North By Northeast 2026
After more than three decades of launching careers, North by Northeast (NXNE) is gearing up for another edition that promises to deliver the raw, club-crawling energy the festival has always been known for. Running June 10–14, 2026, across more than 30 Toronto venues, NXNE remains the definitive stage for artists on the cusp of breaking through.
What Is NXNE?
Founded in 1995 and modelled after Austin's South by Southwest, NXNE has long been Canada's answer to the discovery festival format. The concept is simple and effective: pack hundreds of emerging artists into the city's best live music rooms over five nights, give industry insiders and fans equal access, and let the music speak for itself.
Over the years, the festival has served as the launching pad for artists now dominating stages worldwide. Lizzo, Daniel Caesar, The Lumineers, Grimes, The Weeknd, Run the Jewels, Arkells, Feist, Billy Talent, and Mac DeMarco all played NXNE before their names meant anything outside of music circles. That track record of discovery is the festival's most powerful selling point — and its enduring promise.
The 2026 Edition
This year's lineup is taking shape, with organizers unveiling the first 100 confirmed artists for the June run. The inaugural announcement includes Exclaim! Class of 2025 alumnus Accelerant, alongside Altered by Mom, BBQ Pope, Amber Jo-Bowman, Bella Rosa, Black Paint, CHASE THE BEAR, Decafwolf, Deer Fang, Gaby De Los Santos, Lila Gray, Nate & the Busy Boys, Plus!, STICKS N STONES, the Hausplants, Whitney Fenimore, worry, and many more.
The festival's Club Land format keeps the focus squarely on intimate venue performances, with each artist playing tight, high-energy 40-minute sets. It's the kind of format that strips away the production spectacle of stadium shows and puts the music front and centre.
Venues and Access
NXNE 2026 will take place across 30-plus Toronto venues, with shows concentrated in the city's downtown core. Legendary rooms like The Horseshoe Tavern, The Rivoli, Garrison, Sneaky Dee's, The Baby G, The Hideout, and others have historically formed the backbone of the Club Land experience, offering fans the chance to see tomorrow's headliners from just a few feet away.
Festival wristbands provide priority access to all club shows and are available now starting at $49 — a remarkable value given the volume of performances across the five-day run.
The event is 19+ for club shows.
Why NXNE Matters to the Canadian Music Industry
For artists, NXNE remains one of the most visible platforms to connect with tagging journalists, bookers, managers, and label reps all in one place. For industry professionals, it's a five-day snapshot of where Canadian and international music is heading.
The festival's long-standing commitment to diversity and gender equity in its programming — through partnerships including the Keychange Gender Diversity Pledge — also sets it apart as a values-driven event, not just a commercial showcase.
SXSW, which holds a minority ownership stake in NXNE, has always maintained the Toronto festival as a complementary discovery event to its Austin counterpart, giving emerging Canadian artists a pathway to broader North American exposure.
Plan Your Visit
- Dates: June 10–14, 2026
- Location: Multiple venues across Toronto
- Tickets: Wristbands from $49 at nxne.com
- Age Restriction: 19+ for club shows
- Full Lineup: Available and growing at nxne.com
Whether you're a music fan looking to get ahead of the curve, an industry pro scouting talent, or a journalist tracking the next big thing, NXNE 2026 is five days worth clearing your calendar for.