Toronto – An internationally acclaimed storytelling event is set to take the stage in Toronto next month, as the Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) presents The Moth Mainstage for a single evening of live storytelling at Koerner Hall.
The event, scheduled for Thursday, September 18 at 7:30 p.m., will bring together a lineup of storytellers from Canada and abroad to share true, personal tales in what organizers describe as an evening of “bold, funny, and heartfelt” narratives. Tickets start at $58.
A Celebrated Global Storytelling Phenomenon
Founded in New York in 1997, The Moth has grown from a small gathering of friends sharing stories into a global cultural phenomenon, with live shows, a podcast, and a Peabody Award-winning radio hour. The Mainstage format—considered the flagship presentation of The Moth—features a two-act evening in which a selection of speakers recount deeply personal experiences without notes.
“The Mainstage is the quintessential Moth experience, a two-act show where the storytellers and a notable host share true personal stories, without notes,” organizers said in their announcement.
Toronto’s appearance is part of the 2025 season of TIFA Presents, the year-round programming series curated by the festival.
Koerner Hall to Host
The venue for the performance, Koerner Hall, is among Toronto’s most distinguished concert halls. Known for its pristine acoustics and striking architectural design, the hall regularly welcomes world-renowned musicians, authors, and speakers. For this event, the hall will transform into a space for intimate, live storytelling—an art form that has gained renewed attention as audiences increasingly seek authentic, personal connections in performance.
Local and International Talent
While the list of featured storytellers has not yet been disclosed, The Moth has historically drawn a diverse mix of performers, ranging from actors and writers to scientists, activists, and everyday people with extraordinary life experiences. Each story is told live, with no script, notes, or props.
The format has been credited with helping to popularize modern storytelling events around the world and inspiring the growth of similar series in Canada and beyond.
Backed by Philanthropy
The presentation of The Moth in Toronto is being made possible by philanthropic support. “TIFA Presents 2025 Season is generously supported by Presenting Donors Beth Nowers and Jack Curtin,” the announcement noted. The donors’ support enables the festival to expand programming throughout the year, beyond its annual fall literary festival.
Tickets and Access
With tickets starting at $58, organizers expect strong interest from both long-time fans of The Moth and newcomers curious about the format. For many, the chance to attend the event represents an opportunity to experience in person what millions have heard online through The Moth’s podcast and radio show.
Tickets are now available through TIFA’s box office and website.
A Broader Trend in Live Events
The return of international cultural events to Toronto underscores the city’s position as a major hub for live performance in Canada. After years of pandemic-related disruptions, venues such as Koerner Hall are once again welcoming audiences for large-scale events, while festivals are investing in expanding their programming calendars.
For TIFA, which has been broadening its offerings in recent years, bringing The Moth Mainstage to Toronto reflects a strategy of blending literary and live performance experiences to attract new audiences.
Looking Ahead
The Toronto stop is part of a busy slate for TIFA, which continues to position itself as one of the country’s leading cultural organizations. The festival’s ongoing “TIFA Presents” series aims to bring world-class authors, performers, and storytellers to Toronto throughout the year, complementing its flagship annual festival in the fall.
For audiences, September’s event represents a rare chance to see The Moth Mainstage in Canada. As the press release emphasized: “This special event is in town for one night only – get your tickets today!”
