Friday, December 12, 2025

Subway platform art mural by Chairman Ting in Toronto Path

With the return to work (RTO) continuing to force workers back to the office, combined with the winter weather bringing cold and wet weather back to Toronto, more and more people are pouring through the underground PATH system. That includes the section through the corridors of what was once the Hudson Bay flagship building across from the Eaton Centre. The long mural shows figures walking along a subway platform and looking out from the train's windows, it looks a lot more fun than the regular TTC subway platform.
The owners of that space, Cadillac Fairview, has provided temporary space for art to enhance the space, and that space is a massive mural created by Chairman Ting, a Vancouver based, artist led studio which has a "unique and whimsical style". The temporary exhibition space is to feature young, emerging artists and is named ArtLaunch. That means that the art will change through 2026, so check it out before it is gone, then check out the new art.
Transforming Communities for A VIBRANT Tomorrow. Written by Cadillac Fairview, Illustrated by Chairman Ting
The following is from the Chairman Ting website where he also thanks his team and Cadillac Fairview and describes his love of Toronto.

"I am mega excited to finally share this as a post and not just a disappearing IG story. My biggest mural yet. Twenty seven thousand square feet in downtown Toronto at the Eaton Centre. The mural sprawls through the PATH, the concourse and levels 1 and 2, street level and more. It is by far the biggest canvas I have ever worked on.

Artist statement:

This mural is my love letter to Toronto. Spanning more than twenty seven thousand square feet, it brings together the world of Billion Buns with the city that shaped me. I filled the piece with the landmarks and icons that defined my upbringing: the CN Tower, the Skydome, TTC subway cars, the skyline, and the pulse of the Six. You will find the Canada goose, the Blue Jays, the Raptors, and a nod to Drake. Every element reflects the energy, humour and pride that make Toronto what it is.

At its core, the work celebrates the city’s diversity. Toronto’s strength has always come from its mix of cultures, languages and communities, and I wanted the mural to reflect that spirit of openness. The characters, colours and visual rhythm all speak to a city built by many voices coming together.

Although I live and work in Vancouver now, Toronto is still home in my bones. Creating this mural was a chance to reconnect with the city that raised me and honour the place where my creative journey began. It is a true labour of love and a celebration of the culture that continues to inspire me."

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Winter Glow 2025 at Sankofa Square

Holiday fun can be found in Sankofa Square during the December 11 to 21, 2025 Winter Glow festival with free admission and all ages welcome with today being opening night. The kick off will feature a musical performance by My Pop Choir. Enjoy drinks in the square, take a ride on the carousel or Ferris wheel and shop in the Holiday Market. Also meet Santa Claus!

From the Square's website, "Winter magic is back in downtown Toronto! Sankofa Square transforms once again into a vibrant holiday destination filled with lights, music, festive flavours, classic rides, and community cheer. Now in its third year, Winter Glow continues to shine as one of Toronto’s most joyful urban holiday celebrations, bringing together families, friends, visitors, and neighbours in the heart of the city."

Hours: 4 pm to 10 pm on weekdays | 12 pm to 10 pm on weekends

Friday, December 05, 2025

Fun things to do in Toronto March & April 2026

Lumiere The Art of Light in Ontario Place Trillium Park. Through Feb and Mar from dusk to 11pm.
ILLUMINITE 2026: Making Connections continues from Feb to Mar TBD. Downtown Yonge area.
Winter Stations in the Beach continues from Feb 16 into March.
Toronto Spring Camping & RV Show Thurs, Feb 26 to Sun Mar 1.
Toronto’s 2026 International Women’s Day Rally and March Sun, Mar 8. Rally at 1pm.
Toronto Bicycle Show and E-Bike Expo Fri to Sun, Mar TBD.
Toronto Rock Lacrosse till April.
Green Living Show Fri to Sun, Mar TBD.
National Home Show  Fri to Sun, Mar 6-15.
Toronto Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival Sat, Mar 7 to Mon, Apr 6.
Celebrate Toronto Sat, Mar 7 in Nathan Phillips Square - It's birthday number 192. 
Toronto FC First home game Sat, Mar 14.
Sugar Shack Sat to Sun, Mar TBD down at the waterfront. 
Toronto Sportsmen's Show Thurs to Sun, Mar 19-22.
Toronto ComicCON Fri to Sun, Mar 20-22. Come for the costumes, read a few comics and meet some stars.
Spring Cottage Life Show Thurs to Sun, Mar 26-29.
Earth Hour Sat, Mar 28 at 8:30 pm.
The New Boat Show at the International Centre Thurs to Sun, Mar TBD.

