Weekend need-to-know: Taste of the Danforth is back

The Taste of the Danforth, one of the biggest festivals in Toronto, makes its return this year after some help by all three levels of government. The National Bank Open also continues at Sobeys Stadium.

Here’s what’s happening this weekend in Toronto.

Taste of the Danforth

After a two-year hiatus, the beloved Taste of the Danforth is making its triumphant return. Nearly 1.5 million people are expected to gather along Danforth Avenue this weekend to celebrate food, music, culture and community.

The festival, which has historically been a celebration of Greek heritage, will be embracing Toronto’s diversity and multicultural spirit this weekend.

There will be multiple stages, a Kids Zone and participating restaurants will be featuring a Taste menu.

It kicks off on 6 p.m. Friday and runs through until Sunday at 10 p.m.

JerkFest

Celebratre Caribbeam culture with live performances, chef demonstrations, cultural showcases and family-friendly activities this weekend with JerkFest.

Delicious jerk cuisine, market vendors, interactive cultural displays, and a lively atmosphere will be on display for the 25th anniversary of the festival.

It runs for three days this weekend and will feature both local and international artists alongisde a Kids Zone in Centennial Park.

Tickets are still available to purchase and a full lineup for the weekend is available on their website.

National Bank Open

Just one Canadian remains in the mix at the National Bank Open and she’s set to play in the third round this week.

Leylah Fernandez will face off against Mirra Andreeva on Friday. The third and fourth rounds will be happening throughout the weekends and tickets are still available.

Toronto Diversity Festival

Celebrate culture, community, and connection at the annual Toronto Diversity Festival at Sankofa Square.

There will be live music and cultural dance performances, food from around the world and interactive workshops and art showcases from the rich tapestry of cultures that represent Toronto.

The event is free to attend and will be happening on Saturday and Sunday.

Salsa on Market Street

Bring your dancing shoes to St. Lawrence Market for the annual Salsa on Market Street.

Hosted by Salsa in Toronto, they will be transforming Market Street into a dance floor with free street dance lessons. Everyone from beginners to experienced dancers, everyone is invited to join in.

It’s happening this Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

DoggieFest Toronto

Bring your pup to Roundhouse Park this Sunday for the annual DoggieFest Toronto.

The free event features a giant ballpit, an agility zone, pet photography, live entertainment and over 35 local pet vendors and doggie experiences.

The park will be filled with dogs starting at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

TTC/GO closures

Lakeshore West service adjustment

On Saturday and Sunday, planned construction is taking place on Lakeshore West and GO train service will run every 30-minutes.

Weekend road closures

Taste of the Danforth

The following closures to vehicle traffic will be in effect for the festival:

• Danforth Avenue will be closed from Broadview Avenue to Jones Avenue from 9 a.m. on Friday until 4 a.m. on Monday
• Pape Avenue will be closed from Lipton Avenue to Hazelwood Avenue from 6 p.m. on Friday until 4 a.m. on Monday
• Logan Avenue is closed from Garnock Avenue to Lane North Danforth West Logan/Antonios Mavrakakis Lane until 4 a.m. on Monday

Gardiner Expressway bridge work

• Park Lawn Road will be closed from the Gardiner Expressway westbound on-ramp to the Gardiner Expressway eastbound off-ramp from 11 p.m. on Saturday until 11 a.m. on Sunday

Eastern/Adelaide bridges rehabilitation    

The following road restrictions will be in effect for work as part of the rehabilitation of Eastern/Adelaide Bridges project.

From 9 p.m. on Friday until 5:30 a.m. on Sunday: 

• Eastern Avenue will be closed from Sumach Street to Broadview Avenue 
• Adelaide Street East will be closed from Power Street to Eastern Avenue 
• There will be no access to northbound DVP on ramp at Eastern Avenue  

From 10:30 p.m. on Friday until 10 a.m. on Saturday, and from 10:30 p.m. on Saturday until 5:30 a.m. on Sunday:

• The southbound DVP off-ramp to Richmond Street will be closed

Humber Bay Shores Waterfront Festival

From 7 a.m. on Friday, August 7 until 6 a.m. on Monday, August 9:

• Marine Parade Drive will be fully closed from Humber Bay Shores Park Trail to Lake Shore Boulevard
• Waterfront Drive will also be closed from Marine Parade Drive to Palace Pier Court

Road closures for other construction work

Dundas Street West will be closed between Gilmour Avenue and 85 metres east from Friday at 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. on Monday to install a tower crane.

Starting on Friday, no eastbound traffic will be permitted on Danforth Avenue from Main Street to Dawes Road to allow for construction.

Starting at 7 p.m., Markham Road will be fully closed from Brimorton Drive to Ellesmere Road until 12 a.m. on Sunday to safely operate a crane. Then starting at 10 p.m., Markham Road will be fully closed from McNicoll Avenue to Passmore Avenue for Star Fest until Monday at 5 a.m.

Eastbound traffic on Progress Avenue will be prohibited from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday to safely operate a crane. Westbound traffic will be maintained. The work may be moved to Sunday in case of rain. 

Front Street West will be fully closed from Portland Street to Bathurst Street from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday to allow for the safe operation of a mobile crane.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 680 NEWSRADIO TORONTO’S LIVE TRAFFIC UPDATES!

Ongoing road closures

Gardiner Expressway long-term closure

As part of the long-term construction plan on the Gardiner Expressway, a stretch of the westbound Gardiner has been reduced from four lanes to three. The westbound lane closure will stretch from Park Lawn Road to Grand Avenue in southern Etobicoke. The eastbound lanes along the same stretch will be narrowed, but with no lane reductions, from April 2025 to December 2026.

For full traffic and closure updates, click here for the latest information from 680 NewsRadio Toronto.