Sports fans will have a chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Scotiabank Arena, which is home to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Raptors and some of the world’s biggest concerts. Beginning Nov. 12, fans can tour the arena’s most iconic locations, like the Leafs’ and Raptors’ locker rooms, back-of-house concert spaces, the Raptors’ in-arena practice court, rink side and courtside seating, clubs, suites and a lot more!
Fans will also learn about the origins of the Leafs and Raptors franchises as well as the most popular concert and live events held at the arena over the past 25 years.
Keith Pelley, president and CEO of Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), said that the organization is excited to open the doors to their valued fans to get them closer to all the action.
“We are proud to have Scotiabank Arena consistently ranked as one of the top sports and entertainment venues in the world, and we invite fans travelling from all over Canada, North America and beyond to experience unparalleled access to this premier destination,” Pelley said in a statement.
Streets of Toronto previously reported about the latest in-venue renovations as part of the $350 million+ Scotiabank Arena Reimagination project, so fans will get a detailed look at plans to transform the concourses, premium clubs, retail spaces and food and beverage offerings.
The tours will also include exclusive photo opportunities in the player hallways (so tons of Instagram pics) and an in-depth look at banners and significant monuments. Fans can purchase memorabilia at a discounted rate.
Courtesy @scotiabankarena/X
“There is so much history, energy and memories that live within the walls of Scotiabank Arena, and we are excited to give the very fans that contribute to the magic that happens in this building the chance to connect with the teams and artists they love in a new way,” Shannon Hosford, chief marketing officer of MLSE, said in a statement. “The new tour experience is another meaningful step in MLSE’s mission to deliver the ultimate fan experience and offer exclusive access to engage with us even further.”
Tickets are $30 (including taxes) and are available on a three-week advanced schedule, with new slots released every week (tours aren’t available on concert nights and a team’s dressing room isn’t open on game days). Visit ScotiabankArena.com/Tours for more info.
A Reddit post of a duck that made a surprise appearance on a crowded TTC bus is going viral. The duck didn’t actually walk onto the bus, it was sitting in a baby stroller, so someone likely brought it on board for the ride (it still garnered a ton of attention, nonetheless).
The post was shared on Wednesday by a fellow bus passenger in the “Mildly Interesting” subreddit. It already has thousands of upvotes and has generated a ton of micro-discussions (with a slew of eye-rolling puns).
One Redditor mused over whether the duck paid or whether the fare was put on its bill (get it?).
“No time for that,” another Redditor responded, “need to get to the store before it closes to buy some quackers.”
“That’s funny, because I saw a post earlier from a duck who said “there was a human on my Bus in Toronto” another quipped.
“Did he try to sell you insurance?” one Redditor jokingly asked the Op, presumably referencing the Aflac Insurance Duck.
There were also discussions about what type it was.
“[A]ll the wild ducks you’ll see in Toronto are mallards. White ones like that are only on farms (or buses, apparently)” one user stated.
Because the bird has creamy white feathers and a yellow beak, it’s likely a domesticated white Pekin duck (and this isn’t the first time Pekin ducks have been spotted waddling around the city). According to Feathered Acres, this breed is the most common duck in North America (even Disney’s Donald duck is modeled after a Pekin). These ducks grow super fast — up to 7 lbs within 6 weeks and 12 lbs. fully grown!
According to the TTC, pets and service animals are allowed on buses, but there are some restrictions. Service animals are allowed at all times, while pets are allowed on weekends and during off-peak hours. Pets have to be leashed or in a carrier (or perhaps a baby carriage?) and they can’t be aggressive or cause disruption.
No worries on that end — Pekin’s have a calm nature and can adapt to different environments (apparently even buses)!
L-R: Courtesy Mark Blinch, Toronto Maple Leafs, courtesy @mapleleafs/Instagram
Professional athletes often have very little say as to where they live. Some athletes hop from team to team, doing short stints all over the continent. Then there are the lucky few who spend time in a couple cities before they’re ultimately brought home to play. New Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Chris Tanev is one of those players.
