Something Strange Sideshow Festival Returns to Toronto

Ready for an event that’s equal parts fascinating and unusual? The Something Strange Sideshow Festival – Oddities Market and Freakshow is returning to Toronto on January 26, 2025, promising a day of unique experiences. Hosted at Revival (783 College Street), this festival celebrates the art of the bizarre, with three floors of oddities, peculiar vendors, and a jaw-dropping evening performance by world-class sideshow entertainers.

Here’s everything you need to know about this one-of-a-kind event.

*Photo via Mysterion (@mysterion_themindreader) • Instagram*

What’s Happening at the Festival?

The festival is split into two parts, each offering something unique:

Oddities Marketplace (12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

Explore over 50 vendors showcasing the unusual and esoteric. Expect to find:

Antiques and rare collectibles.
Taxidermy, diaphonized animals, and formaldehyde displays.
Witchcraft items, old supernatural books, and occult curiosities.
Unique artwork, jewelry, and other strange finds.

Admission: $11 per person or $35 for a family pass.
This portion of the festival is open to all ages and includes mini performances throughout the day.

Freakshow Performances (8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.)

When night falls, the stage belongs to performers who defy the limits of the human body and imagination. Featuring talents from Canada, the U.S., and Europe, the show includes:

Dash Rippington, a Guinness World Record holder known as “The King of Animal Traps.”
Nathan McScary, who combines juggling, sideshow tricks, and fire performances.
The Painproof Princess, renowned for her fearless feats.
The World Famous Sentimentalists, masters of mentalism and illusion.
Scarlet Black, an acclaimed burlesque performer.

The evening show is 19+ only and offers limited seating, with standing room available once seats are filled.

Ticket Options:

$30 in advance
$40 at the door
VIP tickets for $50: Includes booth seating, a gift bag, and exclusive perks.

What to Expect

For the Daytime Marketplace:
Wander through an extraordinary shopping experience filled with rare finds and curiosities. This is a treasure trove for collectors, artists, and anyone with a love for the unusual.

For the Evening Freakshow:
Prepare for a performance unlike any other. You’ll see acts that challenge the boundaries of human endurance and creativity. From death-defying stunts to mind-bending illusions, this is an evening of pure wonder.

Event Highlights

Three floors of curiosities: Discover an array of vendors with items you won’t find anywhere else.
World-class performers: See talented individuals push the boundaries of physical and mental feats.
Interactive elements: Short performances during the marketplace and plenty of photo-worthy moments.

Plan Your Visit

Here are the essential details to help you plan your day:

Date: January 26, 2025
Location: Revival, 783 College Street, Toronto
Marketplace Hours: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Showtime: 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (19+ only)
Tickets:
- Oddities Marketplace: $11 per person, $35 family pass
- Evening Show: $30 advance, $40 at the door, $50 VIP tickets
Accessibility: Unfortunately, the venue is not wheelchair accessible.

Note

Details are subject to change at the organizer’s discretion. For the latest updates and ticket purchases, visit the official festival website.

Don’t miss this incredible celebration of the strange and unusual. See you at the festival!

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