Your Fall & Winter 2025 Live Music Guide

This past summer, my family and I leaned all the way into our love of live music — and what a season it was. From the energy of Arkells and Portugal. The Man, to classics like Collective Soul and Our Lady Peace, to unforgettable nights with Coldplay, Dave Matthews Band, Cage the Elephant, Oasis, The Lumineers, Hozier, Elbow, and Dan Mangan, we soaked up every note. Experiencing those shows together reminded me just how special it is to share music with the people you love — and how lucky we are to have so many incredible concerts just a short drive away.

One of the best parts of living in the GTA — whether you call Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, or Burlington home — is the constant stream of world-class entertainment right on our doorstep. Between now and the end of the year, the concert calendar is packed with chances to see global icons, indie darlings, and even a few intimate performances in smaller theatres close to home.

October: Fall kicks off with variety

Arena and stadium energy

• MANÁ — Vivir Sin Aire Tour (Latin rock) — Oct 4, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto

• Ice Cube — Truth to Power (hip-hop) — Oct 9, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto

• Sam Fender — People Watching Tour (indie rock) — Oct 3, Coca-Cola Coliseum, Toronto

• Laufey — A Matter of Time (jazz-pop) — Oct 19–20, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto

Theatre & club highlights

• Ludovico Einaudi — The Summer Portraits (neo-classical) — Oct 2, Massey Hall

• The Living Tombstone (electronic) — Oct 2, History, Toronto

• John Maus (indie) — Oct 1, Danforth Music Hall

Close to home

• Tom Morello — A Night of Stories & Music — Oct 18, Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts

• The Yacht Rock Show — Oct 25, Oakville Centre

• A.R. Rahman presents The Sunshine Orchestra — Oct 9, Hammerson Hall, Mississauga

• ABBA Revisited — Oct 10, Mississauga

November: Legends and tributes

• NY80: A Celebration of Neil Young — Nov 12, Massey Hall, Toronto

• Le Vent du Nord (folk) — Nov 7, Burlington Performing Arts Centre

• Some Enchanted Evening: A Celebration of Musical Theatre — Nov 15, Burlington Performing Arts Centre

December: Closing the year on a high note

• Raekwon & Mobb Deep (hip-hop) — Dec 2, History, Toronto

• Set It Off + Fame on Fire (alt-rock/pop) — Dec 1, Danforth Music Hall

• Damiano David (Måneskin frontman solo) — Dec 2, Toronto

• Classic Albums Live: Pink Floyd – Animals — Dec 18, Massey Hall

• Legends of Motown — Nov 29, Burlington Performing Arts Centre (holiday warm-up!)

Why this matters for our community

Live music is more than entertainment — it’s part of what makes our region such a vibrant place to live. Big names keep Toronto on the global stage, while local venues in Oakville, Burlington, and Mississauga offer evenings that feel truly personal. It’s this mix of world-class and close-to-home that makes life in Halton and the GTA so special.

Final notes

• Plan early: Many of these shows will sell out quickly.

• Mix your venues: Try one arena night and one smaller-hall show for a completely different vibe.

• Stay local: Supporting Oakville and Burlington venues means keeping live culture thriving right where we live.

✨ Whether you’re catching Ice Cube downtown, enjoying ABBA Revisited in Mississauga, or seeing Tom Morello share stories in Oakville, the fall and winter promise something for every taste.  And knowing how much joy my family found in music this past summer, you can bet we’ll be at a few of these shows ourselves.

👉 If you’d like more community spotlights like this — plus real estate insights, local news, and lifestyle highlights — subscribe to Through the Keyhole and never miss a beat.