Known for its bold curation of Toronto’s people, places, and stories, this iconic summer festival will once again transform the city’s identity through the aptly titled theme ofPLAY. This year’s theme asks us to consider how a festival can trulyPLAYits city. Encounter experiences that evokechild’s playusing imagination and whimsy; stories that spotlight justice and reconciliation by boldly addressingequal play; and explore the uncertainty of shifting dynamics, the need to win and the imbalance ofpower play. This year’s programme spans a broad array of conversations designed to inspire, challenge and uplift.
PLAY DEAD
By People Watching Collective
June 25 - 28, 2026
Meridian Arts Center, The Lyric Theatre
"Masterful fluidity, breathtaking... the circus of tomorrow"La Presse
The theme of Luminato 2025,DAY:NIGHTexplores how we inhabit the city in a 24-hour period. From dusk to dawn and dawn to dusk, any given day can be ordinary or extraordinary. First breath, dawn light through to last dance and final word - the 2025 programme asks us to reflect on the cycle of our collective lives and how we engage, disrupt and exist in time and space as a community. With the city as your canvas, expect compelling art in atypical spaces. Night shifts, dawn chorus, art up late through to cemetery walks. Be it the first of things or the last of things, we invite locals and visitors to encounter Toronto differently.
Luminato has partnered withCool Climate Clubto plant 2,000 trees on behalf of the next 2,000 tickets sold for our 2025 events! Thanks to the Luminato Smart Forest™digital portal, Luminato supporters can track the growth of their trees, viewing the forest’s location, age, species, estimated carbon storage, and accessing the climate learning centre. This year’s forest is in growing in the Boreal Forest region in New Brunswick, Canada.
Luminato Festival transforms the people, places, and possibilities of Toronto with extraordinary art experiences.
Every June we present bold, playful, and of the moment art for all to enjoy. Distinctly Toronto, proudly Canadian and totally Global, we welcome the world to explore our streets, stages and stories. Discover Toronto like never before.
From streets to theatres, between earth and sky, Luminato 2025 transforms Toronto into a playground of extraordinary art experiences that enliven your morning and add mystique after dark.
From first breath to final words, the festival explores the passage of time and the moments – from routine to remarkable – that we may encounter from dawn to dusk and dusk to dawn.
Whether a moment, day, year, or lifespan, time is a constant that moves us through light, dark, grief, joy and everything in between.
Feast on art this June. Relish the messiness and beauty that emerge at life’s intersections.
Luminato Festival transforms the people, places, and possibilities of Toronto with extraordinary art experiences.
Every June we present bold, playful, and of the moment art for all to enjoy. Distinctly Toronto, proudly Canadian and totally Global, we welcome the world to explore our streets, stages and stories. Discover Toronto like never before.
The Land
The land we gather on is the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Chippewa, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Wendat Confederacy, and many other Indigenous peoples, both known and unknown. This territory is subject to Treaty 13 and the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant and is home to many First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples from across Turtle Island.
Luminato acknowledges our responsibilities to these territorial agreements and to peaceably share and care for the resources of this land while aspiring to embody the treaties through our actions, our relationship-building, and our programs. Luminato is grateful to have the opportunity to work with many diverse Indigenous nations on this territory and with other guests to this land.
