The biggest night in Hollywood is back this weekend, and Toronto has plenty to root for! Brendan Fraser, who went to school in Toronto, earned a Best Actor nomination for his role in The Whale, while director and writer Sarah Polley’s Women Talking is in the running for both Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture. Everyone’s favourite animator, Domee Shi, received a Best Animated Feature nomination for the Toronto-centric Turning Red, and director Daniel Roher is up for Best Documentary Feature thanks to his film Navalny, which follows Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny. Why not cheer them on with the rest of the city at an Oscars watch party this weekend?
Live Oscars broadcast with Hot Docs
Is the red carpet your favourite part of watching the Oscars? Walk your own this weekend thanks to Hot Docs’ free screening of the award show! You’re welcome to come in your best evening wear or your best evening sweatpants to stroll the carpet (beginning at 6:30 p.m.) before enjoying the show at 8 p.m. Before it begins, place bets on who you think will be winning and then get ready to root for Toronto!
A GLB Brewpub Oscar night
GLB Brewpub is cooking up a pretty great Oscars night this Sunday for those who like to treat watching the Oscars like watching a movie. The pub will be showing the award show with the sound on and offering free popcorn so that you can really get your movie on. There will also be “Guess the Winners” ballots with some fun prizes for those who guess right, and some drinks and burger specials to really sweeten the deal. Entry is free and while there will be walk-ins, reserving a table in advance might be a good idea!
Messy’s Oscar party at C.C.’s Bar and Grill
If you love gambling and love drag, Messy’s Oscar party at C.C.’s Bar and Grill is the place for you! Hosted by Messy Margaret, there will be a winners pool going for those who get their bets in before the first award. Once you’ve gambled all your money away, sit back and enjoy some drag performances throughout the night, plus trivia and even door prizes.
Oscars viewing party at Firkin on Yonge
The Toronto Movies and Outings group is back with their first Oscars party since 2019, and it’s the place to be if you’re looking to make some new friends by bonding over your love (or hatred) of some of the movies up for big awards! Head over to the Firkin on Yonge’s top floor and grab drinks and snacks from the menu while you cheer on your favourite actors.
Watch the Oscars with TIFF
TIFF’s Oscars watch party is popular for a reason — if it’s your thing, it’s pretty fun to be surrounded by cinephiles while watching (OK, more like critiquing) the biggest Hollywood award show. Journalist and pop culture critic Anthony Oliveira and film programmer Sarah Tai-Black will be hosting the night, filled with trivia and drinks if you so desire!
Oscars viewing party with Comedy Bar
If you like your Oscars with a side of comedy (and comedy that’s a little better than what the Oscars host often subjects us to), head to Comedy Bar Danforth on Sunday and get ready to laugh. The event is hosted by Paul Beers and Viza DeCline and will include special guests throughout the night, including Mark Little, Chris Sandiford, Roger Bainbridge and more. Not only that, but you can play Oscars bingo and fill out your predictions ballot in the hopes of winning a few prizes!