Hi friends and neighbours,

The afternoons are dark and cold but we're less than two weeks away from the days getting longer again. Hang in there.

There's a lot of fundraisers the next few weeks as groups start to wind things down for the year. I know resources are scarce for everyone these days, but they're especially tight for mutual aid groups. I've marked these events with a 🎁 - if you have some funds to spare, why not give to a good cause while meeting your neighbours?

If you can't make it out to an event, I'd love for you to consider supporting Lorraine Lam's community holidays wishlist, purchasing holiday gifts for marginalized and struggling neighbours. Also, if you're in the east end, there's a new community fridge going up at Carrot Common, and they're looking for folks to help steward and take care of the fridge.

A heads up that I'll also be taking a few weeks off over the winter holidays. Next week's newsletter will be the last update of 2025, and I'll see you all again on January 6th, in the mathematically implausible year of 2026. If you have ideas or suggestions for what you'd like to see in this space in the new year, hit reply and let me know!

Thank you for showing up.

Jenny

Events this week

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 🔗

12PM — Indigenizing Our Kitchen (2162 Danforth Ave)
2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations - Join fellow 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nation for an afternoon of baking and community, making bannock and berries together in a warm, welcoming space.

5PM — East End Acts Weekly Vigil (Main and Danforth)
East End Acts for Palestine - East End Acts will be meeting weekly on Tuesday afternoons to remember the thousands of men, women, and children murdered by the zionist state. Join your east end neighbours as we gather in solidarity to mourn & honour our martyrs, demand an end to the genocide in Palestine, and an end to Canadian complicity in the ongoing atrocities.

6PM — StreetKnit Project Meetup (103 Bellevue Ave)
The StreetKnit Project - StreetKnit is a group of volunteers tat makes, collects, and distributes hand-knitted items to the homeless. Bring your donations directly to a meeting, and join other volunteers in turning yarn into community.

6PM — A Speculative Budgeting Lab (Virtual)
The Climaverse - ​Feeling frustrated, annoyed, or just plain confused by all the noise around the newly passed federal budget? Join this workshop to slow down, make sense of what’s actually in the budget, and unpack what’s at stake.

6PM — Volunteer for Renter Protections (Islington Station)
Progress Toronto - Bill 60 has passed but that doesn’t mean the fight is over. Now that it’s even easier for landlords to evict renters and even harder to find an affordable place to live, we need tenant organizing more than ever. Join a canvass to let renters know how Bill 60 impacts them and help them mobilize to protect their rights!

6:30PM — Syria: Anatomy of Regime Change (779 Bathurst St)
A Different Booklist - A book launch event for Syria: Anatomy of a Regime Change, which offers the first comprehensive account of the US regime change operation in Syria.

6:30PM — Harm Reduction Advocacy Collective Film Screening (452 College St)
Harm Reduction Advocacy Collective Toronto - A social and community screening of Love in the Time of Fentanyl, an intimate portrait of a community fighting to save lives and keep hope alive in a neighborhood ravaged by the overdose crisis.

7PM — Ontario Justice for Workers Meeting (Virtual)
Justice 4 Workers - Come hear about critical updates, share strategies, and strengthen collective efforts to fight for better wages, safer workplaces, and fair treatment for all workers. Whether you're a long-time organizer, a curious first-timer, or a worker ready to take action, this meeting is for you!

7PM — TTC Riders Book Club (TBD (Downtown))
TTC Riders - The TTC Riders book club is back! Join in to read Brian Doucet and Michael Doucet’s Streetcars and the Shifting Geographies of Toronto and learn about transit together. There will be a brief recap of the book followed by questions and discussion – everyone welcome!

7PM — Civic Hacknight - Civic Dashboard Update (Hybrid)
Civic Tech Toronto - Civic Tech Toronto's weekly hacknights bring together Torontonians who want to improve the city through design, tech, and data. tech, and data. This week, The team behind Civic Dashboard will give an update of what they’ve been up to for the last 6 months, what they’ve learned, and how you can get involved. Followed by breakout group sessions to work on projects.

