According to the press release: The Nova Music Festival Exhibition in Toronto is “a powerful installation commemorating the tragic events of October 7, 2023.” It is that, but so much more. It’s a moment frozen in time—the saddest, most difficult moment imaginable. You feel like you are at the Nova Festival on that fateful day. It is difficult to put my thoughts and feelings into words, but I have to so that you understand why you have to see the Nova Music Festival Exhibition before it leaves Toronto for Washington DC.
Nova Music Festival Exhibition: The Details
- The limited engagement exhibit is in Toronto on June 22, 2025
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Last exhibition entry at 7:40 PM)
- Location: 1381 Castlefield Avenue Toronto, ON M6B 1G7
- Time recommended: two hours – there is a lot to process
- Buy Tickets: novaexhibition.com
Nova Music Festival Exhibition: The Backstory
On Friday, October 6, 2023, thousands of music and art lovers gathered in Re’im, Israel, for the Nova Music Festival—a vibrant celebration of life, peace, and music. At 6:29 AM on Saturday, October 7, the festival’s joy was shattered when Hamas terrorists launched a devastating attack on Israel. In the brutal assault, 1,200 lives were lost, including 411 people connected to the festival, among them four Canadians. Additionally, 251 individuals were abducted, including 43 festivalgoers.
A group of dedicated Canadians tirelessly worked together to bring the Exhibition to Toronto. Jesse Brown, Lead Canadian Representative was inspired to bring the for the Nova Music Festival Exhibition to Canada after missing it in Israel in 2024 and then seeing it in New York City. We had the chance to ask him why the exhibit is so important for people to see:
“I think that everyone needs to ask themselves why Nova is being treated differently than any other music festival. What happened at Nova is the largest massacre in music history. Yet, it’s not treated like that; in fact, the people who survived are being attacked and are being subjected to even more hate. This exhibition is about saving their lives a second time because they need to feel supported and know that people do care about what happened. I like to think that people don’t understand what happened there and the Exhibition is a way for people to connect and build bridges and take us to a place where we can have these dialogues and heal.”
The Review
It is difficult, as mentioned, to put into words what walking through the 60,000 square foot exhibit is like. The Nova Music Festival Exhibition is set up like a timeline of the events of October 7th. As you move from one area to the next, you’ll witness real videos from the day, displayed on iPhones and larger screens. The camp is set up. The lights are dim. The objects including bullet-ridden and scorched cars from that day. You are encouraged to touch the objects that you see. The sites, sounds and even the smell make you feel like you are actually there.
You will see personal belongings that were left behind, the Central Bar, the stage and even a mock up of a shelter where the Festival attendees would have tried to stay safe from rocket fire before eventually being hunted down. The Lost and Found area, filled with shoes left behind, serves as a haunting reminder that this was the worst loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust.
We had the privilege to meet some of the Nova Festival survivors who led us through the exhibit on media day. They have also hosted former hostages like Noa Argamani and Eliya Cohen, legal activists like Brooke Goldstein from The Lawfare Project and more. As they tell you their stories, you feel even more connected to what happened in Re’im. What person in their youth didn’t go to a music festival or concert? The fact that so many did not return home is tragic.
After you walk through much of the exhibit, you end up in the healing room with images of those that lost their lives both at the Nova Festival and as hostages. There, you can leave messages of hope and support. As you finish your journey through the exhibit, you are left in the area of Commemoration with a reminder that, “We Will Dance Again.”
I highly recommend seeing Nova Music Festival Exhibition before it leaves Toronto or if you have the chance in any upcoming cities. You’ll begin this journey in shock and horror, but you’ll leave with a sense of hope.
