A Spooktacular Season: Halloween 2024 in Toronto’s Riverside

If you love Halloween, you’re in for a treat because from October 17th to November 1st, we’ve partnered with local businesses and community organizations for an exciting lineup of activities for the spooky season. From family-friendly parties to shopping events, here’s What’s ON in Toronto’s Riverside this Halloween: 

Riverside Vintage Crawl – Halloween Edition!

Date & Time: Thursday, October 17th | 6pm-10pm

Location: Multiple locations

Following the success of Riverside’s first Vintage Crawl in June, it’s back for a special Halloween installment. Shop costumes and accessories from your favorite vintage shops in the neighbourhood tax-free for one day only. Get your free tickets here.

Dance Party

Date & Time: Friday, October 25th | 10:30am-11:30am

Location: 2nd floor of Ralph Thornton Community Centre

Put on your best costume and get ready to groove to classic Halloween tunes in this dance party for the little ones and their caregivers. This event is presented by the South Riverdale Child-Parent Centre and Queen/Saulter Library.

Pumpkin Carving

Date & Time: Saturday, October 26th | 9:30am-noon

Location: Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre

Partake in the autumnal tradition of pumpkin carving. Materials and tools will be provided at no cost.

Family Crafty Halloween

Date & Time: Saturday, October 26th | 2pm-3pm

Location: Toronto Public Library Queen/Saulter Branch

Get your creative juices flowing by making your own spooky Halloween craft to take home! All materials will be provided. This event is suitable for pre-school and school-aged children and their caregivers.

Riverside Halloween Fest & Dog Paw-ty!

Date & Time: Sunday, October 27th | 10am-3pm

Location: Riverside Common and Joel Weeks Park

Pumpkins, treats, cotton candy, and more await guests at the Riverside Halloween Fest. Family activities will be happening at Riverside Common, while pet events like the dog costume party will be at Joel Weeks Park. Plus, get tickets to join the Riverside Ghost Walk here.

Spooktacular Halloween Party

Date & Time: Tuesday, October 29th | 3:30pm-5:30pm

Location: Ralph Thornton Community Centre

No tricks, only treats at this party for children and their caregivers. Free goodie bags will be in limited quantity so come early! This event is presented by the Ralph Thornton Community Centre, Riverside BIA, South Riverdale Child-Parent Centre and Queen/Saulter Library.

Degrassi Pumpkin Parade

Date & Time: Friday, November 1st | 6:30pm-7:30pm

Location: Degrassi Street Park

Show off your finest jack-o’-lantern for a final time in this community pumpkin parade happening at Degrassi Street Park. After the event, you can leave your pumpkins for composting by the City of Toronto.

RSVP here to let us know you’re coming and you’ll get event deets and reminders straight to your inbox. See you in Riverside!

To stay updated on the latest events and programming in the neighbourhood, check out @riverside_bia on Instagram and the Riverside Blog!

Stock images from Pexels.com

Sip and Save: Happy Hour in Toronto’s Riverside

Discounted rates on your favorite drinks and bites? Yes, please! It’s called ‘happy hour’ for a good reason and it’s a great way to unwind and catch up with friends. Although there’s plenty of bars in the city, Riverside’s small-town-in-the-big-city atmosphere makes for a nice contrast if you prefer to be away from Toronto’s usual bustle for a night out. Here’s your guide to some of the top happy hour deals in Riverside:

Photo credit: The Comrade

The Comrade (@comradetoronto)

Address: 758 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H4

It’s cocktail hour at The Comrade from Monday to Saturday (5pm-7pm): $12 classic cocktails like the negroni, old fashioned, Tom Collins and weekly highball feature. Burgers are at $16 as well. You can walk in or make a reservation online.

Photo credit: Prohibition Social House

Prohibition Social House (@prohibitionsocialhouse)

Address: 696 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1G9

Prohibition has two rounds of happy hour: regular happy hour is every day 4pm-7pm, while *late night* happy hour is from Thursday to Sunday (10pm-midnight). On top of that, there’s also live DJ sets on Fridays and Saturdays starting at 9pm.

Photo credit: Eastbound Brewing Company

Eastbound Brewing Company (@eastboundbeer)

Address: 700 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1G9

At Eastbound, happy hour starts earlier than usual. On weekdays from noon to 6pm, enjoy $5.50 pints and $5.50 snacks! They also do daily specials such as mussel bowls on Wednesdays, Fish Frydays and weekend brunch. 

