Weekend need to know: Fan Expo, cultural festivals, TTC/road closures

One of Canada’s most eagerly awaited events is fully returning to Toronto this weekend. It’s the first time since before the pandemic Fan Expo organizers are able to host fans at full capacity. Other events are also happening this weekend including the first ever Halal Ribfest, the return of the Toronto Korean Festival and other cultural events.

The city is continuing to host pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinics at some of the weekend festivals for those who still need to get any eligible doses.

Road and TTC closures are also expected if you’re commuting to and from the festivities. Scroll below for more details.

Here’s what’s on tap for the weekend:

Top events

Fan Expo

The event for all comic, sci-fi, horror, and anime lovers is making a full return to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from Thursday to Sunday.

The stars from fan-favourite series like Strangers Things, Star Trek, The Lord of the Rings, and more, will also be in attendance.

The event hosted a “limited edition” event last year, with far fewer tickets made available, in order to follow COVID-19 health restrictions at the time.

Now, thousands of more fans can head back to the venue in cosplay, alongside their favourite artists, authors and actors.

Cosplayers dressed as characters from Guardians of the Galaxy pose at Fan Expo 2019. CITYNEWS/Dilshad Burman

Show hours:

• Thursday, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
• Friday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Halal Ribfest 

A fully halal barbeque and fast food truck festival is coming to Downsview Park for the first time from Friday to Sunday.

People can also look forward to an exotic car and bike show at the event over the weekend.

Event hours:

• Friday, 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
• Saturday, 11a.m. – 11 p.m.
• Sunday, 11a.m. – 11 p.m.

Toronto Korean Festival

The Toronto Korean Festival is coming to Mel Lastman Square in North York from Friday to Sunday between noon and 9 p.m.

People can expect to see live performances from Tae Kwon Do to traditional dances and drumming to K-Pop dance competitions and performances, among food vendors and other activities.

WATCH Breakfast Television’s Dina and Sid joined by Jin Shin, Toronto Korean Festival organizer, to discuss the event taking place this weekend at Mel Lastman Square:

Tamil Fest

Tamil Fest is a free event happening this weekend on Markham Rd between McNicoll and Passmore avenues.

The two-day street festival celebrating Tamil culture spans from Saturday to Sunday and will include lots of musical performances and Tamil cuisine.

Sinting Fest on Eglinton West

Sinting Fest is a three-day event meant to promote and sustain Toronto’s Little Jamaica Neighbourhood, hosted by the Black Business and Professional Association.

Event-goers can expect live music, dance, children’s activities, fashion and lots of food.

The festival will take place all weekend long from Friday to Sunday on Eglinton Street West between Marlee Avenue and Dufferin Street.

(Photo credit: Facebook @thelittlejamaica)

COVID vaccination clinics at weekend festivals

Toronto Public Health (TPH) is hosting COVID-19 vaccination clinics at several weekend events like Sinting Fest, Tamil Fest, the Toronto Korean Festival and more.

This weekend’s pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics can be found at
• Toronto Diversity Festival, Nathan Philips Square, on Saturday from 1:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Sinting Fest on Eglinton West, Little Jamaica, Eglinton Street West between Marlee Avenue and Dufferin Street, on Saturday from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Tamil Fest, Markham Road between McNicoll Avenue and Passmore Avenue, on Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 8 p.m.
• Toronto Korean Festival, Mel Lastman Square, on Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Road closures

Events

• Eglinton Avenue West, between Marlee Avenue and Dufferin Street, will be closed to vehicles from noon on Friday until 2 a.m. on Sunday for the Sinting Fest on Eglinton West.
• Markham Road, between McNicoll Avenue and Passmore Avenue; and Turbina Avenue, between Dynamic Drive and Markham Road, will be closed to traffic from 10 p.m. on Friday until 5 a.m. on Sunday for Tamil Fest.
• Dundas Street East, between Carlaw Avenue and Logan Avenue, will be closed to vehicle traffic from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Saturday for the Leslieville Beer Fest.
• Kensington Avenue, between Baldwin Street and St. Andrew Street, will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday for Toronto Loves Me.
• Yorkville Avenue, between Hazelton Avenue and Bellair Street, will be closed to motorists from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for Yorkville Murals.
• Market Street continues to be closed from Front Street East to The Esplanade for I Heart Market Street activities.

Construction

• Traffic lanes on Queen’s Park, between Bloor Street West and Queen’s Park Crescent, are reduced on that stretch due to the TTC’s elevator installation work at Museum Station.
• Lake Shore Boulevard West is reduced to a single lane from Jarvis Street to Sherbourne Street until 7 a.m. on September 8 to for installation of the Enbridge gas main.
• The on-ramp from Rees Street to eastbound Gardiner Expressway and one lane on Lake Shore Boulevard East, from Rees Street to Simcoe Street, are closed from 1 to 5 a.m. on Friday due to Gardiner inspections.
• The on-ramp from Bay Street to eastbound Gardiner Expressway is closed from 1 to 5 a.m. on Monday for Gardiner inspections.
• The Queensway has a reduced number of lanes in both directions between Parkside Drive and Roncesvalles Avenue for TTC track replacement and road reconstruction work. King Street West is closed at the King-Queen-Queensway-Roncesvalles intersection, and eastbound left turns are not permitted from The Queensway to Glendale Avenue.
• Wellington Street, from Yonge Street to Church Street, is reduced to a single westbound lane and Front Street, from Scott Street to Church Street, is reduced to a single eastbound lane for TTC track replacement and sidewalk improvements.
• Intersection of Carlton and Church streets remain closed all weekend for streetcar track replacement.

ActiveTO

• Bayview Avenue, from Rosedale Valley Road to Lawren Harris Square, and River Street West, between Bayview Avenue and Spruce Street, will be closed to vehicle traffic from 7 a.m. on Saturday until 7 p.m. on Sunday.

High Park

• Roads within High Park will be closed to vehicle traffic during the weekend.

TTC closures

Line 1 weekend closure
There will be no subway service on Line 1 between Finch and St Clair stations on Saturday and Sunday to accommodate Automatic Train Control signal system enhancement.