This upcoming long weekend, the City of Toronto is offering a wide range of fun, free activities and attractions for residents and visitors to enjoy including the annual Victoria Day fireworks display at Ashbridges Bay Park, city-wide exhibitions and outdoor activities.
Fireworks at Ashbridges Bay Park
The City will present Victoria Day fireworks at Ashbridges Bay Park starting at 10 p.m. on Monday, May 22. The show will feature beautiful fireworks and a spectacular finale.
Ashbridges Bay Park is located on Lake Shore Boulevard East at the foot of Coxwell Avenue and is accessible by public transit. Attendees are encouraged to use public transit and leave personal vehicles at home. Information about TTC schedules, routes and expanded long weekend service is available at www.ttc.ca.
Important safety reminder about fireworks
Fireworks are allowed without a permit only on Victoria Day and Canada Day until 11 p.m. on residents’ private property. Fireworks are not permitted in City parks or on beaches, balconies, streets, parking lots or a property that is not owned by the person setting off the fireworks.
Only adults 18 years of age or older should supervise or set off fireworks. Those setting of 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 misuse or illegal sale of fireworks can be reported to 311 by phone or by submitting a service request at www.toronto.ca/311. More information about fireworks rules, safety tips and proper disposal is available at www.toronto.ca/fireworks.
Parks and beaches
Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit any of Toronto’s more than 1,500 parks and beaches this long weekend. People enjoying these spaces are reminded that bonfires are not permitted in parks, beaches or public spaces, except for City-designed fire pits which require a permit. Amplified sound such as DJ equipment and large wireless speakers and littering in parks and on beaches are also not permitted.
The Toronto Police Service will continue to respond to public safety issues in parks and beaches this weekend. City Bylaw Enforcement Officers will also be monitoring busy parks and beaches this weekend.
Splash and spray pads
Splash and spray pads will begin to operate across Toronto on Saturday, May 20, with a few exceptions at sites undergoing maintenance or located on outdoor pool decks. Splash pads operate daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and are activated with push-button features. Caregivers are reminded to supervise children as these are unsupervised water-play areas. Information about splash-pad locations is available on the City’s Splash and Spray Pads webpage.
Toronto Island Park
Toronto Island Park is a great place for residents to enjoy a scenic picnic, hike or bike ride and is home to the interactive Franklin Children’s Garden, Centreville Theme Park and Far Enough Farm. Island visitors can find ferry schedule and fares at www.toronto.ca/ferry. Information about the amusement park and farm are available at www.torontoisland.com/center.php.
Golf at municipal courses
Toronto’s five municipal golf courses are located on beautiful parklands. These affordable, high-quality and TTC-accessible courses are open daily, including throughout the long weekend. More information about City-run golf courses is available at www.toronto.ca/golf.
Tennis courts
Public tennis courts across the city will have nets up and available for use throughout the Victoria Day long weekend. Public sites are free and available to the public. Tennis players are asked to share the courts by limiting their play time to half-hour intervals if others are waiting to use the courts. More information about public tennis courts is available at www.toronto.ca/tennis.
Conservatories and greenhouses
Flowers are in 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. While Allen Gardens is undergoing renovations, washrooms inside the conservatory are closed. Portable washrooms are available outside by the playground. More information about the City’s conservatories can be found at www.toronto.ca/conservatories.
Riverdale Farm
Residents and visitors to Toronto can visit a working farm in the centre of the city. Riverdale Farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free. More information is available at www.toronto.ca/zoos-farms.
High Park animal display
Toronto’s oldest animal display has been entertaining people for over 120 years and is open daily between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Visitors heading to the High Park animal display are reminded roads in the park will be closed to vehicular traffic for all three days of the Victoria Day long weekend. More information is available at www.toronto.ca/zoos-farms.
Exhibitions at City-run galleries
Art on the Brain Exhibition is showcasing at Assembly Hall Gallery. Assembly Hall is open on Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, May 21 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The Gallery is closed on Victoria Day. More information about the City’s Assembly Hall Gallery is available on the City’s Assembly Hall webpage.
Etobicoke Art Group 56th Juried Exhibition is showing at Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery. The gallery is open on May 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday, May 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information about the Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery is available on the gallery’s webpage.
The Community Arts Guild: Amazing Place is showing at Cedar Ridge Creative Centre from Saturday, May 13 until May 31. The centre is open on May 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and May 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The centre will be closed on May 22. More information about the City’s Cedar Ridge Creative Centre is available at www.toronto.ca/CedarRidge.
Weeping Willow is showing at Clark Centre for the Arts. The centre is open on May 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and May 21 at 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The center is closed on Monday. More information about the Clark Centre for Arts is available on the centre’s webpage.
Toronto History Museums
All Toronto History Museums are closed on Monday but will be operating at regular hours over the course of the weekend.
General admission to all 10 Toronto History Museums is permanently free to provide everyone an opportunity to fully participate in cultural heritage and spaces. For locations, hours of operation and more, visitors can visit Toronto History Museums’ Plan Your Visit webpage or consult the webpage of the specific museum for details.
Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo is open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, including on Victoria Day. Visitors can discover more than 3,000 animals while exploring more than 10 km of walking trails. This year, guests can visit the Zoo’s new baby Bactrian camel, born on May 4, as well as check out the Wild Toy Animal Hospital event. The Zoo’s behind-the-scenes Wild Encounters tours are also a great way to get up close and learn more about your favourite animals; timeslots can be booked online at www.torontozoo.com
Toronto Public Library
All Toronto Public Library (TPL) branches will be closed on May 21 and May 22 (Victoria Day). Branches will be open during regular hours on May 20. A full list of TPL branch locations and corresponding hours of operation is available at www.tpl.ca/branches.
Residents can download and stream eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, newspapers, movies and music at any time by visiting www.tpl.ca/downloads.
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.