Toronto Outdoor Art Fair is turning 65, and the city is invited to the party

This summer, the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF) celebrates 65 years of bringing art, artists and people together in the heart of the city, and everyone is invited to join the party.

From July 10 to 12, Nathan Phillips Square transforms into Canada’s largest outdoor gallery, featuring more than 400 artists from across the country, thousands of original artworks, free public programming and a special Saturday-night birthday celebration marking six and a half decades of creativity, community and connection.

And, as always, admission is free.

Whether you’re searching for your first piece of original art, looking to meet the artist behind the work, planning a family outing or simply soaking up the energy of a Toronto summer weekend, TOAF offers something for everyone.

“The fair has always been about real connections between artists and the public. That’s what makes it special. It’s where people discover artists they love, buy their first artwork, start collections and create memories. This spirit is forever relevant,” says Anahita Azrahimi, executive and creative director of TOAF. “This year, we’re celebrating the artists, collectors, supporters and our community, along with 65 years of a legacy that’s still very much alive, with a lot of heart and some cake.”

A storied history

“TOAF was founded in 1961 as a simple response to a group of artists being ousted from the front of City Hall for trying to display and sell their work in public,” says Azrahimi. “The answer was clear: why not invite these artists and others to show their work in a space that belonged to everyone?”

Over the past six decades, TOAF has welcomed millions of visitors, generated more than $2 million in annual art sales and helped launch countless artistic careers.

The fair remains rooted in the same idea that inspired its creation in 1961: art belongs in public, and everyone should have the opportunity to experience it.

In the past decade, TOAF has evolved from a beloved Toronto weekend into a year-round national platform supporting artists across Canada through in-person programming, digital initiatives and travel bursaries that bring in artists from coast to coast with robust access and accessibility, public art, dance and free public programs.

Today, the fair welcomes more than 170,000 visitors each year, generating $6.7 million in economic impact for the city and distributing more than $65,000 in artist awards.

A birthday rooted in giving back

Every great birthday includes gifts.

For 65 years, artists have been gifting Toronto their creativity, imagination and vision. This year, TOAF is giving something back.

As part of the fair’s $65 for 65 Years campaign, every participating TOAF65 artist will receive a $65 gift card toward collecting artwork from a fellow artist at the fair, a simple birthday gift that keeps creativity, support and collecting circulating within the artist community.

Visitors can join the celebration by contributing $65 to help fund artist gift cards and support independent Canadian artists.

And because 65 years deserves a party, TOAF will host a free public birthday celebration on the evening of July 11, bringing together artists, visitors and supporters for an unforgettable summer night in the square.

Meet more than 400 artists from coast to coast to coast

One of the things that makes TOAF unique is that every artist is there in person, ready to share the stories behind their work.

This year features the fair’s strongest national representation yet, bringing artists from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Atlantic Canada and beyond to downtown Toronto.

New highlights include a spotlight on Western Canada through a special partnership with Emily Carr University of Art + Design, the return of the Unique Québec showcase and a curated Atlantic Canada spotlight celebrating artists from across the East Coast.

The result is a rare opportunity to experience contemporary Canadian art from across the country in one place over one weekend.

An art fair and cultural event

While discovering original art remains at the heart of the experience, TOAF65 expands beyond the booths with a lineup of free programming throughout the weekend.

Highlights include a special edition of Art Nest, A Forwards Retreat, curated by Rui Pimenta, co-founder of Art Spin, bringing together celebrated Canadian artists Peggy Baker, Max Dean, Naomi Dodds, Micah Lexier and Ed Pien in a series of thoughtful installations, performances and participatory works exploring aging, time and the longevity of creative practice.

Les Montagnes, a new contemporary dance commission by Montreal-based choreographer and visual artist Marie Lambin-Gagnon, will be performed throughout the weekend at Nathan Phillips Square. The site-responsive work combines movement, sculptural forms and sound to create a striking visual experience inspired by Iceland’s glaciers and the forces of transformation found in nature.

Visitors can also explore artist talks, guided tours, family activities and collector-focused programming. For those looking to begin their collecting journey, TOAF65 introduces a new program, The Collectors Collective, designed to make buying art more approachable than ever. From affordable original works to artist conversations and collecting advice, the fair continues its long-standing mission of helping art lovers become art collectors.

Toronto Outdoor Art Fair July 10 to 12, 2026 Nathan Phillips Square

Head to toaf.ca to plan your visit, and click here to donate to the $65 for 65 Years fundraiser.