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- calendar_today October 22, 2026
Diwali Festival of Lights Brightens Toronto
This weekend, Toronto residents and visitors are invited to celebrate Diwali with a series of vibrant festivities in two major city locations, taking place ahead of the November festival. The Toronto Diwali Festival of Lights is recognized as Canada’s largest of its kind and will unfold at Nathan Phillips Square, offering music, culture, dance, fireworks, and more. The free event launches at noon on Saturday and continues through 10 p.m. on Sunday.
Meanwhile, just north at Mel Lastman Square, festivities continue with the third annual Diwali celebration. Over 45,000 people are expected to gather for the event, featuring 150 performers and 50 vendors. The Mel Lastman Square Diwali Festival starts October 23 and runs all weekend. More information can be found on the organizers’ website.
Early Halloween Festivities and Family Activities
The city’s Halloween celebrations kick off early with several events suitable for families and children. The annual Riverside Halloween Fest returns this Sunday, featuring free activities such as pumpkin decorating, a dog costume party, face painting, and candy. The fun begins at 11 a.m., with the dog costume party at noon and the Riverside Candy Crawl and parade at 3 p.m. The parade stops at more than 10 local businesses and ends at the Toronto Public Library at Queen Street and Saulter Street. Festivities start at Joel Weeks Park, near Queen Street East and the Don Valley Parkway.
At Black Creek’s Village, the Halloween Witches Market offers another family-friendly outing. More than 35 vendors, including tarot readers and sellers of handmade goods, are set up from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. this weekend.
Special Events: Good Mourning Festival and Leisure Skate
The Good Mourning Festival at Evergreen Brickworks offers a supportive space for those experiencing grief, running from Saturday. The event, ‘Together in Grief’, includes workshops, art installations, music, and peer support. The second day features a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration honoring Mexican and Latin American traditions through performances, crafts, and food. Details are available on the event website.
For sports and skating enthusiasts, the Coca-Cola Coliseum at Exhibition Place is opening for a Fall Leisure Skate on Friday evening. From 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., attendees can skate for free where the Toronto Sceptres and Marlies play. Skates, helmets, and skate aids are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Annual Halloween Fest at Danforth Garage
The TTC’s Danforth Garage transforms into a Halloween destination this weekend, supporting United Way Greater Toronto. The facility, over 110 years old, features haunted and kid-friendly bus bays, trick-or-treating, Halloween activities, TTC merchandise, and a BBQ fundraiser. Admission is $7, with free entry for children aged two and under. The event runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Transit and Road Closures Across the City
Several transit closures and service changes will affect Toronto this weekend. Subway service on Line 2 between Kipling and Jane will be replaced by shuttle buses on Saturday, and between Kipling and Keele on Sunday due to infrastructure work. Regular service resumes Monday at 6 a.m.
GO Transit’s Lakeshore West line will see no train service between Aldershot GO and Union Station all weekend. GO trains will operate between Niagara Falls and Aldershot GO, with bus service between West Harbour GO and Union Station Bus Terminal. No GO Transit service will be available at Appleby, Bronte, Port Credit, Long Branch, Mimico, or Exhibition GO stations.
Additionally, ongoing road closures include the westbound Gardiner Expressway, which is reduced from four lanes to three from Park Lawn Road to Grand Avenue in southern Etobicoke as part of a long-term construction plan. Eastbound lanes are narrowed but have no lane reductions. The changes to the Gardiner Expressway are expected to be in place until December 2026.
Stay Informed and Plan Your Weekend
With a wide variety of events, from Diwali celebrations and Halloween fests to special skating events and thoughtful commemorations, Toronto offers something for everyone this weekend. Residents are encouraged to plan ahead for transit and road closures, and to check official sources for the latest updates on events and transportation.
Source: toronto.citynews.ca.
