How to do Toronto like a celebrity during TIFF

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Every September, Toronto transforms into Hollywood North, with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) bringing global premieres, red carpets and celebrity sightings to the city’s streets, bars and hotels. 

This year marks TIFF’s 50th edition, a milestone celebrating five decades of cinematic discovery, and as usual the city is playing host to loads of A-list talent from the likes of Angelina Jolie, Channing Tatum, Miles Teller, Kirsten Dunst and more.

For those looking to experience the festival like a celebrity, here’s where to dine and party in style. 

Where the stars stay 

The Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is synonymous with TIFF glamour. As Patrick Pollak, general manager, explained: “Four Seasons has a longstanding history with TIFF, and we are proud to once again be an official hospitality partner to mark the 50th edition milestone. Every year, the hotel showcases special programming and highly anticipated events for guests and festival attendees — this year is no exception.” 

For 2025, the spotlight is on history. “This year, we chose to collaborate with the TIFF Film Reference Library to showcase a selection of photos from the past five decades of the festival,” he noted. “For the first time, the exhibit will extend to the hotel exterior with a large-scale outdoor mural on Yorkville Avenue. We really felt this was the perfect partnership to commemorate the 50th edition, looking back at some of the key moments since the festival’s inception.” 

Guest privacy, of course, is paramount. “Ensuring guest privacy and comfort is at the heart of everything we do here at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto and remains one of the key reasons we are the hotel of choice and home away from home for so many in town for the festival,” Pollak shared. 

Other properties also buzz with star power. The Bisha Hotel is home to the Deadline Portrait Studio, where big names stop for official photoshoots. The Royal York’s Clockwork Bar attracts industry insiders, and the Park Hyatt’s Writer’s Room rooftop is a go-to for low-key glamour. 

Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen and Callum Turner attend the premiere of Eternity during the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on September 07, 2025.

Dine like a celebrity 

Celebrities need their fuel, and Toronto’s food scene steps up during TIFF. Sushi lovers gravitate toward Nobu, while cocktail aficionados head to Daphne, a sleek lounge that also hosts TIFF parties. For a Michelin-starred experience, DaNico delivers multi-course tasting menus. 

Celebrities such as Joe Jonas, Taylor Swift, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Reynolds and Zendaya have all previously dined at Akira Back, a high-end omakase restaurant inside the Bisha Hotel. Actress Amanda Seyfried has publicly praised Yorkville’s Sotto Sotto, and recently, the Toronto Star reported that Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland and Will Champion were spotted dining at the Michelin-starred Osteria Giulia in Yorkville during their July Rogers Stadium residency. 

Rooftop dining is a recurring theme during the festival. Henrietta at Kitchen 1, Lavelle, Evangeline at the Ace Hotel and the Park Hyatt’s Writer’s Room all bring skyline views with an elevated festival buzz. 

Classic steakhouse Jacobs & Co. remains a draw, while Harbour 60, fresh from a multi-million-dollar renovation, offers private dining rooms “perfect for sneaky exits for celebs,” noted Christian Wolters, president of Canada at Intrepid Travel. 

For those who want a more casual celebrity-in-the-city experience, Intrepid runs guided tours of Kensington Market. “It’s a great way to spend a day exploring the neighbourhood, discovering the best spots locals love, and hearing firsthand where people have seen stars during TIFF,” Wolters shared. 

And then there’s Café Boulud at the Four Seasons. This year’s collaboration between chefs Daniel Boulud and Rob Feenie highlights Canadian ingredients from coast to coast. 

Party like an insider 

If you want to keep the energy going long after the credits roll, the city offers plenty of after-hours action. 

“This year, TIFF has some pretty cool official spots to check out beyond the screenings,” Wolters said. “For late-night fun, TIFF After Dark at The Drake Hotel is the place to be — they’re open until 4 a.m. with a film-inspired cocktail menu, late-night snacks and live DJs.” 

The Campari Cinema Center on King Street West is another hotspot, which hosts interviews by day and turns into an exclusive after-party by night.

For those without a ticket, Festival Street offers an open-air entry point into TIFF’s buzz. “The energy on Festival Street and around David Pecaut Square is electric and you can spend the day just strolling through, taking in all the pop-ups, catching live activations, and maybe even spotting a celeb or two if you’re lucky,” Wolters said. 

Intrepid is in the thick of it with its Travel Box Office pop-up. “Whether you’re stepping into our ticket booth for a photo, taking a quiz to discover your travel style, or entering to win a small group trip to somewhere extraordinary like Morocco, Greece, Peru, or even right here in Canada, it’s all about sparking curiosity,” Wolters explained. 

Kirsten Dunst and Channing Tatum attend the premiere of Roofman during the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on September 06, 2025.

Watch like the stars 

Films remain at the heart of TIFF. Wolters highlighted Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao and starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, as well as Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein with Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, and Couture, with Angelina Jolie in a French-speaking role. 

TIFF’s 50th anniversary programming adds extra weight. “You’ve got TIFF Classics, bringing restored cinematic gems like Jaws and Sholay back to the big screen, and The TIFF Story in 50 Films, a curated series that reflects on the most defining moments in TIFF’s history,” Wolters said. 

And then there’s Midnight Madness, a program Intrepid sponsors. “Midnight Madness is where the wildest, boldest and most unforgettable films come to life at TIFF, and it all happens in the electric atmosphere of a midnight screening,” Wolters noted. “That intensity, that shared rush, mirrors the kind of energy we live for at Intrepid.” 

This year’s lineup includes seven world premieres and a cult comedy, Nirvanna the Band the Show: The Movie. 

Pamper like a celebrity 

Between screenings and soirées, pampering is essential. The Spa at Four Seasons Toronto, the only Forbes Five-Star spa in the city, offers treatments like the Red-Carpet Glam Facial and the Golden Glow Manicure. “Guests and locals can sip on signature cocktails from our special edition themed cocktail menu in d|bar by Chef Daniel Boulud — and of course, taking a stroll through the lobby to see all of the photos from this year’s exhibition,” Pollak suggested. 

For shopping, Yorkville’s luxury boutiques add a touch of TIFF glamour, while Kensington Market and the Ossington Strip are ideal for vintage finds.  

The last word 

For Wolters, TIFF’s enduring appeal comes from its mix of glamour and accessibility. “It’s one of those rare festivals where you don’t even need a ticket to feel like you’re a part of it,” he said. 

To experience the festival like a celebrity, keep track of pop-up events and official activations, arrive early at premieres and after-parties and explore key spots like Festival Street and David Pecaut Square. With a bit of planning, you can take in the energy of TIFF, enjoy the city’s offerings and feel connected to the festival — even if you’re not on the red carpet.