If you’ve been mourning the fact that you missed your chance to head to the pumpkin patch this Halloween season, don’t worry: Toronto’s newest and coolest alleyway is turning into one instead! Honest Ed’s Alley, the Tokyo-inspired laneway filled with tiny retail shops that’s part of the city’s new Mirvish Village development, is turning into Pumpkin Alley for one day only this week.
Key to this event is the free pumpkin giveaway, which is reminiscent of the former Honest Ed’s annual turkey giveaway for Thanksgiving. Between the hours of 3–6 p.m., visitors to Honest Ed’s Alley will be able to pick up a free pumpkin while supplies last.
The space will also turn into a miniature fall festival, complete with a live DJ and complimentary samples from some of the stores located in the alleyway, including SOBR Market, Batch Cookies and Soleya Teas.
Whether you need a pumpkin for some last minute Halloween decorations or not, the alley is worth a visit: plans for the laneway included design details that pay homage to Honest Ed’s while taking style cues from Tokyo, like bright neon signage and lantern-style lighting. It’s located on the laneway between Markham Street and Bathurst Street within Mirvish Village — the new development that Badiali’s, Book Bar and more have joined.
The giveaway is happening on Wednesday, Oct. 28 just off of Lennox Street within the laneway.
A pumpkin giveaway is not the only event planned for Honest Ed’s Alley; the space is now the home of a new artisan market founded by the team behind Kensington Flea, called The Alley Bazaar. The grand opening for the market launched earlier in October, though the full season will kick off in May 2027.