It’s been a rainy stretch in Toronto, but the weather won’t slow down the week ahead. There are so many great events happening that narrowing it down to just five was tough — I could have easily added more like Arabic calligraphy classes, live music, and comedy shows. Take a look at the highlights below, you won’t want to miss them.

Also, I’m excited to share that the Every Child Matters / كل طفل يهم designs are now available for preorder. This project is a collaboration with the Orange Shirt Society for Orange Shirt Day, and a portion of proceeds will go directly to support their work.

– Nassar
Chief Culture Guide — khamsa🖐🏽

✨ All preorders are made to order and will be ready for pickup starting Sunday, September 7 at the Centre for Social Innovation – Spadina (192 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5T 3A4). Please note: pickup only, no shipping available at this time.

If you’re part of a neighbourhood group, school, or organization interested in ordering together, let me know and I’ll set you up with a group discount.

Questions or comments? Let me know by email.

🇮🇶 3rd Annual Iraqi Festival for Arts & Heritage [Day 1]
A vibrant celebration of Iraqi culture, traditional arts, music, folklore, crafts, and delicious food! Join us in honouring our heritage and sharing the richness of Iraq with the community.
🌟 Maqamat International Academy of Arts & Heritage
💬 English / Iraqi Arabic
🗓️ Thursday, August 21, 6:00 – 11:00 PM
📍 Oakville Conference & Banquet Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Rd, Oakville, ON L6L 6P8
🎟️ Tickets — Eveenty

🎤 Yalla Comedy Show
A night of laughs with comics featured on Just For Laughs, LOL Network, CTV Comedy, and more. Hosted by Marwan Mouneimne, with music by DJ Sandwavv.
🌟 Andrew Oporto, Moe Ismail, Dan James, Carmina Berbari
💬 English
🗓️ Thursday, August 21, 8:00 – 10:00 PM
📍 Drake Underground, 1150 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1J3
🎟️ Tickets — Eventbrite

🇮🇶 3rd Annual Iraqi Festival for Arts & Heritage [Day 2]
A vibrant celebration of Iraqi culture, traditional arts, music, folklore, crafts, and delicious food! Join us in honouring our heritage and sharing the richness of Iraq with the community.
🌟 Maqamat International Academy of Arts & Heritage
💬 English / Iraqi Arabic
🗓️ Friday, August 22, 12:00 – 11:00 PM
📍 Oakville Conference & Banquet Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Rd,
Oakville, ON L6L 6P8
🎟️ Tickets — Eventwaw

🍰 Dessert Picnic | With Love, We Eat #3
A potluck-style dessert picnic where every dish tells a story. Share recipes from your homeland, family traditions, or something new while supporting Gaza through World Central Kitchen.
🌟 With Love | مع حب Collective
💬 English / Arabic
🗓️ Friday, August 22 · 6:00–8:30pm
📍 Coronation Park, 711 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, ON M5V 1A7
🎟️ Tickets — Eventbrite

🎤 Abbas Wahab @ Comedy Bar
Abbas Wahab brings his sharp, witty comedy to Toronto. You’ve seen him on The Boys, What We Do In The Shadows, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Don’t miss his electrifying set!
🌟 Abbas Wahab
🗓️ Friday, August 22 · 9:00–10:30pm
📍 Comedy Bar Danforth, 2800 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4C 1M1
🎟️ Tickets — Comedy Bar

🎶 Kazdoura: The Ghoyoum Tour
Kazdoura return to Toronto for a full-circle moment, celebrating their debut album Ghoyoum where it all began.
🌟 Kazdoura with special guests: DJ Shen, Haytham, and Zico
💬 English / Arabic
🗓️ Friday, August 22 · Doors 8:00pm, Show 9:00pm
📍 Velvet Underground, 508 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2B3
🎟️ Tickets — Ticketmaster