Photo credit: La Carnita

La Carnita (@la_carnita)

Address: 780 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H4

Come for the tacos, stay for the margaritas. Pair $5 fish tacos with either the signature Carnita Margarita for $10 or a bottle of Sol/LC Pilsner/Tromba Blanco shot for $5. Happy hour at La Carnita happens every day from 4pm to 6pm.

Photo credit: Aura

Aura (@auratoronto)

Address: 686 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1G9

Swing by Aura during happy hour every day from 5pm to 7pm and get good deals on their delicious cocktails. On Thursdays, they also have $12 martinis all day long. You can enjoy drinks at their back patio that’s open year round.

Photo credit: Chez Nous

Chez Nous (@cheznoustoronto)

Address: 798 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H4

Enjoy Chez Nous’ wide selection of all-Ontario beverages during happy hour from 5pm to 7pm every day. Deals include $7 house wines, $6 select beers, $10 select cocktails–and half-price bottles after midnight and all day Sunday.

Photo credit: Duke’s Refresher + Bar

Duke’s Refresher + Bar (@dukesriverside)

Address: 709 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H1

If weekend brunch is more your speed, Duke’s Riverside has a $5 deal on the Caesar cocktail to accompany their special brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 2pm. There’s live entertainment during Sunday brunch as well!

Check out the Riverside Blog for new stories every week and follow @riverside_bia on Instagram to stay updated on what’s happening in the neighbourhood!

National Coffee Day: 5 Drinks in Riverside To Try This Fall

For many, a good cup of coffee is either an essential pick-me-up or an occasional treat. Toronto’s Riverside in the East End has plenty of options to get your caffeine fix. 

In celebration of National Coffee Day, why not switch up your usual with a seasonal offering from one of the cafes in the neighbourhood? Here’s a round-up of 5 coffee beverages you can get in Riverside this fall:

Photo credit: Jimmy’s Coffee

Jimmy’s Coffee (@jimmys_coffee)

Address: 806 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H7

Starting off this list with an autumn staple from a Toronto favorite: the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Jimmy’s Coffee. Whether it’s hot or iced, with regular milk or non-dairy, you can’t go wrong with Jimmy’s PSL to get you in the mood for the season.

Photo credit: Isle of Coffee

Isle of Coffee (@isleofcoffee_to)

Address: 745 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H3

The Popping Brewccino, one of Isle of Coffee’s signature drinks, is made with cold brew, elderflower oat milk foam and popping candy–yes, the one we enjoyed as kids. This cafe is new to the neighbourhood so drop by and check this place out if you haven’t already!

Photo credit: Ish Coffee

Ish Coffee (@ishcoffee)

Address: 700 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1G9

For an interesting alternative to the PSL, try Ish Coffee’s Dark Chocolate & Pumpkin Cafe au Lait. Freshly brewed coffee, steamed milk and a medley of rich dark chocolate and nutty pumpkin spice make for a comforting sip.

Photo credit: Dark Horse Espresso Bar

Dark Horse Espresso Bar (@darkhorsecafe)

Address: 630 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1G3

Made with espresso, milk, caramel and vanilla finished off with a sprinkle of cinnamon, Dark Horse’s Snickerdoodle Latte is for the coffee lovers with a sweet tooth. This latte version of a beloved sweet treat won’t disappoint.

Photo credit: Lemon Lily

Lemon Lily (@lemonlilytea)

Address: 747 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H3

Although they’re known for their fun range of tea concoctions, they also offer coffee-based drinks. Their Pumpkin Pie Spiced Latte is made with a potent blend of organic spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice, nutmeg and cardamom.

Follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and the Riverside Blog to stay updated on what’s brewing in the neighbourhood!

Fall into Fitness: 5 Ways To Get Active This Season in Toronto’s Riverside

Staying active in the colder months can be a challenge, with frequent rains in the fall and the onslaught of snow in the winter. Luckily, in Riverside–a charming lifestyle enclave in the East End of Toronto–there’s plenty of opportunity to switch up your usual routine. Here’s where and how you can get active in the neighbourhood this autumn:

Photo credit: La Femme Strong

Sign up for a class.

Skip the home workout once in a while and treat yourself to a class. An occasional change of environment is always refreshing! There’s plenty of options in Riverside: Rise Cycle for indoor cycling, La Femme Strong for strength training, and Breakdown Fitness for full body HIIT.

Photo credit: Eastbound Run Crew

Join a running group.

Running doesn’t have to be done solo. Look into running groups–they’re so popular these days. It’s also a great way to meet and mingle with like-minded people. The Eastbound Run Crew meets every Monday evening at Eastbound Brewing Company in Riverside.

