From the return of CaféTO and splash pads to a fireworks display, there’s lots to enjoy across Toronto this long weekend. Those travelling over the long weekend should plan their journey in advance, allow extra time, consider taking public transit or other travel methods such as walking or cycling, and follow signage to keep everyone safe.
A map of all road closures is available on the City of Toronto’s Road Restrictions webpage.
The Green P parking website has information about parking and EV charging.
The Bike Share Toronto app offers a convenient and sustainable mode of transportation. Users can plan their trip and hop on a Bike Share Toronto classic bike or e-bike. More information is available on Bike Share Toronto’s website.
Dine al fresco as part of CaféTO
CaféTO returns this long weekend, inviting residents and visitors to enjoy outdoor dining across Toronto. More than 290 local restaurants and bars have registered for CaféTO’s curb-lane café program. In addition, the City boasts 752 patios and 604 sidewalk cafés. Together, these diverse dining spaces showcase Toronto’s vibrant and multicultural food scene.
More information is available on the City’s CaféTO webpage.
Explore fresh food and local vendors at St. Lawrence Market
The Farmers’ Market in the North Building will be open on Saturday, May 16 from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. St. Lawrence Market South will be open for regular hours of operation on Saturday, May 16 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The market will be closed on Monday.
More information can be found on the St. Lawrence Market website.
Enjoy nature at parks and beaches
The City has more than 1,500 parks and beaches to enjoy this long weekend. People visiting these spaces are reminded that bonfires and fireworks are not permitted in parks, beaches or public spaces. City-designated fire pits are available for use with a permit.
Amplified sound, including DJ equipment and large wireless speakers, is not permitted. Littering in parks or on beaches is also prohibited.
Lifeguard supervision for the summer has not yet started. Swimming without a lifeguard on duty is not recommended and beachgoers are advised to always monitor the weather and water conditions. Never swim alone and stay close to the shore.
More information can be found on the City’s Beaches webpage.
Visit Toronto Island
The 2026 summer schedule for ferries, with additional service to Centre Island, starts today.
Ferry passengers are encouraged to avoid peak times by departing from the mainland before 10 a.m. and returning by 5:30 p.m. Online ticket holders get express entry to the ferry terminal.
Tickets can be purchased on the City’s website.
Cool off at splash and spray pads
Beginning Saturday, more than 140 splash and spray pads in City parks will open for the season, and will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. until Sunday, September 13.
Caregivers are reminded to supervise children as these are unsupervised water-play areas. Splash and spray pad locations are available on the City’s Swimming and Water Play webpage.
Tee off at municipal golf courses
All five City golf courses will be open throughout the long weekend. Tee times can be booked online up to seven days in advance. More information is available on the City’s Golf webpage.
Stop and smell the flowers at conservatories and greenhouses
Flowers are in full bloom at Centennial Park Conservatory and Allan Gardens Conservatory. Both conservatories are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free.
More information about conservatories can be found on the City’s Conservatories webpage.
Residents and visitors to Toronto can escape urban life and visit a working farm in the heart of the City. Riverdale Farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free. More information is available on the City’s Zoos & Farms webpage.
The High Park animal display is open daily between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Roads in the park are closed to vehicular traffic on weekends and public holidays; however, several TTC routes connect to High Park. More information about the High Park animal display is available on the City’s Zoos & Farms webpage.
The Toronto Zoo is open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily including Victoria Day. Visitors can discover nearly 3,000 animals while exploring more than 10 km of walking trails and five tropical pavilions. Tickets can be booked on the Toronto Zoo website.
Discover new exhibitions at City-run galleries
A new exhibition at Assembly Hall by F8 Photography Collective, presented as part of the CONTACT Photography Festival, will be on view Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.
Cedar Ridge Creative Centre will be open Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on Monday, May 18. Explore work by the Community Arts Guild, displayed alongside community-engaged pieces developed with Jumblies, Scarborough Arts and Thinking Rock Community Arts.
The Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery & Ascent Gallery will be open on Saturday, May 16 but closed on Sunday, May 17 and Monday, May 18. A new exhibition Temporal Disruption by Cassandra Cunningham will be on view in the Ascent Gallery. On display in the main gallery, Legacy in Colour is showcasing the talent of the Etobicoke Seniors.
Open Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Clark Centre for the Arts is currently showcasing the work of 2026 artist-in-residence Chris Thomaidis. The exhibition, Inscape: Scarborough’s Shoreline Parks, is part of the CONTACT Photography Festival. The gallery is closed Monday, May 18.
More information, including directions, can be found on the City’s Cultural Centres & Galleries webpage.
Experience history at City-run museums
General admission is free at all 10 Toronto History Museums. The museums will be open during their regular operating hours on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 apart from Fort York National Historic Site – which remains closed from Friday, May 1 to Friday, July 31 for FIFA Fan Festival™ – as well as Zion Schoolhouse and Market Gallery, which are closed for the preparation of future exhibitions. All museums are closed Monday. More information about museum programming is available on the City’s History Museums webpage.
Participate in community recreation activities
On Monday, May 18, all City community recreation facilities will be closed, except for L’Amoreaux Tennis Centre, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Regularly scheduled drop-in programs and registered activities will operate on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17. More information and schedules are available on the City’s Parks & Recreation website.
Watch fireworks at Ashbridges Bay
The City’s fireworks display takes place at Ashbridges Bay Park on Monday, May 18 at 10 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to use public transit and leave personal vehicles at home. Information about TTC schedules, routes and long weekend service is available on the TTC’s website.
Important reminder about fireworks
Residents are allowed to set off fireworks on their own private property without a permit before 11 p.m. on Victoria Day and Canada Day. A permit is required to set off fireworks on all other days. Fireworks are not permitted in City parks or on beaches, balconies, streets, parking lots or property that is not owned by the person setting off the fireworks.
Fireworks should be handled and supervised by adults 18 years of age or older. People under 18 years old are not permitted to discharge fireworks. Those setting off fireworks must be mindful of their surroundings and not discharge fireworks where they may be a nuisance or pose a risk of fire, injury or damage to any person or property.
The City’s bylaw enforcement officers and the Toronto Police Service will be patrolling parks, beaches and other areas to ensure compliance with the Fireworks Bylaw.
The misuse or illegal sale of fireworks can be reported to 311 by phone or by submitting a service request at: www.toronto.ca/311.
In the event of a fire, call 9-1-1.
Those setting off fireworks on private property must also safely dispose of the fireworks as improper disposal can cause fires in waste collection vehicles and at facilities.
To dispose of used or unused fireworks, completely submerge the fireworks in water and soak them overnight. Dispose of up to 10 fireworks at a time in a garbage bin over separate collection dates. Never put used or unused fireworks in the recycling.
More information about fireworks rules, safety tips and proper disposal is available on the City’s fireworks webpage.
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