Diwali celebrations, school safety rally, marathon runs and more slated for East Toronto this weekend
It’s going to be a very busy weekend in East Toronto with Diwali celebrations, a Persons Day Pink Tea in honour of the Famous Five, and the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon among the events planned.
GERRARD INDIA BAZAAR HOSTS DIWALI CELEBRATIONS
The Gerrard India Bazaar will be hosting its annual Diwali Mela celebrations on the night of Saturday, Oct. 18.
Events at the free celebration, which takes place from 6 to 10 p.m., will be centred around 1432 Gerrard St. E., but will include businesses all along the Gerrard India Bazaar from Coxwell to Greenwood avenues.
The evening will include a live DJ, sparklers, performances, dancing, special treats, sidewalk sales and more.
For more information on this Saturday’s Gerrard India Bazaar celebrations, please visit https://gerrardindiabazaar.com/diwali-at-gerrard-india-bazaar/
FUND OUR SCHOOLS/KEEP OUR SCHOOL SAFETY CAMERAS RALLY
East End Parents 4 Public Education is inviting local families and supporters to a rally on Saturday, Oct. 18, highlighting school funding and safety issues.
The community gathering will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Robertson Parkette, 1555 Danforth Ave., southwest corner of Danforth and Coxwell avenues.
The organizers will be using the gathering to discuss the need for more school funding, and school zone speed cameras.
Those attending will be able to connect and learn how they can take action for schools, childcare and road safety.
For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ey31gegLd/
PERSONS DAY PINK TEA IN THE BEACH HONOURS THE FAMOUS FIVE
Beaches-East York MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon will host a Pink Tea in honour of the Famous Five this Saturday, Oct. 18, afternoon.
The Pink Tea will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. at Judy’s Beach Café, 2188 Queen St. E.
The Famous Five are Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby and Nellie McClung. The first international legal declaration of the principle of equality happened on Oct. 18, 1929 thanks to the leadership of five Canadian women known as the Famous Five (F5) and their ‘Persons’ Case!
For more information on Persons Day, please see https://beachmetro.com/2025/10/16/in-my-opinion-beaches-york-mpp-mary-margaret-mcmahon-shares-reasons-to-celebrate-persons-day-and-honour-canadas-famous-five/
THE DUKE CELEBRATES LEGENDARY OWNER GEORGE POLITIS
A community celebration is set for this afternoon in honour of The Duke Live tavern owner George Politis who will be stepping down after 33 years at the helm.
An iconic East Toronto watering hole with a long history, The Duke saw Politis become its owner in 1992. The building’s history dates back to 1870 when it first opened as stage coach stop. The Duke Live is located at 1225 Queen St. E., at Leslie Street.
Politis helped build The Duke Live into a popular venue for live bands. Along the way, he also helped raise thousands of dollars for local charities.
Longtime patrons, family and friends will be celebrating Politis’s retirement at The Duke Live on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 3 to 7 p.m.
While Politis is retiring, the tavern will continue on as ownership is being passed to long-time employees Stephen Silliker and Gwynne Moore.
EAST END ADVENTURE
The East End Adventure in support of Michael Garron Hospital takes place on Saturday, Oct. 18.
The East End Adventure will take place on Saturday, Oct. 18. It starts and ends at Monarch Park (115 Felstead Ave.) and will include an awards ceremony, barbecue, and festival. The adventure will begin with participants checking in at 10 a.m. and will continue through the day, with prize presentations slated to start at 3 p.m.
To register and for more information, please visit: https://mghf.akaraisin.com/ui/eastendadventure
For more on the East End Adventure and how to take part, please see our story at:
GLEN STEWART RAVINE AUTUMN CLEAN UP
Local residents are invited to join the autumn clean up in the Glen Stewart Ravine this Sunday morning.
The clean up takes place from 10 a.m. until noon on Sunday, Oct. 19, and will go ahead rain or shine.
Those wishing to take part are asked to meet at the Beech Avenue entrance to the ravine, just south of Kingston Road. Students participating in the clean up are reminded that they will be eligible to earn volunteer hours.
Bags and treats will be provided, but participants are advised to wear boots, gloves, and clothing that they don’t mind getting dirty.
For more information on Sunday’s clean up of the Glen Stewart Ravine, please go to https://www.facebook.com/events/795046806344910
TORONTO WATERFRONT MARATHON MAKES ITS WAY THROUGH EAST TORONTO ON SUNDAY
The annual TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon is set for the city this weekend, and that will mean road closures for East Toronto residents on Sunday, Oct. 19.
The 42.2-kilometre full marathon, and 21.1-kilometre half marathon are slated for Sunday as part of a weekend full of events connected to the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon.
Closures affecting Beach residents will include Queen Street East, Woodbine Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard East on Sunday.
Queen Street East will be completely closed in both directions between Woodbine and Beech avenues from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Woodbine Avenue will be closed on Sunday between Queen Street East and Lake Shore Boulevard East from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Lake Shore Boulevard East will be closed on Sunday between Woodbine and Carlaw avenues from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Other road closures that East Toronto residents need to be aware of on Sunday are Carlaw Avenue between Lake Shore Boulevard East and Eastern Avenue; and of Eastern Avenue (and Front Street) from Carlaw all the way to Jarvis Street from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, please go to https://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/race-weekend/#road-closures
BEACHES MUSICFEST ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON
The Beaches Musicfest continues this Sunday afternoon at the Starbucks on Queen Street East.
Performing on Sunday, Oct. 19, will be Beach native and Nashville singer-songwriter Kate Gillespie.
The concert takes place at the Beaches Starbucks, 1960 Queen St. E., and begins at 2:30 p.m.
The Beaches Musicfest is a free music festival taking place on Sunday afternoons until Nov. 2. Performances are free to attend and everyone is welcome.
Featuring acoustic-based singer/songwriters from the Beach and East Toronto, the first concert in the festival series took place on Oct. 5 featuring Melanna Orr.
Othe scheduled performers are indie rock performer Dan Hendrik on Oct. 26; and sharp pop and alternative songstress Sam Casey on Nov. 2.
For more information, please visit https://www.instagram.com/beachesmusicfest
