📬 In This Week | November 13–19
👋🏽 Ahlan / Hello
🌟 Five Events Worth Checking Out
🗓️ This Week’s Complete Event Lineup
Downtown Toronto at Queen & Yonge | Photo by Marcin Skalij
👋🏽 Ahlan / Hello
Winter’s arrived early, and I’ve been spending more time cozy indoors. There are plenty of ways to warm up with over 35 events happening across Toronto and the GTA.
This week, I’m excited to team up with community pals for two special events: tonight’s ABRAR Trauma & Mental Health 5th Anniversary Gala and the three-day falasteen360 art experience. Both are highlighted in this issue’s top picks, so come out, connect, and support a great cause.
Don’t forget to scroll all the way down for the link to this week’s complete event lineup!
Nassar
Chief Culture Guide — khamsa🖐🏽
🖐🏽 Five Events Worth Checking Out
✨ ABRAR Trauma & Mental Health: 5th Anniversary Gala
Celebrate five years of ABRAR Trauma & Mental Health, a Toronto-area community organization making a difference for newcomers, youth, and women in Canada. The evening features inspiring performances, stories of resilience, a delicious three-course dinner, special recognition awards, and an exciting announcement that will help shape the future of mental health care for refugees and newcomers.
🌟 Sarah Ernest (Ernest For Good Inc.), Abrar Mechmechia (Founder), Sadia Fazelyar (Event Coordinator), and special guests💬 English
🗓️ Thursday, Nov 13 · 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
📍 Mississauga Convention Centre, 75 Derry Rd W, Mississauga, ON
🎟️ Paid ticket
🗝️ falasteen360: Immersive Art Production
(3 Days)
Step into a vibrant three-day journey celebrating Palestinian identity and creative voices, with multidimensional showcases spanning visual art, music, dance, poetry, film, fashion, and culinary experiences. Each day brings new programs, featuring live performances, interactive talks, exclusive VR exhibits, and a curated Souq. All proceeds support Our Stars School Foundation, which supports children in Gaza.
🌟 Dalia Elcharbini & Kunn Collective, with local and international artists including Mezar, Merna, Elbet Kibreet, Jude Abu Zaineh, Samar Hejazi, Chef Moeen, Asala Dabke, Nizar Chakra & more
💬 English & Arabic
🗓️ Fri Nov 14 – Sun Nov 16, 2025 (Opening night Fri 7:00 pm; unique program daily)
📍 OBJX Studio, Toronto, ON (M6N 5C9)
🎟️ Paid ticket
🍴 GatheringX Cooking Party: Battle of The Dishes
GatheringX brings its global cooking party series to Toronto, inviting you to cook, compete, taste, and connect in a fun, halal-friendly kitchen showdown. Perfect for foodies looking to make new friends and show off their culinary skills, with pro photo and video coverage and a chance to become the next party co-host!
🌟 GatheringX
💬 English / Arabic
🗓️ Saturday, Nov 15 · 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM
📍 Toronto (Location provided upon registration)
🎟️ Paid ticket
👟 Run 4 Sudan Fundraiser 🇸🇩
Take action in solidarity with Sudan by joining a community-powered 5K run along Toronto’s waterfront. Enjoy a vibrant day of running, performances, a vendor market, and activities. All to raise funds for displaced Sudanese families and support critical relief efforts.
🌟 Women’s FitSauga, Muslim Hands Canada & community partners
💬 English / Arabic
🗓️ Sunday, Nov 16 · 9:00 am
📍 Sir Casimir Gzowski Park, 2001 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, ON M6S 5A3
🎟️ Public Event / Fundraiser
📚 Book Talk & Workshop with Nadia Shammas, author of Squire
Dive into the world of Middle Eastern fantasy with Brooklyn-born, Toronto-based author Nadia Shammas! Join for a friendly book talk, zine & comic workshop, and get inspired by Nadia’s acclaimed graphic novel SQUIRE, as well as her work on Ms. Marvel and more.
🌟 Nadia Shammas, hosted by Another Story Bookshop & Eglinton-Lawrence Don Valley 4 Palestine
💬 English
🗓️ Monday, Nov 17 · 5:00–6:30 pm
📍 It's Ok* Studios, 468 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2B2
🎟️ Public event / Registration required
