As a music aficionado, I definitely picked the right city to live in! Toronto has it all – amazing homegrown and visiting talent, iconic concert halls and plenty to see and do between shows. So, when Google Canada reached out last month and invited me to embark on the ultimate music experience in my home city, I knew I was in for a treat!
Follow my guide below to enjoy your very own ultimate music experience in Toronto!
Morning
First, book a hotel!! (or commute in early)
I’m not a morning person by any means, so Google Canada was kind enough to hook me up with a stay at the gorgeous Four Seasons Hotel in Yorkville. Staying here has been on my bucket list for years. The property and rooms are simply stunning and you’re just minutes away from great shopping, attractions and music venues (crucial for this kind of experience!).
Next stop, food for fuel!
After lounging around and getting ready while blasting tunes on YouTube Music, my friends and I trekked over to Kōst for brunch. This delightful hidden gem is located on the 44th floor of the new Bisha Hotel in Toronto on Blue Jays Way. The atmosphere is really bright and the dishes are fresh and unique. We all ordered sandwiches; I got the California burger with fries, which was delicious. (If you’re not a spicy/tangy kind of person, I’d recommend getting it without the tomato relish.) I can’t wait to come back in the summer when the outdoor seating is open!
Afternoon
Time to explore!
Normally I would take advantage of being so close to all the shops in Yorkville, but when the Toronto Christmas Market is open, YOU KNOW that’s where I’ll be! This is the perfect winter spot in the city for heartwarming food and hot chocolate (hello artisan grilled cheese!) and fun shopping. Also, who could forget photos with the big Christmas tree and countdown?!
Now, if something indoors is more your style in the winter (COMPLETELY understandable), the Eaton Centre has never looked so festive! Plus, it’s a great place to kill time and your holiday shopping budget. Oops…
Evening
Get ready to enjoy the best of both worlds: dinner and a show!
Google Canada hooked me up real nice here: an intimate dinner-concert with Jessie Reyez and Drake. 💖 Now, if you have the money to splurge, this is something you could also experience: the event was the finale of the first season of the new Après Noir dinner series at Chateau Le Jardin in Woodbridge. Everything is opulent, from the food to the entertainment (of course) to the photo ops. The cheapest ticket was over $600 with fees, but the value is impeccable! I mean, look how close I got to Mr. champagnepapi.
For something a little more low key, I love checking out a show from an incredible Canadian artist like Charlotte Cardin at The Danforth Music Hall (less than 10 minutes away from the Four Seasons!) and they recently opened a cozy restaurant next door, Sidebar. I’m on a mission to try all of their cocktails and pizzas!
Let me know in the comments below…
…what your dream music experience would look like! Who do you want to see/meet? I bought tickets this week to see Shawn Mendes and Lennon Stella next year and I can’t wait!
xx
53 Comments
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Looks like a blast! You guys are so full of positive energy, I love it!
Aww, love this!! Thank you 🙂
This looks fantastic. You guys must have had a fabulous time there.
This looks like it would be such a great event. Music always makes for a good time!
This looks like it was a fabulous night. My daughter went to Toronto last year and fell in love. She is looking forward to going back so I will share your post with her.
That’s awesome!! Hope to hear from her 🙂
I’m suree you had a great time. I love that you take care of all the details so you can have a memorable experience!
Wow, it looks like you guys had a fab. night. Hope they will do another one soon, I love to joint.
2019 for Apres Noir, pretty much every day for other shows! Tons to see in Toronto.
I love Toronto! it is an awesome city. And wow what an incredible experience, the concert sounds great
That was a fun night!! I could really see it from your pictures! I hope to celebrate the holidays in other parts of the world such as in here next time!
I love night gigs! I ‘am so Jealous for this! sounds you have a great time. Who is your favorite band?
Constantly changing!! I’m loving The 1975 right now 🙂
What a fun experience!!! I love this type of trip!
Looks like you had an amazing time! And what a line-up of artists! So jealous.
Hi this is such a great read. As a native Torontonian, I often take for granted the music (and food frankly) that we have here to experience. I recently started going to the Royal Conservatory of Music for amazing shows! Jazz, Vocals, Classical -it’s all so good and extremely affordable in a beautiful building. If you’re in Toronto I recommend that and The Danforth Music Hall for great contemporary artists.
Thanks for your comment, Val (and fellow Torontonian)! I haven’t checked out the Royal Conservatory yet but I’ve heard good things.
I love music festivals especially if my favorite artists are part of the line-up! This is such a wonderful experience, like an early Christmas treat! 🙂
Hahah yeah, it kind of was! I haven’t been to a music festival in a while – hoping to change that in 2019 🙂
Um, what a crazy experience! I live in the city and have yet to eat at kost but have heard great things. I would love to see Florence and the Machine or someone like Maggie Rogers at a really intimate venue like Massey Hall, with a meet and greet cocktail hour after. That would be a dream!
Kelsi, I was just stalking your blog earlier! I love it. We should connect sometime. & yes, Florence and the Machine at Massey Hall would be a DREAM. I’m excited to see the renovated Massey Hall too.
Toronto is such a greatbplace to visit. I am always dreaming of going to here. Tuly a bucket list material
You really should! Send me an email if you make it to town 🙂
I’ve always wanted to visit Toronto. I’ve heard that it’s a beautiful city with so much to do!
Totally! More posts to come on that 🙂
It looks like such a fantastic time for sure!!!! Wow! In a holiday spirit looking all so festive!
Oh, I LOVE the holidays!!
What a great experience, I have never been to Canada but have always wanted to go and this looks like the perfect spot to visit!
Honestly, I need to explore of my own country too hahah. Vancouver and Montreal are next on my list! Will report back 😉
Wow! I would like to experience this. When I was younger, my parents never allowed me to attend these parties. I know my limits, it would have been nice. Now that I am older, I don’t know if I will still enjoy.
No one’s ever too old to enjoy these!
How fun! My husband and I love to travel around to different music events.
You should definitely look out for other Apres Noir events in 2019, or even Osheaga in Montreal!
What a fabulous stay you’ve had in Toronto! I have been there in December as well and I remember those huge reindeer from Eaton Centre. The show you attended looks amazing! My best ever concert was Adele.
They put me in the best mood!! Adele is amazing too.
I love music festivals and events. There are places in India where I have gone just because its music scene. Thanks for sharing this fact about Toronto.
Oh that’s awesome! Hope you can make it to Toronto sometime 🙂
What a fun day out with the girls. The burgers sound so yummy.
It was, and they were!! hahah
This looks SO amazing! What a fun time you must have had! Some cute photos 🙂
Thank you so much! It was great 🙂
Toronto was a really nice place, no doubt you’ll enjoy too much here even if you’re alone.
I can’t say what my most epic music experience would be. But I got to see Beyonce in concert for the 1st time this year and I was mesmerized by her talent.
QUEEN BEY! I’d love to see her.
Lauryn Hill would be so cool to see! And the photos looks fun!😀
Wow, that sounds like a great music show to watch and it looks like you are really having a great time watching him.
It looks like you had a great time from the lodging to the concert. I would love to go and see Drake in concert and it is amazing how close you were to him to be able to do so.
Thanks for your comment! He definitely puts on a fun show. Hope you get to see him soon 🙂
Looks like you had a good time. I’ll definitely love to see Talib Kweli, Sean Paul, Lt. Whitney Houston and Adele perform.
I really did, thanks!! Adele is incredible live – funny too! I think she would be a great artist to have lunch with.
I would live to meet Lauryn hill. Too bad see doesn’t make anymore music.