“Growing up here, a lot of friends and family are big fans of the Leafs, so that aspect is really fun. It’s definitely an honour,” Tanev says.
With the joy of playing at home, you might think there’s an added pressure to perform, but Tanev says he doesn’t feel it. “There’s pressure everywhere you play. Teams expect results,” he says. “Obviously, the fan base is a little bit bigger here. Maybe things are more magnified.”
Tanev is from East York and played throughout the city growing up, predominantly for the Toronto Red Wings.
“Having fun, that’s the biggest thing,” Tanev says about the biggest lesson he learned playing in Toronto. “Kids get burned out and stop enjoying the game. Once that happens, it’s tough to perform and succeed.”
Thanks to his teammates, Tanev has spent over a decade in the league and has yet to lose his enthusiasm. “It’s like you get a new family almost every year — obviously you have your family — you start a journey with a bunch of other people and build great bonds, which sometimes last a lifetime.”
FAST FACTS
Name: Chris Tanev
Fave T.O. memory: Getting up at 5 a.m. and going to the hockey rink village
Go-to restaurant: DaiLo
Fave local athletes: Vince Carter and Sebastian Giovinco
The Leafs are one of the few teams in the league where there’s often an abundance of players from the city in which they play, but this hasn’t changed the way Tanev has approached his new team.
“I knew a few guys coming here, but not too many, so I’m still trying to get to know everyone and fit in and find my role within the team.”
Joining the Leafs reunites Tanev with his 2018 International Ice Hockey Federation defence partner Morgan Rielly, with whom he won gold.
“He’s such an incredible player, incredible skater, so it’s definitely a privilege for me to be able to play with him,” Tanev says of Reilly.
Off the ice, Tanev is focused on spending time with family, especially since being back in the city.
“[I’ve been] hanging out with my son, going to the park five times a day and walking the dogs, trying to get as much family time as I can and sort of get away from the game.”
Getting away from the game may prove difficult if you’ve got a brother in the league like Tanev does (Brandon Tanev plays for the Seattle Kraken), but having someone close to you that understands exactly what you’ve been through is unique. “We work out together every day in the summer. We talk quite a bit throughout the year, which is cool. Not everyone gets to experience that.”
Having not lived in the city for nearly 15 years, he’s certainly noticed a difference between the Toronto he grew up in and the one he finds himself in now. A few of his favourite restaurants have closed since the pandemic, but his primary observation? “It’s busy. I feel like, over the last five years, the city’s gotten crazy busy. There’s a lot of traffic, and I’m trying to navigate that. But I’m able to see friends and family a little bit more, which is awesome.”
Grayson Joseph is only 7 years old but he’s probably one of Auston Matthews’ biggest fans. To show his dedication to the Toronto Maple Leafs captain, Grayson is dressing up as an Auston Matthews hockey card for Halloween!
In a recent TikTok video, Grayson’s dad, Grant, pleaded with his audience to help the video of his son’s costume go viral.
“You know what to do!! Let’s help Grayson meet Auston Matthews and show off his 1 of 1 hockey card costume!!? @Toronto Maple Leafs” Grant wrote, alongside a TikTok of Joseph dressed in costume.
“Let’s goooo” the seven-year-old said in the video, before spinning around for viewers to see his fully decked-out 3D card costume, complete with a Matthews-style mustache and a Bauer hockey helmet.
“I love it,” Grayson told his dad about the ensemble, adding that he hoped to show the costume to Matthews in person. The video was posted on Sunday but already has well over a million views and over 130,000 likes. The Leafs even commented on the TikTok, writing “This is unreal!!!!!”. Best of all — Matthews himself reposted it to his IG stories, with a fire emoji and the caption: “It’s pretty cool!”
Grant told CP24 that his son got the idea for the costume when he saw a Stephen Curry ‘Golden State Warriors trading card costume’ online.
“When [Grayson] saw it instantly, he goes, ‘I wanna be Austin Matthews’ and I’m looking at this thing, I’m like, it’s gonna be really difficult and probably expensive,” Grant told the news agency.