Toronto Pillow Fight Sat, Apr 4 (to be confirmed) at 1:30pm meet, fight starts at 2pm at Nathan Phillips Square, to be confirmed. During World Pillow Fight Day. 
Toronto Food and Drink Festival Fri to Sun, Apr 17-19.
Record Store Day in Toronto Sat, Apr 18. Twenty one (TBC) record stores in Toronto are participating.
ImportExpo - Toronto Opener Sat, Apr TBD. Better Living Building in Exhibition Place.
Khalsa Day Sun, Apr TBD with a parade.
Hopefully the fruit blossoms will come out to play, along with the warm weather. Check out the famous High Park Cherry Blossoms Festival.

Moved into June 2026
Toronto Comic Arts Festival TCAF Sat to Sun, June 6-7. The new location is in the TMU Athletic (Mattamy) Centre.

Thursday, December 04, 2025

Interior Design Show Toronto coming Jan 2026

This is where design meets and not just professional designers, artists, installers and material suppliers, you too can see and meet with specialists and improve your living spaces. The new edition of the Interior Design Show comes to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (North Building) from January 22 to 25, 2026.

The overall schedule of IDS2026 is as follows.
Thursday, January 22: 9 AM – 4 PM (Trade Day & IDS Conference)
IDS Party: 7 PM – 11 PM
Friday, January 23: 9 AM – 6 PM (Trade Day & IDS Conference)
Saturday, January 24: 10 AM – 5 PM (Trade & General Admission)
Sunday, January 25: 10 AM – 5 PM (General Admission)

The Interior Design Show (IDS) provides a one stop shop to see amazing exhibitions, take in seminars and network with the best while seeing the latest industry solutions and materials. IDS begins on a Thursday with a Trade Day and later in the evening with a blast of a party.
From the industry design show, "Join us January 22, 7-11pm on the IDS show floor for an unforgettable evening celebrating design. Connect with industry leaders and creative minds in Toronto's premier design gathering. Experience live music, curated bar spaces, dynamic marquee performances, and surprise moments throughout the show floor. NEW This Year: Register for the party and receive complimentary access to the IDS show floor Friday through Sunday* – three full days to explore the latest in design."

Features of the show to explore include ILLUMINATE, Furniture Forcast, How We Work, The District at IDS Toronto, Prototype at IDS Toronto, Studio North at IDS Toronto and Select.

Saturday, November 29, 2025

Toronto Cavalcade of Lights 2025

Holiday season is fast approaching and Toronto starts celebrating with the Cavalcade of Lights festival down in Nathan Phillips Square from November 29 to January 7. Opening night celebrations run from 6 to 11 pm Saturday the 29th and the Christmas tree will be lit up at 6:30pm.


The City of Toronto says it, "will kick off its annual Cavalcade of Lights, presented by Desjardins Group, with an opening night celebration of music, light and community. The festival runs until Wednesday, January 7, 2026, transforming the heart of Toronto into a dazzling winter wonderland throughout the holiday season."

Highlights include:

- A countdown to the lighting of Toronto’s official Christmas tree
- A candlelight concert under the stars produced by Fever
- A spectacular skating show on the Nathan Phillips Square’s rink
- A special Indigenous performance by DJ Classic Roots
- Family-friendly activities including Diya decoration workshops
- A headline performance by acclaimed Canadian recording artist Tyler Shaw
- Interactive light and sound installations"

There will be four art installations in the square; We Change Each Other, Lux Array, ECHO and Luminescence.

See the City's opening night schedule and more photos after the jump.

Sunday, November 16, 2025

Rodeos and the last day of the 2025 Toronto Royal Fair

Ten days of the 2025 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and Royal Horse Show comes to an end on Sunday, November 16 in Exhibition Place. And it ends with a bang as two Rodeos take place beginning with the Royal Rodeo Qualifier at 11am followed by the Royal Rodeo Finals at 2:00 pm, both presented by the Ontario Ford Dealers. Celebrity Amber Marshall, star of the CBC show Heartland, will guest emcee the Rodeos. Tickets to the Royal Horse Show include entrance to the Winter Fair, or you can upgrade your Winter Fair tickets to attend the Royal Horse Show.
There is also plenty of events taking place throughout the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair taking place in the Animal Theatre, the Royal Paddock, the Semex Ring of Excellence, the Small Animal Pavilion, the Royal Petting Farm, the Ag-Tivity Stage and the Farm and Play Zone. Watch performances on the OLG Entertainment Stage, visit the paddocks, the Dairy Education Centre and take in talks on the Growth Hub Stage. Santa Claus will also be on site to meet the kids!

