Categories: Things To Do

Here’s everything you need to know about TIFF’s Festival Street in Toronto

Photo via expatpostcards on Shutterstock

The annual TIFF Festival Street is back for its 10th year, and it officially kicks off this week. For the first four days of TIFF, Festival Street will shut down a portion of King Street for free entertainment and activations. Here’s everything you need to know about the street fest.

TIFF’s Festival Street will take over King Street from Peter Street to University Avenue starting Sept. 4 to 7. The four-day celebration is free to attend and will feature food, drinks, and art, along with free open-air screenings and activities in David Pecaut Square, including a new outdoor dining activation.

Kick off the TIFF season with the official unveiling of TIFF’s star on Canada’s Walk of Fame on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 4 p.m. outside TIFF Lightbox, followed by a cake-cutting celebration to officially open Festival Street.

There’s a lot to talk about, so let’s dive right in. We’ve put together a guide to help you navigate this pedestrian-friendly street festival:

What’s new at TIFF’s Festival Street this year?

Though we’re looking forward to all the free entertainment, immersive activities, and mix of food, drinks, art, and culture, there are a few new additions.

These include:

An outdoor dining activation with seating and lighting by the Food Market.
Billboard Canada and NXNE Music Zones, featuring Billboard DJs with locations by the Art Market and by the Food Market.
Corridoor By Maziart, a holographic, immersive experience using interactive technology
A live painting of a 3D Light Box mural to celebrate TIFF’s People Choice Award winners and half a century of innovation in film by artist Adrian Hayles
Criterion Mobile Closet will make its Canadian debut. It’s open to the public, and visitors can explore more than 1,700 films while making their own Closet videos.
Visa Infinite Studio for Visa Infinite cardholders. The space is located across the street from the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre and will feature elevated décor, live music, a portrait studio, and complimentary drinks and snacks.

What else is going on?

Cinema Park

The fun doesn’t end there. Cinema Park returns with free outdoor screenings in David Pecaut Square.

Free movie screenings include:

The Goonies on Sept. 4, 2025
Uncle Buck on Sept. 5, 2025
Sound of Metal on Sept. 6, 2025
Marie Antoinette on Sept. 7, 2025
Best in Show on Sept. 8, 2025
Before Sunrise on Sept. 9, 2025
High Fidelity on Sept. 10, 2025
Lady Bird on Sept. 11, 2025
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure on Sept. 12, 2025
Moonstruck on Sept. 13, 2025

All films will be screened with open captions and will play nightly, rain or shine, starting at 10 p.m.

Festival Street Art Market

In partnership with Toronto Film School, the art market will have booths along John Street, featuring 14 of the city’s community film festivals and arts groups, including live performances.

TIFF’s Pop-Up Shop

The popular TIFF pop-up shop is back at the Lightbox. And since TIFF is celebrating its 50th anniversary, there will be some special items. TIFF is collaborating with Roots on a limited-edition anniversary jacket, and Canadian jeweller Dean Davidson for a custom TIFF 50 necklace and bracelet. This piece has a film roll-inspired charm inscribed with the Festival’s commemorative logo.

As for the Festival’s 50th edition merchandise, it includes clothing and accessories that feature “director’s hands” from the original TIFF 1976 poster image.

60-foot sushi bar pop-up

Don’t miss out on the 60-foot sushi bar pop-up, serving up free omakase, prepared by over a dozen chefs from Yorkville’s MSSM. It’s open on Sept. 5, 2025, 5 to 6:30 p.m., at King Street and John Street.

Other activations you’ll want to check out include: