Public Pier Toronto to Transform Marina Quay West Into a New Waterfront Destination

Public Pier Toronto will bring free music, food, art, vendors and nighttime programming to Marina Quay West this September and October.

Toronto’s waterfront is getting a temporary new destination this fall. Public Pier will turn the underused Marina Quay West into a lively public space for arts, culture, food, music and community gatherings.

The pilot project launches Friday, September 18, at 539 Queens Quay West. It will run across three weekends in September and October.

Organizers want to explore how temporary programming can bring more people to the waterfront. They also hope the pilot can help shape Marina Quay West’s future as a permanent public park and cultural destination.

Public Pier Brings New Life to Marina Quay West

Marina Quay West sits beside the Toronto Music Garden and across from the Canada Malting Silos. The site offers expansive waterfront views and a central location along Queens Quay West.

However, the area currently has few reasons for visitors to stay and explore. Public Pier aims to change that.

Throughout the pilot, visitors can enjoy vendor shops, music, food and beverage, public art and cultural programming. The programming will run from the afternoon into the evening on select dates.

Meanwhile, visitors can also experience Silo Nights, a projection program that will bring the Canada Malting Silos to life after dark.

The combination of art, food, music and public space will offer Torontonians a new way to experience this part of the waterfront.

Silo Nights Will Light Up the Canada Malting Silos

One of the highlights of Public Pier Toronto will be Silo Nights, curated by OCAD University.

The program will showcase artists working across projection, animation, digital media and emerging technologies. It will also feature creative voices from Toronto and around the world.

As a result, the Canada Malting Silos will become a large-scale canvas for contemporary digital art.

OCAD University is contributing to the project as the institution celebrates its 150th year. The university sees Public Pier and Silo Nights as opportunities to connect art and design with public space.

The nighttime projection program will add another layer to the waterfront experience. Visitors can explore the site during the day and return after sunset for a different atmosphere.

Toronto Organizations Join Forces for Public Pier

Public Pier brings together The Bentway, Harbourfront Centre, OCAD University and the Waterfront BIA.

Each organization contributes experience in public space, arts and culture, design, community engagement or waterfront development.

Together, the partners want to create a welcoming place for Torontonians. They also want to demonstrate how temporary programming can help shape larger public space projects.

The Toronto Port Authority supports the project as its lead sponsor.

For the organizations involved, the pilot represents more than a seasonal event. It provides an opportunity to test ideas and see how visitors respond to a more active waterfront environment.

The Pilot Could Shape Marina Quay West’s Future

Public Pier will also give organizers valuable information about how people use Marina Quay West.

Throughout the pilot, the project team will gather feedback and observe how visitors interact with the space. These insights can help identify opportunities for the site’s future.

In addition, the pilot will test how temporary amenities and cultural programming can encourage people to visit and stay longer.

That information could prove useful as Toronto continues to plan the site’s permanent transformation.

The project also highlights the potential of temporary activations. A previously underused area can become a place for people to gather, discover local culture and connect with the waterfront.

What to Expect at Public Pier Toronto

Visitors can expect a mix of daytime and nighttime activities throughout the six event dates.

Programming will include:

• Vendor shops
• Music
• Food and beverage
• Public art
• Cultural experiences
• Silo Nights
• Waterfront gathering spaces

Best of all, admission is free.

The project will offer different experiences depending on the day. Friday programming will focus on evening activities, while Saturday programming will begin in the afternoon.

The October 3 event will also coincide with Nuit Blanche, Toronto’s annual all-night contemporary art event. Public Pier will remain open until 2 a.m. that night.

Public Pier Toronto Event Details

Location: Marina Quay West, 539 Queens Quay West, Toronto

Admission: Free

Dates:

• Friday, September 18 – 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Saturday, September 19 – 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Friday, September 25 – 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Saturday, September 26 – 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Friday, October 2 – 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Saturday, October 3 – 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. during Nuit Blanche

More programming details and project updates will arrive at PublicPier.ca on September 8, 2026.

A New Way to Experience Toronto’s Waterfront

Public Pier Toronto gives visitors a chance to experience Marina Quay West in a new way. For three weekends, the waterfront site will become a space for art, music, food and community.

At the same time, the pilot will help organizers understand what works in the space. Feedback from visitors can inform future plans for the site.

Ultimately, Public Pier offers a preview of what Marina Quay West could become. The temporary activation brings people to an underused part of the waterfront while exploring its potential as a long-term public destination.