Born from an initiative by the Toronto punk band Fucked Up, Long Winter was founded in the fall of 2012 as a seasonal series to transcend the standard concert format.  Dense, eclectic rosters of local musicians and artists are programmed across multiple floors of a single venue, mixing subcultures and scenes in collaborative and immersive, choose-your-own adventure events.

For ten years, Long Winter has provided Toronto with a steady festival series each November - March. Our presentation of diverse, experimental music and art is open and welcoming, with as few barriers to access as possible. Long Winter’s events are ALL AGES and PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN.  In a standard season, we present over 200 artists, and we welcome audiences of nearly 5,000. Production sites have included the Art Gallery of Ontario (First Thursdays), the Galleria Mall, the Hearn Generating Station (Luminato 2016), Hot Docs Theatre, the Gladstone Hotel, and many other spaces.

Long Winter is programmed and organized by a networked collective of artists, curators, and community members from across the GTA.