With help from a design company, in a little over a week, an exact replica of a recently released Matthews trading card was complete.
“They literally took our vision and just put it together to a tee of what we were looking for, if not even better,” Grant added, noting that the end result looks “so good.”
There’s no word yet on whether Matthews will meet his superfan, but you can get your Leafs fix by catching the team as they take on the Seattle Kraken on Halloween night at Scotiabank Arena.
As of publication, both locations have been removed from the cake shop’s Canadian website, and the bakery’s Canadian social media accounts aren’t really active (the latest Instagram post is from this past Valentine’s Day, and the last X post is from March 2023).
After a call to Carlo’s Bakery Canada to inquire about the status of the Yorkville and Port Credit locations, an employee confirmed that the Yorkville location is closed but customers can still order their delicious cakes/cake slices online as well as through Uber Eats and DoorDash.
The Port Credit location closed its doors in April, making way for Lago Pizza & Pasta, helmed by Chef Lino Di Cecca. While the bakery is gone, Lago still satisfies sweet cravings with a selection of baked goods from Carlo’s Bakery, alongside its tempting menu of pizza and pasta.
Cake lovers can also visit one of the bakery’s 14 Cake ATM locations located throughout the GTA (including one in downtown Toronto at the Yonge–Dundas Atrium). These cake-dispensing vending machines have been in the GTA since 2019 and offer the tastiest slices of their most popular cakes like vanilla rainbow, red velvet and chocolate fudge.
Carlo’s Bakery is a family-owned bakery that was featured on the super popular TLC hit show Cake Boss. The original bakery was founded in Hoboken, New Jersey, by pastry chef Carlo Guastaferro in 1910 before it was acquired by the Valastro family in 1964. There are now multiple locations of the bakery across the U.S., including the new flagship Carlo’s Bake Shop on Broadway in New York City.
Looking at recent social media posts, the GTA closures will definitely be missed.
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that’s widely observed in Mexico from Nov. 1 to Nov. 2. While many might recognize it from the colourful painted skulls, the holiday is a celebration that takes place to honour and celebrate the souls of those departed. Here in Toronto, many Mexican eateries and bars are paying tribute to friends and family with a series of special events, including live music, specialty cocktails, and one-day only menu items. Here are our top picks to celebrate Dia de los Muertos in the city.
Celebrate Día de Muertos at Mexhico Fs for an authentic experience that truly embraces this vibrant tradition. From November 1 to 3, indulge in a special menu while enjoying live mariachi music and traditional Catrina dances. 2
Get ready to celebrate Día de los Muertos in style at the Catrina Costume Party! Embrace the vibrant traditions of this festive occasion with fun music, amazing prizes and a chance to showcase your best Catrina outfit. Prizes include a bottle of Don Julio Blanco for first place, 1800 Tequila Blanco for second and a beer bucket for third.
Barrio Cerveceria
@barrioonqueen/Instagram
On Nov. 2, Barrio Cerveceria will celebrate the return of their highly anticipated Day of the Dead experience with giveaways, menu specials and live music. Known for its vibrant atmosphere, their heated patio stands out as one of the city’s top spots, delivering vacation vibes like no other.
Mark your calendars for El Catrin’s annual Día de Muertos celebration, happening from November 1 to 3 in the Distillery District. This three-day event honours the beauty of life, bringing together food, drinks, family and friends in a vibrant tribute to those we’ve lost. Join in for feature dishes crafted by executive chef Carlos Zamora and sip on two exclusive cocktails throughout the weekend. Enjoy live mariachi music on Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m., and soak in the festive atmosphere with a stunning ofrenda and staff dressed in traditional attire.
Mad Mexican
@mad.mexican.food/Instagram
Join Mad Mexican for a special candlelight dinner in honour of Día de Muertos, running from October 31 to November 2 after 7:30 p.m. The restaurant will be transformed into a serene sanctuary to remember loved ones. The head chef has meticulously crafted a menu featuring the flavours of the holiday season. To book your experience, simply comment “Candlelight,” and they’ll DM you the reservation link.
