On August 9 and 10, the former Downsview Airport runway in Toronto will be opened wide to people — for the fourth annual ‘Play on the Runway’ event.
From noon to 5 p.m. both days, thousands of visitors are expected to fill the two-km stretch of tarmac, cycling, skating, scooting or just walking freely in a space formerly dominated by planes. The event is free and designed as a massive playground where people of all ages can roam without cars or traffic.
Mitchell Marcus, executive director of site activation & programming at YZD, says the event offers a glimpse into the future of the site: “The runway will eventually become the vibrant spine of a new community — a backyard for tens of thousands who will live, work and visit here. Play on the Runway lets us imagine that future today, through creative and open play unlike anything else in Toronto.”
Activities include roller dancing with SUSO Skate, hoop dance workshops, kite flying with the Toronto Kite Fliers Club, and pop-up sets by Bangerz Brass Band. There’s also a Kids Coding School workshop where kids build and test air-powered rockets, blending the site’s aviation history with its future in innovation.
“This family-friendly event asks why a runway can’t become the heart of community life,” adds Aytakin Mohammadi, director of impact & engagement at YZD.
Meanwhile, Northcrest will announce the winner of its international design competition this fall, selecting a team to help transform the runway into a landmark public space.
Play on the Runway
- Location: YZD Runway, 10 Hanover Road, Toronto
- Dates: August 9–10, 2025
- Time: 12 – 5 PM
Free parking is available at 10 Hanover Road. There is also a complimentary shuttle bus running every 15 minutes from Wilson TTC Station. The shuttle picks up passengers at 75 Billy Bishop Way.
To reserve free tickets, head on over here.
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