The Rodeo competitions will see cowpokes of both sexes taking part in exciting riding events such as Saddle & Bareback Bronc Riding, Pole Bending & Barrel Racing, Bull Riding with the Matinee Final Show also including The Canadian Cowgirls. The Bull Riding requires cowboys to stay mounted to the two thousand pound animal for eight seconds.
Ontario Agriculture is giving out free samples, previous samples included carrots

Thursday, November 13, 2025

Fun things to do in #Toronto in Jan and Feb 2026

You don't want to stick to home through the grey doldrums of winter, especially after Christmas has come and gone, so Toronto is putting on a lot of events and invites everyone to take in some shows, exhibitions and maybe a few festivals.

Polar Bear Dip at Sunnyside Beach. Thursday, Jan 1. Noon at Sunnyside Beach. 'Do the Dip'. See photo at top.
Record Breaker World Record Cold Plunge at Woodbine Beach Thursday, Jan 1 at 1pm.
North American International Motorcycle Supershow Fri to Sun, Jan 9-11 at the International Centre.
Canada's Bridal Show Fri to Sun, Jan 16-18.
The Franchise Expo Sat to Sun, Jan 17-18. 
Toronto No Pants Subway Ride Sun, Jan ? UNCONFIRMED, probably a no go. Meet at 3pm at Eaton Centre Dundas Street entrance, 3:20pm head out on the rails. 
Toronto International Boat Show Sat to Sun, Jan 17-25.
Interior Design Show IDS2026 Thurs to Sun, Jan 22-25.
DesignTO Fri, Jan 23 - Sun, Feb 1.
Toronto Maple Leafs outdoor practice Mon, Jan TBD. At Mimico's Prince of Wales Rink. The skate festival will run Jan TBD with chances to meet the players.
Winterlicious Fri, Jan 30 to Thurs, Feb 12. "Savour every bite"

Lumiere The Art of Light in Ontario Place Trillium Park. Through Feb and Mar from dusk to 11pm.
Harbourfront Centre Kuumba Feb 2026. A celebration of Black Culture.
Raptors Fan Day Sun, Feb 1 at Scotiabank Arena from noon till 2pm.
OCAD U Black History Month Digital Exhibition Thurs to Thurs, Feb TBD. On the screens of Yonge-Dundas Square.
Toronto NHL Fan Fair Thurs to Sun, Feb TBD at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, south building.
Hey, it's Groundhog Day on Mon, Feb 2. Groundhogs can't be stopped! Don't forget about Wiarton Willie!
Spring Fish and Boat Show Fri to Sun, Feb 6-8.
Sweet City Fest Fri to Sun, Feb TBD in the Stackt Market.
Black Film Festival Wed to Mon, Feb 11-16.
Winterfolk Festival Thurs to Sun, Feb 12-15.
Canadian International AutoShow Fri to Sun, Feb 13-22.
Happy Valentine's Day Sat, Feb 14. Hugs and kisses everyone.
Toronto Erotic Arts and Craft Fair Sat, Feb 14. Free admission at the Parkdale Hall.
Toronto Spring Fireworks Festival Celebration - Sat to Mon, Feb 14-16. Lunar New Year Celebrations including fireworks  at Nathan Phillips Square.
Motorcycle Show Toronto Fri to Sun, Feb 20-22. Down in Exhibition Place.
ILLUMINITE 2026: Making Connections Feb TBD. Downtown Yonge area.
Toronto Coldest Day of the Year Ride Sat, Feb TBD. Meet at 10:30am at Perth Avenue Parkette.
Beaches Winter Stations Design Competition Displays start Mon, Feb 16 till March 30.
Toronto Chinatown Lunar New Year Celebrations Sat to Sun, Feb 21-22. Lunar New Year is Saturday and it's the Year of the Horse. 2026
Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show Fri to Sun, Feb 20-22.
Roundhouse Winter Craft Beer Festival Sat, Feb 21. Brought to you by Steam Whistle and the Toronto Railway Museum.
Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show Thurs to Sun, Feb 26 to March 1 at the International Centre.
Toronto Catstravaganza Sat, Feb 28. Exhibition Place.

Moved into March....

Toronto International Bicycle Show Fri to Sun, Mar TBD.
Toronto Sportsmen's Show Thurs to Sun, Mar 19-22.
The New Boat Show at the International Centre Thurs to Sun, Mar TBD.

Doors Open

Scarborough Bluffs

Pride

Redball

Beaches

Graffiti

Lake Ontario

Nathan Phillips Square

Transportation