5 highlights to look forward to during Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Canada

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After what feels like forever, Canadian Swifties can rejoice as Taylor Swift’s Eras tour finally descends on Toronto (November 14-16 and November 21-23) and Vancouver (December 6-8).

Call it a miracle, but I’ve been lucky enough to attend three Eras Tour shows around the world: in Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, and the reworked Tortured Poets Department version in Hamburg, Germany.

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I guess that makes me some sort of expert at attending the concert, which is surrounded by more hoopla than any pop show in history.

If you’re lucky enough to have tickets for a Canadian date on Swift’s tour, I have five tips for you to get the most out of the Eras Tour experience.

Be prepared for surprises

Swift likes surprises. And a Canadian date could yield one of the biggest announcements of the tour.

Swift has been releasing her re-recorded albums since 2021, titled Taylor’s Versions, and announced both Speak Now and 1989 during her tour. She has two more albums to go: Reputation and her debut album, which many Swifties think she will release as a package deal (theory nickname: Debutation).

I don’t like going down rabbit holes, but Swift said she hand-picked the final stops of The Eras tour. Since Toronto’s T and Vancouver’s V are an acronym for Taylor’s Versions, I wonder: could either city get an album announcement?

Other surprises could include guest stars: Florence Welch has shown up in London and Miami to perform Florida!!! while Ed Sheeran, Sabrina Carpenter, Ice Spice and Swift’s partner Travis Kelce have all taken the stage with her.

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Will Kelce be on the Canadian tour dates? The Kansas City Chiefs have a game in LA during Taylor’s final Dec. 8 show in Vancouver, but he’s apparently available to attend — and could possibly make another onstage cameo — on Dec. 6 and 7 at BC Place.

Potential performers aside, it’s a safe bet that some famous friends will be in the audience for her final shows, and Vancouverite Ryan Reynolds and his wife (and Swift BFF) Blake Lively are two potential bold names.

In addition, Swift has a section with surprise songs every night, so you have no idea what she will come up with until she starts singing.

Come early for merchandise

Merch for the Eras Tour has taken on a life of its own, especially that infamous gray-blue crew neck. I’ve had strangers offer cash to buy the sweatshirt – right off my back. That’s how hot it is as a product.

If you want to score some good Swift swag, arrive early and be strategic: head to the merchandise stands furthest from the entry doors for your best chance of getting what you want. If you have a group, divide and conquer to see which line moves the fastest before the items sell out.

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Study fan rituals

Fan interaction is at a higher level during the Eras Tour, with Swifties developing their own rituals while the singer is on stage. If you want to get involved, I recommend watching some videos on social media to prepare.

The most famous chant is shouting “1, 2, 3, let’s go bitch!” during the Reputation track Delicate. Another involves a quick double whammy during You Belong With Me.

A recent addition to the European leg is the bringing along of yellow and orange balloons for use during the Evermore single Willow. The balloons and phone lights mimic the large orange orbs that Swift and her dancers use on stage.

Be prepared for a long night

I’ve been to quite a few concerts, from the Spice Girls through to Destiny’s Child and Britney Spears in their prime, but Swift’s Eras Tour is the longest pop concert I’ve ever been to.

The 44-song setlist spans a whopping three hours and fifteen minutes, meaning you might need a bathroom break at some point. The good news: There are a few spots that fans have identified as the unofficial bathroom breaks during the concert. The first is after Swift leaves the stage for Enchanted and before the Reputation set begins, as there is a longer transition. After all, Swift needs to get out of that ball gown. Another sweet spot is between Reputation and the combined Folklore and Evermore sets.

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I also recommend eating early, especially if you want to avoid starving after the concert—and ending up in the McDonald’s line at midnight like I did.

Dress the part

Most fans come dressed in a look from their favorite Swift era. Examples include navy blue sequins for Midnights and gold dresses for Fearless.

Friendship bracelets are also a big part of The Eras Tour. If you don’t have time to make one yourself, there are plenty of Etsy sellers with ready-made versions to rock and trade.

For anyone considering sky-high heels, I highly recommend comfortable shoes and you probably won’t be sitting much during the three-plus hour event.

Getting a ride from the venue was also hectic during all my Eras Tour experiences, leading to an unexpected walk after the show. Each. Time.

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