Downtown Yonge BIA Unveils 2025 Summer Destination Lineup Make Downtown Yonge Your Ultimate Summer Destination!
From lively outdoor concerts to curated flea markets, late-night movie screenings, and fun fitness sessions, the Downtown Yonge neighbourhood is set to offer something for everyone—families, friends, and young adults alike.
"This isn't just summer in the city—it's a celebration of community, creativity, and connection," says Cheryll Diego, Public Realm Director of Downtown Yonge BIA. "We're inviting locals and visitors alike to rediscover Downtown Yonge through art, music, movement, and play."
2025 Summer Destination Signature Events:
🎶 Play The Parks, Presented by TD Bank
Running from June to September
Enjoy free weekly live concerts across key downtown green spaces including 777 Bay Plaza, College Park, McGill Parkette, and Trinity Square Park. For more info, visit https://downtownyonge.com//playtheparks/
🌙 College Park: After Hours
First Wednesdays (June to September).
Spend your evening at College Park with a perfect mix of community vibes and practical perks. Starting at 3PM, browse a lively maker's market, enjoy live music at 5PM, and unwind with an outdoor movie at 7PM —all part of College Park: After Hours.
While you're there, bring your bike for a free Bike Clinic, offering expert tune-ups, quick repairs, and maintenance tips from on-site mechanics.
For more info, visit https://downtownyonge.com//collegeparkafterhours/
🛼 Skates & Sounds: Roller Drag Ball, in partnership with
Wednesday, June 18 (5–10PM)
Celebrate Pride with a high-energy roller rink experience, featuring drag performers on wheels, DJs, and a pop-up market. For more info, visit https://downtownyonge.com/pride/
🌿 Take A Break: Trinity Square Park, with support from IKEA Toronto Downtown
June–July | Monday to Friday (8AM–5PM)
Recharge with free daily activities at Trinity Square Park—a hidden gem tucked behind CF Toronto Eaton Centre.
🛍️ Flea Market, in partnership with The Toronto Flea Market
Saturday, July 12 (12–6PM)
A vintage lover's dream! Explore handcrafted goods, one-of-a-kind finds, and local artisan wares.
💪 Motivation Mondays, in partnership with YMCA Greater Toronto
August to September (6–7PM)
Free outdoor fitness sessions at College Park every Monday. (Excludes holidays.)
🎷 Music Walking Tour of Yonge Street, in partnership with The Mackenzie House
Tour Dates: Tuesday, July 22 (3 – 4:30PM)
Wednesday, August 6 (4 – 5:30PM)
Tuesday, September 2 (4 – 5:30PM)
Step into the rhythm of the city with a free guided walking tour that traces the rich musical history of Yonge Street—Toronto's original music corridor.
For more info, visit https://downtownyonge.com/arts-culture/musicwalkingtour/
📍 All events are free and family-friendly.
Beyond our Summer Destination signature events, there's always something happening in the heart of the city—from live performances at Sankofa Square to community festivals at Nathan Phillips Square and more. Come for one event, and you'll find yourself immersed in a summer of unexpected discoveries and vibrant downtown energy.
To explore the full calendar of events, visit: downtownyonge.com/summer or follow along @downtownyonge on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter)
About Downtown Yonge BIA
Established in 2001 along Toronto's iconic Yonge St., the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area (DYBIA) is a non-profit organization committed to strengthening the culture and economy of our world-leading downtown neighbourhood through programs, partnerships, advocacy and outreach.
A champion for the mixed-use community of 2,000+ businesses and property owners in the heart of downtown Toronto, DYBIA is responsive, inclusive and collaborative, reaching beyond its boundaries to create innovative programs that help drive consistent growth in the community.
Representing more than $7 billion in commercial real estate, this vibrant downtown district is home to exceptional retail such as CF Toronto Eaton Centre, entertainment mainstays including the Ed Mirvish Theatre, the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres and Massey Hall, and a bustling post-secondary community at Toronto Metropolitan University and Toronto Film School, as well as over 100,000 residents within a 10-minute walk. All of which contribute to some of the highest pedestrian flows in Canada with over 60 million pedestrians annually.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
9 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Music in the Royal Grove at Rideau Hall
OTTAWA, ON, July 24, 2025 /CNW/ - The grounds of Rideau Hall will echo with the sweet strains of chamber music July 26 and 27, 2025, as Ottawa Chamberfest returns to the Royal Grove for some relaxing afternoon performances. Guests are welcome to bring their own chairs or blankets and relax in the shade with an interlude of live music. This year, artists include ensembles from the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces, who will play classical favourites with a focus on brass and woodwinds; and Duo Despax, featuring violinist Cendrine Despax and cellist Valérie Despax, who will come together for two performances of eclectic repertoire for violin and cello, ranging from Taylor Swift to Mozart. Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces Saturday, July 26, 2025 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Despax Duo Sunday, July 27, 2025 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. In the case of inclement weather, Chamberfest programming will be moved indoors. Visitors are encouraged to walk, bike or use public transportation to get to Rideau Hall (1 Sussex Drive). Limited parking is available on the adjoining streets. In July, Rideau Hall offers daily access to the grounds, the Visitor Centre and the heart garden. Guided tours of the residence are available throughout the day, on a first come, first served basis. Please note that Rideau Hall is a working residence; scheduling for all activities is subject to change without notice due to official events. About Chamberfest For over 30 years, Ottawa Chamberfest has been celebrating the art of the small ensemble. Through its summer festival, concert series and community programming, Chamberfest seeks to unite audiences and artists through high-quality performances in distinctive settings.
