The Bentway unveils monumental new public art, brings back Polar Bear Skate and extends winter season on Toronto’s iconic figure-eight Skate Trail
November 5, 2026
The Bentway is giving Torontonians more reasons than ever to get outside and beat the winter blues this season. Opening December 12, the city’s iconic 220-metre figure-eight Skate Trail will offer an expanded season of winter recreation, cultural experiences and community celebrations, alongside a monumental new public art installation, Àdìrẹ on Ice, by Nigerian-Canadian artist and designer Odudu Umoessien – all beneath the Gardiner Expressway.
Public Pier brings free arts, food, music, dance and introduces SILO NIGHTS to Toronto’s waterfront
September 8, 2026
Day-to-night cultural experience launches September 18 at Marina Quay West
The Bentway Launches a City-Wide Invitation to Give Your Word with Public Trust
August 11, 2026
Canadian premiere of Paul Ramírez Jonas’ Public Trust transforms thousands of personal promises into a city-wide public artwork exploring trust, democracy and civic participation ahead of the 2026 municipal election
Transform the Trail Returns: Odudu Umoessien to reimagine Winter at The Bentway
June 29, 2026
This Winter, The Bentway’s Skate Trail will be transformed by a new installation by designer and artist Odudu Umoessien. Inspired by West African textile traditions, the commission brings pattern, movement, and cultural storytelling beneath the Gardiner Expressway.
Gather, Make, and Move! Summer programs return to The Bentway
May 5, 2026
The Bentway’s summer programming returns June 2 with a vibrant lineup of workshops, recreation, and community events. Running through September, this season invites you to make, play, and connect in spaces under the Gardiner and beyond.
The Bentway Presents Public Art Programming as part of FIFA Fan Festival™ Toronto for FIFA World Cup 2026™
April 27, 2026
New artworks transform space beneath the Gardiner Expressway into a civic gathering place for art, culture, and global fandom.
Reimagining Life Under the Gardiner: The Bentway Unveils Two New Public Art Works in CityPlace
April 16, 2026
New works by Toronto artists Anahita Akhavan and Stanzie Tooth transform spaces beneath the Gardiner into sites of gathering, reflection, and exchange.
Call for Expressions of Interest: Temporary Public Art Commission at The Bentway
January 6, 2026
The Bentway Conservancy is pleased to announce a Call for Expressions of Interest for the return of its Transform the Trail program, which seeks an artistic collaborator to respond to both the Bentway site and our relationships to the winter season.
Concrete to Canvas: A public talk on November 20
November 1, 2025
Explore the power of urban murals at this free public talk on November 20, hosted by The Bentway and The Creative Communities Commons (CCC) at the University of Toronto’s School of Cities.
Tips on how to experience A Lake Story
September 19, 2025
On September 27 & 28, audiences are invited to celebrate the shoreline with A Lake Story, created by artist Melissa McGill. Discover more about the project and check out our recommended viewing areas to get ready for the performances!
SOLAR, an immersive spectacle of sunset, reimagined with robotics and 200 beams of light
August 26, 2025
Skip-the-line tickets now on sale for SOLAR, The Bentway’s new commission by acclaimed Italian artist Quayola From October 16-19, The Bentway transforms the Gardiner into a glowing horizon with SOLAR, an expansive light installation by Italian artist Quayola. Over four nights only, audiences can experience a city sunset reimagined through cutting-edge technology and contemporary art. […]
The Bentway & Exhibition Place announce Petal and Stone, new mural by Rebecca Munce
August 21, 2025
The Bentway and Exhibition Place reveal plans for 10,000 sq ft public art project by Canadian artist Rebecca Munce, transforming a new stretch of the Gardiner into an urban storyboard
The Bentway ‘takes to the water’ this September
August 7, 2025
Join the canoe procession: 500 Volunteers invited to bring an unprecedented artwork to life, and co-create with renowned artist Melissa McGill.
The Bentway co-commissions a new work by media artist Quayola, premiering this weekend at Italy’s Videocittà festival
July 2, 2025
Set to close out our Sun/Shade program this October, this debut international collaboration will dazzle visitors with an immersive night-time solar experience. The Bentway is proud to announce a landmark partnership with Videocittà, Rome’s celebrated festival dedicated to video and digital culture, through the co-commissioning of a major new artwork by Italian artist Quayola. SOLAR […]
Toronto’s Summer Forecast? More Art Workshops, Roller Skating, and Urban Canopy Parades
June 17, 2025
The Bentway’s summer 2025 programming is in full swing and we are excited to announce that tickets are available for our events in July, August, and September! Spend some time in your community and meet us under the Gardiner for workshops, parades, parties, and more.
A Giant Sand Dune is Appearing Under the Gardiner this week
June 9, 2025
Experience the world premiere of Sand Flight, from choreographer Ingri Fiksdal and theatre director Jonas Corell Petersen. Eight dancers and a 50-person choir descend on a massive sand dune under the Gardiner Expressway for a powerful performance that speculates on climates-to-come, where shade-worshipping becomes a new tradition. Sand FlightA new creation by Ingri Fiksdal and Jonas Corell […]
Sun & Shade take centre stage at The Bentway this summer
April 14, 2025
The Bentway’s summer 2025 programming explores sun as a creative collaborator, shade as a new essential resource, and brings back visitor-favourites like roller skating.
Bentway set to grow to second hub site, marking our continued expansion
September 26, 2024
Field Operations and Toronto’s Brook McIlroy will design The Bentway Islands, transforming additional underutilized lands under the Gardiner Expressway into new space for play, shared experiences, and regenerative landscape.
Unexpected beauty revealed and remixed alongside the Gardiner’s reconstruction
September 12, 2024
The Bentway and Exhibition Place are proud to co-present Resurfacing, a new public artwork by Jessica Thalmann, opening September 12, 2024.
Visit us at Nuit Blanche 2024
August 27, 2024
This Nuit Blanche, we invite you down to The Bentway neighbourhood for a series of installations that light up the areas along the Gardiner Expressway. Premiering for the City of Toronto’s Nuit Blanche on Saturday, October 5th, we’re pleased to renew the monumental Staging Grounds scaffolding towers (45 Dan Leckie Way) with a new work […]
Crafting Connections
June 24, 2024
RBC Foundation supports The Bentway’s new project by Anishinaabe artist Nico Williams.
Dominoes, a massive public art project, coming to Toronto this September
June 11, 2024
Over 8,000 giant dominoes weave and fall along an epic 2.5km journey through downtown neighbourhoods. (Created by artists Station House Opera and powered by Choice Properties as Presenting Sponsor.)
In the News: Five great exhibitions to check out at the CONTACT Photography Festival [Toronto Star]
April 27, 2018
Five great exhibitions to check out at the Contact Photography Festival Murray Whyte, Visual Arts Critic at the Toronto Star, recommends Dana Claxton’s A Forest of Canoes as one of the top five exhibitions to check out at the 2018 Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. The embarrassment of riches that is the annual Contact Photography Festival only […]
In the News: Toronto’s Bentway will be a new platform for public art [Globe and Mail]
March 5, 2018
The Globe and Mail MATTHEW HAGUE SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 28, 2018 Ilana Altman is accustomed to working with some of the world’s top design firms and art galleries to make great spaces. Now she’s tasked with persuading Toronto residents to spend their spare time under a freeway. As the director […]