📷 Cover photo: cars on display at an indoor auto show, by Jason Leung (Unsplash), Unsplash License
🚗 Travel guide
Canadian International AutoShow 2027 in Toronto: dates, getting there and where to stay
🚗 Every February, the biggest consumer auto show in Canada takes over the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, right at the foot of the CN Tower. The Canadian International AutoShow set an attendance record in 2026 with nearly 375,000 visitors, and the 2027 edition runs from Friday, February 12 to Sunday, February 21. Car fans drive in from across Ontario, Quebec and the northern United States, and the two weekends, plus Family Day on Monday, February 15, are when downtown hotels fill up fastest. Here are the dates, how to get there, and the neighbourhoods where it makes sense to stay.
🗓️ February 12 to 21, 2027 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West (media day on February 11)
🚆 A short walk from Union Station, the hub for the TTC subway, GO Transit, VIA Rail and the UP Express from Pearson
👨👩👧 Family Day falls on Monday, February 15, 2027: expect the busiest long weekend of the show
🛏️ Stay in the Entertainment District or downtown to walk in, in King West or Liberty Village for the evenings
🎟️ Things to book while you're in town
The show easily fills a day, but most out-of-town visitors stay for the weekend. Three experiences pair well with it: the CN Tower, a five-minute walk from the convention centre, for the view over Lake Ontario; a guided tour of Toronto to get your bearings on the first evening; and a day trip to Niagara Falls, spectacular in winter when the mist freezes on the trees along the gorge.
🗼 CN Tower tickets 🚶 Toronto city tours 💦 Niagara Falls day trips
🗓️ AutoShow 2027 dates
According to the official website, the Canadian International AutoShow 2027 runs from Friday, February 12 to Sunday, February 21, 2027 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, with a media day on Thursday, February 11. That gives visitors ten public days, including two full weekends and the Family Day holiday on Monday, February 15.
Opening hours and ticket prices for 2027 have not been published yet: check the official site before you go. In past editions, the show has used both the North and South buildings of the convention centre, and offered evening-only and family tickets, as well as a combined GO Transit and AutoShow ticket for visitors coming from the suburbs.
Each year, the show brings together the latest models from the major automakers, electric and hybrid vehicles you can compare side by side, and special displays of classic and exotic cars that draw collectors from across North America. The exhibitor list and special features for 2027 will be announced closer to the date: follow the official site in January before planning which days to attend.
🛏️ The Family Day long weekend
🚆 Getting there
The convention centre sits on Front Street West, between Union Station and the CN Tower. From Union Station, it is a short indoor walk along the SkyWalk, which is a real advantage in February. Union is served by TTC subway Line 1, GO trains and buses from across the region, VIA Rail from Montreal and Ottawa, and the UP Express from Toronto Pearson airport.
If you drive, parking at the convention centre is first come, first served, and fills early on weekends. Nearby lots run by Green P and private operators are an alternative, but downtown traffic on a Saturday in February can be slow: if you are coming from out of town, it is often easier to leave the car at your hotel and walk or take transit.
🏙️ Entertainment District and the waterfront: walk to the show
The most convenient base is the Entertainment District, the blocks around King and John Streets just north of the convention centre. You can walk to the show in a few minutes, go back to the hotel between halls, and spend the evening in the theatres, restaurants and bars of King Street West. The CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada and the Rogers Centre are all within a few minutes.
Just south, the Harbourfront along Queens Quay offers lake views and a slightly quieter feel, still within walking distance of Front Street. Both areas are popular with conference visitors, so book early for the weekends.
🛏️ Entertainment District 🛏️ Harbourfront
🍸 King West and Liberty Village for the evenings
West of Spadina Avenue, King West is one of the liveliest neighbourhoods in the city, with converted warehouses, restaurants and cocktail bars. A little further west, Liberty Village has newer hotels and apartments, popular with groups of friends. Both are a streetcar ride along King Street from the convention centre, or a brisk 20 to 30 minute walk.
These areas work well if the show is part of a longer weekend in Toronto: you get a neighbourhood feel in the evening, and the convention centre is still close in the morning. Our guide to things to do in Toronto has more ideas for the rest of your stay.
🛏️ King West 🛏️ Liberty Village
🛍️ Yorkville and the Financial District
For a more upscale stay, Yorkville, around Bloor Street, is Toronto's luxury shopping and dining district, with direct subway access to Union Station on Line 1. It is also next to the Royal Ontario Museum, a perfect plan for a cold afternoon: see our guide to the Royal Ontario Museum.
The Financial District, between King and Front Streets east of the convention centre, is packed with business hotels that are often quieter and better value on weekends, when the office crowd is gone. It is connected to the PATH, the underground walkway network, so you can reach Union Station without stepping outside.
🛏️ Yorkville 🛏️ Financial District
✈️ Near the airport or in Mississauga
If you are flying in, or driving from the west and want to avoid downtown traffic, the hotels around Toronto Pearson and in Mississauga are a practical alternative. The UP Express links Pearson and Union Station in about 25 minutes, and many airport hotels offer free or cheaper parking. It is a good option for a weekday visit, when you can avoid the weekend crowds at the show.
🛏️ Pearson airport area 🛏️ Mississauga
💡 Tips for your visit
The two Saturdays and the Family Day long weekend are the busiest days. If you can, visit on a weekday: the floors are calmer and it is easier to sit in the cars and talk to the brand representatives. Buy your tickets online before you go, wear comfortable shoes, and plan a full day if you want to see both buildings.
February in Toronto is cold: bring a warm coat for the walk between your hotel and the show, or choose a hotel connected to the PATH. And keep an eye on our Toronto events calendar for concerts, games and exhibitions the same weekend.
💰 Budget and when to book
Accommodation is the biggest cost, and it varies a lot between a Tuesday night and the Family Day weekend. Book as soon as you know your dates, ideally with free cancellation, and compare the same neighbourhood on two different nights before deciding. Prices are in Canadian dollars, with taxes added depending on the property.
Add show tickets, transit or parking, and meals. Coming by GO Transit or VIA Rail and staying near Union Station often saves more than you would expect on parking.
🛏️ Compare: a weeknight 🛏️ Compare: a Saturday
❓ Frequently asked questions
🗓️ When is the Canadian International AutoShow 2027?
From Friday, February 12 to Sunday, February 21, 2027, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, according to the official website. Media day is on Thursday, February 11.
📍 Where is the Toronto AutoShow held?
At the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West, between Union Station and the CN Tower, in downtown Toronto.
🚆 How do I get to the AutoShow by transit?
Take the TTC subway, GO Transit, VIA Rail or the UP Express to Union Station, then walk to the convention centre along the SkyWalk.
🛏️ Where should I stay for the AutoShow?
In the Entertainment District or near Union Station to walk to the show, in King West or Liberty Village for the evenings, in Yorkville or the Financial District for a quieter stay, or near Pearson airport if you are flying in.
👨👩👧 Is the AutoShow busy on Family Day?
Yes. Family Day falls on Monday, February 15, 2027, and the long weekend is one of the busiest periods of the show. Visit on a weekday if you can.
Partner links: My OT Life may earn a commission on bookings, at no extra cost to you. Experiences offered by GetYourGuide: ratings, reviews, availability and cancellation terms on each listing. 2027 dates and 2026 attendance from the official Canadian International AutoShow website; hours and ticket prices for 2027 not yet published; travel times are indicative.