Día de los Muertos is coming alive at Mexican Amigos on November 1 and 2. This happening Richmond Hill spot invites you celebrate an unforgettable night filled with traditions, amazing music and $7 tequila shots all night long.
One of the most beloved members of the Toronto Zoo passed away late yesterday afternoon. Charles — a 52-year-old western lowland silverback gorilla who’s been a revered member of the Toronto Zoo family since its opening day in 1974 — died from natural causes after experiencing significant health issues.
“He will be dearly missed, and his memory will continue to inspire those who knew him to continue the fight against the extinction of this incredible, critically endangered species,” the zoo stated in their release.
Poaching and disease have both resulted in the endangerment of the western lowland gorilla — the species’ numbers have declined by more than 60 per cent over the last 20 to 25 years.
The 430-pound gorilla will leave lasting memories. Charles was an orphan when he came to the zoo from Gabon, Africa, just prior to the zoo’s opening. He became a father and grandfather, siring 11 children and grandchildren between 1988 and 2018. Even in his later years, the zoo states that he continued to be vigilant about protecting his family and maintaining order in the troop.
“His days were filled with moments of joy, quiet reflection, and family bonds – a testament to the complex social lives gorillas share. His steady and strong presence will be deeply missed by the entire Zoo community,” the zoo stated.
According to Dolf DeJong, the Toronto Zoo’s CEO, there were some initial signs of improvement in Charles’ health yesterday morning before his condition took a sudden turn late in the day. He passed away surrounded by those who cared for him.
“Charles was more than an icon, he was a member of our Zoo family and a powerful ambassador for his species, and our flags will fly at half-mast to commemorate his life,” DeJong stated.
A few other animal deaths have occurred at the Toronto Zoo in the past year. Matu, a two-year-old Masai giraffe, died this past July while under general anesthesia during a castration procedure (a necropsy showed that stomach contents had entered his lungs, leading to cardiac arrest). In August, a six-week-old red panda cub passed away after zoo staff observed he had a reduced appetite and felt cold to the touch. A post-mortem showed that the cub had no fat reserves, and experienced complications from intussusception in its intestines, with signs of aspiration affecting his lungs. Also in August, Sakura, a geriatric female red panda, passed away in the middle of the night from cardiac arrest. Last year in August, Mila, a two-year-old Amur tiger, passed away unexpectedly after slipping off a bench while resting, which led to a fatal spinal injury (zoo staff had administered anaesthesia to the 270-pound tiger prior to the incident).
According to the zoo, animal welfare has always been a priority, and staff continue to learn about the importance of individual animal experiences, physical health, behavioural health and the overall environment.
In Charles’ case, modifications were made to both his habitat and diet before he passed, such as steaming the harder root vegetables to make them soft and adding handrails on the upper platforms to help him balance.
You can honour Charles’ memory by donating to the newly established Charles Memorial Fund through the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy Wilding Fund (which supports programs and projects that raise awareness of the impacts of poaching and trafficking), visiting the Charles Memorial page to leave a photo or memory of Charles, or by donating an old cell phone to the Zoo’s PhoneApes program (to help save gorillas in the wild, guests can drop off old cell phones by the Charles status in front of the African Rainforest pavilion).
This November, Torontonians will get a chance to experience the very best in contemporary Indigenous music talent at the Tkaronto Music Festival (TKMF). The three-day festival will feature headliners like The Halluci Nation, Blue Moon Marquee and Toronto-based singer-songwriters Kristi Lane Sinclair — as well as the festival’s surprise headliner, Tanya Tagaq.
Here’s everything you need to know before you attend:
What is the Tkaronto Music Festival?
The festival will celebrate top Indigenous talent from across Turtle Island (North America), with three nights of live music from Nov. 7 to 9, 8-10:30 p.m. at the TD Music Hall (178 Victoria St., 4th floor of the new Allied Music Centre).
