Toronto 
Events Description
Something wicked this way comes to Toronto’s literary scene. MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival (hosted by Toronto Festival of Authors) will return for its fourth spine-tingling year. In a new partnership with Victoria University at U of T, the festival will transform these gothic halls into an epicentre of literary suspense.
MOTIVE will bring together an unprecedented mix of voices this year including: Iceland’s former First Lady Eliza Reid who recently made her fiction debut, international bestseller Shari Lapena returning as a festival favourite, romance star Uzma Jalaluddin crossing into the wildly popular cozy crime category, and thriller master Linwood Barclay continuing to define the genre. This year’s festival will unfold in a new location at University of Toronto – within the fitting gothic revival halls of Victoria University. This new atmospheric backdrop will allow attendees to immerse themselves in the festival’s celebration of crime and mystery storytelling.
This year’s program offers a compelling mix of true crime, interactive events, and literary exploration, appealing to both dedicated readers and aspiring writers. Highlights include the return of forensic science workshops, an immersive Gin & Sin mystery performance, and in-depth panels on Canadian and international crime writing – spanning cozy mysteries to psychological thrillers. The lineup also features masterclasses, Toronto Crime Tours, and timely true crime discussions led by journalists, former FBI agents, and subject-matter experts.
Who is it for?
All ages
HOW MUCH
Tickets : $20 – $75
3-Day Pass
Regular: $75
Under 25: $45
Friday Pass
Regular: $20
Under 25: $15
Saturday Pass
Regular: $35
Under 25: $20
Sunday Pass
Regular: $35
Under 25: $20
How to get tickets?
WHEN & WHERE
Date: Friday June 27, 2025 to Sunday June 29, 2025
June 27 – 1:30pm – 8:30pm
June 28 – 11am – 8:30 pm
June 29 – 11am – 6:30 pm
Venue & Address
Victoria University at the University of Toronto, 73 Queens Park #106, Toronto, ON M5S 1K7
Wheelchair accessible
