Popular Toronto event under fire after overcrowding and disorganization complaints
It appears this past weekend's Toronto Baby Show was a crappy experience for most attendees, and that has nothing to do with soiled diapers.
The annual event took over the Enercare Centre on April 11 and 12, and parents from all walks of life — first-timers, expectants, and those with infants and toddlers — attended, hoping to get their hands on free samples and test out products before making long-term investments for their child's safety.
However, the event allegedly did not go as planned, with attendees reporting a range of issues.
Numerous accounts on social media allege that the Toronto Baby Show oversold tickets, left thousands of people lined up to enter, and closed its doors on day one, preventing some ticketholders from entering altogether.
Screenshot via @thebabyshows.
Frustrated attendees described the show as lacking organization and crowd control.
An attendee commented on an Instagram reel that described the event as chaotic and not what guests expected. "They should refund all our tickets, whether people who got in or were denied because of full capacity, it was poorly organized, given it's not the first year the show has run," they wrote.
"We recognize the immense effort it takes to coordinate a family outing, and we sincerely apologize to those whose experience fell short of the high standards we strive to provide," a representative from Toronto Baby Show told blogTO.
They went on to say that an appropriate number of tickets were sold for the venue's capacity and projected headcount, but that certain factors combined to create an undesirable environment for guests.
"The event was not oversold. However, a combination of multiple events at the Exhibition Place, in addition to GO closures, led to a significant influx of attendees on Saturday morning who arrived in a condensed timeframe," the representative added.
As a result, some guests experienced delayed entry due to capacity limits. The representative confirmed that the issue was resolved by early afternoon.
Some also claimed they spent hours just trying to get inside, only to be turned away or faced with disorganized conditions once they got in. On Saturday, lineups were moved outside the Enercare Centre in an effort to better control the situation, but allegedly, that only made things worse.
"Once the line was moved outside, there were so many people jumping in, which was a shame to see the rudeness of these people after we'd all waited in line for so long, only for others to jump and get in after only 10-15 mins," wrote an Instagram user.
It's no surprise that a baby show geared toward young families and expecting parents would draw large crowds, including newborns and small children. Several attendees raised concerns about safety and comfort while waiting in long lines outdoors.
"Poor event planning. Oversold tickets, then pushed moms with newborns into the cold when the line was too long," another Instagram user commented.
Aside from apologizing for the inconvenience, Toronto Baby Show says it is working on providing refunds to guests who purchased tickets but were unable to enter.
It appears some of the logistical issues may have been apparent from the start. Tickets were not sold on a per-day basis, meaning each ticket granted entry on either day of the two-day event. While Saturday reportedly descended into chaos, Sunday also appeared to spiral before the event even began.
"I was there at 9:55 a.m., and there were already thousands of people lining up. I just left after walking 15 minutes to find the start of the line because even if I get in, it's going to be a nightmare inside! Seriously, what in the actual [****]" wrote a Reddit user.
While the Toronto Baby Show has been a staple event over the last ten years, many continue to question its logistics. Some guests claim the event held in late 2025 was also executed poorly.
But organizers reiterate that they are working to improve future events.
"We are also working closely with the Enercare Centre to refine our protocols and ensure a more seamless experience for our community moving forward. The Baby Show team is appreciative of everyone's time and feedback and is working diligently to respond to all inquiries," the representative added.
The Baby Show Canada
