World Refugee Day 2026
While many are celebrating the start of the FIFA World Cup here in Canada and around the World, we’re excited to kickoff this year’s World Refugee Day celebrations with these in-person events leading up to the big day on June 20th !
Showing up matters, especially when we might feel defeated – whether on the field or in our acts of solidarity with refugees. As sponsors, allies and supporters you show up in many different ways, through increasingly challenging and exhausting conditions. This World Refugee Day, we invite you to recharge by reconnecting with your community at any of the many in-person events being held on the occassion. You’ll also help to make your new refugee neighbours feel supported and safe. Taking up intentional space sends a clear message: refugees are welcome, wanted and here to stay.
See the list of in-person events below. If you run into your local RSTP trainer – make sure to say hello!
ATTEND AN IN-PERSON EVENT
World Refugee Day events across the country
Vancouver, BC
June 22 (12:00 – 3:30 pm) – Strengthening Borders, Weakening Rights? | Multi-Agency Partnership (MAP) BC and the UBC Centre for Migration Studies (CMS)
A day of activities including a panel discussion about Bill C-12 and the human cost of Canada’s border reform, followed by storytelling and an information fair with refugee serving sgencies.
Langley, BC
June 19 (3:00 – 5:00 pm) – World Refugee Day Celebration | Langley City, New Directions and Partners
Come and celebrate and remember the contributions of Refugees to life in Langley City and across our communities. Join the fun, cultural celebrations and conversation. Dive into inspiring stories, enjoy cultural performances, and meet amazing people who are making a difference.
Edmonton, AB
June 20 ( Doors at 4:00 pm ) – ‘New Wave’ Documentary Screening | Chúng Ta Cùng Nhau (We Are Together) Vietnamese-Edmonton Cultural Society & the Art Gallery of Alberta
In honour of World Refugee Day – a low-cost $5 film screening of the English-language, Vietnamese ‘New Wave’ documentary. Exploring how mile-high hair, synthesized music, and underground dance parties helped a generation of young people grapple with identity, belonging, and the weight of their parents unspoken trauma from the impact of war and displacement.
Join the film screening at the Art Gallery of Alberta + optional post-film Vietnamese dinner in Chinatown!
Regina, SK
June 17 (starting at 12:00 pm) – World Refugee Day Celebration | Regina Open Door Society
Come together to recognize the strength, resilience, and contributions of refugees in our community. This event will include community and cultural displays, storytelling, and the presentation of newcomer bursaries recognizing refugee students in Regina.
Saskatoon, SK
June 19 ( 11:15 am – 3:00 pm) The Power of Welcome | Saskatoon Refugee Coalition
Saskatoon Refugee Coalition presents “The Power of Welcome”. This day begins with a march at 11:00 a.m, starting from the Civic Square at Saskatoon City Hall (Third Avenue) with events to follow at the River Landing Amphitheatre, 414 Spadina Crescent East: performances and speeches from 11:45 a.m to 1:15 p.m. and a Refugee Marketplace open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Winnipeg, MB
June 18 ( 11:00 am – 3:00 pm ) – World Refugee Day Celebration | MANSO Manitoba + Partners
MANSO, along with more than 20 settlement and community organizations, will host this family-friendly event. Featuring cultural performances, powerful lived-experience stories from refugee speakers, and a free community feast, as well as face and rock-painting, multi-sport challenges, and local craft vendors!
This event celebrates newcomers and honours Manitoba’s spirit of welcome — a spirit that Indigenous peoples have embodied on this land since long before Confederation.
Niagara (Fort Erie), ON
June 19 ( 10:30 am – 2:30 pm – ‘Community as a Superpower, World Refugee Day Walk and Celebration’ | GNCC and MCC, Fort Erie Multicultural Centre, YMCA of Niagara, Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre, Bridges Niagara and the Niagara LIP.
Everyone is welcome to take part in this World Refugee Day Community Walk as we celebrate the courage, resilience, and contributions of refugees and newcomers in Niagara and all around the world. Walk in solidarity, promote inclusion, and help build a stronger, more welcoming community for everyone. The walk will be followed by a community lunch and celebration.
Greater Toronto Area, ON
Toronto – June 12 (10:00 am – 9:00 pm) and June 13 (10:00 am – 5:00 pm) – Refugee Art Show | Quaker Committee for Refugees (Friends House)
In recognition of World Refugee Week, the Quaker Committee for Refugees in Toronto is pleased to host a Refugee Art Show on June 12 and 13 at the Quaker House, located at 60 Lowther Avenue, Toronto.
Official Opening: Friday, June 12 at 6:00 PM Admission: Free
Learn more + attendToronto – June 20 (11:00 am – 5:00 pm) – Walk with Welcome | Matthew House
This year’s Matthew House Toronto Summer Celebration begins with a guided Welcome Walk from Ireland Park to Matthew House, where you will experience an engaging outdoor journey through meaningful landmarks, neighbourhood stories, and hidden pieces of Toronto’s past. Along the route, you’ll discover places tied to Canada’s history of refugee reception and Toronto’s ongoing story of welcome, uncovering how arrival, resilience, and community have shaped the city around us.