The festival hosted its first in-person festival since 2020 in 2023 at the stackt market, welcoming over 10,000 attendees and artists including Classic Roots and Nimkii Osawamick. The event was clearly a success, as the team has upgraded the venue to a much larger space for the 2024 festival.
Who is performing?
Tkaronto Music Festival 2023, courtesy tkmf.ca
Everyone is looking forward to a special performance on closing night (Nov. 9) from Inuk throat singer Tanya Tagaq (who we have previously namedone of Toronto’s most inspiring women). Tagaq hails from Nunavut, but has been based in Toronto for years, composing pieces for the Kronos Quartet and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Last year, the critically acclaimed improvisational singer performed as part of the Royal Ontario Museum’s16th annual Eva Holtby Program on Contemporary Culture, and her fans are eagerly awaiting next month’s performance!
On Nov. 7, headliners include swing blues duo Blue Moon Marquee, alt/indie artist Kaeley Jade and R&B/soul singer Sebastian Gaskin. The following night, attendees can mellow out to music from the Canadian electronic music group The Halluci Nation (formerly known as a Tribe Called Red), Canadian Indigenous hip-hop artist Stun and hip-hop/rap musician Mr. Sauga (aka Jordan Jamieson). Jamieson is an Anishinaabe artist who hails from Mississauga, so his stage name is a subtle nod to his place of birth (and is inspired by its meaning, “river of many mouths”). On closing night (Nov. 9), in addition to Tagaq’s performance, attendees will enjoy music from folk/country singer Evan Redsky and Toronto-based Haida/Cree singer-songwriter Kristi Lane Sinclair, who will likely perform songs from her latest album Super Blood Wolf Moon.
Other highlights
In addition to incredible musical performances, attendees can check out the nearby TKMF Vendor Market for collections of handmade Indigenous items! Kick off your holiday shopping at this two-day event to find unique gifts, like handcrafted beadwork, Indigenous-inspired clothing, natural body care products and stunning jewelry from Indigenous-owned small businesses. (Nov. 8–9, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. 401 Richmond St. W., about a 15-minute drive/20-minute walk from the TD Music Hall venue).
A collaboration between Lululemon and the NHL is bringing exclusive new fan apparel to stores — including a collection of Toronto Maple Leafs gear modelled by the Leafs’ very own John Tavares and his wife, Aryne.
The partnership, announced last week, between Lululemon as well as sports gear company Fanatics features 11 NHL teams for the 2024-2025 season. By 2026, the collaboration will expand to a full 32-team assortment. Of course, as one of the Original Six, the Toronto Maple Leafs were chosen to be included in the first collection.
To promote the new apparel, a few NHL players and their partners from the 11 teams were tapped to model the designs, including Tavares.
This isn’t Tavares’ first foray into modelling — he was previously tapped to model Lululemon’s 2022 Winter Olympics collection for Team Canada. Other NHL models include Connor Bedard, Matty Beniers, Dylan Larkin, Seth Jones, Morgan Geekie and Mark Stone.
The products featured in the collection include Lululemon’s most iconic designs across all genders, such as the Scuba Hoodie, Align Pant, Everywhere Belt Bag and more — all of which will be embellished with team logos and colours.
If the Leafs somehow aren’t your favourite NHL team, don’t worry; the collaboration also includes collections for the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks and Vegas Golden Knights.
Beginning Oct. 29, hockey fans can shop the Leafs collection at the Lids stores in Eaton Centre and Union Station Toronto.
Fans have seen a mediocre start to the regular season for the Leafs, with five wins and five losses under their belt so far, but with the season having just begun, you’ll still want to grab your Leafs merch in time to cheer them on towards a hopeful recovery and victory.
When Fashion Art Toronto (FAT) descends upon the city in November, it will be disrupting the fashion scene even more than usual — thanks to a few local creatives. Two Toronto designers, Danny Welsh of Suburban Deviant and Ramone Ramsay of Vveyago, are recipients of FAT’s inaugural Fashn Disrptr awards, launched this year to support emerging Canadian designers.
