so much between Monday and Thursday, but this means that patrons that have a weekday free do not have to share the pristine ice skating conditions with the thousands that visit on the weekends.
Official Website: winterlude
Montreal Jazz Festival
The International Jazz Festival in Montreal Quebec runs every June/July offering about five hundred concerts, many of which are free of charge. The festival hosts over two thousand musicians from twenty countries around the world, so there is a style for everyone to enjoy. Every year, about two million people come out to listen to the music from all around the world, discover new talents and soak in the mellow jazz atmosphere.
Official Website: montrealjazzfest.com
Carnaval de Quebec
Held in the heart of old Quebec in the same weeks as Winterlude, the Carnaval de Quebec offers all kinds of activities for the young and old. You can visit the Carnivals official mascot, Bonhomme ('snowman' in French) in his ice castle that is located in the front of Quebec's Parliament. There are over forty activities to participate in or watch, including canoe racing, the snow bath, siegh rides, snow rafting, and bonhomme's ball, which is a prestigious annual Ball held at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, one of Quebec's oldest hotels, that opened in 1893.
Official Website: carnaval.qc.ca
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