Youth Week Toronto takes place in the first week of May and celebrates youth engagement, showcasing the abilities and talents of youth in areas of civic engagement, recreation, arts and sports in diverse communities across Toronto.
Youth services are available year round.
April 27, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Parkway Forest Community Centre
Celebrate Youth Week Toronto with a fun filled afternoon kick-off event. Participate in lively challenges, engage in various workshops and enjoy live entertainment.
Activities include:
May 1 to 8, noon to 5 p.m.
Bathurst Centre for Culture, Arts, Media and Education
Celebrate youth artistic expression through visual and performing arts. Performances feature artists 4Sante, Gabe, Melo Griffith, Fafiella, and Kibra (who was recently featured on Canada’s Got Talent).
The visual arts exhibit features artists from partner organizations and youth who participated in an Instagram campaign #resilienTOgether. The work and performances address this year’s theme “Movement(s).”
ResilienTOgether is a partnership between youth arts organizations Vibe Arts, RISE Edutainment, UrbanArts, ArtStarts, the Remix Project and ArtWorksTO.
Learn more and follow @TorontoTYES on Instagram.
May 1, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Hart House, Reading Room (1002)
Connect with up-and-coming artists at this annual event showcasing the hidden talent of youth from diverse communities across Toronto.
The gala and marketplace offer a chance to view paintings, abstract art pieces, sculptures, jewellery and photography prints. Meet the artists and purchase an original piece of art for your home or workplace.
Online purchases are also available from April 25 to May 9 with event partner Hart House.
May 2, 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Fort York, Blue Barracks building
The Branded Youth Entrepreneurship conference supports Black, newcomer, and vulnerable youth entrepreneurs through networking, business consultation, and mentorship opportunities. Connect with mentors, hear inspiring talks and watch a pitch contest with a top prize of $5,000.
Registration and details will be posted at brandedto.ca. Follow BrandedTO on Instagram for more information.
May 2, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Toronto Reference Library, Beeton Hall
Toronto’s Youth Poet Laureate Shahaddah Jack, in collaboration with the City of Toronto and Toronto Youth Cabinet, will be launching a new event: Youth Week Poetry Slam. The Youth Week Poetry Slam is an electrifying two- round spoken word competition designed to showcase the powerful voices of young poets. The event will provide a platform for youth to express their experiences, creativity, and perspectives through poetry while fostering a sense of artistic community. The slam will be free and open to the public, with an optional pay-what-you-can ticket model to encourage accessibility.
May 3, 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Meridian Hall
Be entertained as 20 dance teams & 8 Showcase Acts from across the city will compete to be crowned Toronto BEST.
STOMP started as a vehicle to engage young women in recreational opportunities with just 100 participants. This year’s theme is Music Fusion.
Music Fusion is an opportunity to fuse music and dance with anything and everything. It may be someone playing an instrument, reading a poem, or dancing to the tune of basketball bouncing.
May 4, 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Oriole Community Centre
Watch as youth show off their culinary skills by cooking or baking their best dish. The winner will be crowned the best Chop It Like Its Hot Chef.
May 4, 6, & 7, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Wellesley Community Centre
Get your Drag on by learning from the best about makeup artistry and how walk and dance in Stilettos.
Victoria Village Branch
May 1, 5 p.m.
Learn from Toronto celebrity chef Sang Kim about the basics of sushi-making, the history of sushi, its origins and eating etiquette. Make sushi rolls using ingredients prepared by the Chef and enjoy your own creations. Three locations and dates are available.
This program for teens. All materials are provided. Spots are limited. Registration is required and will begin on April 1.
Please visit the branch or call 416-395-5950 to reserve your spot. More info here
Falstaff Community Centre
May 2, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Youth ages 13- 24 will participate in a youth friendly volleyball tournament.
Downsview Branch
May 2, 3:45 p.m.
During this workshop presented by Axis Music, participants will explore various musical styles including classical, traditional African music and pop with violinists Sharon Lee and Marcus Scholtes, and percussionist Walter Maclean.
Participants will collaboratively create a song using voice, percussion instruments, keyboard and violin. No musical experience is required!
