The vibrant Departure Festival + Conference 2026 officially took over downtown Toronto from May 4–10, 2026, delivering an unforgettable week packed with live entertainment, inspiring conversations, film premieres, and industry-leading speakers. Presented by Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group, the festival continues to establish itself as one of Canada’s premier cultural and creative industry events.
Departure Festival 2026 Highlights
This year’s festival featured an exciting lineup of conference panels, exclusive screenings, live podcasts, and special performances that brought together some of the biggest names in music, film, television, and media.
Among the standout conference appearances were Trevaunn Richards and Jermaine Richards from Crave’s The Office Movers. Fans also enjoyed an engaging panel spotlighting the soundtrack behind Heated Rivalry, featuring creator Jacob Tierney, composer Peter Peter, and music supervisor Scotty Taylor.
Festival goers were also treated to a live recording of The Jann Arden Podcast alongside additional live podcast experiences and exclusive entertainment events throughout the week.
Film Screenings and Canadian Premieres
Film programming at Departure Festival 2026 expanded in a major way with several highly anticipated screenings and special Q&A sessions.
One of the biggest highlights was the Canadian premiere of Power Ballad, directed by acclaimed filmmaker John Carney and starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas.
K-pop fans packed the venue for a special screening of Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience, showcasing electrifying performances from global sensation Stray Kids at SoFi Stadium.
Additional film events included Like Ah Boss: Journey of a Soca King, followed by a live Q&A with legendary soca artist Machel Montano, and a screening of Bif Naked: The Documentary featuring a Q&A and live performance from Canadian pop-punk icon Bif Naked.
Departure Honours Celebrates Canadian Cultural Leaders
A major highlight of the festival was the prestigious Departure Honours presented by Ticketmaster, held at Koerner Hall.
Legendary music manager Bruce Allen received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Toronto-based arts organization The Remix Project earned the Industry Achievement Award for its ongoing impact on youth mentorship and creative development.
The evening also featured a live performance by JUNO-nominated artist Katie Tupper.
Other celebrated honourees included:
- Jacob Tierney — Creative Impact Award
- Maggie Kang — Cultural Innovator Award
- Rupi Kaur — Independent Achievement Award
- Sarah McLachlan — Allan Slaight Humanitarian Award
Industry Experts and Creative Voices Take the Stage
The Departure Conference welcomed influential voices from across entertainment, sports, publishing, and media. Featured speakers included:
- Bob Lefsetz
- Jus Reign
- Michie Mee
- Mitch Glazier
- Patrick Rogers
- Stewart Johnston
According to Executive Producer Kevin Barton, the festival continues to evolve as a powerful gathering space for creators, innovators, and cultural leaders shaping the future of entertainment and media.
Live Podcasts and Special Events
In addition to music and film, Departure Festival 2026 featured exciting live podcast recordings and exclusive performances, including:
- The Jann Arden Podcast Live
- Cynthia and Josie’s Unmentionables Live
- A premium live event with Alicia Creti at The Drake Underground
Why Departure Festival 2026 Is One of Toronto’s Must-Attend Events
From breakthrough artists and acclaimed filmmakers to cultural visionaries and live entertainment experiences, Departure Festival + Conference 2026 continues to redefine what a modern entertainment festival can be.
With its unique mix of music, film, podcasts, industry networking, and cultural celebration, the festival has become a major destination for creatives and fans alike in Toronto.
For more information, visit Departure Festival.
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