Come out and enjoy three special events in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Businesses in the affected areas are open to pedestrian traffic but some roads will be closed to motorists.

You are encouraged to take public transit as a greener, faster and more affordable way of getting to your destinations.

If you need to drive in the event areas, allow extra time to get to and from your destination.

Please click here for a more complete list of events and road work.

Beaches Jazz Festival

The Beaches International Jazz Festival is a FREE 10-day music festival held each year in the lakeside “Beach” community of Toronto in the month of July.

The Beaches Jazz Festival takes place across a number of venues.

Stage concerts are held in several different parks within the area and also along a 2 kilometer stretch of the Beach mainstreet – Queen Street East.

Every year, the Festival brings in internationally aclaimed jazz performers while also showcasing local talent, including “new generation” jazz musicians.

The Festival now hires around 1000 artists per annum, including 50 bands for its “StreetFest” event along Queen Street East.

The Festival offers concerts at five stage locations:

• Kew Gardens Main Stage,
• Latin Square Stage Boardwalk next to Leuty Lifeguard Station,
• Big Band Stage – on the Boardwalk (also located in Kew Gardens park),
• Woodbine Park Main Stage – Lakeshore Blvd. E. & Coxwell Ave., and
• Streetfest – Queen street East

Thursday to Saturday  Road Closure

Queen Street East from Woodbine Avenue to Beech Avenue will be closed from 6 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, July 21, Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23 for the Beaches Jazz Fesitval.

Big on Bloor Festival

BIG on Bloor Festival, Bloor Street from Dufferin to Lansdowne celebrates local business, community, arts and culture with a unique community and city-building FREE festival featuring hundreds of events, activities and exhibitions, July 23 – 24.

“More than 20 groups and performers will fill the three stages, at St. Clarens, Margueretta and Pauline, as well as the performance space in the Bloor/Dufferin School yard including such well-appreciated acts as Maskdown, Azores and redxdown and of course, our wonderful DJ IndieCan Urban is back hosting the stage at Margaretta.”

Saturday Road Closure

Bloor Street from Dufferin Street to Lansdowne Avenue will be closed in both directions on Saturday, July 23 from 9 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. for Big on Bloor Festival.

YOUTH DAY 2010 at Yonge-Dundas Square;
“Presented by the TYcard, this flash dance to All The Single Ladies by Beyonce was performed by Jade’s Hip Hop Academy – check out the fun the guys had with it!”

“Come out to celebrate over 500 artists showcasing their Music, Dance, Art & Photography for you at YONGE-DUNDAS SQUARE on Sunday, JULY 24th.

YOUTH DAY 2010 at Yonge-Dundas Square – included a Yonge Street closure, “enabling a flag parade by the Youth Board of Directors, delivering the Canadian; Ontario; City of Toronto; and the new YOUTH DAY Flag to the stage and the Adult Board. The great talent of the Samba Squad at the opening for the 10 hour day – literally drummed up the 14,000 fans that came out! For more information, join our Facebook fan page or log onto www.youthdaytoronto.com – and get involved for 2011!

The festival includes 2 outdoor stages plus a Youth Gallery filled with their art and photography in the heart of the City!”

Sunday Closure

Yonge Street from Queen Street to Dundas Street will be closed in both directions on Sunday, July 24 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. to accommodate Youth Day 2011.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

News Release

July 20, 2011

Weekend events with road closures in Toronto

Three special events this coming weekend will involve road closures. Residents and visitors are encouraged to come out and enjoy the events. Businesses in the affected areas are open to pedestrian traffic but some roads will be closed to motorists.

Festivals and other special events are important to the city, injecting hundreds of millions of dollars annually into Toronto’s economy, and they are enjoyed each year by local residents.

In addition to road closures related to special events, there is a significant amount of road work taking place in Toronto this summer. People are encouraged to take public transit as a greener, faster and more affordable way of getting to their destinations. If you need to drive in event areas, allow extra time to get to and from your destination.

A more complete list of events and road work is available at http://www.toronto.ca/torontostreets.

Beaches Jazz Festival – Thursday to Saturday closure
Queen Street East from Woodbine Avenue to Beech Avenue will be closed from 6 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, July 21, Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23 for the Beaches Jazz Fesitval.

Big on Bloor Festival – Saturday closure
Bloor Street from Dufferin Street to Lansdowne Avenue will be closed in both directions on Saturday, July 23 from 9 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. for Big on Bloor.

Youth Day 2011 event – Sunday closure
Yonge Street from Queen Street to Dundas Street will be closed in both directions on Sunday, July 24 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. to accommodate Youth Day 2011.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.