The Toronto Vintage Show is back: 7 tips for attending Canada’s biggest vintage event
Toronto's biannual vintage show and sale is back April 6 and 7, 2024. Here's what you need to know about attending
Ed. note: This article was originally published on Sept. 25, 2023 and has been updated for the Spring 2024 show.
Hunting for a vintage letterman jacket, a one-of-a-kind wedding-guest dress or a mid-century end table? You’ll find it all at Canada’s biggest biannual vintage show, which returns to Toronto for its spring 2024 edition on April 6 and 7.
It’s a veritable treasure chest of vintage goodies at The Toronto Vintage Show and the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show: More than 130 vendors pack into 50,000 square feet of floor space at the Queen Elizabeth Building at Exhibition Place selling everything from vintage clothing, streetwear, jewellery and accessories to advertisements and art, kitchenware, home goods, small furniture and decor, records and more.
Heading into the summer season, shoppers can expect to find lots of seasonal wares: sundresses, cocktail attire, summer rompers, bow ties, blazers, barware and patio entertaining gear will all be on deck.
The show, now in its 12th year, is a special one, says Andrea Lalonde, founder of Toronto’s Nouveau Riche Vintage. It's a mix of newer vendors as well as established dealers — and some of the sellers on the show floor only come out for this particular event.
“There are vendors who hold 50 years of knowledge," she says. "These people know a lot and have stuff that’s really old and really special.”
The event is, indeed, a “show” in addition to a marketplace: vendors pull out all the stops for their booth setups and many bring their “show pieces” — rare, museum-quality and collector items as well as gems that have appeared on the silver screen. It’s like a living history museum and market all in one.
To that end, there is an admission fee for the show of $15 (sign up for the Toronto Vintage Show’s email list to get $2 off admission).
But there are more than showstoppers. Part of the Toronto Vintage Show’s appeal is the wide cross-section items available at high and low price points. For every collectible Madonna True Blue–era tour T-shirt or Netflix-starring ’50s ball gown, there’s an affordable ’60s-era box clutch or a sweet set of milk-glass vases.
7 top tips for attending the vintage show
1. Make a day of it.
Vintage lovers turn out in some pretty fabulous looks for the show, but be warned: the venue has concrete floors, and, especially if you’re visiting every vendor, it can take hours to move through the event. Still want to wear your 1960s heeled mary janes? Pack a pair of flats or sneakers.
“Treat it like a hike,” says Andrea of Nouveau Riche Vintage. Dress comfortably, and bring a fuelling snack (there is very limited food onsite) and water. Plan to be there for at least half a day or longer — you’re paying admission, so make the most of it.
2. Don’t be intimidated!
Vintage is for everyone, and indeed, there is something for everyone at this show. Several clothing vendors specialize in inclusive sizing and many arrange their inventory by colour, size or discovery — not by gender.
Vendors want you to come in and explore their booths, even if it’s got furniture that says “please don’t sit on without assistance.” Walk in and see the pieces up close — that’s what you’re there for!
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3. If you plan to shop for clothes, wear a tight under-layer.
A few clothing vendors feature pop-up change rooms in their booths, but otherwise, you need to try things on in the communal fitting rooms. A thin, tight layer of clothes means you can easily pull stuff on in a booth.
If you do need to try clothing on in the communal fitting rooms, which are located at the back of the venue, you’ll be asked by the vendor to leave a piece of collateral (ID or credit card) when you take the piece out of the booth.
It can be difficult to remember which aisle the booth you took the clothing from is when you return from the fitting room.
Andrea at Nouveau Riche Vintage advises when you leave a booth for the fitting room, to make note of something at the end of the aisle as a marker to get back.
4. Ask questions.
Vendors are busy at the show, but never too busy to answer questions from shoppers! If you are curious if they have more information about a piece, or want to know something about history or provenance, ask them! They are friendly and kindness goes a long way.
5. Bring cash.
There are ATMs on site and most vendors accept credit and debit via Square. But cash is always preferred. The venue is accessible by TTC but if you’re driving, you must pay if you park in the CNE grounds lots near the building (usually a $20 show rate), as well as the show admission fee.
6. Limit the negotiations.
Vendors spend a lot of time collecting and preparing for this show — they source all year long, reserving their best pieces, and then spend weeks mocking up their booths and organizing inventory before a full day of setup pre-show. It’s not a garage sale. Prices are as marked.
If you do need to ask if there’s wiggle room, we advise you to do it politely (i.e. an item is listed for $155 and you say, “I’m wondering if you could do $150”) and respect the decision if the vendor says no.
If you’re at the show in the final couple of hours of the second day (Apr. 7), you may find some items marked down or vendors more willing to move on price. Don't expect deals on the museum-quality pieces.
7. Share your experience!
Chances are, you're going to pick up some fabulous pieces with that much to choose from in one room.
“Share your finds on social media,” suggests Catherine Knoll, organizer of the Toronto Vintage Show.
“Vendors at any show put a lot of time, energy and love into sourcing amazing items. Spread the good vibes on social media. It makes them so happy to see happy customers!”
Tag the sellers when you post and they’ll likely reshare.
See tips and highlights from past shows:
Check our Story Highlights on our Instagram page for more insider tips, plus coverage from the show!
