Why are thousands waiting for this train?

Good afternoon — A brand-new waterfront promenade just opened, the Jays are back in the ALCS, and Google Maps caused mass confusion by “closing” a major Toronto highway (spoiler: it wasn’t closed).

Meanwhile, century-old soil along the Don River literally came back to life, the CPKC Holiday Train is rolling in with lights and live music, and Nuit Blanche 2025 left art lovers wondering… where’d the art go?

Let’s get into it.

THE DIGEST: 7 Handpicked Stories

🌊 New walkable promenade: Toronto’s waterfront just unveiled a stunning new walkable promenade stretching from Sugar Beach to Parliament Slip, offering uninterrupted views of Lake Ontario. The six-metre-wide walkway features double tree rows, custom seating, and lush planters. The project sets the stage for future connections to Villiers Island. When complete, it will form a continuous path of parks, trails, and open lakefront.

⚾️ Jays advance: Blue Jays fans wasted no time snapping up every ticket to the team’s first ALCS appearance since 2016, selling out the SkyDome in hours. Only resale seats remain on Ticketmaster — with prices starting near $500 and soaring past $9,000 for premium spots. The team will play Seattle for Game 1 today in Toronto.

🚂 All aboard!: The Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Holiday Train is set to roll into Toronto on Nov. 29, lighting up the city with thousands of sparkling bulbs and live music. Now in its 27th year, the cross-continent tradition raises food and funds for local food banks. Toronto’s stop will feature a free 30-minute concert. Since its first run, the Holiday Train has collected more than 5.4 million pounds of food across North America. See schedule.

🚘 Back to the grind(line): With more employers forcing staff back to the office, Toronto’s commute times are climbing fast — now averaging 34.9 minutes, the longest in Canada. In response, the TTC and Metrolinx are adjusting service to handle the surge. Metrolinx will add rush-hour trips on key GO lines starting Oct. 27, while the TTC is finalizing its own schedule changes this week.

🛜 City gets more connected: Toronto just expanded free public Wi-Fi to over 250 locations, with nearly 90% of sites in priority and emerging neighbourhoods. The initiative, part of the city’s ConnectTO program, aims to close the digital divide by improving access in community centres, arenas, civic buildings, and public squares.

🎭 Nuit Blanche burnout: Once a beloved all-night art crawl, Nuit Blanche 2025 left many Torontonians underwhelmed. To many, it felt like a “scattered school project” with too few installations and too many corporate displays. Attendees complained that art was spread too far apart, requiring long transit rides between clusters.

🪾 Ancient ecosystem: In a stunning twist of Toronto’s waterfront restoration, century-old soil unearthed near the Don River has burst back to life — reviving long-buried seeds, worms, and even microscopic creatures like water fleas and plankton that had been dormant for over 130 years. What was once a barren industrial zone is now home again to beavers, turtles, snowy owls, and eagles.

MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW

📍 Google maps glitch: Toronto drivers were left confused on October 4 after Google Maps mistakenly showed the DVP as closed, prompting the City of Toronto to step in and clear things up. “Just to confirm, all lanes on the DVP are currently open!” the city posted on X. Some drivers even noticed unusually light traffic, with one Reddit user joking they “arrived 20 minutes early” thanks to others avoiding the route.

🚧 Construction begins: Work is officially underway on the Caledonia GO Station, a new transit hub that will link GO Transit’s Barrie Line with TTC bus routes and the upcoming Eglinton Crosstown. Located on Eglinton Avenue West, just west of Caledonia Road, the new station will include heated platform shelters and a pedestrian tunnel connecting to Bowie Avenue and the York Beltline Trail.

🏒 ‘Magical Monday’: The Leafs have moved their home game against the Red Wings on Monday from 4 p.m. to 2 p.m. to avoid overlapping with the Blue Jays’ ALCS Game 2, creating what MLSE is calling a “Magical Monday” for city sports fans. After the Leafs game, fans at Scotiabank Arena can stay in their seats to watch the Blue Jays playoff matchup on the arena’s giant jumbotron.

LOST TORONTO:
The Temple Building (Demolished)

The Temple Building, completed in 1896 at Bay and Richmond Streets, was one of Toronto’s tallest and most iconic structures of its time. Designed in Romanesque Revival style by architect George W. Gouinlock, it served as the Canadian headquarters for the Independent Order of Foresters.

With its red brick and sandstone facade, arched windows, and castle-like features, it stood 12 storeys tall—a marvel in the pre-skyscraper era. The building was demolished in 1970 to make way for modern development, erasing a once-dominant piece of Toronto’s early skyline.

THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO: THE ‘INSIDER’ SCOOP

Editor’s Pick! Haunted ROM Tours - Step into the shadows of the Royal Ontario Museum during Haunted ROM Tours, a chilling journey through one of Toronto’s most iconic institutions. Uncover ghost stories whispered through the ages, explore haunted galleries, and wander past relics said to be touched by the supernatural. It’s a rare opportunity to experience the museum’s darker side—where history and hauntings collide.
October 17 & 18 | 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
October 19 | 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park

Darkfield Toronto - Darkfield Toronto brings spine-tingling sensory theatre to STACKT Market this fall with SÉANCE and FLIGHT—two immersive, audio-driven experiences performed in total darkness. Created by UK-based DARKFIELD and presented by Realscape Productions, these shows plunge audiences into alternate realities using binaural 360° sound, environmental effects, and pitch-black shipping containers.
October 4 – November 9 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: STACKT Market, 28 Bathurst St

Chocolate Tasting Class - Step aside, wine snobs — this one’s for the curious snackers and bold taste seekers. Join QUEST XO in Liberty Village for a guided chocolate tasting that breaks every rule (in the best way). You’ll sample four handcrafted bars, learn the proper tasting method (minus the pretentious vibes), and experience unexpected pairings that’ll flip your idea of chocolate upside down.
October 17 | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: QUEST XO, 25 Liberty St

Free Main Floor at ROM - The Royal Ontario Museum is opening its expansive main floor galleries for FREE! Explore world-class exhibits, ancient artifacts, and cultural treasures without spending a dime. Every weekend features a brand-new theme, with live pop-up performances, crafts, music, and hands-on activities led by Toronto’s local communities and artists.
October 1 – November 30 | 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM daily
Location: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park

Free Mini Putt Mondays - Start your week with a swing at Reid’s Distillery, where mini putt meets mixology every Monday evening. Enjoy a free 9-hole indoor mini golf course, a refreshing cocktail from the distillery bar, and laid-back vibes all night long. It’s the perfect way to unwind, challenge friends, or just take a fun date night indoors.
Every Monday until November 24 | 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Reid's Distillery, 32 Logan Ave

ALCS Jays vs. Mariners (schedule): EDIT THIS
⚾️ Game 1: October 12 | 8:03 PM
⚾️ Game 2: October 13 | 5:03 PM
⚾️ Game 3: October 15 | TBD
⚾️ Game 4: October 16 | TBD
⚾️ Game 5: October 17 | TBD*
⚾️ Game 6: October 19 | TBD*
⚾️ Game 7: October 20 | TBD*
*if necessary | TBD at time of writing
Get your Jays gear here!

RECOS: Things you will love for under $40
 
⚾️ Blue Jays: Will the Jays win it all?
🦮 Dogs: Hands-free dog walking
🍸 Drinks: The ONE glass everyone needs
🦝 Toronto: The one book on Toronto history 
🪞 Decor: How to showcase your flowers
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VIDEO OF THE WEEK

This Toronto building had grand plans: the rise and fall of Toronto’s art deco tower.

Here is the link: Click here to watch

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