Photo credit: Riverside BIA

Grab a bike and explore.

Biking is not only a good form of exercise, it’s also a convenient way to see the neighbourhood. There’s plenty of bike racks right along Queen East. If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent one (and easily return) at any of the three Bike Share stations located in Riverside. 

Photo credit: Chi Junky

Find a change of pace.

City life is already chaotic as is, maybe it’s time to slow things down a bit. If intense workouts aren’t your thing, wellness studio Chi Junky is known for their fun, music-forward yoga classes. For newbies, don’t worry as they have sessions catering to different experience levels.

Photo credit: City of Toronto

Go for a walk in the park.

When in doubt, a simple stroll in the park is always a good way to get the body moving. Joel Weeks Park, tucked away behind Carroll Street, has plenty of space for a leisurely walk–or a brisk one if you really want to get those steps in. The best part is it’s free!

For more content like this, check out the Riverside Blog for new content every week. Be sure to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram too for updates on what’s buzzing in the neighbourhood!

Treat Yourself: Practising The Art of Self-Care in Toronto’s Riverside

These days, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos that is life in Toronto, whether it’s with school, work or juggling both on top of so many other things. With that said, we should never forget to take a moment to ourselves, may it be an hour or a day.

If you’re feeling burnt out and in need of a bit of self-care, head over to Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood and treat yourself to a little TLC:

Photo credit: Oma Chiropractic & Wellness

Oma Chiropractic & Wellness (@omachiropractic)

Address: 1 Munro St, Toronto, ON M4M 2B7

One of Oma’s core services is chiropractic care, which is known to have many benefits on the human body, especially the nervous system. Doing it regularly helps promote better overall health, too.

Photo credit: Sassy Doll Studio

Sassy Doll Studio (@sassydollstudio)

Address: 717 Queen St E Unit 104b, Toronto, ON M4M 1H1

This newly opened boutique salon does a wide range of services from eyelash extensions to nail art. Here’s a treat for you: first-time clients get 20% off!

Photo credit: Clinique De Mode

Clinique De Mode (@cliniquedemode)

Address: 750 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H4

You can count on Clinique De Mode’s award-winning Hydrafacial to give your skin a much needed pick-me-up. It deep cleanses, exfoliates, and extracts impurities through Vortex Suction™ technology. They also have new client pricing so be sure to check in about it!

Photo credit: The Broadview Hotel

The Broadview Hotel (@broadviewhotel)

Address: 106 Broadview Ave, Toronto, ON M4M 2G

A relaxing staycation right in the heart of the city awaits you at The Broadview Hotel. Worried about leaving your dogs? You don’t have to! This chic hotel is one of many pet-friendly establishments in Riverside.

Photo credit: Fontbonne Ministries

Good Food Market

Address: 791 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H6

Get fresh and affordable produce for your home-cooked meals while supporting local at Good Food Market, which happens every Wednesday 2 p.m.-4 p.m. in front of the Fontbonne Ministries, Mustard Seed building. You can also give back and feel good by donating to support their many great community programs anytime.

Photo credit: Riverside Dental

Riverside Dental (@riverside.dental)

Address: 690B Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1G9

Get those pearly whites looking clean and healthy! Generally, routine oral prophylaxis is every six months so if you haven’t done that in a while, schedule that appointment ASAP!

Photo credit: Common Sort

Common Sort (@commonsort)

Address: 760 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H7

With fall just around the corner, it’s time to update our wardrobe a bit and swap out breezy dresses and shirts for cozy knits and coats. A little retail therapy never hurt anyone, no?

Photo credit: Glassbox Barbershop

Glassbox Barbershop (@glassboxbarbershop)

Address: 781 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H5

Nothing freshens up the face quite like a good haircut. Head to Glassbox for an elevated barbershop experience. If you’re planning on getting a cut soon, we’ve got some tips for you.

Photo credit: Body Bliss Aesthetics

Body Bliss Aesthetics (@bodyblissaesthetics)

Address: 717 Queen St E Unit 101, Toronto, ON M4M 1H1

Body Bliss’ non-invasive body contouring treatment tightens skin, eliminates stubborn fat, and stimulates collagen production. The result is, as they say these days, looking snatched.

Photo credit: Waxon Laser + Waxbar

Waxon Laser + Waxbar (@waxon)

Address: 766 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1H4

From underarms to Brazilian, Waxon ensures the most thorough and efficient hair removal services possible using high-quality wax and state-of-the-art laser technology.

If you love listicles like this one, be sure to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram for updates and check out the Riverside Blog for new content every week!