Eligible events

Street-level events - Block parties

Block parties are smaller gatherings of less than 250 people and the primary audience is people who live on the street/in the neighbourhood. The goal of block parties is to foster social cohesion, community connection and create safer communities through low-cost, easy-to-plan activities. Popular activities for a block party can include a BBQ or potluck, live music, games, sports or holiday or cultural celebrations.

Small-scale community events

A smaller neighbourhood-level initiative is a community-driven project designed to engage residents, promote social interaction and strengthen social ties, and enhance the neighbourhood's cultural and recreational landscape. These initiatives are typically low-cost, easy to organize and focused on bringing people together in meaningful ways. Examples include:

• Small scale music and art events: local concerts, ‘open mic’ nights and art exhibits that showcase the talents of neighbourhood musicians, artists and performers.
• Ethnocultural programming: activities and events that celebrate the diverse cultural backgrounds of neighbourhood residents. This can include cultural festivals, traditional dance performances and storytelling sessions that highlight different cultural heritages.
• Neighbourhood celebrations: community gatherings such as holiday celebrations that foster a sense of community and belonging.

Pop-up movie nights

Pop-up movie events supported through the Neighbourhood Activation Fund help to bring diverse communities together by creating welcoming spaces for individuals from ethno-cultural and equity-deserving communities to connect through film. The City’s inflatable movie screen is made available to book for these events and staff provide support through the booking and licensing process.