What to know
- King Street West between Spadina and University avenues is closed for TIFF from 5 a.m. Sept. 10 until 5 a.m. Sept. 14. The closure returns from 3 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 14 and Sept. 15.
- The 504A/304 King and 508 Lake Shore streetcars will divert during the closures, with some King Street stops not being served.
- The 504B King streetcar will operate between Broadview Station and Church Street, with a diversion around the festival zone.
- The 503 Kingston Road replacement buses will also divert, and TTC staff will be stationed at key locations to help riders find alternate routes.
- A portion of Yorkville Avenue between Bellair Street and Hazelton Avenue will also be closed to vehicles as part of a TIFF activation.
Commuters should prepare for streetcar disruptions this weekend, as the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) kicks off on Thursday.
The city is buzzing with excitement today, as it prepares for 11 days of movie screenings, red carpets, activations, and cultural moments with the 51st edition of the international festival running from Sept. 10–20.
To accommodate the event, a portion of King Street West between Spadina and University avenues is now closed for the festival this weekend and part of next week.
The road closures started at 5 a.m. on Thursday, and will remain until 5 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 14, when the road will reopen again. However, closures will return between 3 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 14 and Sept. 15.
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Streetcars will be diverting
In light of the closures, TTC is warning commuters of disruptions on 504A/304 King and 508 Lake Shore streetcar routes, which will divert from Sept. 10 at 4 a.m. to Sept. 14 at 5 a.m., and from 3 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 14 and Sept. 15.
Both streetcar lines will be diverting as follows:
- Westbound: north on Church Street from King Street East, west on Richmond Street, north on York Street, west on Queen Street West, south on Spadina Avenue, and back to King Street West to continue on its regular route.
- Eastbound: north on Spadina Avenue from King Street West, east on Queen Street West, south on York Street, east on Adelaide Street, south on Church Street, and back to King Street East to continue on the regular route.
The 504B King streetcars will be operating between Broadview Station and Church Street, diverting south on Church Street from King Street East, west on Wellington Street, north on York Street, and back to King Street West to its regular route.
According to the TTC, King Street stops between Spadina Avenue and York Street, and westbound between Church and York Streets will not be served.
503 replacement buses also diverting
Meanwhile, the 503 Kingston Road replacement buses will also be diverting as follows:
- Westbound: north on University Ave. from King Street West, west on Richmond Street West, and south on Spadina Avenue back to its regular route.
- Eastbound: north on Spadina Avenue from King Street West, east on Adelaide Street West, and south on University Avenue back to the regular route.
503 Kingston Road stops between Spadina and University avenues will not be served during the event.
Moreover, TTC says it will have identifiable staff “positioned at key locations” to support customers throughout the festival, and help provide information about alternative routes and options.
Yorkville Avenue closed for activation
In addition to King Street disruptions, a portion of Yorkville Avenue between Bellair Street and Hazelton Avenue will also be closed to vehicles as part of a “Rogers TIFF Yorkville Activation.”
Closures are in effect from Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 6 a.m. until Monday, Sept. 14 at 6 a.m.
The event will be happening on:
- Thursday, Sept. 10 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
