Toronto declares ‘BTS Weekend’ as tour fever grips city; ‘BTS Boulevard’ unveiled for a month

BTS’ ‘Arirang’ captivates Toronto, with dedicated red boulevard open for a month

Both dates on the 22nd and 23rd sell out, as part of Yonge Street is unveiled as ‘BTS Boulevard’

Toronto, Canada’s largest city, has transformed itself into a giant festival venue for BTS and the group’s world tour, ‘Arirang’. The city officially declared the 22nd and 23rd local time ‘BTS Weekend’, honoring the global pop icons.

Purple lights bathe city landmark as red signpost marks BTS takeover

According to BigHit Music, Toronto’s iconic ‘Toronto Sign’ at Nathan Phillips Square shone brightly in the group’s signature purple lighting on the 21st. The city’s most eye-catching move, however, was the temporary street renaming. Part of Yonge Street, a major commercial artery in North York, has been temporarily named ‘BTS Boulevard’.

The sign unveiled at the ceremony was made in red, the theme color of the group’s fifth studio album, ‘Arirang’. The special street will remain in place for one month, through the 23rd of next month, welcoming fans from around the world. The Toronto city council member who spearheaded the renaming said, “We are confident this measure will provide a powerful boost to the local economy and attract tourists from around the world.”

A cultural fusion hub that goes beyond a concert

Destination Toronto, the city’s official tourism marketing agency, also moved quickly. It created a special ‘BTS Weekend Guide’ detailing routes to Koreatown’s Korean restaurants and culture, major shopping districts, tourist attractions and Rogers Stadium, the concert venue, to make travel easier for visitors.

BigHit Music emphasized the event’s broader impact, saying, “This concert is evolving beyond a simple music performance into a massive mega-event that organically connects the host city’s tourism industry with its local culture.”

Meanwhile, BTS once again demonstrated its formidable ticket-selling power in Toronto, with every seat sold for both performances. The group will carry Toronto’s energy into the next stops on its world tour: Chicago and Los Angeles in the United States, followed by Bogotá, Colombia.