Luminato Festival

05/20/2026

Bonjour, Toronto!

You’re invited to experience NoSax NoClar & Robinson Khoury - MŸA – a unique blend of global sounds & agile rhythm in a double bill of France’s modern jazz innovators.
Don’t miss this compelling double bill co-presented with Alliance Française.

📅 Friday, June 19, 2026
📍 Alliance Française

📅 Saturday, June 20, 2026
📍 Drom Taberna in Association with Luminato Festival

https://www.luminatofestival.com/nosax-noclar---robinson-khoury-trio

05/19/2026

Announcing as part of our 2027 programme:⁠
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TO Live and Luminato Festival Present: Nederlands Dans Theater - NDT 2
Meridian Arts Centre, Lyric Theatre | April 23-25, 2027
From one of Europe’s most influential contemporary dance companies, this rare triple bill showcases outstanding works by visionary choreographers in a dynamic program performed by NDT 2’s extraordinary dancers. The mixed bill will include mutual comfort by Edward Clug, Four Solitudes by Crystal Pite and will conclude with SAABA by Sharon Eyal & G*i Behar. Known for technical precision and artistic maturity, NDT 2 bridges legacy and experimentation, offering a refined, forward-thinking portrait of contemporary dance that cultivates the next generation of global talent.
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🗓️ Meridian Arts Centre, Lyric Theatre⁠
📍April 23-25, 2027⁠
🎫 tolive.com⁠
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05/19/2026

We are deeply saddened by the passing of composer and cellist Cris Derksen. Cris made incredible contributions to music and created space for Indigenous musicians throughout Canada and internationally. Cris has left behind an immeasurable impact on the music industry.

Cris collaborated with Luminato on several occasions, including on Maada'ookii Songlines, a massive choral gathering from Luminato Festival 2019. This work will be featured in this year's 20 & Extraordinary photo exhibition.

Luminato sends out our deepest condolences to Cris’ family, friends, collaborators and community.

05/18/2026

Widely praised by critics, Theatre of Dreams delivers spellbinding surrealism where the unexpected unfolds at every turn.
"astonishingly beautiful, constantly inventive" – ★★★★ The Guardian

"There is no sitting in thoughtful contemplation at a Shechter gig. For pure, heart pounding excitement, there is simply no one to touch him.” - Daily Express

"One of the British dance scene’s hottest properties, the creator of works that are full of raw, visceral energy, set to blasting percussive scores that he composes himself." - New York Times

Theatre of Dreams by Hofesh Shechter Company
Co-presented by TO Live and Luminato Festival.
Supported by Kiki and Ian Delaney, and Joan and Jerry Lozinski with assistance from TO Live

📅 Thursday, June 4 – Saturday, June 6, 2026
📍 Bluma Appel Theatre
https://www.luminatofestival.com/theatre-of-dreams

05/16/2026

Across Black life, play has been a tool for testing freedom and expanding beyond what has been given. What becomes possible when play is understood as a way of rethinking the world around us?

Centring Luminato Festival’s theme of Play, acclaimed artist, photographer, and filmmaker Tyler Mitchell and artist and curator Liz Ikiriko discuss the histories, strategies, and processes that shape their work. Co-Presented by Wedge Curatorial Projects and Luminato Festival, The Wedge Lecture returns for its third year, highlighting creative voices driving social and critical change.
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📅 Thursday, June 18
📍 U of T: 1 Spadina, Daniels Faculty⁠
Supported by BES Executive Search

https://www.luminatofestival.com/the-wedge-lecture-2026

05/15/2026

The critics agree; KATMA is an experience you’ll never forget.

"Surrender to the pulse of a communal, high-octane, joy-fuelled dancefloor."
– ★★★★ Time Out

"A raw euphoric authenticity that is infectious and culturally rich."
– ★★★★ Sydney Morning Herald

"It's a joy to see these performers embrace their specialised style of dance and share it with the audience and each other." - Theatre Travels

KATMA by Azzam Mohamed is where street and club culture meet. Don't miss this immersive, all-ages dance experience.⁠

📅 Wednesday, June 17 – Saturday, June 20
📍Ada Slaight Hall, Daniels Spectrum

KATMA is supported by St. Joseph Communications

https://www.luminatofestival.com/katma

05/14/2026

Celebrate the land we live on, the air we breathe, and the water we drink. Celebrate the voices that have echoed long before ours.

The Power of the Land invites audiences into the cultural teachings of Turtle Island through processional performance, ceremony, and an epic-scale concert.

Featuring music from the Juno-nominated truth and reconciliation album Walking Through The Fire, with performances by Sultans of String, TOCANI, and DJ SHUB, this experience blends traditional and contemporary Indigenous artistry.

Rooted in Indigenous ecological knowledge and the lunar calendar, the work brings together music, movement, and ceremony in a powerful shared space.

Come with an open heart and prepare to be filled.

The Power of the Land

Curated by Elder Duke Redbird

Visual Art by Philip Cote

Musical Collaboration and additional curation by Chris McKhool

Featuring Walking Through the Fire-Indigenous Collaborations with Sultans of String feat. Duke Redbird, Marc Meriläinen, Shannon Thunderbird, SHUB, The Día de los Mu***os Collective and more!

Presented by Luminato Festival

📅 Saturday, June 6⁠
📍 Harbourfront Centre
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The Power of the Land is supported by the Michael Young Family Foundation, RBC, Waterfront BIA, Toronto Port Authority, Nieuport Aviation, Waterfront Toronto & The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

https://www.luminatofestival.com/power-of-the-land

05/13/2026

Luminato Festival takes over Sankofa Square to electrify the city’s busiest intersection. Live performances and shocking feats will stop locals and tourists in their tracks to stare in awe. The full day affair will also have games and arts activities for all ages.

Luminato at Sankofa Square features performances from Quebec’s Camion d'Intervention Artistique - CIART, a spectacular aerial circus show on a fire truck, and Brazil’s Mal Perdedor (Bad Loser), a hilarious clown show that integrates archery, opera, and circus arts.

The day will also host an epic performance of Symphony No. 9 by Toronto Symphony Orchestra with Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, livestreamed onto Sankofa Square’s digital screens. In the final movement, choristers from across the city will flood the square to sing the “Ode to Joy” finale together.

Come to Luminato at Sankofa Square and witness the city transform into a space of exploration and play.

📅 Friday, June 12
📍Sankofa Square

Supported by BMO, City of Toronto (Community Celebration Support Fund), Downtown Yonge BIA & Toronto Star.
https://www.luminatofestival.com/luminato-at-sankofa-square

05/11/2026