Lavazza Festival 2025 back in Distillery District

The IncluCity Festival returns with the Lavazza film festival in the historic Distillery District from June 27 to July 20, 2025 with activations starting at 6:30pm. The festival movies represent Canada's diverse culture. I like it because of the cool blow up red, white and black couches that line the neighbourhood looking toward the giant screens in the district: Trinity Theatre (on Trinity Street) and Birra Moretti Theatre (on Pure Spirit Patio)

IncluCity describes the fest as an " international outdoor festival village that celebrates Canada’s cultural mosaic. Beyond presenting carefully curated films, the festival offers a dynamic blend of music, dance, visual art, and culinary delights. Through this flagship event and our year-round initiatives, ICFF is committed to promoting unity, diversity, and artistic brilliance, leaving a lasting and positive impact on Canada’s cultural landscape."

The Distillery District is always a hub of food, beverage, entertainment and art so it is always an interesting place to visit year round.

DOORS art installation in Trinity Square Park

Tucked between the Toronto Eaton Centre, Church of the Holy Trinity and 483 Bay Street is Trinity Square Park. It is a pretty simple park, a green space ringed by tall trees and surrounded by large bleacher type stairs, in the middle is a singular circle of shrubbery and a public labyrinth, formerly made of shrubs now a circular winding pathway made of paving stones. In the labyrinth they have placed the large interactive art installation called DOORS appropriately made up of empty portals lit with LED lights and interspersed with white doors.

From the Eaton Centre website, "Join us in Trinity Square for “DOORS,” an interactive art installation that blends the metaphorical with the physical from Jun 27 - Aug 31 2025. Join us in Trinity Square for “DOORS,” an interactive art installation that blends the metaphorical with the physical. Each door reveals a new surprise, as a creative reminder that every path begins with the choice to open the door to new possibilities. Whether you're here to reflect, explore, or just pass through, this exhibit offers a moment of magic in the heart of the city." You are invited to open the doors and experience the installation.

It's hard to tell in daytime but when you open a door it has a projection on a screen behind the door. There is a poster by the installation which has the following information regarding DOORS.

@jmhcet #DOORS #interactive #artinstallation outside the #eatoncentretoronto in #trinitysquarepark. open the doors to see the magic. #Toronto ♬ Knocking On Heavens Door - Elaine M

"What does a door mean to you? Is it a symbol of opportunity or a threshold of uncertainty? Throughout time, the door has become more than a functional object - it's a powerful metaphor for change, choice, success, failure, family, home and transformation.

The DOOR(S) invites you to reflect on the emotional weight we give to these everyday structures. With every opening, there is potential: to cross into something new to leave something behind, or to simply stand still and wonder.

This installation explores the deep symbolism of the door - and how a single, simple act of opening one can alter the course of our lives.

After all, it's just a door. Right?"

Art at the Bentway: the shadow that shelters you

Bentway Park under the Toronto's elevated Gardiner Expressway is place known for sports (especially skating) as well as events and art installations. In the summer you can roller blade and in the winter ice skate and any time seems like a good time for checking out the art in the park. Right now you can see la sombra que te cobija or the shadow that shelters you and Seeing Celsius. 

la sombra que te cobija / the shadow that shelters you

The shadow that shelters you doesn't in fact offer much shade and Seeing Celsius does not offer a great visual view. But this is what the Bentway website has to say about the installations.

"la sombra que te cobija / the shadow that shelters you (May 23, 2025 to Oct 5, 2025) A geometric pavilion invites you to cross under the Gardiner, casting both a cooling effect and ornate shadow patterns. Edra Soto’s installation references the shade-making façades of working-class Puerto Rican bungalows to create an expansive, sun-filtering threshold, reflecting on the intersection of heat-responsive architecture, place-making, and cultural heritage."

Seeing Celsius

"Seeing Celsius (May 23, 2025 to Oct 5, 2025) What happens when we can see heat? By adding thermal-imaging technology to the familiar viewfinder found at scenic lookout points, LeuWebb Projects enables you to see the temperature differences across The Bentway space and the bodies that move through it. It’s a new perspective that will shift how you view urban spaces and the materials…"

Luminato 2025 Rainbow Dreams in Brookfield Place

A bright, colourful art installation is in Toronto's Brookfield Place, part of the Luminato Festival but continuing after the fest has finished for 2025. Rainbow Dreams is from artist Hiromi Tango and it did include a Rainbow Wheel which is now in First Canadian Place until July 11, then will move to Bay Adelaide Centre from July 14-25.

From Luminato, "Internationally acclaimed artist Hiromi Tango brings her transformative vision to Toronto for the first time in North America. Drawing from her extensive body of work, these environments feature designs uniquely inspired by Toronto's striking glass towers and dynamic energy, offering spaces of color, playfulness, and mindfulness. In collaboration with neuroscientist Dr. Emma Burrows, Tango transforms the rainbow into more than just a symbol—it becomes a practice, nurturing the most valuable space we own: the one square foot between our ears."

