15 h. ago Toronto food alley that just opened on a buzzy strip last year has closed down

An outdoor food market in Toronto that once boasted a dozen vendors has closed permanently after only a few months.Founded in October 2024, Queen West's Food Alley promised to be a one-of-a-kind addition to the landscape of the buzzing downtown core.Transforming a vacant lot into a culinary bazaar populated by upwards of 14 independent vendors served burgers, pizza, dumplings, ice cream and beyond to scores of hungry shoppers under draping Edison string lights.Toronto alley transforming into a new street food market https://t.co/GbaL8AwG8r— blogTO (@blogTO) September 20, 2024Honestly, it would have been a cool idea had it been able to stick around. Alas, no more than 10 months after opening its gate, the Food Alley suddenly announced via Instagram post that it was closing down permanently, with little explanation."This is a goodbye! Thank you Queen W.," the stylized image reads, adding, "Queen West, you've been a dream," in the c...

Other

56 h. ago Oasis fan store coming to Toronto’s Queen Street ahead of two stadium dates

An Oasis Live ‘25 fan store is coming to Toronto ahead of their Aug. 24-25 shows at Rogers Stadium. The fan store, open daily from 11 a.m. onwards at 468 Queen St. as of Aug. 21, will feature official Oasis merch — like limited-edition and exclusive brand collabs in menswear, womenswear, childrenswear, and accessories. Fans […]

Sport

4 d. ago Another Toronto street festival was just cancelled for this year

On the heels of the shocking announcement that Toronto's Taste of the Danforth is being scrapped yet again this year, another street fest has also announced that it will not take place in the coming weeks, after all.Organizers of Toronto's Tamil Fest 2025 took to their website this week and updated it with a message that has surprised many: "Tamil Fest is paused for 2025."Set to take place on August 23 and 24 along Markham Road in Scarborough, the fest, now in its 11th year, was touted as the largest of its kind in the world. Apparently, up to 250,000 people were expected to patronize it this year — that is, until the abrupt cancellation.Although this is an unexpected change in plans, something did feel different about the way the event was being promoted this year. Headliners, key vendors, attractions, and other details were missing from the website, giving the homepage a very dismal feel as the start date loomed.This made the suspen...

Culture

4 d. ago One of Toronto's biggest street festivals was just cancelled for the second straight year

There are two main events that residents of Toronto would say traditionally herald the end of summertime each year: The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), which runs 18 days until Labour Day to close out the season, and Taste of the Danforth, once the city's largest street and food festival, taking place each August.While we are all eagerly awaiting the opening of the former this Friday, unfortunately, the latter has just been called off — and, it's now the second year in a row that this has happened, indicating a very precarious future for what has for so long been a key staple of the region's annual calendar.Since its advent in 1993, Taste of the Danforth has grown to welcome more than a million people across three days each summer, taking over a 1.6-km-long stretch of the main street.The last iteration that locals have been able to enjoy was in 2023, which followed a forced break during COVID-19. But even then, things appeared...

Culture

6 d. ago Largest street festival of its kind in the world returns to Toronto this month

Toronto's largest South Asian street festival is back, and it's bringing tons of colour, music, and flavour right here to the city. Tamil Fest 2025 returns for its 11th year this month, taking over Markham Road in Scarborough for two culturally-forward days of performances, delish eats, and overall pride.Recognized as the biggest "Tamil street festival outside of the Indian subcontinent," Tamil Fest is expected to welcome 250,000 visitors this year.The organizers are gearing up to host a massive crowd — bigger than what they've seen in the past years — and one of the city's busiest roads will be shut down to cater to the festival-goers.There will be dance troupes, spicy South Asian flavours, and local vendors who will turn the festival into a complete sensory experience.    View this post on Instagram           A post shared by Tamil Fest 2025 (@tamilfest.ca)This yea...