🇮🇶 3rd Annual Iraqi Festival for Arts & Heritage [Day 3]
A vibrant celebration of Iraqi culture, traditional arts, music, folklore, crafts, and delicious food! Join us in honouring our heritage and sharing the richness of Iraq with the community.
🌟 Maqamat International Academy of Arts & Heritage
💬 English / Iraqi Arabic
🗓️ Saturday, August 23, 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
📍 Oakville Conference & Banquet Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Rd,
Oakville, ON L6L 6P8
🎟️ Tickets — Eventwaw

🖋️ Arabic Calligraphy Classes
Discover the art of Arabic calligraphy in a weekly class led by an experienced calligrapher. More than beautiful writing, this practice connects to culture, spirituality, and history.
🌟 BookBridge Bookstore
💬 English
🗓️ Saturday, starting August 30 · 2:00 – 4:00 pm (weekly)
📍 BookBridge Bookstore, 135 Sixth Street, Etobicoke, ON M8V 3A6
🎟️ Tickets — Eventbrite

🏃🏽‍♀️ Arab Run Club: Season 02, Run 17
Join the 17th run of the season with Arab Run Club. A beginner-friendly 5km route where you can run or walk at your own pace.
🌟 Arab Run Club
💬 English / Arabic
🗓️ Saturday, August 23 · 6:00 pm
📍 Budapest Park, 1575 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, ON M6R 1B5
🎟️ Public event — Instagram

🎤 Abbas Wahab @ Comedy Bar
Abbas Wahab brings his sharp, witty comedy to Toronto. You’ve seen him on The Boys, What We Do In The Shadows, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Don’t miss his electrifying set!
🌟 Abbas Wahab
🗓️ Saturday, August 23 · 9:00–10:30pm
📍 Comedy Bar Danforth, 2800 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4C 1M1
🎟️ Tickets — Comedy Bar

🎶 afikra Toronto Vol. 8: Listening Circle
Join afikra Toronto for a guided Listening Circle exploring Fairuz’s Kifak Inta by Ziad Rahbani.
🌟 afikra with Toronto hosts: Yara, Rea & Abdualla
💬 English / Arabic
🗓️ Sunday, August 24 · 1:30–3:30pm
📍 Louf, 501 Davenport Rd, Toronto, ON M4V 1B8
🎟️ RSVP — afikra

🎵 Elbët Kibreet: Latin-Arabic Fusion Night
A special night of music blending the vibrant sounds of the Middle East and Latin America. Elbët Kibreet are Rula (vocals), Peter (keys), Hinad (oud), Nizar (percussion), and Makram (drums). Also featuring singer Zamira Lacosta and guitarist Tarek Gariri.
🌟 Elbët Kibreet and special guests
💬 Music (Arabic & Spanish fusion)
🗓️ Sunday, August 24 · 8–10pm
📍 DROM Taberna, 458 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2A8
🎟️ Tickets — Eventbrite

No community events listed for this day.

🧘🏽‍♀️ Park Yoga for Palestine
Join a weekly outdoor yoga session at Dovercourt Park to stretch, breathe, and unwind — all in solidarity with Palestine.
🌟 Angelica Rao
💬 English
🗓️ Tuesday, August 19, 2025 – 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
📍 Dovercourt Park – 145 Westmoreland Ave, Toronto, ON M6H 3A1
🎟️ RSVP / Donations – Eventbrite

🧵Tatreez Circle
The weekly embroidery circle continues outdoors! Bring your Aida cloth, embroidery floss, and a friend. All levels welcome.
🌟 Watermelon Seeds Collective
💬 English
🗓️ Wednesday, August 20, 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Starving Artist – 833 Runnymede Rd, Toronto, ON M6N 3V8
🎟️ $5 donation – Instagram

📖 Becoming Baba Book Launch
Join Flying Books for the Toronto launch of Aymann Ismail’s memoir Becoming Baba, a moving exploration of fatherhood, identity, and the immigrant experience.
🌟 Aymann Ismail in conversation with Beatriz Hausner
💬 English
🗓️ Wednesday, August 27 · 6:30 – 8:00 pm
📍 Flying Books, 784 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1C6
🎟️ Public event / Book available for purchase - Flying Books

❌ Spotted an error or want your events added in future issues? I’ll take care of it right away. Just email me.