Gearing up for some celebrity spottings? We’re making things easier by narrowing down all the TIFF 2016 parties you need to know about – some are private, while some are public but all are likely to have a couple of A-listers in tow.

It’s that time of year again! No not Pumpkin Spice season – it’s TIFF time. And you know what that means: celebrity sightings galore. Usually, our beautiful Toronto metropolis is an awkward teenager just trying to fit in, but the city’s practically blushing with anticipation as our annual close up nears. With all these exclusive parties, post-premiere events, and of course, attractive attendees, Toronto will undoubtedly be catapulted to cool kid status – at least for ten days.

Here’s Vv Magazine’s guide to all the TIFF parties you need to know about this year – some open to the public, some with ticket prices larger than your rent and some exclusive VIP parties.

TIFF Soiree
Sept. 7, 2016
Kicking off the annual Toronto Film Festival in style is the TIFF Soirée celebration, where acclaimed actor Michael Fassbender will be the special guest of honor. In addition to this special onstage conversation, guests can enjoy a spectacular rooftop party with cocktails, appetizers, and a beautiful view of the Toronto skyline. While the event is open to the public, tickets are on the pricier side, starting at $300 per person.
Location: The TIFF Bell Lightbox
Open to the public

The AMBI Gala
Sept. 7, 2016
Another event that kicks off the start of TIFF is the AMBI Gala. For its second year, the event hosts are James Franco and Prince Albert II of Monaco and will see Martin Short as the Master of Ceremonies, Earth, Wind and Fire as the musical guest and William Baldwin as the live auctioneer. The white tie event is open to the public, though tickets are going for a whopping $2500 per person. It’s just the price you pay to party with the stars and get your hands on auction items like a celebrity cast party with James Franco and Selena Gomez or a voice-over role in an animated film.
Location: The Ritz-Carlton
Open to the public

Maison Moet
Sept. 8, 2016
This year, Moet & Chandon will launch Maison Moet, the perfect stop for A-listers to drop in for a glass of champagne. Opening night will feature music spun by DJ Hannah Bronfman and obviously, free flowing bubbly.
Location: La Maquette
Private event

Toronto Life Best Dressed
Sept. 8, 2016
It’s TIFF’s most fashionable annual event where Toronto Life releases their Stylebook and honours our city’s most stylish people. Attended by the city’s most fashionable and VIP people, it’s an event nobody wants to miss. This year’s sponsors include UNIQLO, The Estee Edit, John Varvatos, Momofuku, and Thermage.
Location: Momofuku
Private event

TIFF 2015 — Toronto Life Best Dressed, Image: George Pimentel Photography

SHARP + S/ Festival Experience
Various dates
For 10 days, S/ and Sharp Magazine will be taking over the pop-up space at King and Blue Jays Way. During the span of the takeover, expect private press junkets, exclusive invite-only parties including the S/ Fall Issue launch party and SHARP Book for Men party, plus a film gallery that will be open to the public.
Location: 357 King St. W
Private parties + public film galleries

Mongrel House
Various dates
Taking over the historic Campbell House Museum again is Mongrel Media and Mongrel International. For seven nights, the house will host parties for films like Personal Shopper, I, Daniel Blake, and Paterson. Aside from a slew pre and post-premiere parties, Mongrel House will also host their famed Opening Night party.
Location: Campbell House Museum
Private events

TIFF at the Drake and Drake One Fifty
Various dates
This year, the Drake Hotel is bringing L.A. to Toronto in celebration of TIFF. Neal Fraser, one of L.A.’s hottest chefs will give Torontonians the chance to taste dishes from Redbird at Drake One Fifty on September 13th, and on the 14th, the Drake Hotel will feature dishes from Fraser’s healthy, haute hot dog spot Fritzi Dog. Both locations will also feature TIFF-inspired cocktails. Partywise, The Drake Hotel’s always-popular celebration with DJ collective A Club Called Rhonda will bring a house, electro and disco dance party to the city on September 15th ($10 cover). And Drake One Fifty will host an L.A.-influenced art show dubbed FOMO on September 18th.
Location: The Drake Hotel and Drake One Fifty
Open to the public

Villa Azur TIFF Pop-Up
Sept. 8-11, 2016
Bringing the South Beach dining experience to Toronto is Villa Azur, who has transformed the fourth floor of on of Toronto’s top members-only clubs, The Spoke Club. For four days only, brunches, champagne, bottle service, fashionable crowds and world renowned DJs will be the norm.
Location: The Spoke Club
Private events

HYDE x WILDFLOWER
Sept. 8-11, 2016
After a successful stint during NBA All-Star weekend, HYDE MIAMI is gearing up for another luxury pop-up at WILDFLOWER. The garden pop-up promises to be a hotspot for celebrity spottings and bring a touch of South Beach to the city, with 4am last call. The line-up of DJs includes Damaged Goods (resident DJ at HYDE MIAMI) and veteran vinyl DJS Simon Jain and George Chaker.
Location: WILDFLOWER at the Thompson Hotel
Open to the public

