Hair Shows in Toronto

Toronto's hair calendar is built around one big night, one summer expo and one spring trade show, which makes it easy to plan a year of learning and celebrating without leaving the city.

The Contessa Awards are the standout, returning to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre each November to honour Canada's top hairstylists, barbers, makeup artists and nail artists. In summer, the Toronto Barber Expo: Hairfest takes over the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto for four days of barber battles, stage education, business talks and a trade floor, with the public welcome. Each April, the ESI Show Toronto adds hair education and products to its wider beauty and spa programme at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Together, these events give stylists and barbers a chance to compete, shop, learn and celebrate Canadian talent.

Every hair show in Toronto is listed below with dates, venues and who can attend, so you can plan your season.

Getting there

Fly into Toronto Pearson and take the UP Express to Union Station for downtown venues. The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is next to the CN Tower and linked to Union Station by the PATH. For Hairfest, the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto sits in Etobicoke near Woodbine and is a short drive from Pearson.

Where to stay

For the Contessa Awards, a downtown hotel near the convention centre makes the evening simple, and many guests book close by so they can walk back after the celebrations. For Hairfest, the airport hotels are the closest option.

Making the most of Toronto hair events

• Enter the Contessa Awards early. Entries close well before the ceremony.
• Bring your kit and a model if you plan to compete at Hairfest.
• Plan your outfit. The Contessa Awards are a glamorous evening.
• Use the ESI Show to stock up on products and pick up spring education.