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Green Space Festival 2026 Access Guide

Welcome to the Green Space Festival 2026 Access Guide! 

Together, we look out for one another and create a space where everyone can feel safe, celebrated, and free to enjoy an unforgettable experience while supporting an important cause. 

The Festival is FREE and open to everyone. Every year we work to make the Festival as inclusive and enjoyable as possible. A key part of that commitment is ensuring the space meets the diverse access needs of our attendees, volunteers, and staff in the best possible way. 

We recognize that accessibility is an ongoing and evolving process. Our communities hold a wide range of experiences and needs. We are also mindful of the limitations of the site where the Festival takes place. 

With this in mind, this guide is designed to help you plan your visit and navigate the space. We are continually improving based on community feedback and are committed to making Green Space Festival more accessible each year.

Following is the Festival footprint map. Hover over and click the image to enlarge.

Click here to download a PDF version.

Below, you’ll find the accessibility measures in place for Green Space Festival 2026. Click on the drop-down sections to learn more. If you’d prefer a downloadable PDF version, click here.

Getting There:

  • Green Space Festival will take place from Wednesday, June 24 to Sunday, June 28 at Barbara Hall Park (519 Church Street). Click here for full program and timings. 
  • The venue is located half a block north of the Church and Wellesley intersection on the east side of the street. 

If you’re coming by TTC, Wellesley Station (Line 1 – Yonge-University) is the closest subway stop. There are two exits: 

  • Dundonald Street exit: This is the closest option to Barbara Hall Park; however, it is not accessible (stairs only, no elevator or escalator). 
  • Wellesley Street exit: Approximately a 3 to 4 minute walk to the venue. This exit is accessible, with access to both an elevator and escalator. If you exit via the Wellesley Street entrance, you may need to navigate through crowds participating in Pride celebrations and activations along Wellesley Street. 

Note: The FIFA World Cup is taking place at the same time in downtown Toronto, which may result in longer-than-usual travel times. Please plan your trip accordingly. 

Festival Entry and Exit

  • The Festival has 2 entrances:
    • General public entrance: Located on Church Street, south of The 519 building.
    • Accessible entrance: Located at the corner of Church Street and Monteith Street (also known as the Club 519 entrance) on the northwest side of Barbara Hall Park. This entrance is only for mobility device users and individuals with other self-identified access needs and Club 519 pass holders. Staff will be on-site to provide assistance.
  • The Festival has 2 exits:
    • West exit: Located south of The 519 building, opening onto Church Street.
    • East (Cawthra) exit: Located near the off-leash dog park, leading to Jarvis Street.

Note: At Festival closing hours and during emergencies such as evacuation, all entry points also become exits.

  • As with all entry points, security screening, ID checks, and bag checks will be conducted at the accessible entrance. If you require additional accommodation, please inform staff upon arrival.
  • Service animals are permitted inside the venue. Please note that high sound levels may be distressing for some animals.
  • Guests with access needs are welcome and encouraged to bring items within reason that help make their experience more comfortable, such as small portable stools.

NEW: Accessibility Info Tent

  • Location: On Church St., in front of The 519 building, between the two Festival entry points (accessible and general).
  • Dates: Operating all five days of the Festival
  • Hours:
    • Wednesday, June 24 to Friday, June 26: 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.
    • Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28: 1 p.m. to 12 a.m.
  • This tent is intended to serve as a one-stop hub for accessibility. In addition to the dedicated Harm Reduction Tent south of The 519 building by the splash  pad, limited harm reduction support is also available at this location. Services offered:
    • Information on how to navigate the Festival footprint
    • Dedicated volunteers available to support guests with access needs
    • Printed Festival maps, including a QR code linking to this digital guide for additional information
    • Safer sex supplies
    • Drug safety checking
  • Requesting support: Guests requiring accommodations are encouraged to visit the tent before entering the venue to request support.
  • NEW – Sunflower stickers: If you have a non-visible disability, you may request a sunflower sticker to wear. Please ensure the sticker is prominently visible when you wear it. The sticker will let our staff, security, and volunteers know that you may require additional assistance while onsite.

Example of sunflower sticker. A yellow bright sunflower in a light green circle.

  • Note: The Festival environment is dynamic and may change throughout the day. Staff at this tent will do their best to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information available.