CTV News
9 hours ago
- CTV News
Fierté Montréal's 2025 festival line-up invites community to celebrate and unite
As Fierté Montréal prepares to launch its 2025 edition, organizers say the 11-day event is as much a celebration as it is a call for solidarity and vigilance. The festival, which kicks off from July 31 to Aug. 11, promises more than 250 artists and 120 events spread across three main hubs in the city, including a renewed focus on programming in Montreal's Village. Fierté Montréal Executive Director Simon Gamache said this year's festivities are an invitation for LGBTQ2S+ people to take up space and celebrate amid what he calls an increasingly hostile environment. 'We're in a very difficult context right now, with the rights of the community being attacked,' said Gamache. 'There's a lot of hate speech on social media and even in public spaces. That's concerning, but it's also why Pride is so important — it's a moment to come together, to celebrate, to see and meet our communities.' The festival's official program was unveiled on Wednesday, highlighting everything from drag shows and film screenings to its annual high heel race. Among the new additions this year is the launch of the Rainbow Market, an event spotlighting LGBTQ2S+ creators and bringing added visibility to life in the heart of the Village. Simon Gamache Fierté Montréal Executive Director Simon Gamache says the 2025 festivities are an invitation for LGBTQ2S+ people to take space and celebrate. (Laurence Brisson Dubreuil/CTV News) Wild Pride As the festival moves forward, Fierté Montréal has faced significant criticism this year. In recent months, about 20 groups publicly cut ties with the organization, with some accusing the festival of fostering a toxic culture, among other claims. Some of those former member groups have since organized an alternative festival, Wild Pride, which kicks off on July 30, one day before Pride's events are slated to begin. Nevertheless, Fierté Montréal organizers say their focus remains on uplifting queer voices. Rameez Karim Rameez Karim talks about his event for Fierté Montréal 2025. (Laurence Brisson Dubreuil/CTV News) Bringing people together Among the featured performers set to take over the stage in the Village is Rameez Karim, a Bollywood dancer and choreographer who is curating an event blending South Asian dance, drag and storytelling. 'This will include performances by Veils of Bollywood, South Asian drag artists and a dance workshop, all aimed at showing how we celebrate our identity and authenticity in these spaces,' said Karim, who noted many of the participating artists trace their roots to countries like India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nepal. 'To bring that culture and community into the Village, and for all of us to come together, exchange and learn from each other, this is what makes us stronger as a community,' he added. Karim said initiatives like this one are about more than visibility. 'The queer community includes so many different subcultures, and everyone wants to feel heard and feel like they belong,' he said. Chris Ngabonziza, director of programming and artistic development with Fierté Montréal, said this year, the focus is on refining existing strengths rather than starting over. 'We're taking everything we've developed over the past three years, but delivering better versions of it,' he said. Fierté Montréal Fierté Montréal unveils its 2025 line-up. (Laurence Brisson Dubreuil/CTV News) The Parade The Pride parade, typically the festival's biggest draw, is set to close the celebrations on Aug. 11. It is expected to bring together hundreds of thousands of participants and spectators. This year's theme, 'Blossom Here, Now,' aims to encourage queer and trans people to claim their right to exist fully — to thrive, express themselves and love without fear. Organizers say it's a rallying cry for presence, visibility and self-acceptance. Fierté Montréal Fierté Montréal unveils its 2025 line-up. (Laurence Brisson Dubreuil/CTV News) Political demands Beyond the festivities, organizers say they are also renewing their political demands — a list that has remained largely unchanged since 2022. Among them is a long-standing call to decriminalize HIV non-disclosure. 'There was momentum under the previous federal government, and then it just disappeared,' said Gamache. 'The demands haven't changed because things aren't moving.' For longtime Montreal culture journalist Richard Burnett, one of the original organizers of Pride's predecessor Divers/Cité, the festival still carries its weight as both a celebration and protest. 'Pride is really important because tolerance is not acceptance. Tolerance is hypocrisy,' said Burnett. 'Even in wonderful queer-positive cities like Montreal, we need to stay vigilant.' He recalled the early days of the movement, when Divers/Cité operated with a shoestring budget of $42,000 in 1994. Today, Fierté Montréal hosts one of the largest Pride events in the country, and that growth, Burnett said, reflects both the progress and the stakes. 'One thing that hasn't changed is the power of Pride to help young people come out, to find their people on parade day,' he said. 'It's also a way to honour our elders who paved the way for us to be able to walk the streets at Pride in the daytime. It was a very different world for them.'
