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Riverside BIA Blog is among Best Toronto Blogs to Follow in 2026

This year, the Riverside BIA Blog is #30 in FeedSpot’s 45 Best Toronto Blogs to Follow in 2026!

This prestigious list includes Toronto Star, Toronto Life, Narcity Toronto, Curiocity Toronto, Daily Hive Toronto, among other amazing local blogs and media outlets. 

We are in great company, to say the least!

Over the years, the Riverside BIA Blog has been an outlet for us to highlight and share Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood; the local businesses, community events, our milestones. 

Catch our Riverside BIA Community Pop-up every Wednesday this October & November 4th at 1pm by the LOCAL sign (771 Queen St E)!

We would like to take this chance to thank all of you who take the time to read the Riverside BIA Blog and discovering what our humble neighbourhood has to offer.

We look forward to many more years of showcasing Riverside through this wonderful platform. Once again, thank you to FeedSpot for the recognition!

You know the drill: follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly so you’re always updated on what’s new and happening in Riverside!

FeedSpot is an RSS Reader that lets you subscribe to blogs, news sites, and any website you want to keep up with.

Riverside Halloween Dog Costume Contest: Are you ready to paw-ty?!

Bring your pups and their spookiest costumes to Riverside on Sunday, October 25th for the Riverside Dog Costume Party, taking place at Joel Weeks Park (10 Thompson St) from 12-2pm!

Register your dog for the Dog Costume Party (see below), or just come and watch the fun!

Happening as part of the annual Riverside Halloween Fest, the Dog Costume Party is a Riverside Halloween tradition where dogs get to show off their adorable costumes and have fun!

Who’s up for the barkin’ good time in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood? Here’s everything you need to know about the Dog Costume Party:

Registration Details

To join the Dog Costume Party, registration is required prior to the event or on site by noon. All dogs are welcome to participate in the parade, however, only the top 3 finalists will be voted on by our judging panel. Register your dog for the Dog Costume Party HERE.

Event Program

See schedule for the Dog Costume Party below. Please be guided accordingly:

12pm – Check-in begins for registrants

1pm – Start of costume contest and dog parade

2pm – Finalists and winners are announced; group photo and acknowledgements

Awards & Prizes

There will be two awards to be given away for the Dog Costume Party:

  • Best Costume – show us why your pup is the top dog
  • Best Pair – dog + human(s) costumes

Winners will win doggy prize packs from local businesses — and barking rights! 

Free Dog Treats 

We’ll be giving away free treats to all the doggos. Best to arrive early as they come in limited quantities.

Free Photo Booth

Have a photo taken by Pawelec Photo and immortalize your 2026 Riverside Halloween Fest experience with your dog at our free photo booth.

Robot Dog Activation

If you love robotics, check out the Robot Dog demo (inside the basketball courts) and see it do fun tricks!

With a stacked agenda, this year’s Riverside Halloween Fest is shaping up to be quite the event. For a preview of all the exciting activities, read the blog post linked below!

BLOG: Riverside Halloween Fest is back October 25th! What’s Happening This Year?

Don’t forget to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly so you don’t miss updates on our events! 

In the meantime, get your FREE tickets to the 2026 Riverside Halloween Fest by clicking on the RSVP button below!

This programming is made possible thanks to funding support from the Transit Construction Mitigation Fund of the City of Toronto and Fed Dev Ontario. This programming is also funded and coordinated by the Riverside BIA.

Celebrate Thanksgiving with These Businesses in Riverside

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Whether you’re in the middle of assembling a feast or stumped on what to do for the holiday, don’t worry, these businesses have got you covered. Here’s what’s in store for you in Toronto’s Riverside neighourhood this Thanksgiving:

Photo credit: Butchers of Distinction

Butchers of Distinction (@butchersofdistinction)

Address: 738 Queen St E

Riverside’s local butcher comes out with a Thanksgiving menu every year. Aside from the staples such as Fresh Turkey and Boneless/Bone-in Ham, Butchers of Distinction’s Boneless Pork Swirl Roast with Cranberry Stuffing and Chef-Style Prime Rib Roast also make excellent centrepieces for a Thanksgiving spread.

Photo credit: Bonjour Brioche

Bonjour Brioche (@bonjour_brioche)

Address: 812 Queen St E

A Thanksgiving dinner wouldn’t be complete without a quintessential pumpkin pie. You can’t go wrong with Bonjour Brioche’s classic take on this beloved autumnal delicacy. Both whole pies and tartlets (if you prefer smaller portions) are available for pre-order. You can also swing by the cafe for brunch and get yourself a slice for dessert!

Photo credit: White Lily Diner

White Lily Diner (@whitelilydiner)

Address: 678 Queen St E

A Thanksgiving brunch, perhaps? White Lily Diner’s highly popular Hot Turkey consists of stuffing French toast, smoked turkey, gravy, chutney and maple butter — it’s Thanksgiving on a plate. The best part is that it’s a permanent item on the menu so you can have it year-round! Be sure to get on the online waitlist.

Photo credit: Blackbird Baking Co.

Blackbird Baking Co. (@bbirdco)

Address: 635 Queen St E Unit 101

If you’re looking for an alternative to pumpkin pie, try Blackbird’s Sticky Toffee Pudding. Rich sponge cake is sweetened with molasses, muscovado sugar and pureed dates, topped with apple slices, and then soaked with salted whiskey caramel sauce. For a more indulgent experience, top it off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Photo credit: Dark Horse Espresso Bar

Dark Horse Espresso Bar (@darkhorsecafe)

Address: 630 Queen St E

Dark Horse’s is bringing back a crowd favourite for the holiday: the chicken sandwich with a Thanksgiving twist! It’s stuffed with chicken, roasted sweet potato, goat cheese, cranberry preserve and baby spinach. Pair it with one of the seasonal drinks, the Tiramuccino and Pumpkin Honeycomb Matcha.

