Toronto Victoria Day 2024 events and fireworks

The long weekend in Toronto, long known as May 2-4, is back with a bang and there are plenty of family friendly things to do at City of Toronto sites taking place from May 17 to 20, 2024. Fireworks will be at Ashbridges Bay Park on Monday, May 20 starting at 10pm.

Let me be up front here and get one of the biggest criticisms out of the way before the weekend is here. Traffic is going to be a bitch, construction and crowd impacts will be wackadoodle, public transportation will be jammed and people will be angry again, or still.

In addition to fireworks there will be splash and spray pads (opening Friday, May 17), municipal golf courses, parks and beaches, conservatories and greenhouses, zoos (Riverdale Farm, High Park and the Toronto Zoo) and history museums will be open.

Here is more information from the City of Toronto's media release.

"Important reminder about fireworks

Fireworks on Victoria Day and Canada Day are allowed until 11 p.m. without a permit for residents on private property. 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 Toronto Police Services will be patrolling various parks and waterfront 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.

Safe fireworks disposal

Those choosing to set off fireworks on their own private property must also safely dispose 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. Put the soaked fireworks in a plastic bag to keep them from drying out and dispose of them in your Garbage Bin. Never put used or unused fireworks in the Blue Bin.

More information about fireworks rules, safety tips and proper disposal is available on the City’s fireworks webpage: www.toronto.ca/fireworks.

Enjoy the City’s parks and beaches

The City has more than 1,500 parks and beaches for residents and visitors to enjoy this long weekend. People visiting 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.

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: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-gardens-beaches/beaches/.

The Toronto Police Service will respond to public safety issues in parks and beaches this weekend. City Bylaw Enforcement Officers will also monitor busy parks and beaches.

Stay cool and refreshed at our splash and spray pads

Splash and spray pads will open for the season on Friday, May 17 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 Swimming and Water Play webpage: www.toronto.ca/swimming.

Take a swing at municipal golf courses

Toronto’s five municipal golf courses are located on beautiful parkland. These affordable, high-quality and TTC-accessible courses are open daily which includes this long weekend. More information about the golf courses and booking tee times is available on the City’s golf webpage: www.toronto.ca/golf.

Visit 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 webpage: www.toronto.ca/conservatories.

Escape to Riverdale Farm

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 webpage: www.toronto.ca/zoos-farms.

See the High Park Animal Display

Toronto’s oldest animal display is open daily between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Roads in the park will be closed to vehicular traffic for all three days of the Victoria Day long weekend. More information about the High Park Animal Display is available on the City’s webpage: www.toronto.ca/zoos-farms.

Head to the Toronto Zoo

Get up close and learn more about your favourite animals. The Toronto Zoo is open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily including Victoria Day. Visitors can discover more than 3,000 animals while exploring more than 10 km of walking trails. Timeslots can be booked online on the City’s Zoo webpage: www.torontozoo.com.

Check out Toronto History Museums

All Toronto History Museums are closed on Monday May 20 but will be operating at regular hours on Saturday and Sunday this weekend.

General admission to all 10 Toronto History Museums is free and provides everyone an opportunity to fully participate in cultural heritage and spaces. For locations, hours of operation and more, visit Toronto History Museums’ webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/museums/."

WNBR Toronto 2024 will celebrate 20th anniversary

This year's World Naked Bike Ride Toronto will be the 20th anniversary of the initial bicycle protest which rolled through the city and in cities around the world. The peaceful protestors - hoping to save the earth, one small pedal at a time, will certainly celebrate this amazing anniversary with, perhaps, 20% more bodypaint. A much anticipated stop of the ride happens at the reflecting pool at city hall, pictured above.

Riders will gather early Saturday, June 8, 2024 in Coronation Park before heading out at 1pm and visiting more downtown tourist spots in Toronto than any old bus tour company could dream of. Look forward to more posts on the upcoming ride.

Happy Cinco de Mayo 2024

May the 5th, or Cinco de Mayo, is celebrated the day after Star Wars Day (May the fourth be with you) and is a Mexican based victory party. It's also the day we are all Latino.

Harbourfront Centre has a weekend Cinco Fest to celebrate Mexican culture, traditions, music and food.

Bare as you Dare for upcoming WNBR Toronto 2024

Just five more weeks till the World Naked Bike Ride which will see hundreds of naked, or nearly naked, protestors riding through the streets of Toronto on Saturday, June 8, 2024. The protest ride will be led by organizer Gene Dare (pictured above) with his colourful banner flying high off his bike as the ride's circuitous route starts and ends in Coronation Park. This year will also be a special year - check my post here.

Dress code: Casual or fancy clothes free, everyone likes costumes and body paints, come bare as you dare.

When: Meet at Coronation Park, just south of Princes' Gates and Exhibition Place. Come early for socializing and body painting, people will probably be there from 9am on.

Protest ride: Leaves Coronation Park at 1pm and heads up Strachan Avenue towards Trinity Bellwoods Park. Takes about 3 to 4 hours and you can leave, or join, at any point in the route.

The Route: Hits many of Toronto's favourite tourist and iconic spots including Kensington Market, Yorkville, Queens Park, Yonge-Dundas Square by the Eaton Centre, Nathan Phillips Square and the reflecting pool, Harbourfront and the two urban beaches - Sugar and HTO Beaches.

