Festival action this weekend in Toronto, but remember the subway closure

From food, song and dance to yoga salutations and celebrating multiculturalism, there is a festival in every part of the city this weekend.

If you are driving in town this weekend, a section of Danforth Avenue is closed for Taste of the Danforth. Other road closures are also in place due to construction.

There is also a partial subway closure on Line 1 (Yonge-University-Spadina) on Saturday.

Events

Taste of the Danforth
Canada’s largest food festival is back for its 23rd year.

Taste of the Danforth welcomes hundreds of food-and-fun lovers each year. Organizers say this year’s event is set to be bigger and better than ever before with dozens of free activities for people of all ages.

Celebrating multiculturalism
It’s a big party in Scarborough this weekend, as the Community Multicultural Festival returns for a second year. It takes place Friday through Sunday at the Albert Campbell Square at Ellesmere and McCowan roads.

It includes three days of song, dance and cultural presentations, art vendors, food and a beer tent. There will also be some emotional moments with a Canadian citizenship ceremony and re-affirmation ceremony.

Party on the lakefront
Come rain or shine, the waterfront festival along the Humber Bay Shores on Saturday is sure to be tons of fun.

Marine Parade Drive, a street nestled by the lake, will turn into a family-friendly party zone with live music, talent shows, artisan booths, and more.

Jerk Festival
The annual Jerk Festival is taking place from Friday through Sunday at Centennial Park in Etobicoke.

Along with delicious food, there’s a VIP garden, a hot and spicy eating competition, a So You Think You Can Jerk contest and a domino challenge. Some big names will be taking the stage too including Jully Black and Ruben Studdard. Tickets are available here.

Namaste
The annual outdoor yoga festival returns to the Harbourfront Centre this weekend, with classes held on the mainstage and in the community garden.

On Saturday and Sunday, yoga enthusiasts can take part in various types of yoga, from hatha and “laughter” yoga to moksha and meditation. There will also be classes set to live music and children’s yoga.

Road and TTC closures

Line 1 closure
Subway closures continue this Saturday after a break over the August long weekend.

Riders will not be able to access Line 1 (Yonge-University-Spadina) between St. George and Union stations due to track work. Shuttle buses will be running.

Next weekend: Subways won’t be running on Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) from Pape to St. George stations due to bridge work on the Prince Edward Viaduct. Shuttle buses will be in use.

Road closures for events
Danforth Avenue from Broadview to Jones avenues will be closed from 11 a.m. on Friday until 1 a.m. on Monday. All intersections that are 30 metres north and south of the area will also be closed.

Road work

New
Drivers will encounter lane reductions on Bayview Avenue from Rosedale Valley Road to Pottery Road to build a multi-use trail and for other road work. The closure is expected to last until Nov. 30.

The intersection of Jarvis and Gerrard street will be off-limits to drivers from 7 p.m. on Friday to 7 a.m. on Monday. Crews will be replacing watermains, resurfacing roads, and upgrading bike lanes and sidewalks.

Ongoing work

The intersection of College Street and Lansdowne Avenue is closed in all directions until Aug. 8 for streetcar track replacement, sidewalk repairs and road work. Click here for traffic detours. TTC vehicles will also be on diversion, click here for details.

Gerrard Street, from University Avenue to Elizabeth Street, is reduced to one lane until Oct. 15 for watermain and other road work.

Richmond Street West is reduced to one lane of traffic between Church and York streets until Nov. 30 for TTC track work, watermain replacement, and road and sidewalk repairs.

One lane of Queen Street West between Spadina Avenue and Bathurst Street is closed in both directions for watermain replacement and reconstruction work until around Oct. 8.

Below is a map of the ongoing road closures in Toronto due to construction. Click here for a mobile-friendly link.