Weekend need to know: Pride Festival and security, road closures, TTC routes

Pride festivities are back on the streets this year, alongside the Toronto Jazz Festival and outdoor film watching at city parks.

We’re also updating you on what you need to know regarding ramped up security ahead of the in-person return of Pride events in the city.

Keep in mind there are road closures for events and construction. Scroll below for details.

Here’s what’s happening this weekend:

Need to know: Security at Pride events

People attending Pride events this weekend can expect to see heightened security.

Organizers say the added security is in response to an increase in attacks on people and groups doing 2SLGBTQ+ advocacy work during Pride Month.

Security workers will be at the events to check festival-goers for weapons using a security wand before they can enter specific spaces, like festival stages.

Organizers add the ramped up security measures could lead to a slower check in-process.

Pride Festival Weekend

Pride Toronto’s Festival Weekend is making a return with marches, live music and the annual Pride Parade.

Some events include:

Trans Rally & Trans March – The rally starts at 7 p.m. with the march at 8 p.m. on Friday and will go from Charles and Church streets to Allan Gardens.

Bi+ Pride: A BiFurious Celebration – The event goes from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and will recognize and celebrate bi-visibility. Events will also include burlesque and drag performances.

Dyke Rally & Dyke March – The rally starts at 1 p.m. with the march at 2 p.m. on Saturday and will go from Charles and Church streets to Allan Gardens.

2Spirit Toronto – The event will recognize and celebrate the diverse sexualities and gender expressions that exist within Indigenous communities. It’s happening Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Allan Gardens.

Priyanka – LIVE! – The winner of Canada’s Drag race season 1, Priyanka, will be performing on the TD Main Stage on Sunday from 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Pride Parade – The parade will start at 2 p.m. on Sunday, travelling from Bloor and Church streets to Yonge Street and ending up at Yonge-Dundas Square. Over 200 contingents and over 200,000 marchers will join the 41st commemoration in-person.

For a complete list of road closures related to Pride weekend festivities, scroll to the bottom of this article

TTC

Customers planning to attend the Trans March, Dyke March or Pride Parade are encouraged to take the TTC to travel to and from their events safely. The quickest way to get to the route is via Line 1 on the subway. The closest stops for the Trans March and Dyke March are Wellesley and College stations. Both marches begin at the intersection of Charles St. and Church St., and continue south onto Yonge St., ending at Allan Gardens.

For those attending the Pride Parade on Sunday, the closest stops are located at Bloor-Yonge, Wellesley, College and Dundas stations. The route begins at the intersection of Bloor St. and Church St., and continues south along Yonge St. to Dundas Square.

Four routes will be diverting this weekend to accommodate Pride events:

• From 12:01 a.m. to 7 a.m. on Mon., June 27, the 94 Wellesley will be diverting to accommodate a number of Pride events.
• On Sat., June 25, the 19 Bay will be diverting from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for the Pride Remembrance Run.
• The 506 Carlton will divert on Fri., June 24 from 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. for the Trans March, and Sat., June 25, between 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. for the Dyke March.
• On Sun., June 26, the 505 Dundas and 506 Carlton will be diverting between 12:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. to accommodate the Pride Parade.

(Photo credit: Pride Toronto)

Toronto Jazz Festival

The Toronto Jazz Festival is back this weekend and will last for 10 days. The event will feature the biggest names in jazz, blues, R&B and soul, and will have both free and ticketed venues throughout the downtown core.

On Sunday, Raptors head coach Nick Nurse will be a special guest for The New Power Generation, which was Prince’s backing band from 1990 to 2013.

The festival, which starts on Friday, runs until July 3.

Note: The 13 Avenue Road bus will be diverting to accommodate the festival from Sat., June 25, at 12:01 a.m. until Mon., June 27 at 5:00 a.m.

Craft Beer Festival

The Craft Beer Festival returns to Ontario Place this weekend.

Those attending will have over 40 craft beer, cider and spirit varieties to choose from.

The event will be held in four capacity-limited sessions at Ontario Place West Island, 955 Lake Shore Blvd. W. General admission kicks off Friday at 4 p.m. and runs until Sunday at 7 p.m.

Pinoy Night Market

This event is a giant block party celebrating Filipino heritage with food, drinks, arts and live music. It’s the first event of its kind to be hosted by the outdoor food and drink market Street Eats Market. 

Part of the event’s proceeds will go towards the nonprofit Pinay Tayo Toronto’s future projects to help and support Filipino women entrepreneurs.

The market is being held at the Street Eats Market at Scarborough Town Centre on 500 Progress Ave. on Friday and Saturday between 4 p.m. and midnight. On Sunday the event will run from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

(Photo credit: Street Eats Market)

Curtains Up!

For those wanting to catch a flick outside for free, now you can head back to Fort York and enjoy a show on the big screen this weekend.

