TORONTO, Ont. – The Scotiabank BuskerFest, Ontario’s largest street performers’ festival, gets underway in Toronto Thursday.

The festival, which raises money for epilepsy research, features a collection of musicians, sketch artists and entertainers.

The high-energy acrobats, clowns and contortionists bring their acts directly to the audience at the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood.

Running from August 23-26, the festival will feature hundreds of performers, with the festival operating from noon until just after 10 p.m. most nights.

Performers from all over the world all take part in the festival, which raises money for Epilepsy Toronto.

One of the special events to be featured this year will be the world premiere of the Gantry Bike, which is basically a circus on wheels, featuring jugglers and aerial acrobats.

You can find more information on BuskerFest here.

Note: Road closures will be in effect from Thursday-Sunday for the festival, including:

  • Front Street from Yonge Street to Jarvis Street will be closed in both directions from Thursday, August 23 at 9 a.m. to Sunday, August 26 at 11:59 p.m.
  • Church Street from The Esplanade to Front Street will be closed from Thursday, August 23 at 9 a.m. to Sunday, August 26 at 11:59 p.m.
  • Scott Street from north of Scott Lane to the midway point between Wellington Street and Front Street will be closed from Thursday, August 23 at 9 a.m. to Sunday, August 26 at 11:59 p.m.
  • Market Street from Front Street to The Esplanade will be closed from Thursday, August 23 at 7 a.m. to Sunday, August 26 at 11:59 p.m.
  • Church Street from north of Front Street to Colborne Street will be closed from Friday, August 24 at 6 p.m. to Sunday, August 26 at 11:59 p.m.
  • Wellington Street from Church Street to Leader Lane will be closed from Friday, August 24 at 6 p.m. to Sunday, August 26 at 11:59 p.m.


Road closures will also be in effect for the Bio-K+ Bum Run 5K. A series of closures will take place in the area bounded by Bay Street in the east, College Street in the south, Spadina in the west and Bloor Street in the north on Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Also taking place this weekend is the Fan Expo, celebrating all things comic, anime, sci-fi, horror and gaming. There will be no road closures for the event, which runs from Thursday-Sunday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.