yonge and dundas

Giant inflatable dome comes loose and wreaks havoc on Toronto's Dundas Square

People in and around Toronto's Yonge-Dundas Square got quite the shock (and doubtlessly a few laughs) this afternoon when strong winds unleashed a huge inflatable dome from its tethers and sent it flying.

As first reported by CityNews, a brand activation for Michelob Ultra went sideways around 1 p.m. on Wednesday as wind gusts of up to 80 km/h swept through Canada's largest city.

A large balloon-type structure had been set up by the beer brand as a "chance for Canadians to play basketball indoors, protected from the winter elements," according to an online listing.

Observers got a kick out of the sight and, as of press time, no injuries have been reported as a result of the balloon going rogue.

The dome did, however, crash into the stage at Yonge-Dundas Square, causing it to deflate, likely costing Michelob (or whoever they hired to put on the event) a pretty penny.

CityNews reports that the event is still scheduled to run until Feb. 20, but all mentions of it on social media have been scrubbed and the YDS events calendar shows nothing at all as of Wednesday night.

Whatever the case, big dome + wind = delightful chaos for tourists and locals today — the good kind of chaos, where nobody gets shot, shuts down an intersection to do donuts, screams at Adam Sandler, jumps on a cop car or... whatever the heck happens to be going on in this video.

Lead photo by

@daniel_azbel


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

$6.4B Ontario bridge's big moment arrives with an iconic cross-border handshake

Toronto was just named one of the top 10 most 'impossibly affordable' cities in the world

Construction for busiest station on future Toronto subway line is heating up

Popular Ontario road trip destination is being copied with fake version in Toronto

Giant 'beast' sized rats are completely taking over an Ontario city

Last Canada Child Benefit payments before big increase are going out next week

Tornado watches in effect for Southern Ontario as severe thunderstorm approaches

Someone got a horrible TTC tattoo and people in Toronto think it's absolutely hilarious