Canada is one of the biggest drivers of music tourism worldwide. Did you know that Toronto is the most popular world music tour stop of any city on the globe?
A whopping “85.1 percent of world tours have come through Canada’s biggest city,” according to Billboard Canada. London comes in second as host to 83 percent of world tours and live performance in Canada represents a $3.8 billion industry.
Canadians are huge music fans who also contribute to the international gig-tripping economy. According to a recent Skyscanner survey, 32% of Canadian travellers surveyed would fly short haul to see their favourite artist live, with 16% saying they’d take a long-haul flight.
“Music tourism has emerged as a top travel trend due to its ability to create emotional connections, provide unique cultural experiences, offer memorable experiences, therapeutic and wellness benefits, and ... social media engagement,” writes Rick Perdian in Medium.
Check out Canada’s world class gig tripping scene by catching to latest tours, concerts festivals and more.
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is one of the most major pop-cultural events in the world at the moment. The final performances in a 150-show run on five continents will take place in Vancouver and Toronto later this year.
If you’re a Swiftie who wants to go abroad, you can catch the singer at multiple venues throughout the UK in June. She heads to Amsterdam in July.
Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts Tour features performances that take “devoted fans through angst, nostalgia, sadness, and of course, head-banging fun,” writes POPSUGAR. See the three-time Grammy winner in Vancouver on August 9.
Folk rocker Noah Kahan is headlining the Osheaga Festival in Montreal on August 2 with Green Day and SZA. “Noah Kahan went from writing a pandemic album on his parents' farm in rural Vermont to selling out an arena tour and being nominated for best new artist at the Grammys.,” writes NPR Music.
Pop Star Tate McRae is coming to Toronto on July 5 for her Think Later Tour, named for her second album released last year. The same month, she will also play at the Cowboys Music Festival at the Calgary Stampede. Billboard Canada named Tate Breakthrough Artist of 2023.
The Rolling Stones, the epitome of rock royalty, are also stopping in Vancouver on July 5 for a North American tour in celebration of their latest album, Hackney Diamonds.
Blink 182’s One More Time Tour is coming to Toronto in August. “Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker put out their first release as a trio in over a decade last fall, following guitarist and vocalist DeLonge's departure from the group between 2015 and 2022,” writes Billboard Canada.
We’ve given you the details on artists coming to Festival d’été de Québec (FEQ) and the Osheaga Music and Art Festival, two of the biggest music festivals in Canada. Here’s more festivals to work into your gig-tripping plans this year.
VELD Music Festival is the largest electronic music festivals in Canada. Held in Toronto August 2-4, this one’s for lovers of bass house, tech house, hip-hop dubstep, trap and more.
If you want some magic for the Christmas season in 2024, plan ahead for the Contact Winter Music Festival, held in Vancouver every December. Popular artists who play this festival include James Hype, Loud Luxury, The Chainsmokers and many more.
Held annually in Calgary in August, Chasing Summer is one of the largest EDM festivals in Canada. Big names featured include Chainsmokers, James Hype and Martin Garrix.
The North by Northeast Festival focuses on new and up-and-coming talent. The event has helped jumpstart the careers of mega talents such as Lizzo and the Lumineers. Held in June.
Your gig tripping plans aren’t complete without travel insurance. You should know that your Canadian government health insurance plan may not protect you if you experience a medical or dental emergency outside of your home province. Emergency medical and dental coverage by Allianz Global Assistance can help you fill coverage gaps.
Our Trip Cancellation and interruption benefits may also reimburse non-refundable expenses if your trip is cancelled or delayed for a covered reason, such as illness or dangerous weather.
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Travel insurance is underwritten by CUMIS General Insurance Company, a member of The Co-operators Group of Companies, administered by Allianz Global Assistance, which is a registered business name of AZGA Service Canada Inc.
