Public Pier brings food, music, dance and introduces SILO NIGHTS to Toronto's waterfront
"Decomposition No. 7: Undergrowth" by Ali Phi, curated and presented in partnership with The Bentway, as part of SILO NIGHTS, curated by OCAD University
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This fall, one of Toronto's most distinctive waterfront sites will come alive with music, movement, food, public art and immersive art nighttime projections as Public Pier launches at Marina Quay West (539 Queens Quay West.)
Running Fridays and Saturdays from September 18 to October 3, Public Pier will transform the pier into a free day-to-night art and cultural destination
Across three weekends, visitors can explore curated food and drink markets, live DJ sets, beginner-friendly dance workshops and interactive public art installations.
As night falls, SILO NIGHTS, curated by OCAD University, introduces Canadian and world premieres, illuminating the Canada Malting Silos with local and international immersive art and sound projections.
The limited-run experience invites Torontonians to discover the pier in a new way. Gathering by the water by day and night, seeing firsthand the potential of Marina Quay West as a future public park and cultural destination.
Food and drink: The Super Yummy Market will bring together curated bites and fresh flavours, alongside local craft beer and beverages from Great Lakes Brewpub.
Live DJs: Local DJs, including CYRO Sounds, Introspkt and Nabz, will soundtrack the pier from the afternoon into the evening.
Dance workshops: Free, beginner-friendly sessions will invite visitors to discover their rhythm through styles ranging from salsa to line dancing.
Public Trust: Take part in the Canadian debut of artist Paul Ramírez Jonas’ interactive public artwork, that transforms personal promises into a living public portrait of the city. Onsite at Marina Quay West from September 17 to 20 only, before the work moves to other locations. Public Trust invites Torontonians of all ages to make promises to themselves, and their community—not just as inhabitants of the city, but as co-authors of its future.
SILO NIGHTS curated by OCAD University, illuminates the Canada Malting Silos with immersive artworks by local and international artists. See schedule below.
Sept. 25:Breatheby Faisal Anwar, presented in partnership with The Blackwood Gallery, University of Toronto Mississauga.
Sept. 26:The Shape of Memory by OOOPStudio, presented by Instituto Italiano di Cultura – Toronto and Consulate General of Italy, Cultural Section, in collaboration with the European Union through its Delegation to Canada
Sept. 26: Animation Collaboration Workshop Project, led by Pablo Gracias with OCAD U students, presented in partnership with the French Embassy of Canada and Institut français du Canada, in collaboration with the European Union through its Delegation to Canada.
Oct. 2:Travel Diary of a Particle, presented with support from the Arts Council of Ontario | Conseil des arts de l'Ontario, Ministère des affaires francophones de l'Ontario, Délégation Wallonie Bruxelles, Wallonie Bruxelles International, and Wallonie Bruxelles Enseignement.
Oct. 3 (SILO NIGHTS at Nuit Blanche):The LightbyPaul Murnaghan and Melting Temporalitiesby Claire Brunet and Johnny Ranger, presented in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to Canada and the Global Centre for Climate Action at OCAD U.
“Public Pier is an opportunity to imagine a future where culture doesn’t follow development, but helps lead the way as a catalyst for what comes next,” said Ilana Altman, CEO of The Bentway. “Collaborating closely with our partners and drawing on The Bentway’s learnings in adaptive reuse, we’re excited to bring three weekends of public programming to Marina Quay West—creating opportunities for people to gather, participate, and help shape its future as a vibrant part of Toronto’s public realm.”
“Public Pier is a great example of how partnerships can bring new energy, ideas and experiences to Toronto’s waterfront,” adds OCAD U President and Vice-Chancellor Ana Serrano. “As the University celebrates its 150th year, we are proud to curate SILO NIGHTS bringing together international and local artists to provide the public with immersive art, sound and storytelling experiences. Both Public Pier and SILO NIGHTS reflect OCAD U’s longstanding commitment to collaboration and to using art and design to make a meaningful impact and to shape vibrant, welcoming public spaces.”
“Toronto’s waterfront is at its best when people can experience it in unexpected ways,” said Tenio Evangelista, President and Chair, Board of Directors, Harbourfront Centre. “Public Pier brings new energy to Spadina Pier and Marina Quay Wesr, transforming a working marina into a place for art, music, food and connection.”
ABOUT PUBLIC PIER
Public Pier is a collaboration between The Bentway, Harbourfront Centre, OCAD University and the Waterfront BIA, with the Toronto Port Authority as lead sponsor. The partners bring complementary expertise in public space, arts and culture, design, community engagement and waterfront destination development.
Beyond the event itself, Public Pier is a public-realm pilot. Feedback and observations gathered throughout the project will help explore how placemaking, amenities and cultural programming can support gathering, public life and economic activity at the pier ahead of its planned transformation into a permanent park.
Free and open to all
Full schedule and programming details: PublicPier.ca
WHERE:
Marina Quay West, 539 Queens Quay West* *located beside Toronto Music Garden, across from the Canada Malting Silos
WHEN: September 18-19, September 25-26 and October 2-3, 2026 Fridays: 6-11 p.m. Saturdays: 1-11 p.m. ( Oct. 3, SILO NIGHTS is from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.)
