Toronto Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade, Road Closures & Towing Guidelines

One of Toronto’s biggest annual events, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade is taking place on Saturday, August 3, 2024. The Toronto Police Service is making the public aware of some of the measures being taken to ensure everyone has a safe and happy Toronto Caribbean Carnival. TPS says officers will have increased visibility throughout the weekend to provide crowd and traffic management and to ensure public safety.

TPS warns of major delays this weekend particularly due to the Grand Parade taking place from 8 am to 8 pm.

Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade Route and road closures:

Starting at 8 am on Saturday and concluding at 8 pm, the Grand Parade will depart Exhibition Place Grounds at Princes’ Boulevard, to Canada Boulevard, to westbound Lake Shore Boulevard West. The parade will travel westbound along Lake Shore Boulevard West and will turn approximately 100 metres west of Jameson Avenue and then travel eastbound on Lake Shore Boulevard West. The masquerade bands will return to Exhibition Place at British Columbia Road.

Road Closures:

Road Closures for the parade take effect on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at 12 a.m. and continue until Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 7 a.m., including:

• Lake Shore Boulevard West from Fort York Boulevard to Colborne Lodge Drive
• Lake Shore Boulevard West westbound between Bathurst Street and Fort York Boulevard is open to local traffic only
• Strachan Avenue southbound from Fleet Street

The following Gardiner Expressway ramps will close at 12 a.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2024:

• Westbound Gardiner Expressway on ramp at Jameson Avenue
• Eastbound Gardiner Expressway off ramp at Jameson Avenue
• Eastbound Gardiner Expressway on ramp from Jameson Avenue, and Lake Shore Boulevard West at British Columbia Road
• Westbound Gardiner Expressway off ramp at Dunn Avenue
• Lake Shore Boulevard West will close to traffic at 12 a.m. from westbound Strachan Avenue to Parkside Drive, and eastbound Lake Shore Boulevard West from Colborne Lodge Drive to Strachan Avenue
• The Princes’ Gates will remain closed to vehicle traffic on Saturday, August 3, 2024 starting at 1 a.m.

Expect major traffic delays

As road closures will be in effect, residents and visitors should expect traffic delays, plan their journeys in advance and consider taking public transit.

The Service is also expecting increased activity in the evening hours at restaurants and nightclubs. The Service will have dedicated resources in the downtown core and waterfront area in the evenings to maintain public safety and to respond quickly to any incidents.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to approach officers with any concerns and to follow our “X” account for the latest information: @TorontoPolice

Restricted Access Points:

To assist with the flow of traffic and minimize disruptions to residents, the following streets will be restricted to local traffic only:

• Dufferin Street south of King Street West
• Dowling Avenue south of King Street West
• Stadium Road south of Lake Shore Boulevard West
• Queens Quay West, west of Bathurst Street
• Springhurst Avenue, west of Jameson Avenue
• Springhurst Avenue, east of Jameson Avenue
• Remembrance Drive

Other streets, although not restricted to vehicles, will be strictly enforced for parking infractions. These streets include those south of King Street West, east of Colborne Lodge Drive, and west of Bathurst Street.

Towing Policy:

All vehicles, including tour buses, parked illegally on the following streets will be tagged and towed:

• Lake Shore Boulevard West (including the grassed area)
• Bathurst Street
• Fleet Street
• King Street West
• Queen Street West
• Roncesvalles Avenue
• Dufferin Street
• The Queensway

Vehicles parked illegally in the Parkdale area and in the Stadium Road area will be tagged and towed.

Event Access:

Members of the public who wish to enjoy the non-ticketed portion of the parade are encouraged to find alternative routes to enter by foot from Lake Shore Boulevard West and Strachan Avenue or Lake Shore Boulevard West and Parkside Drive.

Members of the public who wish to enter the paid ticket access area within Exhibition Place will be required to pay at the following ticketed entrance locations: Dufferin Gates, Princes’ Gates, and the Metrolinx Exhibition GO Station.

It is recommended that people make themselves aware of alternative routes before heading into the downtown core to avoid delays. The Service also recommends spectators use public transit to attend the parade. Visit www.ttc.ca or www.metrolinx.com for more information.

Information provided by Constable Stephanie Miceli for Constable Derek Ma, TPS

lead photo by Stephen Uhraney for Toronto Times

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