Last year, our community created something incredible. ❤️

Together, we brought PHANTOMFEST: Open Air to life as a free, two-day music and arts festival on Toronto’s waterfront.

Hundreds of people came together for two full days of music, art, wellness, creativity and connection, without having to buy a ticket.

It cost approximately $23,000 to make it happen.

Our community stepped up through GoFundMe, Eventbrite RSVP donations, e-transfers and in-person contributions. Our GoFundMe campaign alone raised $12,260 from 131 donors.

That support made the festival possible.

But the truth is, last year we stretched every dollar as far as it could go. We relied heavily on volunteer labour, donated time, and the generosity of artists, DJs, performers and crew. Even with the incredible support we received, we were not able to compensate everyone the way we would have liked.

This year, we want to do better.

PHANTOMFEST: Open Air returns August 29 & 30, 2026.

Our projected budget for this year is approximately $30,000.

That increase is not about making the festival extravagant. It is about doing it more safely, more responsibly and more sustainably, while better supporting the people who actually make it happen.

Where does the money go?

Your donations help cover the real costs of producing a free, two-day public festival.

Safety, security & emergency measures: $7,000

Professional security, emergency planning, medical personnel and the measures required to protect attendees, artists, volunteers and crew.

Professional sound, production & infrastructure: $7,500

Sound equipment, technical crew, power, production and the infrastructure needed to safely produce two full days of programming.

Artists, DJs, performers & crew: $5,500

Supporting the people whose talent, labour and creativity bring PHANTOMFEST to life.

Permits, insurance & city requirements: $4,000

Municipal permits, liability insurance and the many requirements involved in producing a legal public event in Toronto.

Washrooms, water, waste & accessibility: $3,000

Essential services that help keep the festival safe, clean and accessible.

Transportation, signage, supplies & contingency: $3,000

The behind-the-scenes costs of moving equipment, communicating important information, purchasing supplies and handling the unexpected.

Our 2026 goal: $30,000

Every dollar helps.

Whether it is $10, $20, $50, $100 or simply sharing this fundraiser, your support directly helps keep PHANTOMFEST free.

PHANTOMFEST is a women-led nonprofit music and arts festival rooted in Toronto’s underground creative community.

We believe that financial circumstances should not determine who gets to experience music, art, community and the freedom of a dance floor.

Last year, you helped us prove this could happen.

This year, we are asking you to help us build it stronger, safer and more sustainably.

Because PHANTOM has never been built by one person.

It is built by all of us.

Thank you for believing in this wild idea and helping us bring it to life again.

See you front left. ❤️

The PHANTOMFEST Crew

PHANTOM is an illusion. YOU make it reality.