Producers Ball
Sept. 9, 2016
The 6th annual Producers Ball, which typically sees a wide-range of Canadian talent and Hollywood industry folk, will once again be hosted by those good-looking bros (a.k.a. the Property Brothers).
Location: IT House x Producers Ball (128 Peter St.)
Private Event

Vega Shake Up
Sept. 9, 2016
While most TIFF parties happen after dark, Wake up, Shake Up presented by Vega starts in the wee hours of the morning… 6:30 am to be exact. Hosted by YouTuber Lauren Toyota, the morning will consist of a sweat-inducing boot camp led by the city’s top fitness instructors, a backyard dance party, and of course, some healthy and delicious bites. RSVP is required.
Location: The Addisons Residence Backyard Patio
Open to the public

Festival Street
Sept. 10-13, 2016
King Street West between Peter and University Streets will be closed to vehicular traffic and transformed into a pedestrian paradise with interactive installations, free for all to enjoy. Though there’ll be musical performances throughout the days, make sure you’re there for Pharrell’s free performance on September 10th!
Location: King Street West
Open to the Public

Bovet 1822 Artists for Peace and Justice 2016 Festival Fair
Sept. 11, 2016
Celebrating its 8th year at the film festival, this benefit brings awareness to Paull Haggis’ Artists for Peace and Justice, an international charity that funds youth education, health and dignity initiatives in Haiti. This year, the event’s hosts are Maria Bello, Jeremy Renner, Catherine Keener, Paul Haggis, Pascal Raffy and George Stroumboulopoulos, who will be honouring Sean Penn. Expect lots of celebrity surprises at this event!
Location: Casa Loma
Private event

Canadian Film Centre BBQ
Sept. 11, 2016
The Canadian Film Centre throws an annual BBQ to honour Canadian film and raise funds to keep it going strong. One of the best parties during TIFF, the BBQ features the who’s who of Canadian film, media, and VIPs.
Location: CFC
Private event

Hayward Parrott, CFC Founder and Chair Emeritus Norman Jewison and Pat Di Bratto. (Image: Tom Sandler Photography)

HELLO! Magazine 10^th Anniversary Red Carpet Soirée
Sept. 11, 2016
Get out your phone cameras ’cause Canadian and international A-list talent will walk the red carpet to celebrate HELLO! Canada’s 10th anniversary at the Thompson Toronto followed by a cocktail soiree.
Location: Thompson Toronto
Private event

Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year’s Women in Film
Sept. 12, 2016
This one’s for the ladies! Telefilm Canada and Birks will pay tribute to 12 Canadian women in film at the Shangri-La. The honourees of 2016 include directors Tracey Deer, Ann Marie Fleming, April Mullen, Léa Pool and Ann Shin; actors Amanda Crew, Caroline Dhavernas, Christine Horne, Sandra Oh and Jennifer Podemski; as well as scriptwriters Emma Donoghue and Marie Vien.
Location: Shangri-La
Private event

Annual TIFF Private Dinner Party
Sept. 12, 2016
Col Needham, Founder & CEO of IMDb, is hosting his annual dinner party which is held exclusively for industry elites. The party will host Amazon Studios executives Roy Price and Ted Hope, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, President of the Academy (AMPAS), film festival programmers, actors and many more.
Location: Brassaii
Private event

Canadian Cinema Editor’s Party
Sept. 12, 2016
Join the Canadian Cinema Editors for their Annual TIFF at the Gladstone Hotel Ballroom for a night of fun. CCE members will enjoy a free drink and some delicious nibbles will be provided. Admission is free.
Location: The Gladstone Hotel
Open to the public

Festival Music House
Sept. 12, 2016
This one-night-only event gives film and television industry tastemakers the opportunity to explore Canada’s music scene. Going on its 7th year and hosted by Kardinal Offishall, this year’s invite-only event includes performances by Dragonette, Jessy Lanza, Charlotte Day Wilson and Modern Space.
Location: Velvet Underground
Private event

Eligible Magazine’s TIFF Bachelor Party
Sept. 16, 2016
Bachelor obsessed? You’re in luck! For one night only, you’ll be able to meet Bachelor stars Robby Hayes, Vinny Ventiera, Jared Haibon, Brett Melnick and Tenley Molzhan. VIP tickets ($50) allow holders to have their photos taken with the Bachelors and will include a complimentary cocktail, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and admittance to the Soft Lips party. Doors are also open for general admission ($20). Purchase tickets here.
Location: The Everleigh
Open to the public

Nocturnal Animals at the Gardiner Museum
Undisclosed
Designer and director Tom Ford will be in town to celebrate his film, Nocturnal Animals. The party will take place at the Gardiner Museum and will, without a doubt, be one of the more fashion-forward evenings of TIFF. The film stars Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal, so expect them in attendance.
Location: Gardiner Museum
Private event