Why: Less Gas, More Ass (one of my favourite slogans). Clean, Green and Body Positive. Fight back against climate change, fight for the environment and try not to body shame.

As we get closer to WNBR I will provide another post with some tips for the preparation for the ride, otherwise time passes fast so it will be here before you know it.

Curl Power at Toronto Hot Docs Festival

Young teen girls from British Columbia were filmed over years as part of 'Curl Power' and the resulting documentary was tinged with a lot of sadness, partly because their unrealized desire to be junior curling champions, mostly because they were teen girls growing up as their lives were diverging. Still it was a beautiful and emotional journey shared with the audience.

Hot Docs programmer with director Josephine Anderson

The movie, directed by Josephine Anderson, was shown as part of Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival 2024 (April 25 to May 5) and I watched it Monday night beginning at 9:30pm at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema. The director showed up and took to the stage prior to the screening and later returned to stage with some of the cast and crew at the end of the movie.

Josephine, Ashley Dezura, her Mom Diane Dezura, an editor and a cinematographer have a discussion and a question and answer period

From the Hot Docs website, "The 4KGIRL$ have a single goal: to become Canadian Junior Curling Champions. They know how it is to feel like underdogs but think this could be their year. With phones in one hand and brooms firmly in the other, teammates Hannah, Brooklyn, Savannah, Ashley and Amy are regular teenage besties living in suburban British Columbia who push their limits on and off the ice. Throwing rocks while updating their socials, they’re living under pressure that tests their self-confidence. Amid their rigorous training and competition schedule, with three of their moms (who are former Olympic curlers) as their coaches, they still face the familiar adolescent rites of passage like working part-time jobs, applying to college, and dating. Director Josephine Anderson crafts a thoughtful and captivating observational portrait about coming of age, friendship and overcoming adversity both in life and in a game of inches where every shot counts and sometimes things don’t go as planned."

Now Hot Docs has been in the news a lot lately as post Covid concerns over attendance and fundraising have called into question the survival of the film festival. Hopefully making films and the associated festivals will find their way and continue these amazing productions.

Doors Open Toronto 2024 coming May 25 and 26

Exploring things for free and seeing places that are typically not open to the public, this is the premise for the annual Doors Open Toronto which "unlocks the city’s hidden histories on May 25 and 26." The weekend adventure includes over 150 participating sites, 17 free guided tours (register in advance), themed talks and the occasional workshops and fun activities. City Hall will also be a hub for public programming suitable for families.

Some of the more interesting visits is to the Bay Lower Subway Station, the El Mocambo, Elgin & Winer Garden Theatres, Redpath Sugar, Fort York National Historic Site, R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant and the City notes that  "Toronto City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square will once again be a hub for family-friendly programming that invites the public to go behind the scenes at this important civic site. Visitors can see the Mayor’s Office, find out what happens inside Council Chamber, explore the Hall of Memory and enjoy remarkable views from the 27th floor Observation Deck. The Red Chair Sessions, a portraiture series by Toronto Photo Laureate Nadya Kwandibens, will also be on display."

Some of the guided neighbourhood tours include; The Women of Park Lawn Cemetery, Hidden Queer Histories of Hanlan's Point, Restoring the Canada Malting Silos, Welcome to the Rouge! and Downsview’s Aviation Legacy.

A tourist in Vancouver British Columbia

Had a whirlwind week in Vancouver and area checking out the west coast city along the Pacific Ocean, nestled into the Strait of Georgia along Vancouver Island and wow, what a place to visit. The mountains along the northern view of the city still white capped with snow and even past the rainy period, still foggy and damp for half of our visit.

At Canada Place

Looking to Canada Place from the Vancouver Lookout

Canada Place with the sails lit up in various colours

We stayed in Century Plaza Hotel on Burrard Street in a great big room that included two beds and a kitchen, perfectly located to allow us to walk to a lot of activities, attractions, restaurants and also close to a lot of transportation options and free shuttles. It is also close to a hospital so you will hear the occasional ambulance.

Vancouver Lookout reflected in an adjacent building

The famous Gastown Steam Clock. It blows a tune every 15 minutes but when we were there the clock was wrong so you have to be ready for the music to start.

Gastown Steamclock plays a tune

Digital Orca by Douglas Coupland at the Convention Centre

An illuminated earth globe hanging in the Convention Centre

There is a three hour time difference between Toronto and Vancouver so we gained those hours on the flight in and were able to do a lot of things on that first day; Canada Place with the Cruise Port, art installations, the Vancouver Convention Centre and the 2010 Olympic Cauldron (photo at top), the Vancouver Lookout and Gastown with its famous Steam Clock.

Canada Place also has a manned, extensive tourism information kiosk with plenty of brochures and some discounts to the attractions.

See more of our trip after the jump.

Big Trash Bunny mural on Dundas Street West

Toronto's graffiti murals and art installations make Toronto interesting. Sometimes they are beautiful and have a message like artist Artur Bordalo who creates art around the world using trash. The one in Toronto (Dundas Street West near Lisgar Street) is of a large bunny, part of the Big Trash Animals series completed for Toronto Portuguese communities.

His website notes, "The excessive production and consumption of stuff, which results in the continuous production of “garbage” and consequently in the destruction of the Planet, are the central themes of his production. This “garbage” assumes itself as the unusual and unique raw material that Bordalo uses in the construction of small and large scale pieces that he has spread around the world and that, above all, intend to be the vehicle of a universal manifesto."