After the walk, the celebration continues with a lively picnic gathering featuring food, raffle opportunities, activities, informational exhibits, and space to connect with one another as well our refugee ambassador!
Every ticket helps support Matthew House Toronto’s work with refugee claimants rebuilding their lives in Canada.
Toronto – June 20 (2:00 – 7:00 pm) – Community Rooted Hangout | Hope for Refugees International
Stand for the right to seek safety. Celebrate refugee journeys and build thriving communities together.
This year, Hope for Refugees International (HRI), a refugee-led organization based in Toronto, will host the World Refugee Day 2026 – Community Rooted Hangout, bringing together refugees, asylum seekers, newcomers, students, social workers, refugee-serving organizations, artists, academics, policymakers, media representatives, community organizations, community leaders, long-term residents, and allies.
This event recognizes that refugees are not simply recipients of support, they are leaders, workers, artists, entrepreneurs, neighbors, and community builders whose contributions strengthen our communities every day.
Event Activities: Community celebration & cultural performance, live music, dance, spoken word, fashion showcases, drumming, and artistic performances. Storytelling & panel and more.
Scarborough – June 20 (time to be announced) – World Refugee Day 2026 | Center for Peace Canada and the Canadian Council for Refugees
The Center for Peace Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Council for Refugees, proudly invites you to a special World Refugee Day Programme.
This meaningful event will bring together community members, advocates, and leaders to honor the strength, resilience, and contributions of refugees in Canada and around the world. Expect inspiring speeches and lived experiences, cultural performances, community networking and advocacy for refugee rights and protection.
St. John’s, NL
June 23 ( 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ) – World Refugee Day Programme | Centre for Peace Canada and the Canadian Council for Refugees
The City of St. John’s and ANC are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of newcomers through a celebratory event and art exhibit. The event will feature remarks from newcomers and ANC staff, video presentations highlighting personal success stories, and a photo gallery showcasing newcomers in their workplaces.
A visual art exhibit titled “Many Journeys, One Home”, will also be on display in Wyatt Hall at City Hall from June 5 to June 30.
Halifax, NS
July 1 ( starting at 11:00 am ) – World with Refugees | Centre for Peace Canada and the Canadian Council for Refugees
Join this walk on the occasion of World Refugee Day. Bring your family and friends, wear yellow and bring noisemakers to show your support! Gather together at Sackville landing, near the Wave, then walk together to the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, for remarks, information booths and networking.
This is a free event and all are welcome. Schedule:
10 am – gather at Sackville Landing
11 am – Walk begins at the waterfront
In case of rain, the walk will be cancelled, instead gather at 12 pm at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
TAKE UP DIGITAL SPACE & SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
Print and digital signs available for download. (Right-click to save)
COUNTER MYTHS & STEREOTYPES
Download & share these facts to dispel refugee-related myths and misinformation. (Right-click to save)
TAKE ACTION – A list of practices and acts of solidarity for World Refugee Day and every day.
CENTRE Refugee Voices, Experiences & Perspectives
- Listen to refugee voices through refugee-led storytelling and narrative projects like: the Refugee Story Bank of Canada, Refugee Storytellers Collective, Humans in Flight (Canada), Me We International
- Involve refugees and people with lived-experience of displacement in your research, program design and relevant decisions.
- Download this handy how-to document for guidance: Download Guide
- Prioritize access and inclusion. Ensure all engagement is accessible by addressing potential barriers like language (translation, interpretation), transportation needs, and childcare. Consider the impact of their current legal status, digital exclusion, and their level of awareness of systems.
- Use your own advantages, opportunities and influence to amplify refugee voices. Provide compensation where possible.
- If you are sharing stories and pictures of asylum seekers and refugees – recognize that this is a sensitive exercise. Use these guides to help you navigate this exercise safely.
CONNECT build and nurture relationships across differences.
- Educate yourself about refugee experiences and the specific challenges they may face. Some resources at:
- Reasons for Refugee Resettlement (RSTP)
- United Nations Refugee Agency – News & Stories
- UNHCR resource for teaching children of various ages, including guide books, animations: Link
- Refworld Website – Search the leading source of legislation, case law and UNHCR guidance on refugees
- Engage with local organizations that support refugees. Some organizations are listed here:
- Volunteer your time, and participate in community events.
SUPPORT the settlement journey of refugee newcomers to Canada
- Become a refugee sponsor through the BVOR refugee sponsorship program which connects volunteers with refugees in need of sponsorship and settlement support.
- Become a refugee sponsor through the PSR refugee sponsorship program which provides opportunities to sponsor a refugee or family who is known to you.
- Search for local organizations accepting in-kind donations to help refugees settle in and furnish their homes.
- Involve your co-workers and create a better workplace culture.
- Learn how to be sensitive to and support the mental health & wellbeing of newcomers. CAMH resource page.
Interested in getting matched with a refugee to sponsor? Subscribe to the bi-weekly BVOR News for program updates and webinars.