Volunteers are an essential part of the City produced cultural events and festivals such as Doors Open, Canada Day, Nuit Blanche, Cavalcade of Lights and New Year’s Eve. There are many benefits to volunteering, such as giving back, improving confidence and building skills. City Cultural Events volunteers can build lasting relationships, such as fostering friendships and networking while having fun.
Recruitment sessions consist of an informative presentation and short interview. Once recruited and accepted, volunteers will be able to participate in any and all City Cultural Events. If no recruitment sessions are available at the time of applying you will receive an email when sessions are available to sign up for.
For more information contact the City Cultural Events Volunteer Department at 416-392-9315 or email spevvol@toronto.ca.
Multiple locations within Toronto’s boundaries.
The two-day event happens annually in late May.
A four-hour and/or eight-hour shift on one or two days, plus a two-hour pre-event training session.
Multiple locations within Toronto’s boundaries.
The all-night event happens annually in early fall. Shift times vary.
Pre and post-event volunteer opportunities are available.
The volunteer commitment for Nuit Blanche Toronto is overnight (more than 12 hours) for the duration of the event. Shifts before and after the event range between two to six hours. For overnight shifts, volunteers are require to attend a pre-event training session.
Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W.
The event happens annually on a Saturday in late November.
A seven-hour shift, which includes an hour of pre-event training.
Toronto’s downtown waterfront area.
The event happens annually on December 31.
Approximately a nine hour shift, including an hour of pre-event training.
Accessibility Assistants help to escort patrons who use wheelchairs and other assistive devices to the event’s accessibility area(s). They have the authority to request that other people vacate the area if they don’t need it. This position is ideal for friendly people who like to help patrons with special needs, and involves some walking.
Artist Assistants help the artist and/or performer in a myriad of ways. Responsibilities include assisting with performance logistics and escorting them to the performance area. This position is ideal for people familiar with helping artists and/or performers and with some previous theatre or event experience.
Assistant Stage Managers help the Stage Managers ensure the stage runs smoothly and on schedule. Responsibilities include working directly with the performers and their handlers, and assisting with cues, set up and clean up. This position is ideal for students in theatre or technical production programs looking for real experience at large events and who are calm and assertive. This position requires a resume.
Information Ambassadors provide front-line, top-calibre customer service to festival visitors. They are the goodwill ambassadors who keep everyone informed. Responsibilities include helping patrons navigate the event by distributing information materials, answering questions and giving directions. This position is ideal for friendly people with good communication skills and high energy who want lots of interaction with patrons, but no supervisory duties.
Ushers also provide front-line, top-calibre customer service to festival visitors while they wait to view projects and ensure their successful navigation through line-ups. Responsibilities include greeting the audience and crowd control. This position is ideal for friendly people who like participating in crowd management and are willing to be assertive, but want no supervisory duties.
Tour Guides lead groups through buildings using a (scripted) presentation during the Doors Open Toronto program. Responsibilities include liaising with building staff, learning facts of script, and reading all supplied information. This position is ideal for people comfortable talking to large groups and who have some previous guiding experience. This position is for experienced volunteers and requires a resume.
Volunteer Captains oversee all the volunteer activities at assigned sites. Responsibilities include managing schedules, facilitating tasks, and communicating between volunteers and staff. They ensure the volunteers have a positive festival experience. This position is ideal for people with excellent personal and organizational skills, who are exceptionally reliable, committed to volunteerism, and good at problem solving. This leadership position is only open to people who have volunteered with Toronto City Cultural Events for at least two years or have proven equivalent experience in another organization. This position is for experienced volunteers and requires a resume.