Ossington Strip Murals

Neighbourhood: Ossington · Address: Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON · Hours: Open 24 hours · Price Range: Free · Editorial status: Not yet verified

Why Visit

Ossington Avenue’s murals are an ever-evolving outdoor art gallery where internationally known artists and Toronto locals compete for room on the walls. Every block offers a different visual vibe, from hyperreal faces to kaleidoscopic abstractions.

What Makes It Unique

Unlike other street art spots in Toronto, the Ossington Strip’s murals are officially curated by local businesses and artists, keeping graffiti and ad clutter to a minimum. The concentration and range here are unusual—you’ll find everything from intricate small-scale pieces behind alleyways to massive works right on main walls, all within a ten-minute stroll.

If you like seeing a city through its walls, StreetARToronto is one of the best ways to do it. StART isn’t a single destination so much as a citywide, open-air gallery that keeps changing. Every summer, the Mural Festival adds a fresh batch of large-scale works, and the older pieces stick around long enough that you can build a whole afternoon around tracking them down. Some are tucked into laneways behind busy streets, some stretch across the sides of apartment buildings, and others suddenly appear on utility structures or long concrete walls you’d otherwise walk right past. What I like about it is that it doesn’t feel precious. You’re not entering a museum and lowering your voice. You’re walking through actual neighborhoods while the city carries on around you: streetcars rattling by, people walking dogs, someone unloading produce, cyclists cutting through an alley. Then you turn a corner and there’s a massive portrait, an abstract blast of color, or a mural that reflects the history of the block you’re standing on. A lot of the work feels specific to Toronto too, not just art dropped in at random. You’ll see pieces that reference local communities, activism, nature, music, and the mix of cultures that shape the city. Downtown is especially good for this because you can link several murals together without trying too hard. The laneways around Queen West, the stretches near Kensington, the edges of the Entertainment District, and pockets around underpasses and side streets can turn into a really satisfying walking route. Some walls are polished and monumental; others feel more playful or experimental. That variety is part of the fun. You’re not looking for one “best” mural, you’re noticing how different artists use scale, texture, and the odd shapes of city surfaces. My honest advice is to check the StreetARToronto map before you head out, because that’s what makes the whole thing work. The map gets updated with new commissions, and it saves you from wandering aimlessly if you’re short on time. Pick a cluster rather than trying to see everything. Two or three neighborhoods is plenty for one day, especially if you stop for coffee or lunch in between. Wear decent walking shoes, and don’t expect every mural to be in a postcard-perfect setting. Sometimes you’re standing beside a parking lot or behind a strip mall. That’s normal. The contrast is part of why these pieces land so well. It’s free, it’s available at any hour, and it works in almost any mood. Go on a bright afternoon if you want the best photos, or head out near sunset when the walls pick up that softer light and the city feels less rushed. Even repeat visits don’t feel repetitive, because there’s always something new on the map, and even the murals you’ve seen before can hit differently depending on the season, the route, or the neighborhood around them.