Across Canada last summer, a much-anticipated music event rolled through cities as Family Channel’s Big Ticket Summer set out on a four-city tour. The run began in Halifax, paused in Toronto, and wrapped up in Edmonton, delivering a lineup packed with this year’s rising stars and fan favorites.
The cross-country tour fused high-energy pop with heartfelt performances, drawing families to evenings of sing-along anthems, danceable hooks, and memorable moments. Each stop offered a slightly different vibe while maintaining the jubilant spirit that defines the Big Ticket Summer experience.
An intimate account of the Toronto show captured behind-the-scenes moments, stage energy, and crowd reactions for readers who could not attend. For those who wanted to relive the experience, Family Channel aired a one-hour special on Friday, September 5 at 8:00 PM.
Calum Worthy, known to many for his hosting duties and for his work on television, opened the night with bright energy that set the tone for what followed.
With Worthy on stage, the program rolled into performances by Megan Nicole, the cast of The Next Step, and Cody Simpson. A Toronto-exclusive appearance by Crystalyne added a delightful surprise as the crowd ramped up in anticipation.
Crystalyne, comprised of Josh Given, Justin Niece, Scott Blake, and frontwoman Marissa Dattoli, stepped onto the Molson Amphitheatre stage with confidence. They delivered original songs and a bold cover, drawing cheers from the largest audience they had performed before that night.
The crowd swayed and tapped their feet as Crystalyne closed the set with a heartfelt birthday shout-out to a fan and a quick Instagram-worthy selfie with the audience.
Marissa Dattoli, Crystalyne’s dynamic front-woman, connected with the Toronto audience through expressive delivery and a charismatic stage presence that made every song feel personal.
Megan Nicole then took the stage in a shimmering underwater-themed dress, bringing energy that turned the cool evening into a sunlit mood. Opening with her original song Summer Forever, she radiated the same surge she had when releasing covers online, now translated to a live performance with polished credibility.
Nicole balanced original material with faithful covers of Katy Perry and OneRepublic, staying true to her roots while hinting at the debut album expected in October. The set showcased her evolution from a YouTube performer to a rising pop artist ready to release new music to a wider audience.
Sabrina Carpenter, the Girl Meets World star, took the stage next. Her set blended songs from her EP with the show’s theme song, and she carried herself with a poised confidence that belied her years. As the show closed, she handed out T-shirts she designed herself to a few lucky fans in the front rows.
Victoria Baldesarra led The Next Step cast to the stage, and the whole arena rose in cheers as the team delivered routines from the show. The performance united fans of all ages in a shared love for dance and storytelling, with anticipation building for the Season 2 trailer later in the evening.
A trailer for the second half of Season 2 appeared on the big screen, offering a glimpse of fresh choreography and drama to come, set to preview the next chapter of the series on Family Channel.
Between acts, Calum Worthy moved through the crowd in a Toronto-themed tee, keeping energy high and encouraging fans young and old to participate. Megan Nicole briefly joined him on stage to toss free Big Ticket Summer T-shirts into the eager crowd.
When Cody Simpson finally stepped back into the spotlight, the set emphasized guitar-driven performances with a lean band and a few surprising mashups. He expressed appreciation for the support as he explored his evolving artistry and identity as a performer.
While some fans expected showy choreographies, Cody chose an intimate approach at first, punctuating moments with sweeping guitar solos and light stage movements before returning to more upbeat material for the encore.
For the encore Cody closed with a bold tribute, performing a Toronto-native Drake cover that resonated with the local crowd and left the room buzzing with applause.
Throughout the night, Calum Worthy kept the momentum rolling, moving from the stage to the crowd in a Toronto shirt, getting fans of all ages to rise to their feet and cheer. Megan Nicole again emerged to help distribute Big Ticket Summer merch, amplifying the sense of community among attendees.
The event culminated with a warm note from Worthy, thanking the audience for the unwavering energy that made the evening memorable for families across the country.
Fans were reminded to catch the hour-long Big Ticket Summer concert special on September 5 at 8:00 PM on Family Channel, a final chance to relive the performances and see collaborations that defined the tour.
In Toronto and beyond, the tour left an imprint on fans who attended and those who followed from home, reinforcing the appeal of live performances featuring young artists who are evolving before a nationwide audience.
Backstage moments, crowd interactions, and spontaneous sing-alongs added depth to the experience, turning a city show into a shared memory for families and friends across Canada.
The Big Ticket Summer tour demonstrated how a well-curated lineup can bring together teen icons, budding talents, and television stars for one vibrant night of music and community.
Calum Worthy’s hosting style struck a balance between enthusiasm and warmth, inviting fans to stay engaged while he danced through the aisles with the crowd, making the Toronto date feel personal and inclusive.
As the tour wrapped in Edmonton, the energy lingered in the air, and the anticipation for next year’s edition began to rise among performers and fans alike, signaling that this family-friendly concert series would continue to grow.
For families planning trips to future shows, Big Ticket Summer remains a destination where familiar faces meet new talent, offering a memorable night out and a shared moment of joy across the country.