Dino Run at the Bentway

Jurassic Park has come to life under the deck of the Gardiner Expressway as dinosaurs are preparing for the 2026 Dino Run at the Bentway Park. The fun starts at 10am and goes to noon on Saturday, August 22.

From the park's website, "Step into a prehistoric adventure at the Bentway’s iconic figure-eight skate trail under the Gardiner Expressway! This fun-filled event invites young explorers to learn, move, and play in an outdoor, interactive setting that brings dinosaurs to life.

The morning kicks off with costumed Dino Specialists, who use songs, dance, storytelling, and hands-on games to teach kids fascinating facts about their favorite dinosaurs. From learning how T-Rex roared to discovering how Velociraptors ran, this engaging session sparks curiosity and imagination. Then, it’s time for action! The kids will transform into Dino Explorers, tasked with chasing and recapturing runaway dinosaurs in an exciting, non-competitive run around our 220m figure-eight skate trail. As they dash and track down their dino friends, they’ll stay active, build confidence, and develop a love for movement—all in a fun, supportive environment."

@jmhcet #dinorun at #thebentway in #Toronto. #dinosaurs ♬ Walk Of Life - Remastered 1996 - Dire Straits

FIFA World Cup 2026 starts today in Toronto

I think this event will result in the biggest hiring of security guards in the history of Toronto as World Cup soccer, or possibly football plays six games in the City beginning June 12, 2026 and ending July 2. In addition to the games there is a FIFA Fan Fest taking place in Fort York and Bentway Park during the sporting event. This year's tournament is taking place in three countries; Canada, Mexico and the United States with sixteen host cities and 48 teams involved. Canadian cities are Vancouver and Toronto and overall the World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19.

Toronto's six games will happen at BMO Field in Exhibition Place on the following dates.

Friday, June 12, 2026 (3:00 p.m. ET) – Canada v. Bosnia and Herzegovina. Group B
Wednesday, June 17, 2006 (7:00 p.m. ET) – Ghana v. Panama
Saturday, June 20, 2026 (4 :00 p.m. ET) – Germany v. Côte d'Ivoire
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 (7:00 p.m. ET) – Panama v. Croatia
Friday, June 26, 2026 (3:00 p.m. ET) – Senegal v. Iraq
Thursday, July 2, 2026 (7:00 p.m. ET) – Winner of Group K v. Winner of Group L

Under the Bentway

Keep in mind that during match games some of the streets of Toronto will be closed so it will be difficult to get around. They suggest public transit, walking or riding a bike, which is always preferred in this city.

Game Day Road Closure Schedule *All times are approximate and subject to change.

Friday, June 12 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, June 17 – 2 p.m. to midnight
Saturday, June 20 – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday, June 23 – 2 p.m. to midnight
Friday June 26 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday July 2 – 2 p.m. to midnight

Road Restrictions: 

Local access only for Fort York neighbourhood June 11 - 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Local access for residents and businesses in the Fort York neighbourhood (Bathurst St to Strachan Ave, Fleet St to Fort York Blvd)

Road Closures: Lake Shore Boulevard West, Strachan Avenue and Exhibition Grounds June 12 - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Lake Shore Blvd W from Bathurst St to British Columbia Rd and Strachan Ave from East Liberty St to Lake Shore Blvd W is is fully closed in both directions as well as all roads inside Exhibition Place.

Road Restrictions: Local access only for Liberty Village neighbourhood
June 12 - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Local access only for Liberty Village residents and businesses, below King St from Dufferin St to Strachan Ave.

Road Closure: Bremner Boulevard (around Rogers Centre)
June 12 - noon to 11:30 p.m.
Bremner Boulevard will be closed between Lower Simcoe Street and Navy Wharf Crescent.

Road Closure: Fleet Street
May 18 to July 31
Fully closed between Fort York Boulevard and Strachan Avenue until July 31.

At HTO Beach looking toward the CN Tower #WeAreToronto

A floating soccer field is outside of Queens Quay Terminal

Toronto Polar Bear Skate 2025

It's Polar Bear season in Toronto and the cold weather brings us first to the unusual Polar Bear Skate at Bentway Park skating trail. Taking place on Sunday, December 28, 2025 with registration at noon and skating beginning at 1pm this polar event has everyone wearing their underwear. Donations of new or gently used shoes will be collected onsite as part of the skate. Participants from the 2024 skate are shown in the photo at top.

From the event's website, "The Bentway’s boldest winter ritual returns on December 28 with the cheeky Polar Bear Skate! Brave Torontonians are invited to strip down to their skivvies and take a fearless lap around trail to bid farewell to 2025.

12:00pm Registration Opens
All participants must sign a waiver before taking part in the Polar Bear Skate. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian. Waivers will be at the yellow check-in tent.

1:00pm Polar Bear Skate starts!
This event lasts 5-10 minutes, so make sure you arrive early to not miss the main event!

Additional Details:

This event will take place entirely outdoors at The Bentway Skate Trail.
The Polar Bear Skate is one of our most popular events. Please only participate if you feel comfortable skating with a large group of people.
Photography, video, and audio recording will occur. By participating in the Polar Bear Skate, you consent to such recording and to the release, publication, exhibition or reproduction of these recordings and photographs.
This event will go ahead rain/snow or shine, however for the safety of all participants it will not proceed if the temperature is -20°C or below.
Skate rentals are; first-come, first-served throughout opening hours."

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…"

Toronto Bentway Polar Bear Skate

The goal is to skate around the trail under the Gardiner Expressway in your underwear. The time is December 31, 2022 at 1pm. The weather is balmy and the rain is unimportant because this rink is sheltered by the raised highway. The rain has kept away some of the crowds but the weather has since been drying up. What an adventure people!

Groups of people show up ready to undress and skate

Lots of people dropped by to cheer on the skaters

A Christmas themed skate

Stormtrooper skater - may the force be with you

Heading out to the rink to begin the Polar Bear Skate 2022

From the Polar skate's website, "Polar Bear Skate & Winter Clothing Drive: December 31 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm. The Bentway’s Polar Bear Skate returns! Both a clothing drive and a wild way to close out the year, brave Torontonians are invited to strip down to their skivvies and skate the trail for a good cause. Donations of warm winter clothing will be collected onsite by New Circles Community Services and distributed to newcomer and refugee families experiencing winter in Toronto for the first time. Items in need include new and gently-worn winter coats and boots. Thank you to Beanfield Metroconnect for providing free hot beverages during the Polar Bear Skate to help keep you warm.

See more of the skate after the jump.

Polar Bear Skate 2019 at The Bentway

Taking a Polar Bear Dip? That's so next year. One of your last chances to be super adventurous in 2019 is the second annual Polar Bear Skate under the Gardiner Expressway in Toronto.

Registration starts at 1pm then the skate happens at 2pm on Sunday, December 29. The skating path under the expressway is adjacent to historic Fort York at 250 Fort York Boulevard. The Bentway has been home to some great events this year and has become a must visit for Torontonians.

It's cold and raining in Toronto but under the Gardiner it is dry and yes, still cold. But if you are brave enough to strip down to your underwear or a bathing suit you are all set to go. Besides you have sat around partying too much during the holiday season, probably in your pajamas and it's time to strap on your skates and get some exercise.

The bentway website says; "This event is free to attend – just bring your skates and you’re good to go. If you don’t have skates, we have rentals available on-site.  All participants must sign a waiver before taking part in the Polar Bear Skate. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian. The first 100 pre-registrants (via Eventbrite) will receive a free hot chocolate."

See more of the skate after the jump.