[5] The awards had initially been planned to take place as a conventional live gala in Toronto, Ontario, although due to the continued pandemic, these plans were cancelled; instead, the televised ceremony consisted of prerecorded or live performances by Canadian musicians at various venues throughout Canada, alongside acknowledgements of the already-announced winners and the presentation of just six top categories.

Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe of CBC Music hosted the ceremony from Toronto's Rebel nightclub, although most award presenters and performances were broadcast from other remote locations.

[6] Before the main ceremony, Alessia Cara hosted a one-hour special called My Junos Moment, in which various Canadian artists were asked to share their reflections and reminiscences on their memorable moments at past Juno ceremonies.

[9] Due to the cancellation of the 2020 ceremony, singer-songwriter Jann Arden received her formal induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame following its announcement the previous year.

[10] A segment of the television broadcast also profiled Mary Piercey-Lewis, a music teacher from Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit, Nunavut who was named Teacher of the Year by MusiCounts, CARAS' music education initiative.