Departure Festival + Conference

Join creative minds from around the world for an unforgettable experience at Departure .

Rooted in music, Departure Festival + Conference highlights the intersectionalities of the creative industries bridging art, comedy, technology, and the audio industry. Whether you’re attending the conference or festival, you’ll find endless opportunities for discovery and inspiration.

2026

The Departure Festival + Conference, presented by Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group (OVG), today announced the return of its highly anticipated Music Showcase, featuring more than 100 emerging artists performing across venues throughout Toronto. Selected from thousands of global submissions, the curated lineup highlights some of the most exciting new voices shaping the future of music. New this year, Departure introduces their Rising Sound Artists initiative, where six standout performers receive a dedicated spotlight. Taking place from May 4–10, 2026, the showcases will transform Toronto into a city-wide stage; introducing breakthrough artists from across Canada, the United States, and around the world.

Departure’s Music Showcase is designed as a launch pad for emerging talent and offers audiences the chance to experience some of the most electrifying breakout performers making waves today. Beyond the stage, participating artists gain access to Departure’s leading industry conference and a suite of exclusive career-development opportunities. These include artist-only networking mixers, media training sessions, and industry events designed to accelerate professional growth and foster meaningful connections. Supporting Partner Play MPE is pleased to offer official Showcase Artists of Departure 2026 one complimentary Canadian format through radio promotion tool Caster. This opportunity helps Departure showcasing artists take the next step in promoting their music to Canadian radio and media using the same tool trusted by some of the biggest names in music.

The Rising Sound Artists initiative reflects Departure’s commitment to not only showcase emerging talent but actively amplify the next generation of creative voices. The 2026 Rising Sound Artists include Chloe Tang, Bianca Espino, Tyra Jutai, the neverminds, Cherrykim, and Kyle Wildfern. Hand-selected from Departure’s annual showcase roster, they represent the top tier of emerging talent on the rise. Beyond performing at a dedicated showcase, these artists will be immersed in a high-impact circuit of public spotlights and exclusive industry access from bespoke professional development sessions to private industry mixers and red carpet moments.

Tickets :

pass: $65 & up

How to get tickets?

Buy Online

Date & Time:

May 4 to 10, 2026

Events Schedule

Venue: Various Venues, Toronto