Cision Canada
13 hours ago
- Cision Canada
CANADA DRY AND ROOTS LAUNCH ICONIC NEW COLLAB Français
, July 24, 2025 /CNW/ - Your new summer wardrobe staples have arrived. Today, Canada's #1 Ginger Ale*, Canada Dry®, and global lifestyle brand Roots®, unveiled a new summer capsule collection: The Limited-Edition Canada Dry x Roots Summer Collection. This exclusive collection combines the spirit of two iconic Canadian brands in one crisp collab. Designed by Roots in partnership with Canada Dry, the two brands have come together with the goal of showcasing their rich Canadian heritage and celebrating moments of connection and relaxation that only a Canadian summer can bring. The outcome: a specially crafted capsule collection that's both refreshing, carefree and iconically Canadian. "For over a century, Canada Dry has provided Canadians with moments of refreshment and been a staple of Canadian summers, so we're thrilled to be coming together with another iconic brand for this one-of-a-kind collaboration," says Ruben Beltran, Senior Brand Manager, Canada Dry. "From dock days to patio parties - Canadians can soak up all that summer has to offer in this incredible new collection alongside the crisp ginger flavour of Canada Dry." "Roots and Canada Dry are two iconic brands woven into the fabric of Canadian life," says Leslie Golts, Chief Marketing Officer, Roots. "This partnership is more than just style and refreshment; it is about capturing the feeling of summer and nostalgia that has brought people together for generations. Every item in this collection is crafted to inspire connection: to people, to Canadian memories, and the great outdoors." The collection features a distinct logo mash-up across all pieces: the Roots beaver, sporting the crown from Canada Dry's iconic logo, a nod to the rich Canadian heritage shared by both brands. Designs were inspired by vintage ads from the Canada Dry archive and the timeless charm of traditional Canadian summer vacations. The collection features two vintage-inspired graphic prints which bring nostalgia to life through thoughtful details: a green car, a custom license plate and 'Welcome To Canada Dry Country' sign ground the setting, with the iconic Roots beaver sitting proudly on the front of the boat. Each print captures a different side of the country, with one reflecting the East and the other the West. There are two hero items in the capsule drop, both designed and made in Canada: A roomy and soft hoodie made with organic cotton fibres, emblazoned with the shared logo ($138.00 CAD). Two ultra-soft graphic tees delivering all-day lounge-worthy style, featuring graphic prints inspired by vintage Canada Dry advertisements ($54.00 CAD). Both items are gender-free and designed with a relaxed fit, so they feel just as good as they look. The full Limited-Edition Canada Dry x Roots Summer Collection will be available at starting July 25. Fans in the Greater Toronto Area are welcome to shop the collab IRL while sipping complementary Canada Dry Ginger Ale at a co-branded pop-up inspired by iconic Canadian summers, taking place at The Well from July 25-27. For more information on this collaboration, check out *Source: Nielsen Discovery ABOUT CANADA DRY Canada Dry® Ginger Ale began in 1904 as Pale Ginger Ale. Its founder, John J. McLaughlin, owned a sparkling water plant in Canada, so when he saw the rise in popularity of more syrupy ginger ales, he set to work perfecting a lighter version. This became the Canada Dry Ginger Ale we know today. During Prohibition, Canada Dry Ginger Ale became a popular mixer to mask the taste of the period's harsh liquors. Often called the champagne of soda, it was marketed toward the refined crowd for many decades. And since its creation, Canada Dry Ginger Ale, with its real ginger taste, has been the drink of choice for those seeking something soothing and refreshing. Canada Dry is now a part of the Keurig Dr Pepper beverage portfolio. ABOUT ROOTS Established in 1973, Roots is a global lifestyle brand. Starting from a small cabin in northern Canada, Roots has become a global brand with over 100 corporate retail stores in Canada, two stores in the United States, and an eCommerce platform, We have more than 100 partner-operated stores in Asia, and we also operate a dedicated Roots-branded storefront on in China. We design, market, and sell a broad selection of products in different departments, including women's, men's, children's, and gender-free apparel, leather goods, footwear, and accessories. Our products are built with uncompromising comfort, quality, and style that allows you to feel At Home With Nature™. We offer products designed to meet life's everyday adventures and provide you with the versatility to live your life to the fullest. We also wholesale through business-to-business channels and license the brand to a select group of licensees selling products to major retailers. Roots Corporation (TSX: ROOT), is a Canadian corporation doing business as "Roots" and "Roots Canada".
