Everything You Need to Know About #MotiveTO
Everything You Need to Know About #MotiveTO
5:19pm
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
The second edition of the MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival is almost here, and with beautiful summer weather ahead, we know it’s going to be an excellent weekend to celebrate over 70 Canadian and international authors and their books!
With 60+ events and free activities taking place June 2–4 throughout Harbourfront Centre’s gorgeous lakeside campus, we’ve put together this ultimate guide with tips and tricks to make the most of it all.
Don’t forget your #MotiveTO pass
A MOTIVE Pass is your ticket to explore as much of the Festival as you wish… Come for a day or join for all three! You can choose the type and duration that suits you best.
A regular 1-day and 3-day pass gets you in the door for all Standard events, conversations and launches. You can also upgrade to a Premium 1-day or 3-day pass to get access to both Standard and Premium events. See all pass options here. Masterclasses are not included with passes.
Passes will be available for pick up once the Festival begins (June 2) at the MOTIVE Information Desk inside the Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay W, Toronto).
A limited number of single tickets for Premium events have also been released, here.
Questions? Call the Harbourfront Box Office at 416-973-4000 or email tickets@harbourfrontcentre.com.
Learn from the experts with creative writing masterclasses
A hit with new writers and pros alike, our masterclasses give you a chance to learn from world-class authors in a small classroom setting. From character building to writing true crime stories, there are five classes taking place throughout the weekend featuring authors Melodie Campbell, Catherine Fogarty, Ryan Gattis, Johana Gustawsson and Paul E. Hardisty. Classes are $49 each. Browse them all, here.
Discounts for students & book clubs
If you are on a student budget, we’ve got a deal for you! With TIFA’s student and youth (aged 25 and under) discount, you can get MOTIVE regular and premium passes for less. Be sure to select either the TIFA Student or Youth option on our online box office, here.
Keep your book club conversation going with a trip to MOTIVE this weekend. From cosy mysteries to chilling thrillers, we have a great selection of books, authors and conversations for readers of all kinds. Book Clubs can save 25% on ticket prices when booking five or more passes, or tickets to the same event, by calling the Harbourfront Centre Box Office 416-973-4000 (choose option 1).
Free readings, book signings & more
Along with a variety of conversations and classes, Harbourfront Centre’s campus will be bustling with free readings, book signings and presentations on Saturday and Sunday. The west lawn will be packed with the Toronto Crime Tours team, Adam Bunch, and the Crime Writers of Canada and their stellar group of writers. The Stage in the Park and Harbourfront Centre’s West Bays will feature readings by authors including Paul E. Hardisty, Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, Amy Stuart, Marcie R. Rendon and more. Check out all the free events, here.
If you are looking to get a book signed by your favourite author, head to the Marilyn Brewer Community Space after the event for the book signing. There are a few exceptions: Newfoundland Noir with Perry Chafe (Lakeside Terrace); The Twist of a Knife with Anthony Horowitz (Harbourfront Centre Theatre); and Central Park West with James Comey (Harbourfront Centre Theatre).
Food at Harbourfront Centre
If you need an energy boost or a quick bite to eat between events, be sure to check out The Bays Café and Boxcar Social. The Bays Café, located in Harbourfront Centre’s west bays, will be open 12–7pm on Saturday and Sunday with non-alcoholic drinks and light food options available for purchase.
Boxcar Social’s Harbourfront location will be open with food and drinks for purchase:
Friday: 9am – midnight (closed 3–7pm for a private event)
Saturday: 9am – midnight
Sunday: 9am – 10pm
Books, books, books and more books
With over 70 authors joining us this year, we have quite the selection of books from our official booksellers Indigo and Rakuten Kobo that will be perfect for your TBR pile. If you prefer e-books and audiobooks, Kobo’s got you covered, and Indigo has all you need in paperback and hardcover. Browse the full MOTIVE 2023 Festival reading list, here.
Indigo’s pop-up bookstore will be in Harbourfront Centre’s shop, located on the north-east corner of the building. You’ll be able to explore the shop from 12pm to 10pm each day of the Festival.
Getting to and around Harbourfront Centre
Plan your way to Harbourfront Centre before you leave, to avoid unnecessary troubles. You can find directions for getting here by train, TTC, car and foot, here.
Plot twist! Please be advised that Harbourfront Centre’s main building is undergoing renovations. As a result, the travel distances between venues may be slightly longer than usual. The building still remains accessible through elevators and ramps, and portable restrooms have been added to the campus. Please plan accordingly, and know that volunteers will be on hand to assist with any questions. Like a well-written mystery, the building’s final reveal will be worth the wait – we promise!
Check out the Festival map (click image for larger size):
Keep in touch!
Share your MOTIVE Festival experience with us! We want to see your pictures and hear your stories, so be sure to follow and tag us on social media:
Don’t forget to use #MotiveTO in your posts.
Have a question? See if it is answered on our FAQ page.
Browse the full schedule of MOTIVE events, readings and conversations, here.
If you can’t join us in person at Harbourfront Centre, be sure to check out the free, digital events, here.
