ABOUT ISHQ FESTIVAL

ISHQ Festival is a city-wide celebration of art as devotion, taking place across multiple Toronto venues from October 1 to 26. Presented by Small World Music, the month-long festival explores the intersection of creativity, culture, and spiritual expression.

A Festival That Moves the Soul
ISHQ Festival is a bold new platform dedicated to presenting powerful, heart-opening artistic experiences that transcend language, culture, and form. Taking place throughout October 2025, ISHQ brings together internationally acclaimed artists and deeply rooted community voices in a celebration of music, dance, poetry, theatre, film, and conversation.
Rooted in traditions of devotion, ritual, and contemplation, ISHQ draws from South Asia, Central Asia, North Africa, and West Africa, as well as Indigenous cultures, offering audiences a rare opportunity to encounter art that is not just seen or heard, but deeply felt.

What You’ll Experience

• 9 multidisciplinary events across 4 weeks
• Sitar, sarod & Gnawa trance music
• Whirling dervishes & sacred dance
• Sufi poetry, storytelling & artist talks
• Immersive theatre & independent film screenings
• Meaningful conversations in intimate settings

Every event is curated with care, co-presented by trusted cultural partners, and held in spaces designed to foster connection, presence, and reverence. Explore the full schedule, artist lineup, and partner info at ishqfestival.com

PROGRAM GUIDE