#ExperienceTO: Kensington Market Historical Tour

About Kensington Market: "Kensington Market is an open-air food and clothing market in downtown Toronto. This multicultural marketplace is known for its independent spirit, colourful shop fronts, vibrant murals, charismatic locals and people-friendly Pedestrian Sundays events. The eclectic businesses located here sell fresh produce, cheese, meats, bread and desserts, bulk spices, nuts, flowers, marijuana and vintage clothing. The area also teems with a variety of restaurants, cafés and bars. The shops in Kensington Market spill out onto the sidewalk, giving the area a vibrant street culture unique to the city of Toronto. In 1815, George Taylor Denison, a loyal member of the British militia, purchased Park Lot 17 and half of Park Lot 18, creating a 156-acre estate for himself and his family. In 1858, he donated the land and funds necessary to erect the Anglican Church of St. Stephen-in-the-Fields. By 1854, Denison had his land subdivided into smaller lots for development and within 30 years Kensington became a middle-class Victorian suburb for immigrants, who were mostly from the British Isles. Kensington Market became a market in the early 1900s. Jewish immigrants began to move into the area and set up shops that served the specific cultural needs of their community. By 1931, there were 45,305 Jewish people in Toronto and 80 per cent were living in or around Kensington. Their arrival in the neighbourhood marked the beginning of Kensington Market, which at the time was known as the Jewish Market. The largest group of immigrants to settle in Kensington Market following the Jews was the Portuguese. In the 1970s, second-hand or vintage clothing stores, now staples of the Market, began to arrive in the neighbourhood. As Chinatown expanded westward out of the old Ward neighbourhood in the early 1970s, the Market welcomed Indians, Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese and Filipinos. Many Chinese businesses are now located within the traditional boundaries of the Market. In the late 1980s, refugees from Latin America also found their way into Kensington Market to start a new life. Kensington Market continues to be a major reception area for new immigrants, creating a vibrant urban mixture of people and cultures." (The Canadian Encyclopedia)

Join us for a FREE, public walking tour that will be a good experience for anyone: whether you’re 8 or 80 years old, and whether you’re a curious local, solo traveler, backpacker, newcomer, or part of a group of friends.

ABOUT

Beginning in front of the Toronto Public Library - Sanderson Branch (327 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5T 2S3), the interactive tour will be hosted by your guide Alex Rășcanu. The tour will focus on Kensington Market's history. The historical tour will conclude at a nearby coffee shop.

WHEN

Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 10:00am. The tour will last approximately 90 minutes.

WHERE TO MEET

The tour will start in front of the Toronto Public Library - Sanderson Branch (327 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5T 2S3).

WHERE IT ENDS

This tour will end at a nearby coffee shop, where you can order coffee/tea/brunch and spend some more time speaking and connecting with fellow historical tour participants.

FACILITATOR

Alex Rășcanu is a Torontonian, a husband, a father of four, and an avid student of our city's history. Stay in touch with him on LinkedIn / X / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube.