Workshops & Residency Week - July 26 to July 31
Fire Parade - Friday, July 31, 8:30pm
Each summer Shadowland Theatre holds a free community arts residency week and performance on the beautiful Ward’s Island, situated in the Toronto Island Park. Shadowland presents a fun-filled week of art-making workshops, music and performance activities for all-ages.
On Friday, July 31 participants, artists and community join together for 39th Annual Ward’s Island Fire Parade, a magical celebration of light and community.
Shadowland welcomes visual artists, theatre artists and community members to join together over the residency week to create lanterns, puppets costumes and short puppet and theatre works. We also invite workshop participants to the Fire Parade Show Rehearsal on July 30 (7pm) and again for the Ward’s Island Fire Parade on July 31 (8:30pm).​​
Join us for one or many of the workshops and activities outlined below.
Come often and stay a while. Bring friends and family. Have a picnic.
Enjoy Toronto’s favourite arts-filled summer event located in Toronto's best park!
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Join us for an evening of spectacle and lights with puppets, stilt-walkers and live music. As dark falls, join in a lantern-lit parade which will wind along through the community to the beach.
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See the story unfold in an outdoor theatrical extravaganza. Mother Earth is under threat from Big Plans by Big Business. Can She protect our waters, parks, wildlife and homes? Who will prevail?
Bring friends and family (and lanterns). Come early to enjoy Ward's Island - swim at the nearby beach and have a picnic.
Drinks, meals, snacks and icecream are available at the nearby Island Cafe. Pre-order and pickup online is available.​
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Directions: From the Ward’s Island Ferry Dock, proceed 100m ahead.
Ferry Schedule here. Travel from the Layton Terminal at the foot of Bay Street to Ward’s Island.​​
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​If you enjoy the Fire Parade and would like to support Shadowland’s arts and youth
programming,we invite you to bring a CASH donation on July 31st
or donate ONLINE here at Canada Helps.
Volunteer with Shadowland Theatre @ Ward's Island!
Fire Parade on Friday July 31:
Donation Collectors Needed (8:30pm to 9:45pm)
Event Strike Helpers (9:30pm to 10:40pm)
Please complete Volunteer Registration form here.
Any questions? Send us an email
Workshops & Performances SCHEDULE - July 26 to 31
FREE! All-ages and abilities are welcome!
Lantern-Making Workshops
Tuesday July 28, 7-9pm.Registration is closed. Walkups will not be accepted.
Any questions? Send us an email
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Residency Week
Monday, July 27 - Thursday, July 30. Daily, hours vary.
Calling artists and actors: Join the Shadowland team to help create the show. Email us to express your interest.
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Workshops and Residency Location: Top of Ward's Field, Ward’s Island, Toronto (150m ahead from the Ward's Ferry Dock)
Workshops and Residency are held outdoors under tents. Children under 10 must be accompanied at the workshops.
Ferry Schedule here. Travel from the Layton Ferry Terminal at the foot of Bay Street to Ward’s Island.
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A’Rhythmics Band Practice
Wednesday July 29, 7pm
Bring an instrument to join the community band. Sign up here. Questions? Email us here. Register here.
Location: Ward's Island Pavillion
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Fire Parade Show Rehearsals
Thursday July 30, 6:30 to 8:45pm
Friday July 31, 2:00 to 5:00pm
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38th Annual Fire Parade Parade
Friday, July 31, 8:30pm
​We kindly request performers, participants and volunteers register for the Rehearsal and Parade here. Questions? Email us here.
Additional Volunteer opportunities are outlined below.
Fire Parade Event details and directions are below​​​​
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Click on the Image and Scroll to Enjoy the
Ward's Island Fire Parade
From 1988 to Now!
Fire Parade 2025 Summer Interns and Young Company
Fire Parade 2025 Shadowland's Young Company
Fire Parade 2025 Summer Interns and Young Company