Each creative carved their path to fashion design in their own right, and hopes to see more platforms and funding opportunities for Canadian designers getting their start. For them, the award is a milestone at the onset of their own respective journeys, and a sign that they’re headed in the right direction. Ahead of their showcases at FAT’s upcoming fall/winter event, they spoke with Streets of Toronto about how they got to where they are now, and what it means to be a fashion disruptor in Canada.
Suburban Deviant
Courtesy @suburbandeviant/Instagram
Suburban Deviant’s Danny Welsh completed their Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Art, Media and Design from OCAD University in 2020, with a thesis project that focused on performance and gender expression, particularly in relation to how people express themselves through clothing. It was 2021 when Welsh pivoted their multidisciplinary studio practice to clothing design and launched the Suburban Deviant label.
“It was kind of a passion project that I’d put on the back burner,” they admitted. The label produces sustainable, small batch, one-of-one collections that are delivered in 100 per cent compostable packaging and shipped through eco-couriers. Welsh describes the garments as wearable artwork made from pre-existing and pre-loved materials.
Since launching, Welsh has been named on the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards’2023 New Gen List, showcased at the AGO 2023 Art Bash! fundraiser, held two fashion presentations at FAT, along with a sold out showcase in FAT’s retail space and was featured as an installation look at Fashion Canada’s 2024 Cake Mix party this past June. Welsh also worked with viral fashion influencer and notorious maximalist Sara Camposarcone to launch the label’s sixth collection “Alter Ego.”
“As an interdisciplinary artist, being able to showcase Suburban Deviant in these different ways — in exhibition, on models in the fashion presentation space, and also a visual merchandising display in the retail space — it’s a profound reality. It’s amazing to continuously create the Suburban Deviant dream world and show people what the brand is really about,” says Welsh.
As for the Fashn Disrptr award, Welsh says the through line is evident in the Suburban Deviant name.
“Suburban Deviant is a metaphor for the outsider, and we empathize with those who feel out of place in the environment they exist in,” they say. “But also, I feel being a fashion disruptor really comes from embodying the slow fashion ideology. Nothing is made new, everything is made from sustainably sourced, pre-existing materials [and] it’s a matter of looking to what exists already around us and creating work from there.”
Welsh hopes awards like this allow more artists to collaborate with big brands and find exposure in public media. “Bigger brands collaborating with smaller artists or independent artists in the realm of sustainability would definitely be a step in the right direction, instead of just adopting eco-conscious buzzwords in their marketing.”
Vveyago
Courtesy @vveyago/Instagram
Vveyago’s Ramone Ramsay started working in fashion as a model and developed the inspiration to start a design label after walking in FAT’s 2022 fall/winter event season.
“I used to hand sew my own garments as a teenager, but I hadn’t done it in a long time, ” he says. “Then when I got into modeling, I started making my own garments to go to events and the response from people around me was so positive, I became convinced that it was a passion I should focus on.”
After walking the runway in November 2022, he resolved that he liked the design aspect of the industry more than modeling, and so he began crowdsourcing insights from his peers about how to launch a fashion label. By February, he had a new sewing machine and was building his collection for FAT’s upcoming spring/summer season, where Vveyago officially debuted in April. Only a year later, he was named on CAFA’s 2024 NewGen List celebrating Canadian creatives.
Now having been awarded Fashn Disrptr, Ramsay says it means he’s doing the right thing. “It proves to me that a passion I’ve been stifling for so long is exactly what I should be doing. I am here to make changes in the industry for younger designers like myself, and prove that we’re here to stay.”
Similar to Welsh, Ramsay hopes that more emerging designers are given opportunities to showcase their creations so that the true breadth of talent in Canada is visible in the fashion scene. “It’s not easy, financially,” he says. “So for artists to get to a level where our garments can be seen by a wider audience, especially if the financial backing isn’t there, that’s so important.”
Suburban Deviant will debut its eight collection “Antagonist” during the label’s debut runway appearance at FAT, on Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. Vveyago will appear the following evening, Nov. 15 at 9 p.m. Both designers will also be featured on-site in an experiential atelier pop-up that will offer a behind-the-scenes look into their newest collections. The pair are joined by Montreal’s Process Visual in receiving the inaugural Fashn Disrptr awards.
