6 h. ago Cherry blossoms in Toronto could start their 2025 bloom this week

Cherry blossoms across Toronto could begin their 2025 bloom within the coming week as warmer temperatures and sunny days finally appear here to stay.After a clunky start to spring, with snowstorms surprising Toronto residents well into March and cold snaps stalling the growth of plant life in the city, the warmer weather appears to truly be here to stay. Finally.For many in the city, that means populating your social calendar with open-air concerts and patio cocktail plans, but it also marks the return of one of Toronto's most spectacular natural sights: the annual cherry blossom bloom at High Park.While it can be tricky to time your trips out just right so that you catch the blossoms in peak form, Toronto's resident cherry blossom expert, Sakura Steve, has his finger on the pulse, keeping sakura enthusiasts informed with comprehensive updates on their development.According to his latest observations, the bloom may just be upon us sooner rather than later.After chi...

Culture

7 d. ago Fencer disqualified for taking knee against trans athlete invited to testify before Congress

A female fencer who was disqualified after refusing to compete against a transgender athlete in a women’s bout has been invited to testify before Congress. Stephanie Turner, 31, opted to take a knee instead of fence against 20-year-old Redmond Sullivan, who was born male, at USA Fencing’s Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland last month. In […]

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8 d. ago Toronto’s ‘cherry blossom watch’ says it’s almost time for popular spring pilgrimage

Toronto's largest public park says its famous cherry blossom trees are showing their first signs of impending bloom.

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8 d. ago Looks like Toronto has to wait a little longer for 2025's cherry blossom bloom

As the spring weather blooms into full effect, Toronto residents are eagerly awaiting one of the most highly anticipated events — the cherry blossoms in High Park.Local cherry blossom expert, Sakura Steve, has been keeping his weekly updates, and given an update on when we can expect the cherry blossoms to hit full bloom.After a recent visit to High Park, he showcased that the current buds are sitting at Stage Two in their blooming process. That means little progress has been made from last week's green-tipped babies into fuller, rounder buds — but that’s a good thing.Because Toronto experienced colder-than-usual weather during April, this stage of the process has kept the buds safe and secure to combat the harsher climate.Steven notes that, if the buds had progressed to Stage Three or Four, they would've likely been damaged.But this comes with the downside of the cherry blossoms being stuck at Stage Two, delaying their development by a short while — as ...

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8 d. ago A massive sand dune is coming to the middle of downtown Toronto

While much of Toronto's downtown core can best be described as a concrete jungle, one area is getting a particularly intriguing dose of nature this summer in the form of an enormous artificial sand dune.The onslaught of warmer temperatures and sunny days signals the return of some of Toronto's most celebrated spring and summer traditions, from outdoor concerts at Budweiser Stage to the cherry blossom bloom at High Park, but this year, the city is also gearing up for some interesting new events and attractions to keep things fresh.Down at The Bentway, Toronto's reclaimed public space under the Gardiner Expressway, there's a particularly vibrant suite of programming scheduled to take place throughout the season, including the return of their popular roller skating rink and Art Socials.Some additions for the 2025 spring and summer season promise to be a little bit more... unique, though, like Sand Flight, an immersive dance performance that takes place atop an enormous sand d...

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8 d. ago What's open and closed on the 2025 Easter Long Weekend in Toronto

If you're searching for what's open and closed in Toronto this Easter long weekend, look no further. The Easter long weekend is upon us and that means we have a stat holiday coming up.Good Friday just so happens to land on April 18, 2025, and that means we're up for some closures in Toronto that might affect your plans. Though several businesses will be closed, and even into the weekend, there are still plenty of attractions and destinations that will be open as usual.We've compiled a list of what's open and closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday in Toronto. It's time to start making your holiday plans.While several Toronto malls will be closed on Good Friday, the Eaton Centre remains open.Good FridayHere's what's open and closed on April 18, 2025:ClosedCentrepoint MallYorkdale Shopping CentreCF Sherway GardensCF Fairview MallBayview VillageScarborough Town CentreVaughan MillsShops at Don MillsSquare One Shopping CentreMost grocery chainsLCBOBeer StoreToronto Public Library br...

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1 week ago Canadian and U.S. stock markets fell at the start of trading

TORONTO — Canadian and U.S. stock markets fell at the start of trading, giving up some of the gains made Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump’s partial tariff pullback The S&P/TSX composite index was down 571.79 points at 23,155.24. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 700.78 points at 39,907.67. The S&P […]

Economics

2 w. ago Enormous outdoor flower market coming to Toronto just in time for Mother's Day

Toronto is getting a huge outdoor flower market all summer long, and it's set to arrive just in time for Mother's Day.With blustery temperatures forecast all week in Toronto, it's easy to feel like we'll never be able to enjoy spending time outdoors again (let alone choose to, voluntarily), but signs of spring are everywhere.From tracking the progress of High Park's cherry blossoms to eagerly anticipating opening day at Canada's Wonderland, there's just no denying that we are, despite the weather suggesting otherwise, edging ever closer to the sunny season.Another hotly anticipated annual spring and summertime tradition in Toronto, the Toronto Flower Market, is also due to make its comeback alongside the sunshine, gearing up for its 12th season kickoff this May.As is the tradition, the monthly market will host its first event of the season on Saturday, May 10, the day before Mother's Day, so that you can treat the mothers and mother figures in your life to a brea...

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2 w. ago Here's when you could see Toronto's cherry blossoms in full bloom for 2025

After a few false starts, there's no denying now that spring has officially sprung in Toronto, and with it comes the return of one of the city's most spectacular sights: the annual cherry blossom bloom in High Park.It's been a rollercoaster few weeks for Toronto, weather-wise, after blustry lows, an ice storm, biblical levels of rain fall and, to cap it all off, a summerlike Thursday with temperatures reaching 20 degrees Celsius. Not that I'm complaining — not about that last part, at least — but I couldn't help wondering how the dramatic temperature swings would affect the city's most-anticipated plant life.But according to the latest update from Toronto's resident cherry blossom expert, Sakura Steve, High Park's cherry blossoms appear to be utterly unfazed by the unpredictable weather.Steve says that, even in spite of nearly every type of weather imaginable being unleashed on the city within a seven-day span, the buds are continuing to grow, and have off...

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3 w. ago ‘Means the world’: Tiny home removed from Toronto park after resident given full time housing

After years of experiencing homelessness, a Toronto man is celebrating a fresh start as he moves into permanent housing with the help of Tiny Tiny Homes.

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3 w. ago Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival is on: Here's what to know

Annual celebration of Japan and the blooms of spring across the city returns with a fair, pop-ups, block parties, walks, rides and more

Culture

4 w. ago What's new at the Rogers Centre for the Toronto Blue Jays home opener

The Toronto Blue Jays home opener is just around the corner.Toronto is slated to start their season this Thursday, March 27, at 3:07 p.m. against a longtime rival in Baltimore, with Jose Berrios taking the mound for the Blue Jays while Zach Elfin gets the ball for the Orioles.Sportsnet returns as the team's main broadcaster for the season, but everyone knows that the best way to experience the ballpark is in person.And while the Jays' changes around the stadium might not be as extensive as each of the last two offseasons’ major renovations, you’ll still notice several new features when you visit the Rogers Centre this season.Club 328Club 328 is one of two new clubs opening at the Rogers Centre this season, catering towards season ticket holders and quarter-season packages, with a limited number of single-game tickets pending availability.The name comes from the 328 feet it takes to get from home plate to the right field foul pole. Featuring a card wall of playe...

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