Written by Elamandababbo; CNN
When it comes to holiday parties, Americans may have all the fun. But don’t tell that to Toronto: The city is home to some of the busiest and most elegant parties of the year, from the glitzy Vanity Fair Oscar party to the city’s Great Canadian Party and the annual Chinese New Year feast at Massey Hall.
And here, in no particular order, are six of Toronto’s top party scenes . Just make sure you bring your flask of cheap Guinness: The city isn’t short on liquid courage.
1. The Great Canadian Party
$1,000 tickets for the infamous Great Canadian Party
Each year, the annual Great Canadian Party, held at Toronto’s Hall Centre for the Performing Arts, is as big as Toronto itself. Billed as a “24-hour-long, 24-venue party,” the annual bash is one of the city’s biggest cocktail parties. Ticket prices start at $1,000.
Perfectly situated in downtown Toronto, organizers expect about 15,000 guests for the annual celebration. Partygoers will be treated to an evening of vintage polka music, horse-drawn carriages, Christmas carols, performances by live dogs, fire-eaters, jugglers and magicians, and a dance competition with live music from various local bands.
Date: Saturday, November 10, 2018
Location: Hall Centre for the Performing Arts, Scarborough, Ontario
Contact: [email protected]
2. Global Citizen — Masquerade Party
Toronto MC Global Citizen’s Masquerade Party
The Global Citizen Masquerade Party is in its 13th year and is an extravagant, three-hour affair that raises funds for Global Citizen, a charity that helps alleviate world poverty. Last year, the party raised $10 million for global initiatives.
This year’s gala and ball will feature performances by chart-toppers P!nk, Migos, Andra Day, Nile Rodgers, Hailee Steinfeld, Shawn Mendes, Post Malone, SZA, Alessia Cara, Rita Ora, Zedd, Kesha, Harry Styles, Swedish House Mafia, Drake, Major Lazer, Shawn Mendes, Alessia Cara, Eric Prydz, Coldplay, Maren Morris, Charli XCX, and G-Eazy.
Date: Friday, November 23, 2018
Location: Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto
Contact: GlobalCitizen.net
3. A$AP Rocky
Toronto A$AP Rocky performs at the View of Belladrum Gala. Bob Daemmrich/CNN
A$AP Rocky has been enjoying a renaissance of late, with hits such as “Too Much” and “Wild for the Night” garnering some of the rapper’s most buzzed-about performances to date. This year’s Gala Toronto from Nov. 23 to 24 will present the rapper with a gift, in addition to a performance.
Date: Saturday, November 24, 2018
Location: Bell Centre, Toronto
Contact: es.tavinet.com
4. Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Guests arrive to attend the star-studded Vanity Fair Oscar Party. Bob Daemmrich/CNN
The annual Vanity Fair Oscar Party is a star-studded affair in Toronto. The annual tradition has also become known as “the Oscars after party.” And lucky for the 7,800-guest number — including famous celebrities and political figures — the party location has changed over the years. This year, guests will get to party in Toronto’s Toronto Island Park, complete with tree-lined streets and a palatial lawn.