7PM — Strategy & Tactics: Designing a Creative & Dynamic Campaign Strategy (Virtual)
The Hub - In this interactive session, participants will learn key principles needed to develop a dynamic grassroots strategy and ways to assess its effectiveness as it is deployed on the ground. You’ll hear interview clips from experienced movement elders and organizers and get some hands-on practice.

7PM — A Conversation on Migrant Justice from Coast to Coast (Virtual)
SURJ Toronto - Learn about the lived realities of migrants and undocumented people in Canada from longtime migrant justice organizers from across the country, and how scapegoating racialized immigrants lets the bosses, business owners, and billionaires who are actually responsible for our crisis off the hook.

7PM — Emergency Call to Resist Climate Chaos (Virtual)
350 - Carney just announced a toxic deal with the Government of Alberta to build a massive tar sands pipeline from Alberta to BC – despite steadfast Indigenous opposition. Join this call to hear from activists on the frontlines about how you can fight back!

7PM — Climate Cafe for All (Virtual)
Carbon Conversations Toronto - Feeling anxious about Climate Change? Join this climate café to share your thoughts and feelings in a relaxed, safe space with friendly, experienced facilitators. It's a welcoming place to talk, listen, and connect with others who understand.

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 🔗

1PM — Effective Transitions for Fossil Fuel Workers (Virtual)
Centre for Future Work - The transition away from employment in fossil fuel industries is happening, regardless of climate policy. Hear about a new report documenting this decline, surveying fossil fuel workers about what supports they need, and listing best practices for future transition policies.

4:30PM — How Might AI Hurt Our Work and What Can We Do (Virtual)
Tech Workers Coalition and Science for the People - Administrators and bosses are pushing uncritical AI adoption as the “wave of the future” without consulting workers. Come join a collective discussion about what the impacts are, and how we can put workers in control of our work and use this to organize.

5PM — Eviction Deputation Training (Hybrid)
Regent Park Neighbourhood Association - Join Regent Park Neighbourhood Association for a deputation training session to learn how to speak up to city council ahead of the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee Meetings in January.

5:45PM — Doorknocking for Palestine (Available upon RSVP)
Davenport 4 Palestine - Davenport 4 Palestine is doorknocking in the neighbourhood to mobilize neighbours in support of a real arms embargo. No experience is necessary, you'll be paired up with a seasoned doorknocker. RSVP by emailing at davenport4palestine@gmail.com.

6PM — Overcoming Disruption: Strengthening the HIV Response Through Human Rights (115 Simpson Ave)
MCC Toronto - Let’s come together to elevate community voices and reimagine the HIV response through a human rights lens. Explore the realities of the HIV response, policy impact, housing, harm reduction, and equity across 2SLGBTQ+ communities with insights from incredible panelists.

6:30PM — RIGS Grief Skill Building & Discussion Group (452 College St)
Radical Intersectional Grief Support - In-person grief support group for people impacted by the drug poisoning crisis. Pay what you can – trades welcome!

7PM — Resource Movement Info Session (Virtual)
Resource Movement - Join an info session for the Resource Movement, an organization of young people with class privilege agitating for a more just world, and find out if this is the right community for you.

7PM — Jamaica Relief Bashment (468 Queen St W)
Sanzuwu Group - A night of Jamaican art, culture, and community to raise funds to support Jamaican relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Melissa!

8PM — Online Grief Salon (Virtual)
That Good Night - A gentle evening to discuss your feelings of grief and loss during the holiday season. This time of year can amplify the losses we have faced and leave us feeling like there is no space for grief at this "joyous" time of year. Your grief is welcome here.

Thursday, December 11, 2025 🔗

3PM — Ancestral Tattooing Workshop (32 Lisgar St)
From Your Ancestor - From Your Ancestor will be showcasing tattooing as an act of cultural preservation. We will talk about the vast and true history of tattooing, with a focus on Anishinaabe traditions. Learn about the true origins of body modifications, do a little hand poking yourself (safely on faux skin), and come connect!

