WAYO
CHILDREN FESTIVAL
7th ANNUAL
DATES AND START TIMES
DURATION: ~1 HOUR
WHERE
WAYO Children’s Festival’s 7th edition presents The Mudlark’s Mother, an original family arts experience created for children under 12 and their families. From August 12 to 16, audiences are invited to follow a maze-like route across Berkeley Castle and Berkeley Theatre, taking in five short immersive performances along the way.
This year’s story moves through time, memory, and generations of life on The Esplanade. Children and families will follow the descendants of a young Mudlark child as the neighbourhood changes around them, carrying stories of grief, hope, pride, wonder, welcome, and belonging. Through music, movement, storytelling, interactive art, sensory experiences, and face painting, the festival turns familiar local places into spaces for shared imagination.
Directed by Jamii’s Alchemist Isorine Marc, the 2026 edition brings together a large group of artists connected through performance, music, theatre, and community-based arts. Featured artists include Jonelle Sills, Heidi Chan, Aline Morales, Michael Mortley, Waleed Abdulhamid, Rudy Ray, Nickeshia Garrick, Alison McDonald, Liboi, guest artist from Kenya, Linda Epp, and more artists to be announced. The story is based on an original text by Sharon Zarita Adhiambo.
WAYO has become a special part of Jamii’s summer programming because it invites young audiences to experience art with their whole selves. They walk, listen, watch, respond, imagine, and take part. For families in The Esplanade and across Toronto, it is a low-cost way to spend time together through live performance and local history.
Tickets are $5 and availability is limited.
UPCOMING DATES
A festival for children and children at heart since 2020!
In partnership with Berkeley Castle and Canadian Stage
Each year, Jamii invites families and young adventurers to embark on an artistic journey filled with wonder and imagination. Held in the heart of the vibrant Esplanade neighbourhood, WAYO has been a resounding success, with hundreds of attendees joining us for an unforgettable experience every year.
What sets WAYO Children's Festival apart is its unique concept. It's a parkour-like adventure through the world of art, where groups of audience members explore captivating live installations within two heritage buildings at 2 Berkeley St (Berkeley Castle), 26 Berkeley St (Canadian Stage/Berkeley Theatre). These historic venues provide the perfect backdrop for our creative performances.
CHECK OUT PREVIOUS YEARS' WAYO!
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