How do I plan a tour across Canada?
I'm planning a tour across Canada and trying to figure out the best routing, which cities to hit, and how to book rooms in places I've never played. This is one of the most common questions on musician forums and Reddit. Below is a practical, province-by-province guide built for touring artists and booking agents.
Frequently asked questions
What cities should I hit on a cross-Canada tour?
Most cross-Canada tours anchor around Vancouver, Calgary/Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and Halifax. The exact routing depends on your starting point, budget, and where you have draw. Use a routing tool to minimize drive time between cities.
How do I find venue booking contacts in every city?
Search the directory by city or province, filter by capacity and venue type, then open each venue page for booking emails, websites, and talent-buyer contacts. Save rooms to a tour and send inquiries from one place.
How far in advance should I book a Canadian tour?
Three to four months is typical for independent tours. Major rooms and festival-adjacent dates may book 6–12 months out. Start with the biggest cities first, then fill in the routing around confirmed dates.
What fee structures should I expect in Canada?
Door deals, guarantees, bar shares, and rental agreements are all common. Smaller rooms and new markets usually run door deals. Established rooms may offer a guarantee, especially if you have proven draw. Always confirm taxes, ticket fees, and merch cuts in advance.
Can the directory optimize my tour route?
Yes. Add your stops, then use the 'Optimize route' feature. It reorders stops using straight-line distance to cut down on total driving kilometres. You can then export the route to CSV.
Example venues
- &Company Resto Barevent_venue • 800 cap
- - Moe's Bar and Grillrestaurant • 150 cap
- ..Cabaret Chez Elleother • 150 cap
- 0other • 150 cap
- 100 Kellogg Lane Main Galleryother • 150 cap
- 101°CLUBnightclub • 400 cap