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Urbanova Festival is Coming to Toronto This September. Here’s What You Need to Know

  • Writer: Camilla T
    Camilla T
  • Aug 4
  • 5 min read

Hi loves! It’s a new week on TravelwithCamillaT, and I have something exciting to share.


The newest destination for urban music is arriving this September.



I’m really excited for this one. It’s the kind of event you don’t want to miss if you’re into afrobeats, amapiano, and global sounds, or are looking for something lively to do during the Labour Day weekend. The lineup alone makes it intriguing, but it’s also the overall atmosphere. It feels like one of those events where everyone fully shows up ready to enjoy themselves and live in the moment. Let me walk you through everything you need to know before attending.





Where & When


Urbanova Fest will be happening in Toronto at the Markham Fairgrounds on September 5th and 6th.

It’s a full weekend experience, so definitely something you want to plan around in advance before going.

If you want to explore tickets or full details, you can check the official site here:


(Use code “CT” for $$$ off your tickets).


Tickets, Entry and What to Expect


To get in, you’ll need a valid ticket and a government issued photo ID that confirms the name on your ticket. The festival is for all ages, but those under 16 must be accompanied by a guardian. There are also zones exclusively for those 19 or older that require ID.


There are different ticket types depending on how you want to experience the weekend. General admission gives you access to the full festival grounds, performances, food vendors, and activations. VIP is more elevated, with premium areas and a more curated experience overall. Once you arrive, you will be given a wristband for the duration of the event upon entry.



What You’ll Experience


Urbanova isn’t just about the performances. It’s designed to be a fully engaging experience.


There will be multiple stages, food vendors, brand activations, and a variety of spaces to explore throughout the festival. It’s one of those events where you’re not just remaining in one place the whole time, you’re actually making your way around and taking everything in. My favorite part that I’m looking forward to is the content creator zone, of course, and all of the different photo opportunities. I already know I’m going to be planning looks for this and capturing immersive details throughout the weekend.


Who’s Taking the Stage


The lineup this year is quite diverse. Consisting of artists, DJs, and creators alike. Many of your favorites will be there. Davido, Swae Lee, DaBaby, Shenseea, Smiley, Ayo Maff, Sadboi, Stalk Ashley, and more are all set to perform across the weekend.


Personally, I’m most excited for Davido. That’s who I’m really looking forward to seeing live, as I’ll especially be tuning into the afrobeats scene. #Naijatotheworld He’ll be performing on the second day of the festival.



If you’re going mainly for the artists, this is where you’ll definitely want to grab your tickets early. And again, you can apply code “CT” for $$$ off.


Who are you most excited to see?

  • Davido

  • Swae Lee

  • Shenseea

  • I’m going for the experience


Festival Map


Before going, it’s always helpful to get familiar with the venue so you can plan your day and not miss anything.





Getting There, Parking and Transportation


Getting to the festival is pretty straightforward. Some of the options include paid on site parking and a designated rideshare drop off area, which makes it easy if you are taking Uber. If you are taking transit, you can use GO Transit, YRT, or Viva routes. There is also a shuttle option, which is one of the most convenient ways to get there.


They’re offering round trip shuttles from different parts of the Greater Toronto Area (Union Station, Square One, Scarborough Town Centre, and Vaughan Metropolitan Centre are all included). Pickup starts around 1 in the afternoon, and it brings you back at 11 pm afterward, so it aligns directly with the festival schedule.


Where to Stay


If you’re coming from outside Toronto or would love to make a full weekend out of it, there are a few options depending on your plans. Staying in Markham is naturally the closest and most convenient, as you’d only be a few minutes away from the grounds.


Richmond Hill or North York is a good middle option. They’re still close, but with more flexibility in terms of hotels.


Downtown Toronto is what I’d consider if you want the full experience. You get the restaurants, the ambiance, and overall city atmosphere, and then you can head to the festival each day. If you would love some hotel suggestions, you can let me know in the comments and subscribe to the newsletter, where I’ll be happy to provide some detailed recommendations.


What I’ll Be Wearing


I’ll be sharing my full festival looks soon, but think elevated, chic, and still practical for a full day of activations and walking. I’ve also been putting together a mood board for Urbanova with outfit ideas, textures, and overall aesthetic inspiration. One of my previous looks that I feel would be super chic for this, and that I'm thinking of wearing includes my ruffles and roses dress from Fashion Nova, a very loved look I styled and shared awhile ago on my socials, though I’ll likely be adding a leather jacket to it and some stylish boots for a more sleek look at the festival.


Food, Activations & What You Can Bring


There will be food vendors on site along with different activations and spaces to explore. You can bring small bags, a small chic handbag or clutch is what I’ll likely be bringing, which will work perfectly, empty reusable water bottles are permissible, your phone, sunscreen, and portable chargers. No outside food or drinks are allowed, and there are restrictions on things like drones and professional camera equipment unless media approved.


Also, fair note, this is a rain or shine event, so if you’re a fashionista like me and don’t want to ruin your outfit with a bulky rain jacket, I’d highly recommend getting a foldable rain poncho or a tiny umbrella that can come in handy if needed. I found some really lovely, compact ponchos that actually fold into a small pouch and fit perfectly into a tiny bag, so you don’t have to compromise your look while still being prepared.



Click the image to explore my curated picks.


*This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.


Vendors and Opportunities


One thing I like about this festival is that it’s not just about attendees. There’s also space for brands and businesses. They’re curating merch vendors, food vendors, and brand activations, so if you’re a fellow business owner, this could actually be a wonderful opportunity to take part in the event.


Stepping Into Urbanova


Overall, Urbanova Fest feels like one of those events that’s going to bring a lot of memorable energy to the city. It’s not just about the music, but an amalgamation of a vibrant atmosphere, the people, the looks, the moments, everything before the fall begins.


I’ll be covering the weekend in real time and sharing a full experience after, so if you’re curious what it’s actually like on ground, stay tuned for that.


For now, if you’re planning on going, make sure to secure your tickets early and use code “CT” for $$$ off.

More on TravelwithCamillaT


I’ll be sharing festival looks, updates, and a full breakdown after the event on my socials, and TravelwithCamillaT.com , so be sure to subscribe to the newsletter for more. Let me know in the comments if you’ll be attending this September. I can’t wait to see you there and share more with you soon.


Love,


Camilla-T. ✨

For collaborations and inquiries, feel free to reach out at contactcamilla.t@gmail.com.


7 Comments


JRC
Aug 07

Wow! Dope festival blog run down. I can see this blog being both guiding and hype building. Thats cool a blog post can do both!

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Camilla T
Camilla T
Aug 09
Replying to

Thank you so much 🤍 That was exactly my goal with this feature, to make it both informative and exciting. I hope you enjoy the festival if you decide to attend!

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Imperfectly Wabi Sabi
Aug 07

Ooooo a new festival to put on my radar!! Can't wait to check this out!

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Jasmine
Aug 04

I love a good music festival. This looks like it's going to be a blast and this is really informative!

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Camilla T
Camilla T
Aug 09
Replying to

It really does! ✨ I hope you enjoy reading the guide, and if you end up attending, I’d love to hear what you’re most excited for.

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Zara M.
Aug 04

This actually looks like such a fun weekend, wish I could go 😭

Like
Camilla T
Camilla T
Aug 09
Replying to

I do hope you get the chance to experience it one day ✨🤍

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