Culture

7 d. ago Man charged with murder after fatal shooting in downtown Toronto

A 26-year-old man from Mississauga, Ont., is facing a second-degree murder charge after another man died in hospital following a shooting in downtown Toronto on Saturday. 

Events

1 week ago Free vintage car show will shut down major Toronto street this month

Mark your calendars: on Saturday, August 16, 2025, Danforth Avenue from Byng to Warden in east Toronto transforms into a colourful open-air car spectacle hosted by the Crossroads of the Danforth BIA, for the Wheels on the Danforth car festival.Running from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., this one-day fest features everything from classic muscle cars to tuners, plus live music, performers, food trucks, vendors, and fun for all ages. Admission is completely free.A reminder that Danforth Avenue will be closed from Warden Avenue to Byng Avenue, and Danforth Road will be closed from Landry Avenue to Danforth Avenue from 7 a.m. to midnight on that day.Why you have to goWheels on the Danforth blends polished autos with community energy. A massive street-judged car show featuring hundreds of vehicles — from vintage classics and hot rods to race cars, exotics, tuners, and themed movie cars — takes place twice throughout the day; a morning judged show (10 a.m.–3 p.m.) and an evening sho...

Politics

3 w. ago This Toronto street is turning into a giant jazz party and it's totally free

Get ready to groove, Toronto — one of the city's most beloved street jazz parties is making its return next week!The Beaches Jazz Street Festival StreetFest is back from July 25–27, 2025, bringing live music, local vendors, and major street closures to Queen Street East.The festival is free to attend and marks the grand finale of the month-long Beaches International Jazz Festival, which has been filling Toronto's streets with soulful sounds all July long.Queen Street East turns into a pedestrian paradiseFrom Woodbine Avenue to Beech Avenue, Queen Street East will be closed to vehicle traffic from Friday, July 25 at 6 p.m. to Sunday, July 27 at midnight, transforming the bustling strip into an open-air stage and pedestrian-only promenade.Over 40 bands and hundreds of musicians will line the sidewalks performing everything from funk, soul, and big band to Afro-Cuban jazz and blues. Expect multiple pop-up stages, roaming brass bands, and plenty of surprise performan...

Culture

4 w. ago This $1 million Toronto house has been owned by the same family since 1949

A home at 71 Eighth St. in Etobicoke hasn't been on the market in 75 years, and I have to say, there's something incredibly special about a Toronto house that hasn't changed hands for the better part of a century.Built in 1949 and owned by the same family ever since, this two-storey mid-century gem is packed with old-school charm, original details, and just enough quirks to get your renovation gears turning without the daunting fear of a total gut-job.Tucked on a quiet corner lot in the lakeside neighbourhood of New Toronto, the house is surrounded by mature trees, including a magnolia that gives it serious storybook vibes.An aerial view of the house. The 125-foot-deep lot is a rare find in the city, and with a detached garage and private double-wide drive, you've got room for up to four vehicles (or a workshop, studio, or even a backyard sports court).The upstairs landing. Inside, the home is surprisingly spacious.The living room. The main floor ...

Economics

4 w. ago Historic $1 million Ontario home with its own name was once a bed and breakfast

The phrase "they don’t make 'em like they used to" applies to many things, but is especially true for houses. That being said, a historic home doesn't have to mean a dated state of living. The Cavana House in Orillia, Ontario, proves that you can have the best of both worlds.Built in 1889, the 2.5-storey Cavana House boasts six bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom. The newly renovated open-concept kitchen features a generous island, quartz countertops and backsplash, modern appliances, and ample storage space.This kitchen is truly the heart of the home.While the Cavana House may be old, it by no means requires any renovations. That's already been taken care of!A series of enhancements made in 2021 include upgraded flooring, forced-air gas heating with central air, professionally landscaped gardens, a beautiful Juliet balcony, and new shingles. As weather becomes more unpredictable, you'll be glad for those sleek new shingles.What makes th...

Economics