4PM — Naloxone and Substance Use Workshop (66 Wellesley St E)
The Lumenus Studio - A naloxone administration workshop with an interactive demonstration for youth ages 16-25. Workshop will include discussions of substance use, overdose, and the presence of needles for demonstration purposes.

5PM — Opioid Poisoning Response Training (21 Strickland Ave)
Pieces to Pathways - Community Dinner & Opioid Poisoning Response Training for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth ages 16-29 with lived experience of substance use. Learn how to use Naloxone to help us keep each other and our communities safe.

6PM — Palestine & Feminist Liberation Community Book Launch (401 Richmond St W)
Between the Lines - The closing reception of the Gaza Biennale T’karonto and the book launch of Palestine and Feminist Liberation by Nada Elia, a professor, grassroots organizer and core member of the Palestinian Feminist Collective.

6PM — Volunteer for Renter Protections (Woodbine Station)
Progress Toronto - Bill 60 has passed but that doesn’t mean the fight is over. Now that it’s even easier for landlords to evict renters and even harder to find an affordable place to live, we need tenant organizing more than ever. Join a canvass to let renters know how Bill 60 impacts them and help them mobilize to protect their rights!

Friday, December 12, 2025 🔗

3PM — Fridays 4 Palestine (Yonge and Bloor)
Fridays4Palestine - Come show your support for Palestinians every Friday at the Israel Consulate. Stand up for human rights and say no to genocide.

3PM — Really Really Free Market (Scadding Court Community Centre)
Really Really Free Market - Come join a day of sharing, swapping, and giving at The Really Really Free Market - where everything is truly free! By reusing and regifting pre-loved treasures, save perfectly good stuff from the landfills and keep money in your pockets.

6PM — Toronto Spring Holiday Party (Paupers Pub)
Spring Magazine - Join Spring’s Toronto chapter for an evening of socialist socializing, trivia, drinks, food, and plenty of conversation. Members and non-members welcome!

🎁 6:30PM — Toronto Climate Comedy Holiday Edition (967 College St)
Stand-up for Climate - Stand-up for Climate is back with its 5th comedy show, a holiday fundraiser with proceeds benefitting the Scarborough Environmental Association! Come hear some great comedy and meet lots of great orgs making a difference.

🎁 7PM — Pins of Solidarity (225 Geary St)
Mean Beadz - A cozy PWYC community workshop to craft Palestinian flag pin charms, made to be worn, shared in solidarity. Proceeds go to a Palestinian cause chosen together.

7PM — Cocoa, Cookie, & Compassion Screening (108 Dundas St W)
The Anti-Vivisection Alliance - A film screening of How To Make Drugs, a comedic look at the process of drug development in the US uncovering the wasteful, dangerous, and the absurd use of animal testing in the 21st century.

Saturday, December 13, 2025 🔗

11AM — Pasko sa Kultura Filipino Arts Festival (292 Brunswick)
Kultura Toronto - A Filipino Arts Festival featuring holiday Filipno food, live music, folk dance, vendors, and good community. All welcome!

12PM — Resistance Press Holiday Book Store (427 Bloor St W)
International Socialists - Resistance Press bookroom holiday book sale. Special deals on new and used titles from socialist and progressive presses.

12PM — No More Noise Online Drop-In (Virtual)
No More Noise Toronto - All are invited to get an update on No More Noise Toronto’s many activites and participate in constructive discussion about improving the soundscape of our cities.

1PM — BDS Leafletting (900 Dufferin St)
Davenport 4 Palestine - Join Davenport 4 Palestine for the weekly BDS leafleting campaign at Dufferin Mall. Meet outside south entrance and buddy up – no experience necessary!

1PM — Blood Songs + Oracles: Crip Caraoke (Virtual)
Tangled Art + Disability - A collective karaoke song writing workshop to co-write karaoke song lyrics together to make 1 song that will be made into a Crip Careoke sing along song, to be featured in Blood Songs + Oracles CRIP CAREOKE Lounge at the MacKenzie Art Gallery in April 2026.

