A beloved Easter parade in Toronto is the longest-running in the world

The Beaches Easter Parade in Toronto is preparing to hop into the city for 2025, and here’s everything you need to know about it.

Back for its 58th year, the parade has become one of the city’s most cherished springtime traditions. Despite some less-than-stellar weather to kick off the season so far in Toronto, 2025 will be no different.

According to the parade’s website, it was first conceived in 1967 as a celebration of Canada’s centennial year, running, at the time, along the boardwalk. By 1974, however, the parade had already gained in popularity so much that it was forced to move up to Queen Street East, where it continues to run today.

Fun fact: In its earlier years, the parade was known to feature live elephants among the lineup. While that tradition (along with the many other elephant-related events that, bizarrely, used to happen in Toronto) has gone by the wayside, it remains an eagerly anticipated annual tradition, drawing thousands of spectators to the Beaches every year.

Nowadays, you’re more likely to witness a slew of marching bands from around the city, floats from local businesses, dancers, clowns and a variety of Toronto-based organizations and clubs in the rotation. Perhaps not quite as spectacular as elephants, but no less entertaining.

While some members of the neighbourhood took issue with the behaviour of adults at the parade last year, I’m optimistic for a cheerful, wholesome event in 2025.

This year, the parade takes place on Sunday, April 20, and is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. sharp.

The parade starts at the intersection of Queen East and Neville Park Boulevard before heading west along Queen up to Woodbine Avenue.

Upon reaching Woodbine Avenue, the parade turns south and continues down to Lake Shore Boulevard East.

As with any parade, several road closures will be in place throughout the day on April 20, so if you’re planning on travelling in or around the area that day, here’s what you should be aware of.

• 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Partial closure of Queen East from Munroe Park Avenue to Fallingbrook Road.
• 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Full closure of Queen East from Munroe Park Avenue to Fallingbrook Road.
• 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Full closure of Nursewood Road from Queen East to #24 Nursewood Road.
• 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Full closure of Queen East from Woodbine to Fallingbrook Road.
• 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Full closure of Woodbine Avenue from Queen East to Lake Shore East.
• 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Full closure of Lake Shore East from Coxwell Avenue to Woodbine Avenue.

See you at the Beaches Easter Parade, Toronto.

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