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.
In Bloom: A Flower Market + Workshop
Explore offerings from local growers and take part in a drop-in arranging workshop as West Block blooms into a summer flower market. Guided by the new Step-Up Series mural’s floral imagery and striking colour palette, these sessions connect contemporary practice with cultural traditions and invite visitors into a shared moment of creativity.
Opening – Artist Talk and Neighbourhood Walk
Guided by the exhibiting artists, this tour visits two new artworks shaped by CityPlace’s layered histories and rhythms. Experience the inaugural Step-Up Series mural which threads vivid colour and narrative into the architecture of West Block, and celebrate Staging Ground’s final chapter, evoking our place in a collective urban ecology.
Shared Rhythms: Music at West Block
Gather at West Block for a joyful afternoon of live performances as musicians from Small World Music’s Incubator program create a shared listening space that celebrates community and cultural exchange. Set against Anahita Akhavan’s newly unveiled mural مجلس Majles / Sitting Room, the event invites neighbours to linger, listen, and connect.
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.
Daylight Saving Skate
Daylight saving steals an hour of sleep, and we’re giving it back the best way we know how: on the ice! On our final day at the skate trail, we’re inviting neighbours to reset their internal clocks together with complimentary coffee and an extra hour of skating –pajamas encouraged!
Cool by Design: A conversation about The Bentway’s latest report on the power of shade
February 18, 2026
The Bentway invites the public to a free panel discussion on March 31 to mark the launch of Cool by Design: The Power of Shade in Public Space, a new report that reframes shade as a vital element of public health and social infrastructure as northern cities confront rising temperatures. Explore the power of shade in public space at this free public […]
Public Launch: Cool by Design
Explore the power of shade in public space at this free public talk on March 31, co-presented by The Bentway and DIALOG. This panel celebrates the launch of The Bentway’s Cool by Design, a new report examining how shade shapes health, comfort, and everyday life in cities adapting to rising heat.
Partner EventSkate with Chris
Join MPP Chris Glover on the PA day, Friday, January 16, 2026, 12-2 pm for his annual Skate with Chris!
Billy Bishop Free Rental Thursdays: February 12
Enjoy free skate rentals at The Bentway skate trail every Thursday evening from January 8 – February 12, thanks to the generous support of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
Billy Bishop Free Rental Thursdays: February 5
Enjoy free skate rentals at The Bentway skate trail every Thursday evening from January 8 – February 12, thanks to the generous support of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
Billy Bishop Free Rental Thursdays: January 29
Enjoy free skate rentals at The Bentway skate trail every Thursday evening from January 8 – February 12, thanks to the generous support of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
Billy Bishop Free Rental Thursdays: January 22
Enjoy free skate rentals at The Bentway skate trail every Thursday evening from January 8 – February 12, thanks to the generous support of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
Billy Bishop Free Rental Thursdays: January 15
Enjoy free skate rentals at The Bentway skate trail every Thursday evening from January 8 – February 12, thanks to the generous support of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
Billy Bishop Free Rental Thursdays: January 8
Enjoy free skate rentals at The Bentway skate trail every Thursday evening from January 8 – February 12, thanks to the generous support of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
Polar Bear Skate (2025)
The Bentway’s boldest winter ritual returns on December 28 with the cheeky Polar Bear Skate! Brave Torontonians are invited to strip down to their skivvies and take a fearless lap around trail to bid farewell to 2025.
Billy Bishop Free Rental Thursdays
January 8, 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12
Enjoy free skate rentals at The Bentway skate trail every Thursday evening from January 8 – February 12, thanks to the generous support of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
Bentway After School: for curious and creative city explorers, ages 9-14
November 10, 2025
This winter, The Bentway invites young urbanists to explore and learn about their city with lots of fun, creativity, and outdoor discovery along the way! The program empowers participants to understand and influence concepts in urban design, city building, and placemaking through neighbourhood investigations, storytelling, and recreation.
Concrete to Canvas: The transformative power of urban murals
Much more than neighbourhood beautification, mural-making projects have the power to transform urban landscapes. Join The Bentway, The Creative Communities Commons (CCC) at the University of Toronto’s School of Cities, artists, and urbanists at a free public talk on November 20, exploring new models for “painting the urban landscape”.
SOLAR
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A mesmerizing encounter with light transforms the Gardiner into a glowing horizon. Guided by a robotic arm and synchronized beams, SOLAR performs a spectacle of sunset by merging the sun’s rhythms with digital choreography to create an immersive experience of light and motion.
Roller Skate Lessons: September 5
September 5 6pm-7pm and 7pm-8pm
Learn how to roll with us! This summer, we’re offering weekly roller skate lessons for those who are looking to gain basic skills. Our expert instructors will help novice skaters build confidence on wheels and navigate our figure-eight trail.
From Milkweed to Monarchs
Did you know that monarch butterflies migrate 4,800km each year from Canada to Mexico? Join us for this hands-on workshop to learn how milkweed plants help support this journey with presented with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority!
Beautiful Native Plants
Why is it so important to re-plant native plants across Toronto? Come find out at this hands-on workshop with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority!
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.