Registration is required. Please register in branch or by calling 416-395-5720. This program is for teens. More info here.
S. Walter Stewart Branch
May 2, 4 p.m.
Join us for a fun afternoon of painting terracotta plant pots. Choose wild, bold, colours and patterns or opt for a calming design. When dry, plant a seed or small plant to see your own pot work in action. Or just use it as a fun decoration. All teens are welcome! Drop-in, no registration required. All materials will be provided. More info here
Thorncliffe Park Branch
May 2, 4 p.m.
Join us in the youth hub to meet and learn about incredible animals from across Africa, brought to us by Hands On Exotics.
Drop-in, no registration required. Space is limited, first-come, first-served. For teens only. More info here
Mount Dennis Branch
May 2, 4 p.m.
Discover the art of henna. Observe and enjoy the henna application and learn about its history, recipe and traditions. Led by Henna Artist, Hina Yasir. This is a drop-in program for teens. More info here
Palmerston Branch
May 2, 4 p.m.
Learn how to make a mini-zine from everyday office/school supplies. We will decide on a theme and learn how to assemble and create a zine from scratch. Participants will go home with a zine of their creation. Drop-in. This program is for teens. More info here
During Youth Week Toronto many community centres have activities, workshops and events in the Enhanced Youth Spaces. Find your local centre below and join in.
| Community Center | Date & Time | Workshop and Events |
|---|---|---|
| O’Connor Community Centre | April 30, 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. | Glow In the Dark Dodgeball. |
| Jimmie Simpson Community Centre | May 2, 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. | Net Ball sport Tournament for Youth ages 13-24. |
| Falstaff Community Centre | May 6, 4 to 6 p.m.
May 7, 4 to 6 p.m. May 8, 5 to 6:30 p.m. May 9, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
Volleyball for youth ages 13- 24.
Learn how to make ice cream from scratch and develop creative skills waffle maker. |
| Driftwood Community Centre. | May 1, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
May 2, 6 to 8 p.m. May 6, 6 to 8 p.m. |
DIY Cricut Workshop, Chop It Like It’s Hot, Glow & Grow Hair Oil. |
| Don Montgomery Community Centre | May 8th, 2 to 6 p.m. | Skate Party. |
| Heron Park Community Centre | April 28, 4 to 6 p.m.
April 29, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. May 1, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. |
Drumming Workshop for youth ages 13-24.
They will be taught about how drums are made, basics of drumming and create some group rhythms. |
| Power House Community Centre | May 9, 4 to 8 p.m. | Leadership and Team-Building. |
| Lawrence Heights Community Centre | May 9, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Volleyball Tournament. |
| Elmbank Community Centre | May 1 to May 5, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m | Chef It. |
| Parkway Community Centre | May 7, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
May 6, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. |
Soccer Tournament, FIFA Tournament, and Youth Job fair. |
| North Kipling Community Centre | May 6, 5 to 8 p.m.
May 7, 5 to 8 p.m. May 9, 5 to 8 p.m. |
DIY Phone Case Engraving, DIY Mug and T-Shirt designing, Hot Spot Trivia |
| Masaryk Cowan Community Centre | April 18, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
April 20, noon to 6 p.m. |
Chop It Like Its Hot and Futsal Tournament. |
| New Generation Youth Centre | May 8, 4 to 8 p.m. | Basketball Tournament and Games Night. |
| Regent Park Community Centre | May 2, 5 p.m. | Swim Jam. |
| Wellesley Community Centre | May 2, 5 p.m. | Swim Jam. |
| Northwoods Community Centre | May 1, 4 to 8 p.m.
May 2, 8 to 10 p.m. May 6, 4 to 8 p.m. May 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
Volleyball tournament for youth ages 13- 24.
The workshop 3-point contest and a paint night to showcase their creative and artistic skills. |
| Native Youth Centre (Bloor) | May 6, 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. | Cultural Night, Chop it Like its HOT (Caribbean Cooking) & DIY Cricut Workshop. |
| Native Child & Family (Scarborough) | May 1, 4 to 6 p.m.
May 2, 5 to 8 p.m. |
Giggles and Games Event, Pottery Workshop, and Basketball Tournament. |