A wave of excitement is sweeping across Toronto and Vancouver as We Day unveils its star studded lineup. The gatherings are crafted to honor service, ignite meaningful involvement in education, and power ongoing commitments to better communities. The day blends performances with messages that inspire action, creating a space where young people, educators, and community leaders imagine bigger contributions and turn ideas into real deeds. Throughout both events, the aim remains to keep momentum alive long after the final note fades, turning inspiration into steady engagement.
In Toronto, on September 20 at the Air Canada Centre, a four and a half hour program will fuse music with candid conversations designed to spark aspiration in a new generation. Darren Criss, renowned for his work on television’s Glee, will guide the night as host. The lineup brings energy and heart to the stage with Demi Lovato, the Jonas Brothers, Austin Mahone, Serena Ryder, and the Barenaked Ladies delivering performances that resonate beyond the applause. Attendees will hear from the co founders of Free the Children, Craig and Marc Kielburger, alongside Spencer West, Robin Wiszowaty, and Chris Tse, as well as selected cast members from Degrassi, among others, sharing experiences of service, resilience, and impact. The evening emphasizes how youth can transform ideas into action while building a stronger school and community culture.
On the west coast, Vancouver hosts the event on October 18 at Rogers Arena, featuring performances by Hedley, Down With Webster, and the Kenyan Boys Choir. The program includes introductions by Aliya Jamsen Sovani of MTV and Scott Willats of MuchMusic, followed by remarks from Martin Luther King III and Kofi Annan, among others, highlighting leadership and global citizenship as pathways to local change. The roster showcases a blend of contemporary sound and heartfelt storytelling designed to empower attendees to contribute to their communities in tangible ways.
For the complete roster of performers and speakers for both dates, the official We Day site lists details from organizers. We Day organizers note that this lineup may evolve, and audiences are encouraged to check for the latest updates closer to each event.
We Day began in 2007 in Toronto as a dynamic gathering that brought together young people and their educators. Since then the event has grown into an international movement with eight events across Canada, along with stops in Minnesota and Seattle in the United States, and events in the United Kingdom. Tickets are earned through service rather than purchased; schools taking part in the year long We Act program commit to making one local and one global change. The aim is to sustain momentum, ensuring these young change makers plant seeds that expand over time. We Day stands as a celebration of effort and a reminder that there is always more work to be done.
The excitement extends beyond the audience. Austin Mahone, scheduled to perform in Toronto, speaks about the daily pressures faced by young people and the importance of surrounding themselves with positive influences. He notes that We Day brings people together to celebrate the difference they can make for each other, and he looks forward to participating in the season. The event emphasizes community, teamwork, and the idea that individual actions can compound into meaningful, lasting change.
During the 2013/2014 season, We Day drew more than 160,000 attendees in person, while millions followed online or from home. A special television broadcast debuted on MTV and Much on Monday evening, November 11 at 7 p.m. Eastern, with encore airings on Saturday, November 23 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, November 24 at 5 p.m. Eastern on CTV. The program showcased performances, speeches, and a shared call to action for young people to make a difference across classrooms and neighborhoods. We Day organizers note that the reach extended far beyond the arena, reinforcing the message that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary outcomes when they join together for service and learning.