Photo credit: The Broadview Hotel

The Broadview Hotel (@broadviewhotel)

Address: 106 Broadview Ave

Switch it up, skip the dinner at home and go on a Thanksgiving staycation instead! Check in this Saturday or Sunday at The Broadview Hotel and get 50% off Monday night. This Riverside institution is the perfect home base for exploring the East End. More details on the Thanksgiving promo HERE.

Follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check out the Riverside Blog so you’re always updated on promos and specials from the amazing local businesses in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood!

Riverside Halloween Fest is back October 25th! What’s Happening This Year?

Who’s ready for a spooktacular time in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood? 

The annual Riverside Halloween Fest & Dog Costume Party will be making its return on Sunday, October 25th (11am-3pm) at Joel Weeks Park (10 Thompson St)!

We’ve got a packed agenda this year, from plenty of free activities for the whole family to the much anticipated Dog Costume Party. The Riverside Halloween Costume Parade & Candy Crawl, a beloved past Riverside tradition, is also making a comeback this year!

Read on for a sneak peek into the line-up of activities at the 2026 Riverside Halloween Fest:

Family-friendly Activities

You already know that here in Riverside, we take Halloween very seriously. Enjoy these FREE activities (while quantities last!): 

  • Pumpkin patch and pumpkin decorating
  • Cupcake decorating and cotton candy
  • Henna and face painting
  • Crafts by Riverside BIA and Queen/Saulter Library Branch
  • Halloween beats by DJ Stevie Kicks
  • Painting on canvas by D&A Creative Toronto (12-3pm)
  • Robot Dog activation and selfie station (1-3pm)
  • Giveaways, local raffle and more!

Halloween Market

Explore and discover local vendors and their Halloween-themed offerings at the Halloween Market. From baked treats to dog accessories, there will be plenty of amazing small businesses and locally made products to peruse. 

Riverside Halloween Dog Costume Contest & Pawty 

Dress up your pups in their best Halloween look for the Riverside Halloween Dog Costume Contest & Pawty happening from 12-2pm. There will be judging and prizes for the best costumes so bring your A-game! Pre-registration is required to enter your team. Sign up HERE. OR just show up to watch the fun!

Riverside Costume Parade & Candy Crawl

Join us as we parade along Queen Street East sidewalks from 3-4pm. This guided parade will stop for treats at 10+ local businesses and end with storytime from the Queen/Saulter Toronto Public Library Branch. Bring a bag to collect your treats! RSVP details will be shared next week in a separate blog post so stay tuned for that.

Don’t forget to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly for updates. In the meantime, get your FREE tickets to the Riverside Halloween Fest by clicking on the RSVP button below!

This programming is made possible thanks to funding support from the Transit Construction Mitigation Fund of the City of Toronto and Fed Dev Ontario. This programming is also funded and coordinated by the Riverside BIA.

Queen East Eats – Fall Food Tour #1 Highlights

Tour #1 of our Queen East Eats – Fall Food Tours DONE!

In case you didn’t know, the Riverside BIA and Leslieville BIA, in partnership with Delicious Discoveries, are hosting a series of food tours this season where you can learn about and taste from incredible local businesses in the East End!

We acknowledge and thank the City of Toronto and FedDev Ontario for support of this initiative through the Dining Districts Grant Program – Stream 2.

Running on select dates from October to December, Queen East Eats – Fall Food Tours consist of six pre-selected outdoor dining establishments in Riverside and Leslieville. The tours also highlight the stories behind these beloved establishments, as well as local neighbourhood culture.

What a fun (and filling) Saturday afternoon that was! Check out highlights from the first run of the Queen East Eats – Fall Food Tours last Saturday, October 3rd:

Meet your lovely tour guides: Megan and Maya of Delicious Discoveries

Registration and introduction at Riverside Common Park to start the tour

First stop was Portuguese joint Elvira’s, a Riverside hidden gem

Chef Jordan Diniz talked about how ēst Restaurant came to be 

These oysters with apple balsamic, green apple and dill from ēst Restaurant were fresh as can be

Guests enjoyed a sample of Eastbound’s signature beer, the El Camino Mexican lager

Onto Leslieville, where Purple Penguin Cafe’s apple fritter and chai masala latte made for the perfect pairing

Slowhand’s signature sourdough pizza was a crowd pleaser

Shana Olie of Baked by Bean welcomed guests into her bakery, where all the magic happens

Guests went home with Baked by Bean’s seasonal flavour, the Spiced Apple Cupcake and a surprise bag from the tour!

If you missed the first tour, don’t worry, we’ve got three more dates for you. Just a reminder, we are releasing tickets via Eventbrite per schedule below:

Saturday, November 14th, 1pm-3pm

  • Tickets on sale November 4th until sold out or November 10th

Saturday, December 5th, 1pm-3pm

  • Tickets on sale November 20th until sold out or December 1st

Saturday, December 12th, 1pm-3pm

  • Tickets on sale December 1st until sold out or December 8th

Slots are limited and tickets sell out *fast*, so mark your calendars and set those alarms! For questions and concerns, please direct them to hello@deliciousdiscoveries.ca.

In the meantime, follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly so you’re always updated on fun events and programming in Riverside!