What to know
- StreetFest runs from July 23 to 25 along Queen Street East between Woodbine and Beech avenues, with free performances from 7 to 11 p.m. nightly.
- More than three dozen acts are listed, including the Toronto All-Star Big Band, Samba Squad, Trash Panda Brass and Snooky Tynes Soul Express.
- Queen Street East will close to vehicles from 6 p.m. until 11:59 p.m. each night, and transit routes in the area may be diverted.
The Beaches International Jazz Festival continues this weekend, with StreetFest taking over Queen St. E. with live music, food trucks and local vendors t from July 23 to 25.
Head to The Beaches this weekend for three nights of festival fun. StreetFest will be dominating the stretch of Queen St. E. between Woodbine and Beech avenues, featuring a pedestrian-friendly festival with more than three dozen bands performing outside of businesses and in public spaces throughout The Beaches. The programming comes as part of The Beaches International Jazz Festival, a month-long celebration of the genre that is now in its 38th year.
Here’s everything you need to know before heading down.
Who is performing?
This year’s StreetFest lineup features more than three dozen performers spread across the neighbourhood.
The lineup includes the Toronto All-Star Big Band, Samba Squad, Snooky Tynes Soul Express, Caliber Funk, Trash Panda Brass, Downtown Dixieland Band, Forest Creek Pathway Steel Orchestra and The Jerome Tucker Band.
Other performers include Old Man Flanagan’s Ghost, The Imbayakunas, The Quincy Bullen Family Band, Sugar Rush, Kilowatt Band, The Philcos, Joy4Soul, Sean Turner Band and The Nathan Carr Band.
Bands will be stationed outside of local businesses and neighbourhood landmarks, including the east and west entrances to Kew Gardens, The Beaches branch of Toronto Public Library, The Beaches fire hall and several Queen St. E. restaurants and shops.
Organizers say bands and performance locations may change without notice, so attendees should check the official schedule before heading out.
What else will be there?
Along with live music, the festival will feature food trucks, restaurant offerings, market stalls and vendors selling handmade goods,clothing and other items.
StreetFest is also promoted as an all-ages event, allowing families to walk along Queen St. E. and move between performances throughout the evening.
Which roads will be closed?
Queen St. E. will be closed between Woodbine and Beech avenues from 6 p.m. until 11:59 p.m. on all three nights.
Drivers must remove vehicles parked along both sides of the affected stretch between 4 and 6 p.m. Vehicles that remain there may be towed.
Waverley Rd., Lee Ave. and Wineva Ave. will remain open for through traffic during the festival. According to the official closure notice, Main St. bus service will be rerouted along Wineva Ave., Alfresco Lawn and Lee Ave. to avoid the closure.
How can attendees get there?
Festival organizers recommend taking public transit due to the nightly closures and limited parking.
The festival’s directions page suggests taking the 92 Woodbine S. bus from Woodbine Station, the 22 Coxwell bus from Coxwell Station or the 501 Queen streetcar from Queen or Osgoode stations.
Since Queen St. service may be affected by the festival closure, attendees should check the TTC’s latest route information before travelling.
Metered street parking and Toronto Parking Authority lots are available elsewhere in The Beaches, but spaces are expected to be limited.
