Explore rare books and connect with booksellers
From Friday, November 14 to Sunday, November 16, 2025 – The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of Canada hosts the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair (TABF), an annual event to encourage and support bookish enthusiasm, featuring over 20 exhibitors from Canada, the U.S. and overseas. This year, the event takes place at OCAD U Waterfront.
You can think of the TABF as a mashup of Antiques Roadshow and a refined pop-up market. Booksellers gather from far and wide, and sell to the public. A wide variety of books, maps and ephemera will be available for perusal, from early printing to modern first editions.
Whether you’re an experienced or novice book collector, a librarian or an archivist, a scholar or an academic, or are simply interested in books and the book arts in general, you’ll be bound to find something to your taste. No prior knowledge is required to attend. Visit the fair, explore the booths and purchase the treasures on display.
Come enjoy the show & share your passion for antiquarian books!
You can expect to find:
- Rare and antiquarian books
- Modern first editions
- Fine bindings and manuscripts
- Maps, prints and photographs
- Historical ephemera
Prices range from modest to high-end collector’s items. Booksellers are friendly and happy to answer questions. Most items can be handled carefully – just ask the exhibitor first.
OCAD U Waterfront is a TTC-friendly and accessible location with plenty of shops, restaurants, cafés and parking nearby.
About the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair (TABF)
The Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair is Canada’s leading event for rare books, maps, prints and ephemera. Held annually, it brings together professional booksellers from across Canada, the United States and abroad. The fair is open and welcoming to everyone, from experienced collectors to those simply curious about the world of rare books. No prior knowledge required.
All exhibitors must be affiliates of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, an international trade organization that serves to uphold standards of professionalism and facilitates collegiality and communication among rare booksellers across the globe. Despite the lofty title, they’re generally a friendly bunch, happy to share their passion with newcomers, and answer your questions!
About The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of Canada
The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of Canada (ABAC) was founded in 1966 with the aim of fostering interest in rare books, manuscripts, prints, maps and ephemera, and maintaining high standards in the antiquarian book trade. To further these objectives, the ABAC sponsors the Toronto International Antiquarian Book Fair and endeavours to stimulate interest in book collecting by private collectors and public institutions. Read more about them here.
(Photo credits: The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of Canada.)
Event details
Hosted by: The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of Canada
Type of event: antiquarian book fair
Exhibitors: See the list of Exhibitors here
Booksellers: Don’t want to wait until the book fair in November to shop for rare books? TABF also provides a handy list of Booksellers in the Toronto area & elsewhere, as well as dealers who operate by appointment. Check out the list for locations & contact details, plus brief descriptions.
Dates & times:
- Friday, November 14: 5:00 – 9:00 PM ET
- Saturday, November 15: 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM ET
- Sunday, November 16: 12:00 – 5:00 PM ET
Cost: One ticket grants admission for all three days of the fair. You’re welcome to return as often as you like throughout the weekend.
- Early Bird special: C$15.00 on Eventbrite (no fees) to celebrate their new downtown venue (see booking link below)
- Ticket price at the door: C$20.00
Location: OCAD U Waterfront, 130 Queen’s Quay East, Floor 4R, Toronto, ON, M5A 0P6, Canada (at the foot of Lower Jarvis)
Booking link: Book your advance tickets here
Contact details: The Antiquarian Booksellers Association of Canada, info@abac.org, abac.org
Accessibility: The venue is an accessible space.