May 18-20, 2024
Harbourfront Centre
JUNIOR, one of Canada’s largest children’s festivals, is returning to Harbourfront Centre this spring! The west campus will be bustling with an exciting schedule of performances in theatre, dance, music, and interactive activities for children ages 5–12, all designed to inspire children to recognize their limitless potential and learn about the world around them and connect with the community. It’s a long weekend full of surprises, fun, and joy. Bring the whole family!
At JUNIOR, the festival community will provide welcoming experiences and accessible spaces for all families, along with a program of free events designed to bring out creativity, adventure, and self-discovery in kids of all ages.
SEE THE SCHEDULEMake great memories with the family at Canada’s largest international children’s festival.
2024 Festival Lineup
May 18 – 20
Finding Home from Ontario
Join us for Finding Home: A Salmon Story Upstream in a heartfelt and funny story on adolescence and what it feels like to grow up.
All ages
May 18 – 20
Make Me Dance from Norway
An immersive and fast-paced live dance show that encourages the audience to actively participate in the to share in the magical world of creativity.
ages 8+
May 18 – 20
Robot Song from Bendigo-Dja Dja Wurrung Country, Australia
What does it feel like to be different? Follow the story of a smart young girl and her journey of self-discovery and hope through animatronics.
ages 8+
May 18 – 20
Yassama And The Beaded Calabash from Ontario
Part theatre, storytime and dance for little ones, we follow Yassama, a brave young girl who saves her village from a major catastrophe.
ages 3+
*Pay what you wish. Details on the event page.
May 20
A Musical Journey Around The World!!! from Ontario
Pass the tambourine! Fan favourites Moskitto Bar perform their spirited outdoor live music show, inviting audiences to join them while a circus performer embodies their music!
All ages
May 18 – 20
Afrique en Cirque from Canada, Guinea
This is not your average circus. Cirque Kalabanté rolls into town with their absolutely awesome, high-energy modern circus of flips and tricks.
All ages
May 20
All Nations Jrs + First Fire Dance from Ontario
Enjoy a life of youth groups from different nations across Turtle Island with the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre featuring Pow Wow-style drumming.
All ages
May 18 – 20
BENCHED from Denmark
A fusion of street and contemporary dance, five dancers catapult themselves across benches in an energetic, gravity-defying about life’s big and small questions.
All ages
May 18
Bollywood Dance from Ontario
Broken Dance is back! Showcasing infectious choreography and South Asian music, this high-energy outdoor will have you dancing with Toronto’s most talented Bollywood dancers.
All ages
May 19
Bust A Move! Dance Demo from Canada, Australia
You’ve taken their workshop, now watch and even follow along with Bust A Move Dance, who run dance classes for kids, teens and adults with disabilities.
All ages
May 18 – 20
Experts Radio Lab from Scotland (Interactive)
Kids can say the darndest things! Swing by Experts Radio Lab, is a live kids show where children are interviewed about anything they’re super-excited to talk about.
All ages
May 19
Quand On Chante from Ontario
The party starts when Ariko hits the stage, a high-energy family band promising unique sounds from fiddle tunes to bluegrass and traditional French-Canadian music.
All ages
May 18 – 20
Transhumance from Ontario
Baaaaaa! A flock of friendly sheep comes from the farm to the city to graze and amaze in this mix of theatre and live .
All ages
May 18 – 20
Bust A Move! Drop-in from Canada, Australia
Learn simple, follow-along dance steps with Bust a Move Dance, an international organization that runs dance classes for kids, teens and adults with disabilities.
All ages
May 18 – 20
Created By Kids For Kids from Ontario
Add your story ideas and characters to make a new theatre play for kids, by kids! Because who knows better about what kids like than kids, right?
All ages
May 18 – 20
Explorations In Collage Drop-in from Ontario
This fun art-making activity invites kids to create abstract art based on their imaginations, using collage and colour. The sky’s the limit!
All ages
May 19
Medicine Wheel And Beading Drop-in from Ontario
Families can participate in an interactive beading craft workshop where they will learn about the Medicine Wheel and its ties to life health cycles.
All ages
May 20
Orange Shirt Craft Drop-in from Ontario
Families can participate in an Orange Shirt Day craft that honours residential school Survivors, their families and communities with the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre.
All ages
May 18 – 20
Quilted Painting Drop-in from Ontario
Join a quilted painting workshop where kids can use their imagination to make beautiful textile artwork, collaging various fabrics with patterns and textures for one-of-a-kind pieces.
All ages
May 18 – 20
Skipping Down Memory Lane from Ontario
Illustrator and author Carey Sookocheff shares Alice’s story from The Remembering Stone, showing kids how to use paint and rocks to make their special remembering stone.
All ages
* with registration. Details on the event page.
May 18
Tipi Crafting Drop-In from Ontario
Join the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre to make a mini-Tipi in this drop-in craft activity, all while learning about its history and significance.
All ages
May 18 – 20
Woven Transformations Drop-in from Ontario
Get weaving in this fun and interactive art-making activity where kids use recycled materials to design and weave their own ideas using a cardboard loom.
All ages
May 18
Yoga 4 Kids from Ontario
Join Yoga 4 Kids for an outdoor child-friendly yoga session with sing-alongs and fun games. Suitable for kids between the ages of 5-12.
ages 5+
May 18 – 20
Jam Zone Drop-in from Ontario
Be part of the Jam Zone where kids can flex their inner musicians with guitars, banjos and mandolins from Long & McQuade.
Instrument Exploration | All ages
May 18
Rhythms Of North India from Ontario
Join the Toronto Tabla Youth Ensemble for an outdoor music that includes classical and contemporary pieces mixed with North Indian rhythms and tabla beats.
All ages
May 18 – 20
Circus! Circus! Drop-in from Ontario
Run away and join the circus! Try out fun acrobatic tricks, aerial spinning and trapeze in this introductory circus activity for kids of | All ages.
Acrobat Activity | | All ages
May 18 – 20
Fay and Fluffy’s Storytime from Ontario
Join ultra-magical Fay Slift and Fluffy Soufflé with a tickle trunk of dress-up costumes in a wholesome and comfy storytime, because reading is fundamental.
Storytelling | All ages
May 18 – 20
Tipi Showcase: Storytelling from Ontario
Join the Toronto Council Fire Storytellers inside a Tipi where families can learn about traditional teachings, culture and ceremonies gathered around a sacred fire.
Listen and Learn | All ages
