While thousands plan to take in Taylor Swift at one of her six Rogers Centre shows during the next couple of weeks, thousands more can enjoy Toronto’s Version: Taylgate ‘24 at the nearby Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Event co-founder Bram Goldstein said he came up with the all-ages Taylgate experience, running from 1 p.m.-11 p.m. each show night — Nov. 14-16, 21-23 — because of what’s been happening in other cities on her Eras Tour trek.
“So the impetus is that she usually gets 20,000 to 30,000 fans outside her stadiums in hotter cities,” said Goldstein. “You go to L.A., you go Miami. They sit in a parking lot, and they trade bracelets, and they do their makeup, and they take photos.”
Goldstein, whose two teenage daughters, ages 13 and 16, are going to the Nov. 16 Swift show with his wife and another of their friends, said he wondered how Swifties in Toronto could do something similar to fans in warmer climates.
“It’s going to be potentially cold,” he said. “It’s going to be dark at 5:30 p.m. So we called up the Convention Centre, and we said, ‘Hey are you available?’ and they said, ‘Yes!’ and Toronto’s Version: Taylgate ‘24 was born with the idea let’s bring all the fans indoors to a safe place and create the ultimate hangout spot.”
Goldstein said their 125,000-square-foot space can accommodate up to 15,000 people, adding that perfromers Choir! Choir! Choir! will conduct a Swift singalong with participants on Nov. 14, between 5 p.m.-6 p.m.
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Otherwise, Goldstein says the event will have “the largest indoor bracelet exchange,” with 5 million beads, so participants can make friendship bracelets. There will be a beauty bar, a TTC subway car which will host a silent disco, deejays, dance parties and costume contests.
“This is one of those moments, some people call it ‘Beatlemania II,’ but even if you didn’t get tickets to the show, we want you to come to our event,” he said.
“We know 30 million people tried to get 360,000 tickets, and it’s still one of those moments of, ‘I was then when (Taylor came to town), even if I’m not going to the show.’ I feel that our Taylgate event is the next best thing for people who don’t have concert tickets.”
Tickets are $55 via torontosversion.com
In the meantime, here are just some of the other Taylor Swift-related events happening in Toronto:
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Choir! Choir! Choir! — Three Taylor Swift sing-alongs will take place at Longboat Hall: Nov. 24, Cruel Summer; Nov. 25, Cardigan; and Nov. 26, Anti-Hero. With a portion of tickets sold going to the Daily Bread Foodbank, the sing-alongs are 19+, except for Nov. 25, which will be open to all ages. Tickets are $19.89 via https://choirchoirchoir.com/shows/.
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Bata Shoe Museum — Anyone who’s gone to an Eras show, knows it’s all about the Taylor-inspired outfits. So, it’s fitting the shoe museum is putting on an all-ages dance party (those under 18 must have a chaperone present) for a Taylor Swift Fan Night on Nov. 12. Tickets are $30 at showpass.com.
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The Loose Moose — This bar close to Rogers Centre, 146 Front St. W., is hosting 19+ Eras After Parties following all six shows. Run by Taylor Swift Dance Parties, the event will have a live deejay playing her hits. Tickets are $37.29 at eventbrite.ca
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Stackt Market — The Paint n’ Vibe: Taylor Swift event on Nov. 22 sees fans taking part in a guided painting session where they will create a Swift-inspired art piece while listening to Swift tunes, taking part in trivia, games, giveaways, and more. Tickets at $65.23 at eventbrite.ca.