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The Toronto Burlesque Festival is set to return for its 14th year with a four-night program titled REVERIE, running from November 12 through 15, 2026 at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre on Alexandra Street in Toronto.
The program will bring together more than 50 burlesque artists from around the world for four themed evenings of burlesque, cabaret and drag performance, continuing the festival’s long-standing focus on diversity, inclusivity, body positivity and artistic expression.
Four Nights, Four Themes
Each evening of REVERIE has been built around its own distinct identity, with a curated program designed to guide audiences through different facets of the art form.
Opening night carries the title Joyful Rebellion and will begin with a cocktail reception accompanied by live jazz, before moving into a program centred on resistance, pleasure and the power of choosing joy.
The second night, Wit & Whimsy, pairs a vibrant vendors’ marketplace with performances that aim to blur the boundaries between mischief and magic.
Saturday’s program, Gilded Glamour, will focus on elaborate costumes and spectacle.
The closing event, Through the Looking Glass, takes a different approach. It will pair a high tea brunch with a performance showcase and a Lunch & Learn conversation featuring Burlesque Hall of Famer Lovey Goldmine, giving audiences a chance to engage directly with the history and legacy of the art form.
International Headliners
The 2026 headliner lineup brings together performers from across North America.
Lou Lou la Duchesse de Riere, the Montreal-based Afro-Indigenous Burlesque Performer and 2022 Miss Exotic World titleholder, will feature alongside Chicago Cabaret Performer Jeez Loueez, a two-time Number One Burlesque Figure.
Jezebel Express, an International Burlesque Performer whose career spans New York and Newfoundland, will also appear. Rounding out the headliners is Lovey Goldmine, a Burlesque Hall of Famer whose career has stretched across five decades.
The full lineup of performers beyond the headliners is expected to follow in the coming weeks.
Workshops And Community Programming
Beyond the stage performances, the festival will also present two days of public workshops led by headliners and featured artists.
The sessions are designed to be accessible to both newcomers and longtime followers of burlesque, offering attendees the chance to learn directly from performers who are actively shaping the direction of the art form.
The workshop program reflects a broader philosophy that has underpinned the Toronto Burlesque Festival since its inception. The event has consistently positioned burlesque not simply as entertainment, but as a vehicle for individuality, confidence, storytelling and community building.
Tickets And Access
The Toronto Burlesque Festival runs November 12 to 15, 2026 at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexandra Street, Toronto.
Tickets range from $52 to $232. A livestream option is available at $21 per show or $77 for all four nights.
An early bird discount of 15 per cent is available using the code TBFEARLYBIRD until August 31.
Further details and tickets are available at www.torontoburlesquefestival.ca.
