(Updated February 24, 2025)
Looking for cheap, discount tickets to live theatre shows while visiting Toronto? It’s possible.
Next to New York and London, no other city in the world offers more live theatre options than Toronto. No wonder so many people include taking in a show as part of their itinerary when visiting the city and what can make the experience even sweeter is saving on tickets.
Depending on the day and time of the show you want to see you could catch a deal on tickets to a Toronto theatre production. Here’s how:
Our advice on how to save on Toronto Theatre Show tickets
Step A: Pick a Show
To see what’s playing in Toronto the best website to check out is NowPlayingToronto.com.
This website is your one-stop, online guide. It features shows, events, festivals and more.
NowPlayingToronto.com provides you with an overview of each production and a link to buy tickets. But, before you click that link and buy those tickets, do this:
Step B: Call the theatre and do the following:
1. Ask if they have Rush Tickets
Sometimes, on the day before or the day of the performance, discounted rush tickets are available for purchase at noon. The most likely days when this will occur are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays but you never know… they could be available on the other days of the week too.
For example, if one of the things on your Toronto travel bucket list is to see a big-time theatre production, you should check out the website for Mirvish Productions. They offer rush seats for most shows.
2. Ask if they have Pay-What-You-Can Tickets
Sunday is usually the day when these types of discount theatre tickets are up for grabs. They are available on a first come, first serve basis and normally only at the box office. Again, we recommend that you call the theatre before hand to confirm whether they offer pay-what-you-can tickets.
3. Ask if they have Group Discount Tickets
If you’re visiting Toronto as part of a group, you can probably get a break on the price of your ticket to a show. This is especially true if your group consists of 10 or more people. Call the box office ahead of time to confirm.
Sometimes It’s Also Worth Giving StubHub a Shot
Tickets for many of the marquee productions in Toronto can sell out in advance. If that’s the case for the show you want to see your best bet is to try a third-party ticket seller like StubHub.
Naturally your first assumption will be that if you use StubHub you’ll end up paying more money for your ticket than the face value. That will likely be the case but…
…if you’re willing to roll the dice and have a little nerve in your spine, try this: wait to buy your ticket close to the show’s start time or even just a few minutes after the curtain has risen. You might get lucky and find a desperate seller who has dropped their price.
And Don’t Forget to Check Groupon for Deals on Toronto Theatre Shows
Another potential source for discount tickets to Toronto theatre productions is Groupon, the money-saving website that features local discounts in 150 cities.
Visit the “Toronto Things to Do” Groupon page and you’ll find savings of up to 70% off on activities, which from time-to-time includes Toronto theatre productions.
Conclusion
Seeing a show while visiting Toronto is an activity that’s on most tourists’ list of things to do when they are planning their trip to the city. By following the steps above it’s possible to enjoy a great production and still be thrifty with your budget!
Be thrifty and practical. This information was accurate when published, but can change without notice. We recommend you confirm all details with the provider in question before planning your excursion.
More ways to get discounts on Toronto activities
- Discounts on Toronto Aquarium Tickets and 9 other attractions
- Coupons, Passes and Tickets for Toronto Attractions & Tours
Photo credits: Imagine Communications
I’m a lifelong travel researcher and explorer who helps budget-conscious tourists plan smarter, spend less, and experience more. In addition to this blog, I have also written for tourism organizations such as the Canada Tourism Commission, Ontario Tourism, Niagara Parks Commission and Disney Travel.
Read my full author bio to discover the story of what inspired the creation of ThriftyTourist.ca.
