Yonge-Dundas Square (YDS) has been around for over a decade and a half, has hosted hundreds of events and has taken on the title of being the “heart of the city”. Yet, there are still some things that you may not know about YDS, so here are a few interesting facts and stats!

1 Day a Year With No Permit Fees

One day a year, permit fees may be waived for not-for-profits and charities, thanks to the YDS Community Use policy. If you run a not-for-profit and/or charity or know someone who does, this may be a great option if you’re looking to host an activation on the Square (when it is safe to do so, of course).

This year the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented, especially for community driven groups and initiatives. With this in mind YDS has made temporary modifications to its booking policy and requirements effective until April 30, 2021.

**10* Digital Screens**

The digital signage capabilities of Yonge-Dundas Square are of great benefit to the downtown community, visitors to the Square, and event attendees. Having permanent digital screens dedicated to events allows for affordable use of this technology by all Yonge-Dundas Square clients, elevating the standards and possibilities of all events and activations. These screens are also essential to Yonge-Dundas Square when events are not being staged, allowing for the display of visitor information, public art, video projects and collaborations with other city organizations.

*Five are YDS-operated and five feature Outedge Media content.

20 Dancing Fountains

Yonge-Dundas Square was opened to the public in November 2002 with a sneak preview of one of the Square’s key design elements in motion: 20 dancing fountains! The fountains are a spectacle of water and light and a great way to cool off in the hot summer months.

24-Hour On-Site Security

Yonge-Dundas Square is a safe space for all to enjoy the wide range of activities offered, and we ask for your cooperation in maintaining a welcoming environment. Our security staff is on site 24/7, and is ready to assist if you see something out of the ordinary or in the event of an emergency.

25 Pop Up Tents for Rent

In addition to other rental items, YDS has 25 pop up tents available for clients to rent for their on-site activations!

250 Parking Space

Did you know the Square is constructed on top of a 250-space parking facility operated by the Toronto Parking Authority? The entrance to the parking garage is located at the corner of Victoria Street and Dundas Streets, and is also accessible by elevator on the north side of the Square. Next time you’re looking for a place to park downtown, head to the YDS!

365 Days of Free Wi-Fi

YDS is pleased to offer free Wi-Fi on the Square, allowing for easy internet access during downtime, and a comfortable place to check in, surrounded by fountains, seating and a pleasant atmosphere.

1 Million+ Annual Event Attendance

In any “normal” year, YDS welcomes over a million attendees to the various events that are hosted at the Square.

So, now you know some interesting facts that you may not have known about the heart of the city!

Yonge-Dundas Square By The Numbers