JOY IN THE PARK: CELEBRATING CULTURES
JOY IN THE PARK!
June 26-27, 2026
6 pm to 8 pm
OUTDOOR EVENT SERIES IN DAVID CROMBIE PARK
WHEN | Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 6 PM to 8 PM
WHERE |
Friday, June 26: The Esplanade and Berkeley St
Saturday, June 27: The Esplanade & Princess St
Featuring | Live music by RAW Taiko and Moneka Arabic Jazz, dance performance Svāhā! On the Land by Nova Dance, face painting by Linda Epp, henna by Krishna Patel, crafts for kids, the Annual Esplanade Community Potluck, BBQ by St. Lawrence Market, and The Giant Esplanade Soccer Team.
Joy in the Park: Celebrating Cultures brings two evenings of free outdoor arts, music, dance, food, and neighbourly gathering to The Esplanade in celebration of Canadian Multiculturalism Day.
On Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, Jamii invites families, neighbours, older adults, youth, and community members of all ages to come together in David Crombie Park for live performances, creative activities, shared food, and summer joy. Each evening has its own program, with different artists and experiences to enjoy.
On June 26, RAW Taiko brings the powerful energy of taiko drumming to the park. Founded in 1998, this Toronto-based artist-run group carries forward a diasporic taiko tradition rooted in creative resistance, self-expression, education, and community building. Their large drums, bold rhythms, and collective presence will fill the park with sound and movement.
On June 27, Moneka Arabic Jazz takes the stage with a seven-piece live music performance led by Juno-nominated artist Ahmed Moneka. The band brings together Afro-Iraqi traditions, Arabic folk melodies, jazz, funk, blues, African grooves, and global rhythms, creating music shaped by many cultural lineages and a shared love of live performance.
Across both evenings, Nova Dance presents Svāhā! On the Land, a free, site-specific dance work choreographed by award-winning artist Nova Bhattacharya. The piece brings together artists trained in Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Bollywood, Hip Hop, Latin dance, Ballet, Filipino cultural dance, and contemporary forms, along with young performers from Citadel Dance Program and Abhinayakshetra Fine Arts Canada. The performance celebrates arrival, rhythm, shared breath, and connection, ending with an open dance party for all.
Families can also enjoy face painting with Linda Epp, henna by Krishna Patel, crafts for kids, games with the St. Lawrence Community Recreation Centre on June 27, and a visit from stilt walker Troy Feldman on June 26. The Annual Esplanade Community Potluck also returns on June 27, with a traditional BBQ provided by St. Lawrence Market.
Chairs will be available, and guests are welcome to bring their own chairs or blankets. On June 27, bring a dish to share for the potluck and keep an eye out for The Giant Esplanade Soccer Team moving through the festivities.
This event is free and open to all.
Community Potluck FAQs
What kind of food do I bring to the potluck?
You can bring any food you'd like! You can bring homecooked food or get something from your favourite local stores. We recommend you bring a dish that has significance to you or you enjoy. Think of this community potluck as a dinner party in the park.
If you bring a dish, please include an ingredient list and highlight common allergens. We will have display cards onsite for you to fill out.
I have food allergies or am concerned about the dish ingredients.
Potluck dishes will have ingredient list filled out by the people who brought them. You can participate in this picnic according to your comfort level. If you have severe food allergies or any concerns, we recommend you bring your own picnic or just enjoy the festivities!
How do I plan for serving wares, containers, plates and cutlery?
Potluck: If you bring reusable containers and serving utensils for your potluck dish, please make sure to pick it up at the end of the event. We are not responsible for lost containers or utensils. Jamii will have some disposable serving spoons and tongs onsite.
Picnic: For your group, we recommend bring your own reusable plates and cutlery, to be kinder to our environment. But we understand not everyone can do that, and we will have some disposable plates and cutlery onsite.
General Cleanliness: All of us share the park and have the responsibility to keep it clean and safe. Please be mindful and remove all your trash after your picnic.
I don't have time to bring food to the potluck, can I still join this event?
Yes! Join us and enjoy live music, artisan marketplace, games and the festivities. Thanks to St Lawrence Market, we have a BBQ station serving kebabs to the community.
I would like to bring my own food for my group only, is it okay?
Absolutely! You can bring your own picnic and enjoy the live music and festivities in the park.
What happens if it rains?
If it rains heavily, we will move indoors to The Jamii Hub. Look out to our online announcements on social media, local signage or instructions from event staff if that happens.
Support free community arts
Jamii keeps programs and events free so everyone can take part, without financial barriers. If you’re able, you can support our $15 for 15 Years campaign and help us reach $15,000 by December 15 for Jamii’s future programs at The Jamii Hub. Your donation moves the goal forward and is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Donate here now.
Jamii’s Joy in the Park events are sponsored by the City of Toronto and the Community Celebration Support Fund, Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, Rama Gaming House, and the Metcalf Foundation Booster Fund. Thank you to our community partners, St. Lawrence Community Recreation Centre and St. Lawrence Market.
ARTIST LINE-UP:
Featured dance performance Svāhā! On the Land by Nova Dance
Featured live music by RAW Taiko and Moneka Arabic Jazz
Facepainting by Linda Epp
Henna by Krishna Patel
Food with the third Annual Esplanade Community Potluck with bbq provided by The St Lawrence Market
And The Giant Esplanade Soccer Team
Photos by Jae Yang