The Top 100 Events in the United States & Canada Virtual Showcase takes place on Thursday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. ET.
The special virtual event powered by 6Connex will feature in-depth conversations with select event leaders at the helm of some of the year's biggest events—from the Super Bowl and Robin Hood Benefit to Dreamforce, South Beach Wine & Food Festival, and more.
Over the last 18 months, the event industry has faced unprecedented challenges—from the shutdown of large-scale gatherings at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to the pivot to virtual and now the evolution of hybrid events (or “phygital,” as some folks like to call them).
But throughout the economic and emotional toll, event producers and organizers have continued to believe that the show must go on. Whether showcasing new gadgets at virtual trade shows, calling up celebrities via Zoom for award shows or hosting black-tie galas for at-home patrons, the top events in the United States and Canada delivered experiences that wowed both virtual and in-person guests along with viewers around the globe.
Because of cancellations, some tentpole events such as Coachella, are noticeably absent this year—but are expected to make a strong return in 2022. Some events, including the Tribeca Film Festival, are making their mark for the first time as a testament to ongoing innovation and ingenuity. Canada’s event scene continues to build a robust recovery, after facing rigid lockdowns and travel restrictions. That’s why, in light of the tumultuous times, we decided to combine events from both countries into one comprehensive list.
To choose and rank the annual events on this list, we look at several factors, including economic impact, buzz, innovation and an event's prominence within the communities it intends to serve.
Art & Design Events
- The Armory Show
- DesignTO Festival
- Art Basel Miami Beach
- Nuit Blanche Toronto
- Luminato
- Burning Man
- Art Toronto
- Interior Design Show
Award Shows
- Academy Awards
- Grammy Awards
- Primetime Emmy Awards
- Juno Awards
- ESPY Awards
- NAACP Image Awards
- Tony Awards
Benefits
- Robin Hood Foundation Gala
- Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival
- Two x Two for AIDS and Art Gala and Auction
- Naples Winter Wine Festival
- Crystal Charity Ball
- BC Cancer Foundation Inspiration Gala
- Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscars Viewing and After-Party
- Daffodil Ball
- Night of a Thousand Stars Gala
- Heroes Gala
- True Patriot Love Gala
Business & Financial Industry Events
- C2 Montréal
- Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference
- Sohn Investment Conference
- Milken Institute Global Conference
- Roth Conference
- UBS Global TMT Conference
Entertainment Industry Events
- Toronto International Film Festival
- Sundance Film Festival
- Comic-Con International
- Just For Laughs
- Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival
- Vancouver International Film Festival
- Kennedy Center Honors
- CinemaCon
- Tribeca Film Festival
Fashion Industry Events
- New York Fashion Week
- Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala
- Council of Fashion Designers of America Fashion Awards
- Fashion Art Toronto
- Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards
Food & Restaurant Industry Events
- South Beach Wine & Food Festival
- New York City Wine & Food Festival
- Vancouver International Wine Festival
- Tales of the Cocktail
- Niagara Grape and Wine Festival
- Restaurants Canada Show
- Chicago Gourmet
- Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
Music Festivals
- South by Southwest
- Lollapalooza
- Summerfest
- Austin City Limits Music Festival
- Beaches International Jazz Festival
- Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
- Outside Lands
- Electric Daisy Carnival
- Igloofest
- Spoleto Festival USA
Parades, Festivals & Holiday Events
- New Year’s Eve in Times Square
- Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
- Pride Toronto
- Tournament of Roses
- San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade
- Calgary Stampede
- Winterlude
- Quebec Winter Carnival
Political & Media Events
- State of the Union
- Aspen Ideas Festival
- ESSENCE Festival
- New Yorker Festival
- Netroots Nation Conference
- Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner
- Scotiabank Giller Prize Gala
- Blue Metropolis
Sports Events
- Super Bowl LV
- World Series
- NCAA Men's Final Four
- U.S. Open Tennis Championships
- Grey Cup
- NBA All-Star Game
- Stanley Cup
Technology Industry Events
- C.E.S.
- Dreamforce
- E3
- Oracle OpenWorld
- Apple Worldwide Developers Conference
Trade Shows
- Magic Las Vegas
- Canadian International AutoShow
- TED Conference
- High Point Market
- SEMA Show
- Atlanta Market
- Design & Construction Week
- Toronto International Boat Show
Click the banner below to register for the Top 100 Events in the U.S. and Canada 2021 today. We'll see you there!