Toronto Comic Arts Festival returns this weekend
Canada's largest comics celebration is back Saturday with 350+ creators, manga artists, and a record number of international guests.
Toronto Comic Arts Festival is bringing its annual celebration of comics, manga, and graphic novels back to the city this weekend, and this year marks the largest gathering of international creators in six years.
The free two-day festival kicks off Saturday, June 6, at TMU's Mattamy Athletic Centre (formerly Maple Leaf Gardens). Organizers expect more than 28,000 visitors—making it one of North America's biggest comic arts events.
The festival draws 350+ artists, novelists, and creators from around the world, including acclaimed and emerging talent from Japan, the Philippines, India, several Latin American nations, and across Europe. While superheroes get their moment, the festival also showcases horror, fantasy, and family-friendly comics.
If you're serious about the craft, the festival is also hosting professional development programming Thursday and Friday, bringing together comics creators, librarians, scholars, and industry folks to connect and share ideas.
The vibe is accessible—whether you're a lifelong collector building your collection or just looking for a fun indoor activity (rain is forecast all weekend, so the timing works). The free admission means you can browse at your own pace, hunt for rare finds, meet your favourite artists, or discover something new without committing to a pricey ticket.
Full schedule and programming details are available on the festival's official website. The festival runs at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, located at 50 Carlton St.