One of the great things about summer in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is the concert schedule. Bands from all eras and all over the world come to town to play at many of our world-class concert venues, arenas and stadiums. Whether you’re into country and folk acts, classic rock bands, singer/songwriters or the latest K-Pop phenom…there’s always a show to take in!  But here’s the thing.  With so many concerts, sports events, and other seasonal attractions and events in the Toronto core, hotel room availability and excessive vehicle traffic can put a damper on that summertime spirit. So, here’s a creative solution: why not stay in Vaughan and explore new hassle-free ways of getting to see your favourite musical acts? 

There are multiple wonderful large concert arenas and stadiums throughout the GTA extending from the shoreline of Lake Ontario up to Downsview Park, and several modest venues scattered around the region for smaller touring acts. When the summer concert tours come through town, it’s certain that hotel rooms get booked, prices go up, restaurants get busier and traffic becomes congested. A smart solution may be to use Vaughan as your base of operations. By booking a hotel near the main public transportation corridors, you can reduce hassle, while still having the option to travel by car, GO Train, York Region Transit and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Subway.  

There are several hotels near TTC subway stations in Vaughan. Many local accommodations offer amenities such as free or affordable parking, electric vehicle charging, indoor pools or complimentary breakfast. Vaughan Metropolitan Centre subway station is only five stops from Downsview Park Station, providing easy access to Rogers Stadium and is about a 45-minute subway ride to Union Station where Scotiabank Arena and Rogers Centre are close by. Subways run every ten minutes or so, and you don’t even need to change lines. 

Residence Inn by Marriott (11 Interchange Way) and Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Vaughan (150 Interchange Way) are two of Vaughan’s most centrally located hotels, close to Canada’s Wonderland (1 Canada’s Wonderland Dr.), Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre (1 Bass Pro Mills Dr.) and The Sports Village (2600 Rutherford Rd.). For quick access to the subway, it’s also near the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre subway station.  

Monte Carlo Inn Vaughan Suites (705 Applewood Cres.) is located in the heart of the financial, commercial and retail district of Vaughan. It’s only a few blocks from the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre TTC Station, Vaughan Mills and Canada’s Wonderland. Just a couple of minutes further, you’ll find Homewood Suites by Hilton Toronto Vaughan (618 Applewood Cres.) and SpringHill Suites by Marriott Toronto (612 Applewood Cres.). The Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Vaughan (616 Applewood Cres.) is also set to open in summer 2026. 

Another option is the newly renovated Four Points by Sheraton (3400 Steeles Ave. W.). It’s here you’ll find yourself surrounded by several of Ontario’s most prominent destinations, including Canada’s Wonderland, Downtown Toronto, York University and Vaughan Mills Shopping Mall. This hotel is a short drive from Pioneer Village subway station, which is only three stops from Downsview and about 40 minutes from Union Station.   

If riding the subway isn’t to your concert-going taste, there are other options to get from Vaughan to your concert venue. Of course, driving is always an option, and depending on traffic, a trip from Vaughan should take less than an hour.  Another option is to hop aboard the GO Train, which can be caught at Maple GO Station (Major Mackenzie Dr.) or Rutherford GO Station (699 Westburne Dr.). Downsview Park is only a 15-minute train ride from Maple and a quick 10-minute ride from Rutherford. Taking the GO directly to Union Station is faster and more comfortable and will save you enough time to buy concert souvenirs before the show.  

Want to extend that wild concert feeling to a great meal near your hotel?  Then you must try Dave and Busters (120 Interchange Way). It’s the most fun you can have all under one roof, well aside from your concert! Enjoy great food and drink, play hundreds of awesome arcade games. It’s a restaurant, bar, and arcade – all in one! Then there’s St. Louis Bar and Grill (90 Edgeley Blvd). Since opening their first location in Toronto in 1992, St. Louis Bar and Grill has been dedicated to creating extraordinary chicken wing experiences for Canadians. If you find yourself staying closer to Pioneer Village subway station, and feel the need for a more ethnic food experience, try Sofra Istanbul (3330 Steeles Ave. W.) They offer a variety of traditional Turkish entrees and fresh and healthy Mediterranean delicacies.  

If you’re looking to get out and enjoy some live music on a warm summer evening, but prefer to stay local, the City of Vaughan has their 32nd annual Concerts in the Park series ready for the summer.  There are six free concerts on select Wednesdays all summer from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. See tribute shows for Bruno Mars, The Beach Boys, Taylor Swift, Stevie Nicks, Billy Joel and The Who.

Folks with an appreciation of classical music should be grabbing tickets to String in Bloom on June 26 at Bellvue Manor (8083 Jane St.). An 8-piece octet will be performing reimagined iconic songs by Canadian music legends. The evening is said to be refined and energizing, appealing to music lovers and a perfect idea for date night!

Check out our events calendar to see what else is on in Vaughan! Live music is a key part of many of the summer festivals in Vaughan. Don’t miss some of the events we look forward to every year!

• Thornhill Rib & Beer Fest from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7 (Promenade Shopping Centre, 1 Promenade Cir.)

• Festa d’Italia from Saturday, June 6 to Sunday, June 7 (Boyd Conservation Park, 8739 Islington Ave.)

• Lucky Lion Festival from Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 14 (Assembly Park, 80 Interchange Way)

• Asado Festival from Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28 (Assembly Park, 80 Interchange Way)

• Brew & BBQ on weekends in June (Canada’s Wonderland, 1 Canada’s Wonderland Dr.)

• Vaughan Latin Festival on Saturday, July 11 (Mackenzie Glen Park, 220 Cranston Park Ave.)

With amazing concert experiences happening all over the GTA and in Vaughan, all you need is a smart travel plan, a welcoming hotel, and a few delicious meal options to make your summer concert enjoyment a smash hit.   

Plan your concert-going experiences with a visit to visitvaughan.ca to explore hotel options, dining ideas, and convenient routes to get you to your concert venue with minimal hassle.

As you explore all that Vaughan has to offer, don’t forget to tag us at #VisitVaughan and follow us on Instagram at @visitvaughan!