Blog

Unplug and Unwind: 5 Ways To Spend The Victoria Day Long Weekend in Toronto’s Riverside

In observance of Victoria Day on Monday, May 18th, an extended weekend is coming up — which means we get an extra day to treat ourselves to a little R&R, whether that’s going out for a delicious brunch or checking into a boutique hotel for a night or two.

Looking for low-key long weekend plans / ideas? Luckily, you don’t have to go far or leave the city to have a relaxing weekend. Here in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood, there are plenty of things to do, whatever your interests or hobbies are.

Check out these fun activities you can do in Riverside this Victoria Day weekend:

Photo credit: The Broadview Hotel

Go on a staycation.

Splurge on an overnight stay at Riverside’s iconic The Broadview Hotel (106 Broadview Ave) and treat yourself to breakfast in bed. It’s also a great home base for the weekend if you plan on exploring the rest of the East End. Plus points for being pet-friendly too! Head over to The Broadview Hotel website for current offers and promos.

Photo credit: Fevers Vintage

Check out vintage stores.

As of writing, Riverside has a total of seven independent vintage clothing stores, which means you can easily spend a whole day just vintage shopping. On a related note: our annual vintage shopping event, the Riverside Vintage Crawl, is also coming next month! In the meantime, see the full list of vintage stores in Riverside HERE.

Photo credit: Lamoon Thai Kitchen & Coffee

Embark on a food crawl.

Foodies are spoiled for choice in Riverside. You can eat your way through the neighbourhood: French pastries in the morning at Bonjour Brioche (812 Queen St E), brunch at White Lily Diner (678 Queen St E), afternoon coffee at Isle of Coffee (745 Queen St E), and dinner at Lamoon Thai Kitchen (730 Queen St E). Our best and only advice: come hungry!

Photo credit: The Opera House

Watch a concert.

To see a show at The Opera House (735 Queen St E) in Riverside is a must-do for any music lover. Check out the events calendar on The Opera House website to see the full list of upcoming shows!

Photo credit: Riverside BIA

Walk around the neighbourhood.

Sometimes, a simple, leisurely walk is all one needs to relax. There’s a lot to see around Riverside, from vibrant public art to historic buildings. Speaking of walks, if you’re free on May 23rd/24th and would like to go on a guided one, Doors Open Toronto tours are back in Riverside — read the blog post linked below for more information on the tours and how to register!

BLOG: Doors Open Toronto Tours are back in Riverside — Registration now open!

Follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly if you enjoy lifestyle content like this from Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood. We hope you all have a great long weekend!

Time To Shop! (5 Cool Buys at Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2026)

We’re less than a month away ’til the much anticipated return of Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest on Saturday, June 6th (12-6pm)! 

Aside from sampling delicious food, visitors will also get the chance to shop from many amazing local businesses in the neighbourhood.

BLOG: An Appetite for Supporting Local (5 Hot Eats at Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2026)

From stylish vintage finds to fresh local produce, here’s a sneak peek of some of the Cool Buys you’ll find at this year’s Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest:

Photo credit: Amavi Atelier

Amavi Atelier (@atelier_amavi)

Address: 634 Queen St E

Enjoy 15% off on selected in-store items at Amavi Atelier. Free Turkish treats will also be given away outside the store!

Photo credit: Broadview Hot Yoga

Broadview Hot Yoga (@bhytoronto)

Address: 635 Queen St E

Drop by Broadview Hot Yoga from 12-5pm for a live DJ, studio open house and special promotions on classes, memberships and merch!

Photo credit: The Vintage Hall

The Vintage Hall (@thevintagehallto)

Address: 754 Queen St E

Check out The Vintage Hall for a sidewalk sale featuring treasures at up to 50% off! The sale includes vintage gems, one-of-a-kind finds, and sweet deals you won’t want to miss.

Photo credit: Arts Market

Arts Market (@artsmarket)

Address: 790 Queen St E

Engage with and shop “Kid Biz”, Arts Market’s new booth for young artisans and creative entrepreneurs under the age of 16.

Photo credit: Fontbonne Ministries

Fontbonne Ministries (@fontbonneministries)

Address: 791 Queen St E

Come by the Good Food Market (12-3pm) for fresh and affordable produce proudly sourced from FoodShare, supporting healthy food access and stronger communities.

In case you didn’t know, this year’s Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest is happening alongside the Riverdale ArtWalk at Jimmie Simpson Park (872 Queen St E)!

You can also win local prizes at this year’s festival by entering the Riverside Eats & Beats Raffle! Enter the raffle in person at the BIA booth (Queen E/Broadview) OR use the QR code in the festival guide anytime during the festival hours. Winners will be drawn and announced at the main stage throughout the day!

Click the button below to RSVP and get the official guide to Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest with full details and schedule, plus festival perks and promos straight to your inbox!

This is just one of many blog posts leading up to the festival so be sure to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly for updates!

Doors Open Toronto Tours are back in Riverside — Registration now open!

The much anticipated return of Doors Open Toronto is here! Join us on May 23 & 24 as we show you the rich history and vibrant art of Riverside through a guided tour of the neighbourhood, officially part of the 2026 Doors Open Toronto Neighbourhood Tours programme.

An initiative by the City of Toronto, Doors Open is an annual event in May where several buildings and sites of historical and cultural significance are open to the public for free for one weekend only. There are also 14 Neighbourhood Tours this year.

Riverside BIA has been a proud participant in thie free annual programme for the past 10 years!

This year’s theme is The World in a City, highlighting the “people, places and stories that make the city a global mosaic.”

