She's coming and we're getting ready! At City Hall, we’ve started getting questions about how the City is preparing to welcome Taylor Swift for 6 concert dates in November and hundreds of thousands of fans from across Toronto and beyond.
Taylor Swift will be playing concerts here in Spadina-Fort York at the Rogers Centre on:
- Thursday November 14 at 7:00pm
- Friday November 15 at 7:00pm
- Saturday November 16 at 7:00pm
- Thursday November 21 at 7:00pm
- Friday November 22 at 7:00pm
- Saturday November 23 at 7:00pm
Read on for more info.
What you need to know about Taylor Swift coming to Toronto
Toronto has been learning from other cities who’ve hosted the Eras Tour, to learn about the real impacts these concerts have had - on traffic and transportation, on tourism, and on local economies.
I’ve been hosting a table of City staff across divisions, agencies and corporations to ensure we are prepared to welcome people. This includes planning for public safety, ensuring concert goers and residents can get around, and creating opportunities for Toronto’s own local arts and culture makers to shine.
Check out the City’s fact sheet on The Eras Tour in Toronto. It includes information about:
- Economic and cultural benefits, including the interactive TO Poets Department
- How to get around
- Road closures and traffic management
- Safety and security
Looking for something you can share with family, friends, and neighbours? Check out this handy flyer.
Getting Around
The City strongly recommends using public transit, cycling, and walking on concert days to avoid getting stuck in traffic. We’re working with divisions and agencies to up their offerings - find out more:
- The TTC and Metrolinx are enhancing their services - find out more on TTC Updates.
- For GO transit service, more information is available on their GO Website.
- Bike Share Toronto has numerous bike stations throughout the city, including near Rogers Centre, and will add extra bikes and valets to assist with docking near the concert venue. Find out more information on Bike Share Toronto
The following road closures will be in effect on concert dates:
- 1:00 pm: Bremner Blvd, Blue Jays Way, and Navy Wharf closed to all but local traffic. Lake Shore Blvd reduced to two westbound lanes at Rees St for a pick-up/drop-off point. Northbound Rees St closed; Southbound lanes open to two-way traffic.
- 10:00 pm: Front St, John St, and Windsor St closures as concert ends.
- 11:00 pm: Gardiner Expressway off-ramps to Spadina Ave closed.
Roads reopen by 1:00 am. Expect additional spot closures as needed. Please see the map for info on taxi, rideshare, and pick up zones.
The T.O. Poets Department
It was important to me that we use the spotlight on our city to shine a light on local artists and culture makers.
I am really excited about an initiative I worked on closely with Economic Development and Culture. It’s called the T.O. Poets Department and will offer dynamic, free poetry events inspired by the Eras Tour in Toronto, featuring creative works by more than 20 talented Toronto poets. These three activations were developed under the curatorial leadership of the City’s Poet Laureate Lillian Allen and with support from the City’s Youth Poet Laureate Shahaddah Jack.
Roaming Pop-up Poets
Prepare to experience the Tortured Poet's Department at the Era's Tour with our pop-up roaming poets! On concert dates between 1pm and 4pm, nine talented poets will bring the streets to life along "Taylor Swift Way," reciting original works and creating new poems inspired by the event's excitement.
Join in as established, emerging and youth poets perform in pairs and trios, enhancing their artistry through collaboration and audience interaction. With starting points at Nathan Phillips Square and David Pecaut Square, these dynamic performances offer fans a unique chance to engage with poetry in a lively, accessible environment.
City Block Poetry
Join City Block Poetry while the Era's Tour is in Toronto! This interactive activation invites fans to compose poetic phrases using large-scale blocks featuring words from Swift's songs. On concert date between 1pm and 5pm, engage with local poets and express your creativity at Nathan Phillips Square and David Pecaut Square.
Experience the joy of community through poetry! Guided by poet facilitators, participants can rearrange blocks to craft unique phrases while enjoying a vibrant atmosphere inspired by Taylor Swift's music. Remember to share your creations on social media!
Street Talk Stencils
Discover Street Talk Stencils along Taylor Swift Way! This project features diverse poets, including Poet Laureate Lillian Allen and Youth Poet Laureate Shahaddah Jack, whose words will be stencilled on the sidewalks, creating a poetic pathway for concert-goers to explore and engage with.
As you stroll along Taylor Swift Way, look for stencilled poetry inviting you to pause, reflect, and share. Snap photos of your favourite lines and join the celebration of creativity and community as we transform the sidewalks into a canvas throughout November!
More Events to Get Engaged
Here in Spadina-Fort York, the Queen Street West BIA is hosting Swift Station, a unique Taylor Swift-inspired fan experience with bracelet making, a silent disco, and other fun activities. Sign up for your boarding time here.
Destination Toronto has a great webpage with events happening, recommendations for Taylor-themed visits and experiences, and additional information.
