Here’s what’s happening this August long weekend in Toronto

TORONTO, August 3, 2023 – The City of Toronto encourages residents and visitors to take advantage of City-run attractions and recreational opportunities on Simcoe Day – Monday, August 7. Named after Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe, who founded York/Toronto in 1793, Toronto’s annual Civic Holiday celebration is the first Monday of each August.

Beaches

Lifeguards are on duty supervising the City’s ten City beaches from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Please check the status of designated swim beaches on the City’s Beaches webpage.

The City asks all residents to remember the following while using one of the City’s swimming beaches:

• Only swim in designated areas with lifeguard supervision.
• Stay within arm’s reach of children at all times.
• Hydrate with water, wear sunscreen and don’t swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• City beaches that meet high standards for water quality, safety, environmental management and education fly the Blue Flag.
• Each lifesaving stand across the waterfront is marked with a Parks Locate Point (PLP) and 911 signs to support further safety measures for the public this beach season.

Swim zone boundaries are marked at Toronto’s swimming beaches by red and yellow flags. Floating swim markers show the swim zone boundaries in the water. Swimming past or outside of these markers is not permitted. If no flags are flying at a Toronto beach, lifeguards are not on duty and swimming is not recommended. Stay within the marked swim zones to avoid the dangers of being struck by vessels. Undesignated areas can have dangerous water conditions, such as undertows and rip currents.

City parks and pools

City parks, outdoor swimming pools, wading pools and splash pads will be open on Monday. Indoor pools and community centres, including washrooms inside community centres, will be closed. More information, including swimming pool schedules, is available on the City’s Swim & Water Play webpage.

Community recreation centres

Community recreation centres will be open for regular program hours on Saturday, August 5 and Sunday, August 6 but will be closed on Monday, August 7, for the Civic Holiday.

Conservatories and greenhouses

Flowers are in bloom at Centennial Park Conservatory and Allan Gardens Conservatory. Both conservatories are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free. While Allen Gardens is undergoing renovations, washrooms inside the conservatory are closed. Portable washrooms are available outside by the playground. Visitors can learn more on the City’s Conservatories webpage.

Golf at municipal courses

Toronto’s five municipal golf courses are located on beautiful parklands. These affordable, high-quality, TTC-accessible courses are open daily throughout the long weekend. More information is available on the City’s Golf webpage.

High Park Animal Display

Toronto’s oldest animal display has been entertaining people for more than 130 years and is open daily between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Visitors heading to the High Park animal display are reminded that roads in the park will be closed to vehicular traffic for all three days of the Civic Holiday long weekend. More information is available on the City’s Zoos & Farms webpage.

Riverdale Farm

Residents and visitors to Toronto can visit a working farm in the city’s centre. Riverdale Farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free. More information is available on the City’s Zoos & Farms webpage.

Tennis and Pickleball courts

Public tennis and pickleball courts across the city will have nets up and available throughout the long weekend. Public sites are free and available to the public. If others are waiting to use the courts, tennis players are asked to share the courts by limiting their play time to 30-minute intervals. More information about public tennis courts is available on City’s Tennis webpage and pickleball courts information is also available online.

Toronto Island Park

A great place for residents to enjoy a scenic picnic, hike or bike ride and is home to the interactive Franklin Children’s Garden, Centreville Theme Park and Far Enough Farm. Tram tours and Boat House rentals will be available. Island visitors can find ferry schedules and fares on the Toronto Ferry webpage. Information about the amusement park and farm on the Toronto Island website .

Toronto History Museums

Toronto History Museums sites are open on Saturday, August 5 and Sunday, August 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with many free activities and programs listed on the City’s Festival and Events calendar. All museum sites are closed on Monday, August 7.

Cultural Centres

Cultural Centres will be open standard weekend hours and closed on Monday, August 7. More information and visiting hours are available on the City’s Cultural Centres & Galleries webpage.

St. Lawrence Market

St. Lawrence Market is hosting the Taste of the Caribbean festival on Market Street on Sunday, August 6. Visitors can enjoy authentic Caribbean food and shop artisan goods from local small businesses. Admission is free.

The main Market building and the Saturday Farmer’s Market will be open during the Civic Holiday long weekend for regular business hours.

• Saturday, August 5: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Farmer’s Market 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Sunday, August 6: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Monday, August 7: closed

Toronto Zoo

There’s no better place to spend the long weekend than at the Toronto Zoo, where guests can discover more than 3,000 animals while exploring more than 10km of walking trails and four indoor tropical pavilions. Zoo guests can check out the new state of the art outdoor orangutan habitat, including the new water sprayer that the orangutan’s control – watch out, you might get wet! The Toronto Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the world and remains committed to connecting people, animals and conservation science to fight extinction. For more information or to book your tickets, visit the Toronto Zoo website .

Toronto Public Library

All Toronto Public Library (TPL) branches will be closed for the Civic Holiday on Sunday, August 6 and Monday, August 7. A complete list of TPL branch locations and corresponding hours of operation is available on the TPL webpage . Residents can download and stream eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, newspapers, movies and music anytime by visiting the eBooks & Online content webpage .

Residents can download and stream eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, newspapers, movies and music anytime by visiting the TPL website .

Union Summer at Union Station

Union’s signature summer event is back until August 27. This long weekend residents and visitors can enjoy free live events and feast on a curated selection of food vendors while enjoying free live performances, music, activities and Union Summer Movie Nights. Union Summer opens daily at 11 a.m. For more information on operating hours, free performance lineups, and our delicious vendors, visit the TD Union Summer website: https://torontounion.ca/tdunionsummer.

TTC

No subway closures are scheduled this weekend. The TTC will operate on its Holiday service schedule on the Civic Holiday. More information is available on the TTC website .

Important reminder about fireworks

The August Civic Holiday is not a designated fireworks day. Residents are only permitted to set off fireworks on their property if they have obtained a permit from Toronto Fire Services. Fireworks are not allowed in City parks or on beaches, balconies, streets, parking lots or other private property.

The misuse or illegal sale of fireworks can be reported to 311 by phone or by submitting a service request on the City’s 311 webpage. More information about fireworks rules is available on the City’s Fireworks webpage.

SOURCE City of Toronto

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