The second edition of the MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival is almost here, and with beautiful summer weather ahead, we know it’s going to be an excellent weekend to celebrate over 70 Canadian and international authors and their books!
With 60+ events and free activities taking place June 2–4 throughout Harbourfront Centre’s gorgeous lakeside campus, we’ve put together this ultimate guide with tips and tricks to make the most of it all.
Don’t forget your #MotiveTO pass
A MOTIVE Pass is your ticket to explore as much of the Festival as you wish… Come for a day or join for all three! You can choose the type and duration that suits you best.
A regular 1-day and 3-day pass gets you in the door for all Standard events, conversations and launches. You can also upgrade to a Premium 1-day or 3-day pass to get access to both Standard and Premium events. See all pass options here. Masterclasses are not included with passes.
Passes will be available for pick up once the Festival begins (June 2) at the MOTIVE Information Desk inside the Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay W, Toronto).
A limited number of single tickets for Premium events have also been released, here.
Questions? Call the Harbourfront Box Office at 416-973-4000 or email tickets@harbourfrontcentre.com.
Learn from the experts with creative writing masterclasses
A hit with new writers and pros alike, our masterclasses give you a chance to learn from world-class authors in a small classroom setting. From character building to writing true crime stories, there are five classes taking place throughout the weekend featuring authors Melodie Campbell, Catherine Fogarty, Ryan Gattis, Johana Gustawsson and Paul E. Hardisty. Classes are $49 each. Browse them all, here.
Discounts for students & book clubs
If you are on a student budget, we’ve got a deal for you! With TIFA’s student and youth (aged 25 and under) discount, you can get MOTIVE regular and premium passes for less. Be sure to select either the TIFA Student or Youth option on our online box office, here.
Keep your book club conversation going with a trip to MOTIVE this weekend. From cosy mysteries to chilling thrillers, we have a great selection of books, authors and conversations for readers of all kinds. Book Clubs can save 25% on ticket prices when booking five or more passes, or tickets to the same event, by calling the Harbourfront Centre Box Office 416-973-4000 (choose option 1).
Free readings, book signings & more
Along with a variety of conversations and classes, Harbourfront Centre’s campus will be bustling with free readings, book signings and presentations on Saturday and Sunday. The west lawn will be packed with the Toronto Crime Tours team, Adam Bunch, and the Crime Writers of Canada and their stellar group of writers. The Stage in the Park and Harbourfront Centre’s West Bays will feature readings by authors including Paul E. Hardisty, Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, Amy Stuart, Marcie R. Rendon and more. Check out all the free events, here.
If you are looking to get a book signed by your favourite author, head to the Marilyn Brewer Community Space after the event for the book signing. There are a few exceptions: Newfoundland Noir with Perry Chafe (Lakeside Terrace); The Twist of a Knife with Anthony Horowitz (Harbourfront Centre Theatre); and Central Park West with James Comey (Harbourfront Centre Theatre).
Food at Harbourfront Centre
If you need an energy boost or a quick bite to eat between events, be sure to check out The Bays Café and Boxcar Social. The Bays Café, located in Harbourfront Centre’s west bays, will be open 12–7pm on Saturday and Sunday with non-alcoholic drinks and light food options available for purchase.
Boxcar Social’s Harbourfront location will be open with food and drinks for purchase:
Friday: 9am – midnight (closed 3–7pm for a private event)
Saturday: 9am – midnight
Sunday: 9am – 10pm
Books, books, books and more books
With over 70 authors joining us this year, we have quite the selection of books from our official booksellers Indigo and Rakuten Kobo that will be perfect for your TBR pile. If you prefer e-books and audiobooks, Kobo’s got you covered, and Indigo has all you need in paperback and hardcover. Browse the full MOTIVE 2023 Festival reading list, here.
Indigo’s pop-up bookstore will be in Harbourfront Centre’s shop, located on the north-east corner of the building. You’ll be able to explore the shop from 12pm to 10pm each day of the Festival.
Getting to and around Harbourfront Centre
Plan your way to Harbourfront Centre before you leave, to avoid unnecessary troubles. You can find directions for getting here by train, TTC, car and foot, here.
Plot twist! Please be advised that Harbourfront Centre’s main building is undergoing renovations. As a result, the travel distances between venues may be slightly longer than usual. The building still remains accessible through elevators and ramps, and portable restrooms have been added to the campus. Please plan accordingly, and know that volunteers will be on hand to assist with any questions. Like a well-written mystery, the building’s final reveal will be worth the wait – we promise!
Check out the Festival map (click image for larger size):
Keep in touch!
Share your MOTIVE Festival experience with us! We want to see your pictures and hear your stories, so be sure to follow and tag us on social media:
Don’t forget to use #MotiveTO in your posts.
Have a question? See if it is answered on our FAQ page.
Browse the full schedule of MOTIVE events, readings and conversations, here.
If you can’t join us in person at Harbourfront Centre, be sure to check out the free, digital events, here.
Linwood Barclay with a fan at MOTIVE 2022.