Spring is nearly here, and as the trees get their leaves back and the flowers start to bloom, so too does the live entertainment scene in Toronto. Featuring the welcome return of Come From Away and further chances to catch The Lion King, alongside concerts from Nick Cave, Heart and more, check out our top picks for April below:

Best of Theatre

Come From Away
Until May 4
Royal Alexandra TheatreD on't miss Irene Sankoff and David Hein's Come From Away as it makes a welcome return to Toronto, where it first debuted in 2016. Now an international hit that has enjoyed success on Broadway, and in London, Dublin, and Australia, this inspirational ode to the human spirit changed musical theatre forever. With a folksy, sung-through score that details the true events of one small Newfoundland town on the morning of 9/11, it is a show full of heart that sticks with you long after you leave the auditorium.
BOOK HERE

The Lion King
Until August 30
Princess of Wales Theatre
Disney presents a musical that brings the much-loved 1994 animated film to life to breath-taking effects, spirit and power, inviting you to explore the African Serengeti and join the wide eyed cub Simba on the adventure of a lifetime as he grows up and accepts his destiny as the King of the Pride Lands. In addition to the beloved songs penned by Sir Elton John and Tim Rice (such as the soaring 'Circle of Life') this phenomenal adaptation has original songs and explodes with joyous, captivating music that soundtrack the rich mythology and moving drama expertly.
BOOK HERE

Oliver
April 25 - May 4
Meadowvale Theatre
The mean streets of Charles Dickens's London come to you in this local production of Lionel Bart's much-loved Oliver from Meadowvale Theatre. When young Oliver Twist finds himself orphaned in Victorian England, he's left trying to find friends, find a family, and navigate life in the big city, which is filled with pickpockets, gangsters, and danger.
This classic musical - which won the Tony Award for Best Original Score - is told to a soundtrack of timeless classics including 'Food, Glorious Food', 'Oliver!', 'Oom-Pah-Pah', 'You've Got to Pick a Pocket or two', 'Who Will Buy?', and 'As Long as He Needs Me'.
BOOK HERE

Rocking concerts

Heart
April 10
Coca-Cola Coliseum
Heart are back on the road! Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson first showed that women can rock the world when their band, Heart, stormed the charts in the '70s with hits like "Crazy on You," "Magic Man," "Barracuda," "Straight On," and so many more.
Not only did the Wilson sisters lead the band, they wrote the songs and played the instruments too, making them the first women in rock history to do so. Heart continued topping the charts through the '80s and '90s with huge hits like "These Dreams," "Alone","What About Love","If Looks Could Kill," "Never", and a string of other hits that showcased the sisters' enormous talents as musicians and singers. See them on the Royal Flush tour this month!
BOOK HERE

Franz Ferdinand
April 15
HISTORY
While the rock boom of the early 2000s was led by The Strokes in the U.S., in the UK it was spearheaded by the swarthy Scottish four-piece Franz Ferdinand. Arriving with a lightning bolt of jagged post-punk riffs and seductive lyrics, their 2004 debut album was an instant classic, gifting the world tracks like "Michael," "Tell Her Tonight," and the indie-disco staple "Take Me Out". Now, they're hitting the road in 2025 in support of their sixth new album, 'The Human Fear' - their first in seven years!
BOOK HERE

DJO
April 29
HISTORY
With his latest album, The Crux, on the horizon, psychedelic rock musician and Stranger Things star Djo (a.k.a. Joe Keery) hits the road across North America! Known globally for his role as Steve Harrington on Stranger Things, Djo's other' career as a musician has been no less successful, with NME Magazine likening his warped psychedelia to the likes of Tame Impala.
BOOK HERE

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
April 23
Merdian Hall
Don't miss the welcome return of Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, when they head out on a new tour in support of their newest record Wild God in 2024.
The weird and wonderful alternative Aussie rocker's live show has been described by Pitchfork as 'consistently exhilarating' as the ultimate, audience-loving frontman brings the snake-hipped charm and manages to deliver intimate performances to sell out arenas.
BOOK HERE

Best in comedy

Mo Amer
April 18 - 19
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Award winning Palestinian-American comedian, actor and writer Mo Amer heads out on tour around North America this year! The star of the semi-autobiographical Netflix series Mo, Amer's act often mines comedy from his personal experiences as a Palestinian refugee growing up in Texas, navigating the challenges of immigration with hilarious results. The Netflix show's critical acclaim, which includes a Peabody award and a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score, all but confirmed Amer's knack to connect comedy with poignant social commentary.
BOOK HERE

Sturnilo Triplets
April 14
Winter Garden Theatre
Three brothers, Mathew, Nicholas and Christopher make up the trio best known as the Sturniolo Triplets. Like many during the pandemic, these three brothers first rose to fame after uploading videos of themselves onto TikTok which has since snowballed. Five years on the boys have gained an audience of over nine million followers from all over the world, their videos undeniably hilarious.
BOOK HERE

Steve O
April 9
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Legendary Jackass star, actor and comedian Steve-O is hitting the road and he's bringing his bucket list with him. The last decade has seen him grow as a stand-up comedian and now he's on his way to bringing laughter to your doorstep. Get ready for a night of comedy and a screening of stunts that were too crazy to do on Jackass!
BOOK HERE

Nobody puts Baby in the corner

Dirty Dancing In Concert
April 5
Great Canadian Casino Resort
Celebrate the beloved story of Baby and Johnny as Dirty Dancing The Concert rolls into town! Featuring the movie played on a huge screen, a host of live singers and a live band, and an awesome encore party, experience the movie that defined a decade like never before! Released in 1987, Dirty Dancing takes us back to the early sixties, where Baby and her family are about to have the time of their lives at Kellerman's holiday camp.
BOOK HERE