‘Reverie’: Toronto Burlesque Festival brings over 50 artists to the stage in two weeks
From 12 to 15 November, the Toronto Burlesque Festival holds its 14th edition at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. The line-up is set: four themed nights, guests from North America and Europe.
Archive image · Photo: Aleks.radna / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (cropped and resized)
The Toronto Burlesque Festival is entering its 14th edition. From 12 to 15 November 2026, it will present four nights of burlesque, cabaret and drag with more than 50 artists at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in Toronto, plus two days of public workshops. The theme is “Reverie”, and the venue promises “a world beyond the ordinary”.
Each night has its own theme: “Joyful Rebellion” for the opening with live jazz, “Wit & Whimsy”, “Gilded Glamour” on Saturday and “Through the Looking Glass” for the Sunday finale. The festival's headliners are Lou Lou la Duchesse de Rière from Quebec, Miss Exotic World 2022; Jeez Loueez from New Orleans and Chicago; Jezebel Express from New York and Newfoundland; and Burlesque Hall of Fame member Lovey Goldmine from Las Vegas, who will also host a closing “Lunch & Learn”.
Most performers come from Canada and the United States, with individual guests travelling from London and Zurich. One detail of the programme stands out: every night features deaf music performers, billed by the festival as “Deaf Music Performer”. Those unable to travel to Toronto can also follow the shows via livestream, according to the organisers.