Rainbow Wheel is a large, human sized hamster wheel made for spinning, "Step into Wheel, where movement becomes meditation. As your motion sets a spinning rainbow in motion, discover how physical activity can create moments of presence and clarity."

Odd Burger Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant Canada Day giveaway

Odd Burger on Church Street in Toronto along with Peta had a free vegan burger giveaway on July 1, 2025 and Peta animal allies were on hand to hand out literature and the burgers. The restaurant provides a menu of made from scratch vegan and vegetarian fast food items at 229 Church Street, Toronto. The peta organizers wore costumes depicting some delicious vegan options - the vegan burger and the vegan pizza. The restaurant is just off of Dundas Street East just a few blocks from the Toronto Eaton Centre.

A curious passer by stops to check out the free offer

Offering free vegan burgers

The Canada Day giveaway promoted compassion and animal free food options at the Odd Burger location, a local vegan hotspot. Standing outside and getting the message across with posters and signs like "every animal is someone", a calf with the message "I am you, only different" plus the crowd favourite "free vegan burgers".
 
Peta hopes to get people to think about how cows feel and to encourage people to go vegan and let the animals live in peace. Peta says, “From mouthwatering meat-free burgers to animal-friendly poutine, there’s a vegan answer to any craving these days,” says Vikki Lenola. “We’re encouraging everyone to celebrate Canada Day with kindness by leaving cows and other animals off their plates.” They also note that Odd Burger has over 50 menu items based on plant proteins with "burgers, tacos, pizza, gyros, breakfast sandwiches, loaded poutines, soft serve, and more"

Peta estimates that around 200 animals are spared suffering and death by going vegan and it helps to have healthy and tasty alternatives to help people make the switch to an animal free diet.

Vikki and Cassandra with vegan burgers at the ready

Vikki Lenola offers your one-stop reference guide to going vegan with the Peta Vegan Starter Kit

Canada Day 2025 at Queen's Park

The weather is perfect - stinking hot, and the birthday party is happening from 10am till 5pm on the front lawn of Queen’s Park. Canadian flags are everywhere (you can get them free on site) and there is even a giant one hanging from the legislature building overlooking the main stage.

Superman and Batman showed up for the event

From their website  ,https://www.ola.org/en/office-assembly/whats-happening/canada-day-2025-queens-park "Queen’s Park is the place to be this Canada Day. Join us for a jam-packed, fun-filled celebration of our nation’s 158th birthday. Enjoy tons of free events and activities including live performances on two stages, midway rides, family-friendly crafts and games, roaming entertainers, self-guided tours of the historic Legislative Building, and so much more. Food for purchase will be available from on-site vendors as well.

Join the crowd and sing Canada’s national anthem live during the opening ceremony starting at 11:30 a.m., then take a patriotic selfie at one of our Canada flag stations – both inside and outside Ontario’s Legislative Building.

Later, don’t miss a special appearance and performance by, Canadian Olympic gold medalist in breakdancing, Phil Wizard. He will be on hand for a meet-and-greet and dance demo with his team of breakdancers at 4 p.m."

Toronto Pride Festival 2025

Pride Month comes to a close with an awesome festival and a series of parades including the trans parade, the dyke march and the final Pride Parade from June 27 to 29, 2025. The major festival location is the Church Street Village but on this weekend you can find celebrations and parties at a number of locations across the city. Saturday was the Dyke Rally and March and it started at 2pm from Church and Charles Street before heading down Yonge Street led by the bikers.

The Dyke March is less corporate that the final Pride Parade and certainly had no floats, just thousands of people in the streets, marching or supporting the parade.

This year's catchphrase is Pride Toronto 2025 Festival: All In!  From their website, "It is a call to come together to stand together in unshakable solidarity. It’s a promise to show up for one another every single day, united in our fight for a future where everyone can live unapologetically as they are." This is important as there have been a few major sponsors that have suddenly dropped out of the festival, probably feeling the heat from that situation to our south, however this is the time they should be doubling down on their support.

Waiting for the parade to start along Yonge Street

Church Street from Bloor to Dundas is home to the StreetFair and it is billed as bigger, bolder and more exciting that ever. Full of hundreds of vendors, music and entertainment all celebrating the city's vibrant queer culture.

A DJ cranks out the tunes

Sunday, June 29 is the final, massive Pride Parade gathering everyone in for a last celebration of Pride beginning at 2pm, skipping Bloor Street and leaving from Rosedale Valley Rd. & Park Rd., West on Church St., then south on Yonge St. and finally ending at Nathan Phillips Square. This one usually has the giant Pride Flag along with lots of floats and squirt guns.

More from the festival, "Pride Parade is back, and bigger than ever! We are committed to creating a truly memorable experience that is inclusive and welcoming for ALL. Whether you’re a long-time ally or part of the 2SLGBTQl+ community, this celebration is for you. The parade kicks off at 2 PM, with over 25,000 marchers and more than 250 groups participating, all united in the mission to promote diversity, acceptance, and inclusion. It’s not just a parade; it’s a vibrant display of pride, strength, and solidarity. Be sure to find your preferred spot along our Pride Route, which starts at the intersection of Rosedale Valley Rd. and Park Rd. and culminates at Nathan Phillips Square."

