Get ready for Canada’s biggest night in hair! The 38th annual Contessa Awards are taking over Toronto on Sunday, November 8, 2026, bringing together hairstylists, salon owners, beauty professionals, industry leaders and creative talent from across the country for an unforgettable evening of artistry, celebration and connection.
Held at the John W. H. Bassett Theatre at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, this year’s Contessa Awards will feature 25 award categories, three inspiring artistic stage shows, special presentations, a red-carpet experience and an official afterparty. Whether you’re attending to celebrate the finalists, discover new creative inspiration, connect with industry peers or experience the excitement of Canada’s professional beauty community, there’s something for everyone.
Here’s what to expect and why you won’t want to miss the 38th annual Contessa Awards!
Celebrate Canada’s Professional Beauty Community
The Contessa Awards are Canada’s longest-running and most prestigious professional beauty competition, recognizing the incredible talent, creativity and artistry of Canadian hairstylists, colourists, salon owners, nail artists and beauty professionals.
With 25 award categories, the evening will celebrate this year’s finalists and announce the winners across the competition. From emerging talent to established industry leaders, the Contessas provide an opportunity to recognize the creativity, dedication and achievements shaping Canada’s professional beauty industry.
It’s also the perfect opportunity to show your support for your favourite finalists, celebrate your colleagues and be part of one of the industry’s biggest nights.
Kick Off the Evening with Cocktails, Food and Brand Experiences! The celebration starts here!
Before the Awards Show begins, guests are invited to the Contessa Awards cocktail party, starting at 5:00 p.m. It’s the perfect opportunity to mix, mingle and connect with Canada’s beauty community before taking your seats for the main event.
Guests can enjoy cocktails, hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, delicious food stations, a live DJ, red-carpet interviews and photo opportunities throughout the evening.
Plus, several exciting interactive brand activations will give guests even more reasons to explore, connect and celebrate, including:
STMNT: Get into the party spirit at the DJ booth.
Oligo: Create your own custom charm bracelet.
Schwarzkopf: Capture the moment at the photo booth.
L’Oréal Professionnel Academy: Discover a little inspiration with fortune cookies.
Whether you’re catching up with industry friends, meeting new connections or enjoying the brand experiences, the cocktail party is the perfect way to kick off your Contessa evening.
Cocktail Party: 5:00 p.m.
Red Carpet: 5:30 p.m.
Walk the Red Carpet and Connect with Industry Leaders
The Contessa Awards are about more than celebrating the winners. They’re also about bringing Canada’s professional beauty community together.
From finalists and salon teams to brand representatives, educators, platform artists and industry leaders, the evening offers plenty of opportunities to make new connections and reconnect with familiar faces.
The red carpet adds another exciting element to the experience, giving guests the chance to capture their Contessa moments and hear from some of the evening’s most inspiring personalities through red-carpet interviews.
Dress up, celebrate your achievements and enjoy an evening surrounded by the people who make Canada’s professional beauty industry so inspiring.
Experience Three Inspiring Artistic Stage Shows
One of the highlights of the Contessa Awards is the opportunity to experience incredible hair artistry live on stage. This year’s program features three artistic presentations from internationally recognized and award-winning artists and teams.
Here’s a preview of what’s in store:
Omar Antonio for The Wella Company: Phoenix Rising
Sebastian international artist Omar Antonio is making his highly anticipated return to the Contessa stage with a brand-new presentation, Phoenix Rising. Known for his creative vision and artistry, Omar will bring his latest work to the stage for an inspiring showcase.
Anna Pacitto for Davines: Eclosion
Davines artistic team member and Contessa 2027 Hall of Fame award recipient Anna Pacitto will take the stage with Eclosion, a transformative retrospective celebrating her illustrious career. This presentation promises to be a special opportunity to experience the artistry, creativity and evolution of one of Canada’s most recognized hairstylists.
Quantum Hair with support by Goldwell, Davines and Metro Beauty Supply: Frequency
All the way from Madrid, Spain, award-winning hairstylist Jorge X and the Quantum Hair Canada team are returning for a second consecutive year to showcase their latest collection, Frequency. With support from Goldwell, Davines and Metro Beauty Supply, this international creative collaboration will bring another exciting showcase of innovation and artistic expression to the Contessa stage.
Alongside the artistic presentations, the evening will also include two special presentations and the announcement of the winners across all 25 award categories.
Awards Show: 7:30 p.m.
Keep the Celebration Going at the Official Contessa Awards Afterparty
The night doesn’t end when the awards are handed out!
Following the 38th annual Contessa Awards, guests are invited to continue the celebration at the Official Contessa Awards Afterparty at Sweetheart Stables, inside Paris Texas.
Located at 461 King St. W. in Toronto, this is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the night’s winners, congratulate your favourite finalists, connect with fellow industry professionals and keep the festivities going.
Best of all, admission to the official afterparty is free with your Contessa Awards ticket!
Afterparty: 10:00 p.m.
Venue: Sweetheart Stables, inside Paris Texas
Address: 461 King St. W., Toronto, ON, M5V 2J4
Make the Most of Your Contessa Experience!
From the first cocktail to the final afterparty celebration, the 38th annual Contessa Awards promises an unforgettable evening dedicated to Canadian beauty talent, creativity and community.
Whether you’re cheering on a finalist, looking for artistic inspiration, discovering new brand experiences or celebrating alongside your industry peers, this is your chance to be part of Canada’s biggest night in hair.
The Details
Event: 38th Annual Contessa Awards
Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
Location: John W. H. Bassett Theatre, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto
5:00 p.m. – Cocktail Party: Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, food stations, brand activations and a live DJ.
5:00 p.m. – Red Carpet: Capture the excitement with red-carpet interviews and photo opportunities.
7:30 p.m. – Awards Show: Celebrate Canada’s professional beauty talent with 25 award categories, three artistic stage shows and two special presentations.
10:00 p.m. – Official Afterparty: Keep the celebration going at Sweetheart Stables, inside Paris Texas. Free admission with your Contessa Awards ticket.
Come for the Wins. Stay for the Shows. Celebrate the Community.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
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