What to know
- Taste of the Danforth returns this weekend after a two-year hiatus caused by funding challenges.
- Toronto police will close Danforth Avenue between Broadview and Jones avenues from 10 a.m. Friday until 3 a.m. Monday.
- More than 1.6 million people are expected to attend the three-day festival celebrating Greek food, culture and entertainment.
- Drivers are urged to avoid the area, use alternate routes and expect an increased police presence throughout the event.
Taste of the Danforth is making its long-awaited return to Toronto this weekend, and police are warning drivers to expect road closures and significant traffic in and around the festival.
One of the city’s biggest and busiest street festivals kicks off Friday evening and runs through Sunday, bringing three days of food, live entertainment and celebrations of Greek culture to Danforth Avenue.
The festival typically attracts massive crowds, and organizers expect more than 1.6 million people to attend this year’s event. With hundreds of vendors, live performances and family-friendly programming taking over the neighbourhood, Toronto police say motorists should avoid the area if possible and plan ahead.
Which Toronto roads are closed for Taste of the Danforth?
To accommodate the event, Danforth Avenue will be closed to all vehicular traffic between Broadview Avenue and Jones Avenue.
The closures will take effect beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, and will remain in place until 3 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 10.
Drivers are encouraged to use alternative routes and allow extra travel time, as congestion is expected throughout the weekend.
How to get to Taste of the Danforth
Public transit remains one of the easiest ways to get to the festival, with TTC subway stations along the route providing convenient access.
Toronto police also say there will be an increased officer presence throughout the festival to help manage crowds, direct traffic and respond to public safety concerns. Anyone attending the event who needs assistance is encouraged to approach an officer on site.
Taste of the Danforth returns after two years
This year’s festival marks the highly anticipated return of Taste of the Danforth after a two-year hiatus. Organizers previously announced the event would not take place because of funding challenges, raising concerns about the future of one of Toronto’s signature summer festivals.
Now back on the city’s summer calendar, the festival is expected to once again transform Greektown into a bustling celebration of Greek food, music, dance and community.
For anyone planning to attend, arriving early, taking public transit and preparing for large crowds will likely make for the smoothest experience as one of Toronto’s most beloved summer traditions returns.
