#FIRSTLOOK: DEPARTURE FESTIVAL + CONFERENCE TO RETURN IN 2026

Following a hugely successful inaugural year, the Departure Festival + Conference from Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group (OVG) returns May 4-10, 2026. Early bird conference and priority passes are on sale now at departureto.com. Hotel X Toronto will serve as the central hub for Departure’s Conference programming, while the Festival will expand across multiple venues throughout the city.

Now entering its second year, Departure remains a vibrant intersection of creativity, where artists from all disciplines and stages of their careers come together to inspire one another and celebrate their craft. While staying true to its roots in music, Departure continues to broaden its reach within the arts by embracing a wider range of creative expressions, including film, technology, comedy and culture.

Departure’s curated artist showcases serve as a launchpad for emerging and established talent to connect with industry professionals, fostering collaboration and discovery. Artists will receive a unique opportunity to perform in a top Toronto venue, an invitation to the exclusive Opening Night Party, access to Departure’s leading industry conference, inclusion in a vibrant alumni network, and more artist-only experiences. Artist and volunteer applications are now open at departureto.com, where additional event details are also available.

As a testament to Departure’s commitment to supporting artists, Departure will waive application fees and offer honorariums.

Conference and Priority Passes are $499 and $999 respectively, with prices set to increase February 24. Additional pass types will be on sale in the coming months.

Departure’s 2026 guest lineup will be announced in the coming months. In its inaugural year the festival featured guests such as Bryan Adams, Matty Matheson, Dave Chappelle, Dallas Green (City and Colour), Jessie Reyez, Shaggy, Tegan & Sara, Fefe Dobson, Mustafa, Tia Wood, Harland Williams, and many more.

About Loft Entertainment
Loft Entertainment invests in culture-defining talent and creative partners to tell their stories. Founded by industry veteran Randy Lennox in Summer 2023, Loft offers the world’s leading artists creative, strategic and business services across all artistic and commercial touchpoints in the music, film and media. Visit loftent.com.

About Oak View Group
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class-owned venues and a client roster of arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.