Toronto International Film Festival returns Sept 10–20; expect downtown street closures and transit tips
North America's largest publicly attended film festival kicks off September 10, running through September 20, 2026. The 51st TIFF features world premieres, industry talks, and public screenings across downtown Toronto venues—including new transit arrangements and Festival Street closures.
Festival Overview & Dates
The Toronto International Film Festival returns September 10–20, 2026 for its 51st edition, celebrating the best of Canadian and global cinema, special events and talks with stars, plus TIFF: The Market, where the global film, series, and innovation industries come together. The Toronto International Film Festival is one of the most prestigious and largest publicly attended film festivals in the world.
What's New This Year
The festival will include the formal launch of a film market, separately from the public event. The market will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, while the main public festival will continue to take place at the TIFF Lightbox and the Scotiabank Theatre Toronto. TIFF's opening-night presentation will be Apple Original Film's Being Heumann, the directorial follow-up from Oscar-winning CODA filmmaker Siân Heder, which stars Ruth Madeley alongside Mark Ruffalo, and tells the inspiring real-life story of Judy Heumann, the disability rights advocate.
Getting There & Downtown Access
During Festival Street's closure (September 10-13), drop-offs for venues are recommended near specific locations: 106 John Street for TIFF Lightbox and Rush line for the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre; 14 Duncan Street for ticket holders for the Visa Screening Room and Royal Alexandra Theatre. TIFF Lightbox is closest to St. Andrew subway station on Line 1 (a 450m or six-minute walk west from the subway). GO Transit is the regional public transit service for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area; to get to TIFF Lightbox, take a GO Train, GO Bus, UP Express or Via Rail train into Union Station, then a 15-minute walk or transfer to the subway to the Lightbox.
Ticket & Access Information
TIFF '26 single tickets will go on sale to TIFF Members starting August 21 (by level), and to Public on August 31, 2026. For travel to and from Festival Street and TIFF '26 venues, a Wheel-Trans stop is located at the intersection of Wellington Street and John Street. More information about Toronto's Wheel-Trans system, including bookings, can be found at ttc.ca/wheel-trans.
For Newcomers & Visitors
If you've just arrived in Toronto, TIFF is a world-class cultural event worth experiencing—tickets go on public sale August 31. Plan ahead if you need accessible transit; Wheel-Trans booking is available for those who require it. Allow extra time for downtown travel September 10–13 due to Festival Street closures, or use GO Transit from regional areas. Even if you don't attend screenings, downtown Toronto will buzz with international media and film industry presence—a great way to get a feel for Canada's cultural capital.
Sources
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