With Halloween just days away, the city is crawling with creepy, spooky events to keep you in the spirit. From the wildest parties to chilling haunted attractions, here are the top events to make your Halloween night unforgettable!
The Stanley Garrison Séance at Stanley Barracks offers an immersive Victorian experience with chills at one of Toronto’s most haunted locations — perfect for thrill seekers and paranormal fans!
Brace yourself for a Darko Halloween at Ground Control, where all your dark music cravings collide — think synth, dark wave and alternative hits. Plus show your spooky style to win a cash prize! 1279 Queen St. W.
Halloween on Church Street transforms into a wicked street party at 6:30 p.m., with thousands of costumed revellers filling six blocks with stunning characters — all for free!
The Revue Cinema is the place to be for two weeks of horror flicks and special events, including the classics Scream 2 andScream 6, a 50th anniversary screening of Young Frankenstein on Oct. 31 and much more.
Toronto’s Haunted Boat Party features a chilling midnight cruise, followed by a spine-tingling after party, until 3 a.m. Costumes are a must for a night of unforgettable frights!
Prepare for a Halloween night like no other at Lula Lounge! The Opulent Menagerie features fierce drag performances and a jaw-dropping fashion show with top Canadian artists.
For a spooky road trip, visit Coffin Creek Coffee Co. in Courtice, Ont., featuring spine-tingling drinks like Sleepy Hollow, Poison Apple and Haunted Orchard and creepy pastries like warm Scream pies and Killer cookies.
In just two weeks, one of Toronto’s most beloved festivals will transform the iconic stackt market — North America’s largest shipping container market — into a winter wonderland! Holiday Hills will run from Nov. 15 to Dec. 29, so festival-goers of all ages can expect 39 days of curated holiday experiences, showcasing more than 20 entertainment events, over 100 local and international vendors, unique shopping opportunities, immersive experiences, workshops, and delicious culinary adventures — and the best part is, admission is free!
More than 200,000 patrons are expected to attend this magical winter tradition, which is now in its fifth year, making it the perfect place to celebrate the festive season. This season, check out the festival’s after-dark series, where patrons can celebrate the holiday magic well after sunset! Each evening from 8-11 p.m., the festival will come alive through luminous light installations, photo ops and community events. Guests can indulge in culinary experiences, from cozy cocktails at the exclusive Speakeasy Whiskey Bar to tasty late-night food offerings from various vendors.
Courtesy @stacktmarket/Instagram
Other highlights include the tunnel of lights, where visitors can experience an immersive 100-foot-long light installation, providing a breathtaking backdrop of the CN Tower (and unforgettable holiday photos). Buy one-of-a-kind holiday gifts from exclusive pop-ups from big brands or support small businesses such as Steady Reserve, Carmico and Cracked Knot. Don’t miss the curated vendor markets hosted by Kensington Flea, Table Market and more!
There will also be plenty of holiday-themed performances throughout the festival, including traditional Christmas carols, family-friendly shows, dog-friendly events and special guest appearances from the big man in red. For game enthusiasts, there’ll be a 5,000-square-foot winter patio featuring curling lanes, cozy fire pits, s’more huts and interactive activations. Foodies can savour festive dishes from top Toronto vendors, like Kong’s Tacos, Fat Bao, Sunday’s Pasta Lab, Courage Cookies and more.
Holiday Hills also offers a chance for visitors to socialize and make new friends, including at the weekly parent socials, comedy shows, live karaoke performances and music showcases. Family Sunday Funday will also be returning this year for free all-day-long family programming.
Visitors with a creative side can participate in over 20 creative DIY sessions to craft personalized holiday gifts and learn new skills from small businesses such as Let’s Make It and more.
Stackt market is located at 28 Bathurst St. Holiday Hills will run from Nov. 15 to Dec. 29 from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. (although it’ll be closed on Mondays). The festival officially kicks off at 4 p.m. on Nov. 15.
