Arts, culture, luxury and style: here’s where to experience it all in Yorkville, Toronto’s swankiest historic neighbourhood.
Sophistication and charm—along with some of the best luxury shopping in the city—await in Yorkville, a historic neighbourhood in midtown Toronto. Don’t miss Yorkville’s museums, fine art galleries and luxe hotels offering sumptuous spa treatments.
With its festivals, special events and star attractions, there’s something to explore indoors or out, all year long.
1. Enjoy free music in the park all summer long
Weekends from June 14 to September 2, 2024, the Village of Yorkville Park plays host to Summer Music in the Park, a series that features local and international musicians.
Catch folk-pop band David Celia & Co., violin virtuoso Dr. Draw, the O’Deadlys Celtic performance or perhaps the soul fusion of Quincy Bullen. All free and all outdoors in the middle of buzzing Yorkville.
2. Drool over exotic cars on Father’s Day
Busy Bloor Street gets cordoned off to traffic from Avenue Road to Yonge Street on Father’s Day (June 16, 2024) for the Yorkville Exotic Car Show.
Walk the red carpet and appreciate one hundred rare and exotic cars, including Aston Martins, Lamborghinis, Porsches and Ferraris, at this free event.
3. Listen to jazz (and more) from the world’s best artists
Yorkville is the hub for the TD Jazz Festival (June 21–30, 2024), with free al fresco concerts playing at the TD Stage.
You can also grab tickets to some of the all-time greats performing at nearby venues including the refurbished historic gem Massey Hall (just a short subway ride away), with artists like Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans, André 3000 and Cory Henry.
4. Explore Yorkville’s culinary scene during Summerlicious
Summerlicious (July 5–21, 2024) is one of Toronto’s two city-wide restaurant festivals, the other being Winterlicious (2025 dates TBA). Each festival serves up affordable, prix-fixe menus at eateries across the city.
Yorkville’s the place to go if you’re hungry for global cuisine in elevated environments. In years past, the food festivals have included Italian (Cibo), French (Cafe Boulud at Four Seasons), contemporary Canadian (ever-popular Sassafraz) and Japanese (Kasa Moto), among other chic, globe-spanning restaurants.
5. Be inspired by contemporary art
Gallery hop and be dazzled by the fine art at Mira Godard Gallery, established in 1962 during Yorkville’s boho heyday; Gallerie de Bellefeuille, which has been around for over 40 years; or the Pop and street art-leaning Taglialatella Galleries, among many other top-tier galleries.
6. Explore Toronto’s museum scene
Stroll the west side of Yorkville for the city’s most beloved museums. From dinosaurs and bats to suits of armour and Chinese architecture, the permanent exhibitions at the ROM have something for everyone.
The Gardiner ceramic museum’s collection includes ancient to contemporary finds, while the Bata Shoe Museum’s wild, delightful displays will wow shoe enthusiasts and culture hounds alike.
7. Sip tea and nibble house-made scones at afternoon tea
Whether you’re after a classic high tea experience complete with scones and clotted cream (Windsor Arms Hotel), a relaxed experience that includes people watching (Delysees) or an afternoon tea break while shopping for a Byredo fragrance or a showstopping Greta Constantine gown (Holt’s Cafe), Yorkville has you covered.
8. Shop for your big day
Bridal gown boutiques abound in Yorkville, from the ethereal eponymous creations at designer boutique Ines di Santo to the modern couture at Estrelle Bridal to the made-in-Canada Jaclyn Whyte collection at Whyte Couture.
Enjoy some pamper time at the Hazelton Hotel spa
9. Hit refresh with an invigorating body scrub
Slough off the old and usher in the new at the Four Season Hotel with its Nourishing Body Scrub and Wrap combo, a to-die-for spa treatment that’ll get your skin summer-ready in just 90 minutes.
At the Hazelton Hotel spa, try the Signature Hazelton Scrub, a one hour treatment featuring a sumptuous essential oils exfoliant made in Newfoundland exclusively for the hotel.
10. Re-up your wardrobe
Stop by swank top-tier luxury boutiques (Chanel, Balenciaga, Gucci, Louis Vuitton) that Yorkville is renowned for.
But don’t forget gems like Over the Rainbow for a huge array of premium denim, 119 Corbo for shoes from brands like The Row and Stella McCartney, and Sentaler, whose coveted, elegant wrap coats are staples in Meghan, The duch*ess of Sussex’s wardrobe.
11. Say cheers with a Summer at the Palace co*cktail at Bar Reyna
Step into charming Bar Reyna located in one of Yorkville’s historic slim Victorian houses for one of their sublime co*cktails like Summer at the Palace (Zacapa rum, Amaro Montenegro, guava lemongrass syrup, coconut cream, pineapple star anise bitters, lemon) or the P.S. I Love Me (an elixir of gin, ginger, herbs and Prosecco).
12. Run a boutique 5K
Lace up your runners and join the 5K Constantine Yorkville Run (September 8, 2024) in support of more than 30 charities, including the Alzheimer Society and the Canadian Cancer Society.
If that’s not enough to get you to register, you should know the premium race swag is among the most coveted by fashion-savvy Toronto runners.
13. Experience a winter wonderland in the city
Holiday Magic kicks off Yorkville’s festive season each November (2024 dates TBA).
With its outdoor tree lighting ceremony, free concert (past performers have included Chantal Kreviazuk) and refreshments, it’s a pre-dinner event that will leave you enchanted and excited for the season ahead.
14. Dress up for a swellegant charity event
Bloor Street Entertains (2024 date TBA) combines fine dining with prestige luxury brands at a swanky charity gala benefiting the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research. This one-night event is hosted across 20+ Yorkville locations.
Picture a series of elegant dining tables at venues such as Tiffany & Co. or Louis Vuitton, hosting Toronto’s glitterati, dressed to the nines. Last year, Mya performed at the Four Seasons Hotel after party.
15. Be inspired by beautiful botanical installations
Stop and smell the roses at winter’s Fleurs de Ville Noel floral installation festival (2024 dates TBA) or its sister event, spring’s Fleurs de Ville Artiste exhibition (2025 dates TBA).
Floral designers create ephemeral magic through 30 installations designed to charm and delight. Creations of years past have included flower-filled mannequins in full historic dress and an evocation of artist Frida Kahlo.
