This year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is set to attract a glittering lineup of A-listers, including Amy Adams, Cate Blanchett, Will Ferrell, Selena Gomez, and music legends like Elton John, Pharrell Williams, and Bruce Springsteen. During the festival, these stars can be spotted all over the city—from luxury hotels and top-tier restaurants to bustling Festival Street. Here’s your insider guide to the best places to catch a glimpse of your favourite celebrities.
Festival Street
Festival Street returns for the opening weekend of TIFF from September 5–8, running from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. King St W, between Peter St and University Ave, will be transformed into a mini entertainment district! This free, family-friendly street festival offers fun activities for all ages, including the TIFF Art Market in partnership with Toronto Film School, where local film festivals and arts organizations will showcase art exhibits and programming information. New this year, TIFF has teamed up with the Toronto Downtown West BIA for a Festival Scavenger Hunt with exciting prizes. The full list of Festival Street activities will be announced soon!
Top Spots to Glimpse the Stars on Festival Street
Red carpet arrivals will take place at David Pecaut Square for Gala presentations, as well as at the Princess of Wales and Royal Alexandra theatres during the opening weekend. TIFF has designated “Fan Zones” at David Pecaut Square (215 King St W) where the public can watch celebrities as they make their red carpet appearances.
Prime Hotel Lobbies & Restaurants to Spot Celebs
Raise a glass to world-class cinema with exclusive, movie-inspired cocktails at the Shangri-La Lobby Lounge. Choose from eight expertly crafted drinks, each inspired by an iconic film, available from September 1–30, 2024.
Starting September 4, The Sutton Place Hotel will unveil a special exhibit featuring iconic black and white photos by Lou D, capturing Toronto’s TIFF celebrity scene from the 1990s and early 2000s. The exhibit will be hosted at Abrielle, the hotel’s coastal Mediterranean restaurant, known for its vibrant atmosphere and award-winning design.
The excitement continues at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, hosting the prestigious sixth annual TIFF Tribute Awards on September 8, honouring stars like Amy Adams, David Cronenberg, Sandra Oh, and Cate Blanchett. While this event is the ultimate in exclusivity, the Fairmont remains a top spot for celeb-watching.
Here are five downtown Toronto hotels where you can sip, savour, and spot the stars during TIFF.
- Shangri-La Hotel Toronto (188 University Ave) Lobby Lounge
- The Ritz-Carlton (181 Wellington St W) Epoch
- 1 Hotel Toronto (550 Wellington St) Flora Lounge, Casa Madera
- Fairmont Royal York (100 Front St W) Clockwork
- The Sutton Place Hotel (355 King Street West) Abrielle Toronto
Top 10 Restaurants for Celebrity Sightings
Find delicious meals and soak up the festival buzz while keeping an eye out for celebrities—reservations are recommended during TIFF’s busy period, but fortunately, downtown Toronto is brimming with the city’s best restaurants.
- KISSA – 619 King St W
- Minami Toronto – 225 King St W
- MARBL Toronto – 455 King St W
- Madamoiselle Raw Bar + Grill
- Minami Toronto – 225 King St W Suite 100
- Oretta – 633 King St W
- Nobu – 25 Mercer St, Toronto
- Silent H – 461 King St W
- SOHO House – 192 Adelaide St W
- Vela – 90 Portland St
Celebrity Sightings Guaranteed…
Chance encounters with celebrities are thrilling, but for a guaranteed opportunity to not only spot a star but also hear their insights and reflections on their career and craft, you’ll want to check out the “In Conversation With…” series. TIFF’s ICW series will feature stars such as Cate Blanchett (Sept 8), Zoe Saldaña (Sept 9), Hyun Bin and Lee Dong-Wook (Sept 9), and director Steven Soderbergh (Sept 12), who will engage in intimate, moderated discussions about their work and creative processes.
Curious about what films to check out this year? Check out 10 Must-See Films at TIFF 2024!