As summer draws to a close, Toronto's vibrant festival scene is still bustling, particularly this weekend with several neighborhoods commemorating their heritage and culture. Among these celebrations are the Roncesvalles Polish Festival in Roncesvalles and the Toronto Ukrainian Festival in Bloor West Village. These events promise a weekend filled with cultural festivities, food, music, and community engagement.
Notably, road closures will impact various fests and events, including the RBC Race for the Kids happening in North York. Additionally, GO Transit service is experiencing adjustments due to planned construction that attendees should be mindful of during this busy weekend.
Roncesvalles Polish Festival
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Roncesvalles Polish Festival is billed as North America's largest Polish cultural celebration. The festival will take place along Roncesvalles Avenue, spanning from Dundas Street to Queen Street. Attendees can enjoy an array of Polish music, food—such as polka and pierogis—and performances from local artists. A total of four stages will host 40 different performances, alongside the participation of 90 vendors and 150 local shops and boutiques. For families, two zones will include amusement rides and activities for children. The festival is set to run from Saturday, September 19, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and on Sunday, September 20, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Toronto Ukrainian Festival
In its 31st year, the Toronto Ukrainian Festival takes over Bloor West Village, featuring a rich lineup of music, culinary delights, and community activities. Renowned Ukrainian artists and bands will entertain visitors with both traditional folk songs and modern music. For culinary enthusiasts, a variety of Ukrainian dishes—such as borscht, kebabs, and pierogis—will be available. Shoppers can browse numerous vendors selling traditional crafts, including embroidery, woodcarving, and pottery with interactive demonstrations. The festival will run on Bloor Street between Jane Street and Kennedy Park Road, starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, September 18, continuing through Saturday, September 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and finally on Sunday, September 20, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
2026 CAMH Pow Wow
The 2026 CAMH Pow Wow, presented by Shkaabe Makwa, will take place at TD Commons on Friday, September 18, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. This traditional Indigenous event features music and dancing, food, and art vendors. Admission is free and open to the public.
Pape Village Block Party
This weekend, Pape Village hosts a block party shutting down a section of Pape Avenue from Mortimer to Cosburn Avenues. The festival aims to celebrate and unify the Pape Village community with family-friendly entertainment. Expectations include live music from bands and DJs, food vendors, arts and crafts booths, and a designated kids' fun zone. The event takes place on Saturday, September 18, from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sunday, September 19, from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and is free to attend.
Public Pier
A new cultural festival, Public Pier, will commence on Friday, September 18, at Marina Quay West (539 Queens Quay West). The pier will transform into a day-to-night destination featuring food, live DJs, dance workshops, as well as public art and immersive projections on the iconic Canada Malting Silos. This event is also free to attend and will run on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. until October 3.
Treasures Sale 2026
The Toronto Reference Library is hosting its annual Treasures Sale, facilitated by the Friends of Toronto Public Library, South Chapter. For book lovers, the sale is a treasure trove of rare and special books, including first editions and signed copies. The sale is scheduled for three days at Beeton Hall with entry fees on September 17 at $3 from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and free admission on September 18 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and September 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Queen West Art Crawl
The Queen West Art Crawl, a two-day multidisciplinary arts festival, is set to occur on September 19 and 20 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. stretching along Queen Street West from Bathurst to Roncesvalles in Trinity Bellwoods Park. This festival’s highlight is an outdoor art exhibition showcasing hundreds of established and emerging artists across various mediums, including sculpture, visual art, and jewelry. Entertainment will include musical and dance performances, activities for children, and food vendors.
TTC/GO Changes and Closures
Line 1 Closure
There will be no subway service between College and St. Clair stations on Line 1 on September 19 and 20 for planned track work, with shuttle buses replacing the subway service. Summerhill and Rosedale stations will be closed during this time, while the Dundonald Street entrance at Wellesley Station will also be out of service. All other TTC stations will remain open for customers.
Bus Route Changes
Due to the multiple festivals and events, numerous bus route changes and diversions will take place. For a comprehensive list of changes, click here.
Barrie Line Service Adjustments
There will be no GO Transit service between Downsview Park GO and Union Station on September 19 and 20 because of planned construction. GO trains will maintain their regular schedules between Allandale Waterfront/Aurora and Downsview Park GO.
Road Closures
RBC Race for the Kids
Scheduled for Saturday, September 19, the RBC Race for the Kids will occur between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The 5 km run begins and ends at Mel Lastman Square, leading to several road closures along the route spanning Beecroft Road, North York Boulevard, Yonge Street, Sheppard West Avenue, and Harlandale Avenue. Motorists should prepare for delays from 5:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Constantine Yorkville 5 KM Run
This run will take place on Sunday, September 20, at 9 a.m., with road closures anticipated on Bay Street, College Street, Spadina Avenue, and Bloor Street West.
TTC Track Work
As part of ongoing sewer and track replacement work, College Street will be reduced to one eastbound lane from Bay Street to Yonge Street until December 2026, prohibiting westbound travel or left turns.
Ongoing Road Closures
Gardiner Expressway Long-Term Closure
In line with the long-term construction plan for the Gardiner Expressway, a segment of the westbound lanes has been reduced from four to three between Park Lawn Road and Grand Avenue. Additionally, the eastbound lanes will be narrowed but will not experience lane reductions from April 2025 until December 2026.
For the latest traffic and closure updates, click here for the latest information from 680 NewsRadio Toronto.