The entrance to the YOUHOMO fest

The lineup into the event was pretty long

There were also a number of events throughout the city during Pride Month and the finale weekend, such as YOUHOMO fest under the Gardiner Expressway at the Bentway Park.

Track Build underway for Honda Indy Toronto 2025

The enormous task to turn Toronto's Exhibition Place from sport and event central to a world class street course for the 37th edition of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto race is well underway, which is good because in a short time the Indy Cars will be ripping through downtown Toronto. The speedfest will take place July 18-20, 2025 and you can purchase your single day, multiday and pit & paddock entrance tickets online.

Update July 1: crews are working Canada Day continuing fencing between Turns 3 and 5. The south Turn 11 Grandstand is also being assembled.

Track construction June 28: starting from Turn 3 to Turn 8, about 70% of blocks and fencing installed. Turn 3 grandstand and Turn 11 north grandstand almost complete. No pedestrian bridge parts yet.

Turn 3 Grandstand along Lake Shore Blvd W and the start of the barriers and fences

Barriers and Fencing along Turn 7

Parts of the Trackside Suites along Pit Row awaiting assembly

Looking towards Turn 11 by BMO Field

"We encourage everyone to act fast to secure their spot for three full days of world-class racing, food and fun for the whole family on the festival grounds,” said Jeff Atkinson, president of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto. “Your Ontario Honda Dealers Present Free Fan Friday kicks off the action on July 18th as racing from five different series takes the track across the weekend, headlined by Sunday’s IndyCar race which has increased to 90 laps this year.”

The first day, known as Free Fan Friday, will also return in 2025. The Ontario Honda Dealers presents free entrance to the motorsport festival on July 18 with a voluntary donation to Make-A-Wish Canada. You don't need tickets for Fan Friday and seating is first come, first served.

The race track is built around the streets in Exhibition Place and onto Lake Shore Boulevard West before returning to Exhibition Place. The 2.9km, 11-turn track is only a temporary street course and requires massive quantities of concrete blocks, safety fence, scaffolding, stands and suites. We are talking about 2,000 concrete reinforced barriers, 1,200 pieces of 2.4m high steel fencing and 1,600 feet of tire wall barriers (5 tires high). The tires are important and you can find most of them at Turn 1 along Princes' Gates, Turn 3, Turn 5 and Turn 8 as well as the three runoffs (a safe place to go if the car can't get around the sharp turns) - extending the tracks at Turn 3, Turn 8 and through Princes' Gates and onto Strachan Ave. Then you have to add your trackside advertising banners and the start/finish painting in the middle of Princes' Boulevard. The last track prep happens on the westbound lanes of Lake Shore Boulevard West.

In addition to a number of General Admission viewing areas there are four grandstands (Turns 3, 10 and two stands in Turn 11) and two trackside suites near Turn 11. There are three paddocks, two in the Enercare Centre (NTT IndyCar and a supporting series paddock) and one outside near Thunder Alley. There will be a couple of food and beverage areas along and inside the track to keep you hydrated and fed throughout your time at the race.

From the HIT website, "The 2025 weekend schedule, highlighted by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, will have a full complement of racing series on track. Open-wheel development series USF Pro 2000 Presented by Continental Tire and USF2000 Presented by Continental Tire will battle on the 2.874-kilometre (1.786-mile), 11-turn street course. Exciting sports car action from Emzone Radical Cup Canada presented by Michelin and production car racing from the Miata Canada Cup will add to the schedule. Further weekend activities and entertainment elements will be announced at a later date."

NTT IndyCar Preliminary Schedule of Events (Subject to Change)

Friday, July 18, 2025
3:05 p.m. - 4:25 p.m. - NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 1

Saturday, July 19, 2025
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - NTT INDYCAR SERIES Practice 2
2:35 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - NTT INDYCAR SERIES Qualifying/Firestone Fast 6

Sunday, July 20, 2025
8:32 a.m. - 8:57 a.m. - NTT INDYCAR SERIES Warm-up
12:22 p.m. - Green Flag - Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto (90 Laps)

From HIT, "The stars and cars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will take on the 2.874-kilometre (1.786-mile), 11-turn temporary street circuit built on the Exhibition Place grounds near the Lake Ontario shoreline for Round 13 of 17 in the season championship battle. The field will feature Canadian Devlin DeFrancesco, multi-time Toronto winners Scott Dixon, Will Power and Josef Newgarden, three-time series champion and 2025 Indianapolis 500 winner Alex Paou and recent Toronto winners Christian Lundgaard (2023) and Colton Herta (2024)." The best place to see the drivers will be to look for autograph signing events or get tickets for the paddock and pits where you can keep an eye out as the drivers head to and from their racecars.