Queen West Art Crawl 2026
About the event
Celebrating 23 years, The Queen West Art Crawl (QWAC) multi-arts festival returns in full swing on September 19th and 20th, 2026, bringing two days of art, culture, entertainment, and community to the heart of downtown Toronto at Trinity Bellwoods Park in West Queen West. As the regional hub for Ontario Culture Days, QWAC celebrates the vibrant arts and culture of the Queen West neighbourhood and communities across Ontario.
The festival runs from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. both days, with opening ceremonies beginning at noon on September 19th. The festivities will feature a Two-Spirit First Nations Elder, a drum circle, and Jingle Dancing, setting the stage for a weekend of celebration. From there, the festival is open for everyone to enjoy, with FREE entertainment, food, shopping, and activities throughout the park.
At the heart of the festival is the Outdoor Art Exhibition, showcasing the work of artists and artisans from across Ontario. Visitors have the opportunity to meet the artists, learn about their work, and purchase unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. With more than 100 artists participating this year and artwork ranging from paintings and photography to wood sculpture and ceramics, QWAC is also the perfect place to get a head start on holiday shopping while supporting local artists.
The Main Stage is home to QWAC’s free concert and performance series, featuring an exciting lineup of local musicians and performers. This year’s programming includes local acts Poor Man’s High, Earlybird, and versaCello, as well as Colombian dancers and comedians. Drag performers including Sofonda Cox, Sanjina Da Bish Queen, and Jada Shada Hudson of Canada’s Drag Race will also take the stage, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy.
The Kids’ Zone offers a welcoming and family-friendly space where children can explore their creativity and enjoy engaging performances and activities. A perennial festival favourite, Story Time with Betty Baker, returns daily, alongside additional entertainment from Opera Mouse and Roseneath Theatre. Blank Canvas will also introduce young visitors to the arts through fun, hands-on arts and crafts activities.
This year, QWAC is expanding beyond the festival grounds through collaborations with the broader Queen West community, bringing even more arts and cultural experiences to the neighbourhood. In partnership with organizations including CAMH, the Toronto Blues Society, and Ontario Culture Days, QWAC will be part of a wider lineup of events taking place throughout the area. For a complete list of events and activities, visit Ontario Culture Days at onculturedays.ca.
With something for every age and interest, the Queen West Art Crawl is a celebration of creativity, community, and culture. We hope you’ll join us for this exciting annual event, bringing people from diverse backgrounds together to celebrate Toronto and its vibrant arts community.
Festival Dates & Hours
Saturday, September 19th, 2026: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday, September 20th, 2026: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
For the full lineup of events, performances, artists, and activities taking place throughout the weekend, please visit the QWAC website and program guide: queenwestartcrawl.com.
