The Best Exhibitions Events in Toronto This Month: What’s Actually Worth Your Time

If you’ve been wondering why your weekends suddenly feel double‑booked, it’s because exhibitions events in Toronto are having a bit of a moment. Over 5,000 people are circling the same handful of shows this week alone, which means if you’re not at a market, a swap, or a cat convention, you’re probably hearing about one on the TTC.

Right now the city’s running on very specific obsessions. You’ve got the SOOS 2026 Show and Sale pulling in the plant and oddities crowd, Nerd Market 6 (on Sunday, February 8, 2026) tempting anyone who’s ever hoarded comics or retro games, and the 2026 Spring Tri Gear and Bike Swap drawing out every Lycra‑clad triathlete from the Lakeshore to Leaside. Over on the more old‑school side, the Model Railroad Club of Toronto Shows (Feb 1) are pure miniature‑world comfort, while TORONTO CATSTRAVAGANZA® is exactly what it sounds like: cat people, united in one giant feline fever dream. And if you’re into design, craft, or just want an excuse to browse something beautiful, the opening of the Ukrainian showroom from ETNIKA UA & SV.korali is the one that feels most like a quiet find rather than a full‑on circus.

The venues tell you everything about the vibe. Casa Loma is where things get dramatic and Instagram‑heavy (you don’t end up in a castle by accident), while the Metro Toronto Convention Centre South Building is peak convention energy: big crowds, big booths, and that ‘I might accidentally spend $300 today’ feeling. Even the more unglamorous addresses, like 11 Curity Avenue in industrial East York, are where the real discoveries happen — the kind of spots you only find out about from a friend who’s ‘got a guy.’

If you’re triaging your calendar, here’s the rough breakdown: book the big‑energy ones early (CATSTRAVAGANZA® and anything at MTCC will fill up fast), treat the SOOS Show and Sale and Nerd Market like your best bets for treasure‑hunting, save the Model Railroad Club shows for a slower day when you want cozy nostalgia, and keep the Ukrainian showroom opening on your list if you’re into thoughtful design and want something a little more low‑key and local. This is what discovery looks like in Toronto right now: a bit niche, a bit chaotic, and absolutely worth leaving the couch for.