Toronto Outdoor Picture Show is hosting Curtains Up! which is a three-week evening-festival programme of performance-themed films, taking place at Fort York, Corktown Common, Bell Manor Park, and its signature series, Christie Pits Film Festival.

Friday’s viewing is But I’m a Cheerleader.

Sunday’s viewing is Moulin Rouge!

Gates open at 7 p.m. for both screenings at Fort York.

(Photo credit: @topictureshow Instagram)

Road closures

Pride Weekend (Friday-Monday)

• Church Street from Dundas Street East to Hayden Street: closed to vehicle traffic from 10 a.m., Friday, June 24 to 7 a.m., Monday, June 27 for the Pride Toronto StreetFair.
• Church Street from Bloor Street East to Hayden Street; Bloor Street East from Church Street to Yonge Street; Yonge Street from Bloor Street to Carlton Street; and Carlton Street from Yonge Street to Jarvis Street: closed to vehicle traffic from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 24 for Trans Pride March.
• Church Street from Bloor Street East to Hayden Street; Bloor Street East from Church Street to Yonge Street; Yonge Street from Bloor Street to Carlton Street; and Carlton Street from Yonge Street to Jarvis Street: closed to vehicle traffic from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 25 for Dyke March.
• Rosedale Valley Road from Bayview Avenue to Park Road: closed to vehicle traffic from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 26 to facilitate Pride Parade formation.
• Church Street from Hayden Street to Bloor Street East; and Park Road from Rosedale Valley Road to Bloor Street East: closed to vehicle traffic from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 26 to facilitate Pride Parade formation.
• Bloor Street East from Yonge Street to Ted Rogers Way; Yonge Street from Bloor Street to Queen Street; Dundas Street East from Yonge Street to Church Street; and Victoria Street from Dundas Street East to Shuter Street: closed to vehicle traffic from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 26 for Pride Parade.
• Wellesley Street from Jarvis Street to Queen’s Park Crescent East and Queen’s Park from College Street to Bloor Street West: closed to vehicle traffic from 7 a.m. to noon on Sunday, June 26 for Pride and Remembrance Run

Unless where otherwise indicated, all roads are expected to be re-opened at approximately 7 p.m. Sunday

TD Toronto Jazz Festival (Saturday-Monday):

The festival will take place at various venues Friday to Sunday, and traffic delays can be expected in the area during event hours.

The following road closures will be in effect for two days from Saturday at 12:01 a.m. to Monday at 5 a.m., to support the main stage located at Queen’s Park Crescent:

• Queen’s Park Crescent from Wellesley Street West to Bloor Street West (full closure)
• Charles Street West from St. Thomas Street to Queen’s Park Crescent (local traffic only)

Fairbank Summerfest (Friday-Monday):

• Eglinton Avenue West from Ronald Avenue to Dufferin Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from 7 a.m. on Friday, June 24 to 3 a.m. on Monday, June 27

Construction/Maintenance

• Gerrard Street from University Avenue to Elizabeth Street will be closed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 25 to facilitate SickKids building maintenance
• Lake Shore Boulevard northbound and southbound access to Simcoe Street is restricted to right turn only; Lake Shore Boulevard eastbound and westbound to Simcoe Street is restricted to right turn only; and Lake Shore Boulevard eastbound is reduced to a single lane from Spadina Avenue to Rees Street on Saturday, June 25 from 6 a.m. to Sunday, June 26 at 6 a.m. to facilitate an Enbridge gas main replacement. Pedestrians will be redirected to use the east crosswalk.

TTC Closures/Diversions

There are no subway closures scheduled on the TTC this weekend; however, several events around the city will result in adjustments to TTC bus and streetcar service.

Four routes will be diverting this weekend to accommodate Pride events:

• From 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 24, to 7 a.m. on Monday, June 27, the 94 Wellesley will be diverting to accommodate a number of Pride events.
• On Saturday, June 25, the 19 Bay will be diverting from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for the Pride Remembrance Run.
• The 506 Carlton will divert on Friday, June 24 from 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. for the Trans March, and Saturday, June 25, between 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. for the Dyke March.
• On Sunday, June 26, the 505 Dundas and 506 Carlton will be diverting between 12:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. to accommodate the Pride Parade.

Additional weekend diversions include:

On Saturday, June 25, at 2:00 a.m. to Monday, June 27 at 5:00 a.m., the 32/332 Eglington West will be diverting to accommodate Fairbank Summerfest

On Saturday, June 25, from 12:01 a.m. to Monday, June 27 at 5:00 a.m., the 13 Avenue Road will be diverting to accommodate the TD Toronto Jazz Festival.

On Saturday, June 25, from 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., buses will not be entering Davisville Station to accommodate road closures due to a crane lift. Customers can board buses on the street, outside the station