Weekend need to know: Thanksgiving long weekend, fall events, road closures

It’s a long weekend for some this Thanksgiving and there’s lots to do in the GTA including some fall-favourite events and new art exhibits.

Click here for more on what’s open and closed for the holiday Monday.

There’s also TTC updates and continuing road closures to keep an eye on. There will also be extra GO trains running for Toronto Blue Jays games all weekend.

Here’s what’s going on:

Top Events

PumpkinFest Toronto

PumpkinFest Toronto kicks off this Thanksgiving weekend and runs for three consecutive weekends throughout the month from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Downsview Park.

The event includes family friendly rides, photo ops, games, an inflatable corn maze, food trucks, and a pumpkin patch.

The festival will also feature the SuperDogs performing live tricks on stage.

(Photo credit: pumpkinfesttoronto.com)

The Canada Cup 

The Toronto Gay Hockey Association (TGHA), in collaboration with the Montreal Dragons, is hosting their annual LGBTQIA+ hockey tournament, known as The Canada Cup.

Games begin Friday evening and end Sunday afternoon.

Games will be played at downtown rinks including Varsity Centre arena located in University of Toronto, Canlan Sports arena located in York University, and Mattamy Athletic Centre located at 50 Carlton Street.

The TGHA was created to have what they call an LGBTQ+ and allied positive space where people can enjoy playing hockey in an environment free from discrimination.

Click here for details on how to register or participate.

(Photo credit: Toronto Gay Hockey Association)

Halloween Haunt

Horror lovers can once again get spooked by monsters, mazes, rides and more at Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland.

The event has been back for the past couple weeks and runs every weekend from 7 p.m. to midnight until October 30.

Organizers say the event is not recommended for children under 13 years old and guests will not be allowed into the event if they’re wearing make-up or costumes.

????Are you a screamer? FEAR is waiting for YOU at Halloween Haunt????
????Purchase your ticket today: https://t.co/pdJeLAg5L8#halloweenhaunt #CanadasWonderland #boo #Halloween pic.twitter.com/ILNFKaF89n

— Canada's Wonderland (@WonderlandNews) October 1, 2022

Afghanistan My Love

Afghanistan My Love is a new contemporary art exhibition at the Aga Khan Museum opening this Saturday and running until April 10.

Organizers say the exhibit is meant to challenge visitors’ perceptions about Afghanistan and bring new perspectives about the hope for the country’s future through original works of art, created by those who came from Afghanistan.

The two headliners showcasing their work include ArtLords, a global grassroots movement who have transferred their murals from the streets of Kabul to Toronto with messages of peace and hope.

The other headliner is Afghan-Canadian artist Shaheer Zazai who created renderings in Microsoft Word of what later became real carpets woven in Afghanistan by a group of local women.

(Photo credit: I See You by ArtLords)

Steve Lacy – Give You The World Tour

Steve Lacey is coming to Danforth Music Hall this Sunday for his Give You The World Tour.

The musician is touring his album Gemini Rights and tickets sold out quick.

If you’re a fan and still want to catch the show, there’s only verified resale tickets available according to Ticketmaster.

(Photo credit: Instagram | @steve.lacy)

TTC update

Line 2 late opening
Subway service on Line 2 between St George and Broadview stations will start by 12 p.m. on Sunday. Shuttle buses will operate.

Transit will operate on holiday service for Thanksgiving Day.

Road closures

Latin Fall Fiesta and Parade

St. Joseph Street between Queen’s Park and Bay Street will be closed from 7 a.m. on Saturday, October 8 until 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 9

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, October 8 until 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 9

Construction

• The intersection of King Street West and Shaw Street has been fully closed since Tuesday and will stay closed until mid-November as crews work to replace the TTC streetcar tracks. During the intersection closure, road users can detour the area using Douro Street for east-west travel and Strachan Avenue for north-south travel.

• Westbound lanes on Sheppard Avenue East, between Yorkland Road and Fairview Mall Drive, will be closed on Saturday from 12:01 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Two southbound lanes on the Don Valley Parkway, including the southbound on-ramp at Bloor Street/Danforth Avenue will be closed on Sunday from 2 to 9 a.m. for TTC repairs.
• Westbound Lake Shore Boulevard, between Jarvis and Yonge Streets, will be reduced to one lane until October 21, for continuing gas main work.
• The Carlton and Church Streets intersection has partially reopened. Vehicles can turn right onto westbound Carlton Street from southbound Church Street and turn right onto southbound Church Street from eastbound Carlton Street.
• Traffic lanes on Queen’s Park, between Bloor Street West and Queen’s Park Crescent, are reduced to accommodate the TTC’s Easier Access (elevator installation) work at Museum Station.
• The Queensway has a reduced number of lanes in both directions, between Parkside Drive and the King-Queen-Queensway-Roncesvalles (KQQR) intersection, for TTC track replacement and road reconstruction work. Eastbound left turns are not permitted from The Queensway to Glendale Avenue.
• Roncesvalles Avenue is closed from Queen Street West to Harvard Avenue for watermain replacement, TTC track replacement and road reconstruction.
• Wellington Street, from Church Street to Yonge Street, is reduced to one westbound lane for TTC track replacement and sidewalk improvements. Scott Street, north of Wellington Street, is closed to all vehicular traffic and Church Street is closed at the Esplanade.