For this year’s Doors Open tour called ‘Global Roots, Local Streets: Stories of Toronto’s Riverside Neighbourhood’, Riverside BIA will be showing guests how Indigenous placekeeping, public art in various forms, sport and community life connect Riverside to the wider world. 

From Riverside Common Park and art inspired by international sporting events to local streets shaped by diversity and creativity, the tour reveals how global stories are lived locally.

Our tour will conclude with a special viewing of a photo exhibit featuring historical Riverside and Toronto images, bringing past and present together in a neighbourhood that reflects the world in a city.

Public Art in Riverside Common Park by Indigenous Artist Que Rock

Key Details for Doors Open Toronto in Riverside

Starting Point: Riverside Common Park (657 Queen St E)

Date & Time: Sat, May 23rd (11am-12:30pm) | Sun, May 24th (11am-12:30pm)

Registration is NOW OPEN and admission is FREE! Register for your tickets for our Doors Open Toronto Neighbourhood Tour HERE.

Follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly so you’re always updated on exciting happeningsin the neighbourhood. See you all on May 23rd & 24th!

Celebrating Your Special Person: Mother’s Day Happenings in Riverside

Looking for ways to treat your mom or mother-figure extra special, don’t worry, we got you.

From fun shopping to delicious dining specials, here’s some great Mother’s Day options in Riverside:

Photo credit: Beaux Florals

Mother’s Day Floral Market

Address: The Broadview Hotel (106 Broadview Ave)

Join Brock Stacey a.k.a. Beaux Florals at The Broadview Hotel on May 9 & 10 for the Mother’s Day Floral Market. Enjoy beautiful floral bouquets, artisan candles and live music. You can pre-order your bouquets online at www.beauxflorals.com too!

Photo credit: Tabule 

Brunch at Tabule

Address: Tabule – Riverside (810 Queen St E)

Bring mom to brunch at Tabule and sample a wide array of delicious Middle Eastern dishes, from the bestselling Tabule Salad to the award-winning Arnabeet. You can book your table for Mother’s Day at Tabule – Riverside via OpenTable.

Photo credit: Irish Design House

New Arrivals from Ireland

Address: Irish Design House (756 Queen St E)

New proudly Irish goods have hit the shelves at Irish Design House such as artisanal pottery by Nicholas Mosse and the latest collection from IrelandsEye Knitwear. Shop in-store at 756 Queen St E or online at www.theirishdesignhouse.com!

Photo credit: Eastbound Brewing Co.

Eastbound Sunday Especial

Address: Eastbound Brewing Co. (700 Queen St E)

Make Mother’s Day extra special with Eastbound’s Sunday Especial for two, which includes four tacos, fries, house escabeche, chips with your choice of dip, and a 32oz pitcher of beer. Reserve your table through the Eastbound website!

Photo credit: Oma Chiropractic and Wellness

Self-Care Sesh

Address: Oma Chiropractic and Wellness (1 Munro St)

Book a self-care service for your special someone at Oma this month, like a massage appointment or an infrared sauna session. You can also sign them up for The Art of Becoming: A Women’s Workshop Exploring Insight & Self-Expression on May 31st!

Follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly so you’re always updated on exciting events and promos in the neighbourhood. Happy Mother’s Day in advance!

An Appetite for Supporting Local (5 Hot Eats at Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2026)

As you probably already know by now, this year’s Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest will be happening on Saturday, June 6th (12-6pm)!

(Hot Tip: This year, it’s also happening alongside the Riverdale ArtWalk at Jimmie Simpson Park – 872 Queen St E.)

One of the highlights of the street festival every year is the amazing food, and if you’re already familiar with Riverside, you know that the neighbourhood boasts a diverse food scene.

BLOG: Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest is back June 6th!

From Mexican classics to Thai favourites, here are 5 (of many!) Hot Eats to expect at Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest 2026:

Photo credit: Lamoon Thai Kitchen & Coffee

Lamoon Thai Kitchen & Coffee (@lamoon.to)

Address: 730 Queen St E

Join the Eats & Beats fun and savor authentic Thai flavours at Lamoon Thai Kitchen & Coffee. Take 10% off your entire order during the festival!

Photo credit: Dark Horse Espresso Bar

Dark Horse Espresso Bar (@darkhorsecafe)

Address: 630 Queen St E

Head over to Dark Horse during Eats & Beats and sample their ice-cold summer drinks! Grab yourself a bevy and soak up the sun on their gorgeous patio.

Photo credit: El Cazo

El Cazo (@elcazo.ca)

Address: 780 Queen St E

Stop by El Cazo for half-price deals on churros, street corn, chips & guacamole (11am-10pm), plus free lemonade (11am-6pm)!

Photo credit: Happy Burger

Happy Burger (@happyburgerto)

Address: 689 Queen St E

Visit Happy Burger for refreshing lemonade or their bestselling banana pudding. While you’re there, spin the wheel and get a chance to win a prize!

Photo credit: Royal Baithak

Royal Baithak (@royalbaithak_11)

Address: 755 Queen St E

Enjoy your favourite Indian-style curries with rice at Royal Baithak for only $11.99 during the festival.

Aside from Hot Eats, you can also win local prizes at this year’s festival by entering the Riverside Eats & Beats Raffle!

You can do so in person at the BIA booth (Queen E/Broadview) or using the QR code in the festival guide anytime during the festival hours. Winners will be drawn and announced at the main stage throughout the day!

Click the button below to RSVP and get the official guide to Riverside Eats & Beats Streetfest with full details and schedule, plus festival perks and promos straight to your inbox!

This is just the second of many blog posts leading up to the festival so be sure to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly for updates!