Accommodations Inside the Venue

  • Ramp leading to Accessible Viewing Platform: Just past the accessible entrance, a ramp along the north park wall leads up to the Accessible Viewing Area and Club 519 space. Staff will be present to help keep the ramp clear of traffic and ensure safe access.
  • Accessible Viewing Platform: This space is reserved for mobility device users and folks with access needs. Clear signage will be in place to guide attendees. Guests are welcome to bring their own stools. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Accessible bar: These stations are designed with lowered counter heights for accessibility. Accessible bars will be located:
    • Near the Accessible Viewing Area
    • Near the east exit toward Jarvis Street
  • Food:
    • Vegan, vegetarian, and non-vegetarian options will be available on sale. All food served is gluten-free.
    • Food stations will be located in the splash pad area only. This area is mobility device accessible. Volunteers and staff will be available to assist individuals with access needs with food orders and delivery in this space.
    • We recognize that navigating the splash pad may be challenging for some attendees, including those using mobility devices. If this feels challenging, we recommend eating something filling before arriving at the Festival.
  • Accessible washrooms: Mobility device-accessible washrooms are available on both the north and south sides of The 519 building. Dedicated accessible washrooms are located on the north side. Look for the nearby World Pride mural on The 519 building for easy wayfinding.
  • Viewing screens: Digital screens are set up in certain areas of the park such as in the splash pad, displaying stage programming from multiple locations. These spaces are ideal for lower-stimulation and clearer viewing of stage-based activities. Some screens will also display key information including community messages, hydration reminders, and exit locations.
  • Wayfinding signage: Lawn signs will be placed throughout the Festival footprint to help guide attendees to exits and key areas as quickly and comfortably as possible.
  • ASL: On Starry Night (Wednesday, June 24), ASL will be available for the land acknowledgement, opening remarks, and speeches.

Sound and Light

  • We want to remind folks that Green Space Festival is primarily a music festival. Participants can expect loud music and strobe lighting during Festival hours which may be overstimulating for some.
  • Consider bringing ear plugs and taking breaks from the sound and light as needed.  

First Aid and Harm Reduction

  • First Aid will be available in The 519 building. Please ask a staff member or volunteer if you need support.  
  • Paramedics will be onsite during Festival hours to respond to emergencies. If someone near you needs emergency medical services, promptly inform a staff member or volunteer closest to you.  
  • Harm Reduction staff will be walking through the venue to ensure that everyone is taken care of. Ask them for anything you need, including water, first aid, etc.  
  • All food stations and bars will have sanitizers. 

Self-care at the Festival

Please check in with yourself and ensure you are taking good care so that you can have the best time. Here are some tips: 

  • Stay hydrated. While water is available for purchase, there’s also a water fountain stationed outside the splash pad area on the north side. 
  • Bring along any medication you might need and inform security during bag check at the entry point. See more details in the next section, Bringing Medication and Baby Food. 
  • Wear clothing that is weather-appropriate. Wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and bring a refillable water bottle. 
  • Consider bringing ear plugs along and taking breaks from the sound and light as needed. 
  • We encourage masking, feel free to bring along a facemask. 

If you aren’t feeling well and need support while at the Festival, get in touch with a volunteer or staff member. 

Bringing Medication and Baby Food

  • Bringing liquids, food, and drugs into the venue is prohibited. Bags will be checked at all entry points.  
  • Please bring any required medication along in prescription containers to simplify the bag check process for you as well as security staff.  
  • Families with little ones may bring along a reasonable amount of baby food (formula, purees, milk, etc.), snacks, and water via the accessible/Club 519 Entrance only. No food or drink is permitted at the main entrance south of The 519 building. 

Making Purchases and Donations at the Festival

  • The GSF venue is completely cash-free and token-free.   
  • Only credit and debit cards will be accepted at all transaction points (including food stations, bars, and donations points). Please plan ahead of your visit. 

Thanks for partying with us in support of 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Happy Pride and wishing you the best time at Green Space Festival! Questions? Email GreenSpaceFestival@The519.org 

Now let the music playyy! 

About Green Space Festival (GSF)

For almost 20 years, The 519’s Green Space Festival is a not-to-miss festival during Toronto’s Pride celebrations. Featuring a series of signature events – including Starry Night, Disco Disco, One World, Lipstick Jungle, and TreeHouse Party – the Festival offers high caliber productions that feature national and international drag talent and DJs providing amazing outdoor shows in gorgeous tree-lined venues packed over five days. Beyond a celebration, GSF is an essential fundraising activity for The 519, Toronto’s largest 2SLGBTQ+ community centre.

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