Experience the magic of the holiday season with the Cavalcade of Lights

Under the banner of solidarity with Indigenous peoples’ movements worldwide, the Collective's Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration aims to educate, honour, mobilize, and delight with its signature mixture of music, dance, and theatre performances.

For the first time, U of T is a site for the Collective's celebrations both at Hart House and First Nations House. Drop by Hart House and add to our public community ofrenda (altar), join a cempesuchil marigold making workshop or attend dance and theatrical performances.

Toronto’s Día de los Muertos Collective, in partnership with Casa Maíz Cultural Centre, this year returns to staging its popular annual celebration of Day of the Dead as an in-person event. Planned for the first time in collaboration with the University of Toronto, festivities will unfold on five different sites between October 13 and November 6, 2022: at Hart House, at the Peter MacKendrick Community Gallery, at Artscape Wychwood Barns, at First Nations House, and at Casa Maíz Cultural Centre.

Under the banner of solidarity with Indigenous peoples’ movements worldwide, the celebration aims to educate, honour, mobilize, and delight with its signature mixture of music, dance, and theatre performances, Indigenous ceremony, an art exhibition, public altars, workshops, and a food and crafts market. Torontonians will rejoice at the opportunity to once again come together in person for the celebration’s vibrant and inspiring main gathering at the Wychwood Barns on October 29.

AGO Live returns to Walker Court with live music performances from local Latinx, Filipinx and Spanish artists, inspired by the AGO exhibition Faith and Fortune: Art Across the Global Spanish Empire. Presented partnership with Small World Music, this summer series features a breadth of music from percussion, flute and vocals to contemporary cross-cultural vibrations, including performances by Karla Garcia and Jeimmi Carrasco, Beny Esguerra and New Tradition. Limited seating is available.

AGO Live returns to Walker Court with live music performances from local Latinx, Filipinx and Spanish artists, inspired by the AGO exhibition Faith and Fortune: Art Across the Global Spanish Empire. Presented partnership with Small World Music, this summer series features a breadth of music from percussion, flute and vocals to contemporary cross-cultural vibrations, including performances by Karla Garcia and Jeimmi Carrasco, Beny Esguerra and New Tradition. Limited seating is available.

I am land is a three-part exhibition series that explores the role of the artist as a chronicler. Many artists have a deep interest in representing the past, exploring the present, and imagining the future. This series and its public programs are a part of the ArtworxTO Hubs and highlight and celebrate how individuals and communities have the power to create their own histories.

Closing Let us close this year’s celebration with music! Join us to the energetic, joyful sounds of Tocani (contemporary music ensemble inspired by prehispanic traditions), Mexa Leaf (traditional Mexican music), and the ever popular Cecilia Guerrero & Mariachi Viva Mexico!

Cuando el Tecolote Danza speaks about the symbolism of the owl, the healing powers of the jaguar and its connection with the underworld according to the ancient cultures of Mesoamerica. Through music, dance and costume, Tocani narrates a story based on the owl as a messenger of the death.

Come celebrate the return to warmth and light in the heart of Kensington Market over the Winter Solstice.

The Day of the Dead Celebration returns to Artscape Wychwood Barns! Gather with family and friends from October 19 to 26 to honour loved ones who have passed away.

This year’s multi-day celebration will begin on October 19 with theater presentations and the opening of Maria Luisa de Villa's solo exhibition, “CEMPOALXOCHITL Petalos de Oro – Marigold Petals." Full festivities will take over the entire Wychwood Barns site on October 26, featuring altars, ceremonies, performances, installations, food, and more.

FEATURING: Grupo Teatro Libre, Tocani, Ballet Folklorico Puro Mexico and Grupo Folklorico Tonatiuh

Wychwood Theatre Free Admission!

featuring Grupo Teatro Libre, Tocani, Ballet Folklorico Puro Mexico and Grupo Folklorico Tonatiuh

Wychwood Theatre Free Admission!

featuring Grupo Teatro Libre, Tocani, Ballet Folklorico Puro Mexico and Grupo Folklorico Tonatiuh

Wychwood Theatre Free Admission!

‘’Cuando el Tecolote Danza’’ is a piece that speaks about the symbolism of the owl and its connection with the underworld according to the ancient cultures of Mesoamerica. Through music, dance, props, and costume, Tocani narrates a story based on an expression from ancient Mexico: Cuando el Tecolote canta, el indio muere/When the Owl sings, the indigenous person dies. The piece focuses on the owl as a messenger, who announces the death of a farmer, and develops an interplay between death and the owl itself. The second part of the piece depicts the transition to a contemporary environment. The sounds of a chaotic urban landscape are interwoven with prehispanic rhythms and the presence of vocalizations and sounds deliver a sense of the Mexican concrete jungle.