Victoria Day fireworks display at Ashbridges Bay takes place tonight

The City of Toronto’s annual Victoria Day fireworks display at Ashbridges Bay is slated for tonight.

This year’s display will start at 10 p.m. sharp on the night of Monday, May 19, and is expected to last approximately 14 minutes.

Those planning on attending the display should expect huge crowds in the Ashbridges Bay and Woodbine Beach area.

Ashbridges Bay Park is located at 1561 Lake Shore Blvd. E. at the foot of Coxwell Avenue at Lake Ontario. However, the fireworks display is visible all along the length of the Boardwalk and the Eastern Beaches.

City officials are encouraging people who are coming to see the fireworks to take public transit and avoid driving into the area tonight.

TTC bus routes that serve the lakeshore are the 22A Coxwell from Coxwell Subway Station and the 92 Woodbine South from Woodbine Subway Station. More information about TTC schedules and routes is available on the TTC’s webpage at https://www.ttc.ca/

In a news release, Toronto police said that due to expected large crowds major traffic delays can be expected in the Ashbridges Bay area tonight and that a number of local road closures would taking place.

Those road closures include all of Lake Shore Boulevard East between Coxwell Avenue and Queen Street East tonight. Also, Emdaabiimok Avenue (formerly Lower Coxwell) will be closed trom Eastern Avenue to Lake Shore Boulevard East tonight.

Police and city bylaw officials will have a large presence in the area today and tonight to ensure public safety.

Those attending tonight’s display are being reminded by the City of Toronto that it is illegal at all times for residents to light off personal fireworks on public property, including parks and beaches. Police are reminding everyone attending the area tonight that bonfires in city parks and on beaches are prohibited, and that alcohol is also not permitted at Ashbridges Bay.

Fireworks are also prohibited on balconies, streets, parking lots, or property not owned by the person setting off the fireworks. On Victoria Day and Canada Day only, people can set off fireworks on their own private property until 11 p.m., according to the City of Toronto’s bylaw.

For more information on the city’s fireworks bylaw and safety tips, please go to https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/public-notices-bylaws/bylaw-enforcement/fireworks/