1:30PM — A Speculative Budgeting Lab (Virtual)
The Climaverse - Feeling frustrated, annoyed, or just plain confused by all the noise around the newly passed federal budget? Join this workshop to slow down, make sense of what’s actually in the budget, and unpack what’s at stake.

2PM — Political Prisoners Letter-Writing and Educational Event (222 Spadina Ave, Unit C7)
Canada-Philippines Solidarity Organization - Join to learn about political prisoners in the Philippines and write a letter in solidarity with imprisoned activists!

2PM — Festive Caroling for Arms Embargo (Yonge and Eglington)
Arms Embargo Now - Join for some arms embargo themed carols (lyric sheets provided). Spread the message of arms embargo through festive caroling and deliver a petition to MP Leslie Church's office demanding that she support a full arms embargo.

2PM — Intifada Revolution Protest (250 Front St W)
Liberate Forty-Eight - A protest to commemorate the First Intifada (1987), also known as the Stone Intifada, and honour the steadfastness of the Palestinian people.

4PM — Geopolitics of Palestine (Available upon registration (Toronto))
Popular Front Canada - A teach-in that will cover the Axis of Resistance, the ever-changing alliances of the Palestinian cause, and the central role Palestine plays in great power politics.

6PM — Tenant Organizing Training (Virtual)
Democratic Socialists of Canada - This 2 hour session has a strong focus on practical skills you can immediately use to start organizing your neighbours and other tenants in your city. You will learn how to prepare for a campaign, chart a building, develop a power analysis, have effective conversations with your neighbours, and more!

Sunday, December 14, 2025 🔗

10AM — Virtual Tech Worker’s Coalition Coffee (Virtual)
Tech Worker’s Coalition Canada - Drop by for a virtual coffee hour on Sunday mornings to chat with fellow tech workers about what’s on your mind and to learn more about the Tech Worker’s Coalition. TWC considers anyone who is involved in the production and maintenance of digital technology to be a tech worker, whether you are a bike courier working at a food delivery app service, a designer, a software engineer, a product owner, a data labeller or a content moderator. Hope to see you there!

11AM — Gaza Square (371 Wallace Ave)
Davenport 4 Palestine - Daveport 4 Palestine invites you to come hang out at Gaza square on Sunday mornings with hot chocolate and coffee, buttons and posters, lawn signs and colourful chalk. Come say hi and meet your fellow neighbours/organizers as they make their presence known and continue to build safety in their community!

11AM — Sundays 4 Palestine (Bathurst and Sheppard)
Sundays4Palestine - Weekly counterprotest to the Zionist community that comes out to celebrate the ongoing genocide in Palestine. Flags and signs provided.

🎁 11AM — Soup v Soup Community Gathering (380 Wallace Ave)
Davenport 4 Palestine - In December it will be two years since Davenport neighbours have been gathering weekly. Join for a soup-off and bake sale fundraiser for Davenport Aid Brigade and The Sameer Project. Lots of soup judges needed!

11:30AM — Seeds of Solidarity (5210 Yonge St)
Pinay Collection - ​Celebrate the holidays in solidarity with Filipino farmers. This pop up brings together Filipino food, art, and education to honor and support the struggles of peasant communities who feed the Filipino people while facing land dispossession, climate disasters, and state repression.

12PM — Creative Reuse Toronto Storefront Drop-in Repair (68 Abell St)
Creative Reuse Toronto - Bring your broken items to Creative Reuse Toronto's storefront location. This workshop will help you fix small appliances, home electronics, clothing, jewellery and small furniture.

🎁 12PM — Food Not Bombs Fundraiser Pop-Up Market (25 Cecil St)
Toronto Food Not Bombs - A pop-up market fundraiser to support Toronto Food Not Bombs and Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction. Come find a new outfit, book, gift from a local artist, and stay for a chat with a hot coffee or snack!

12PM — Three Sisters Market and Fashion Show (58 Cecil St)
Three Sisters Market - The first ever Three Sisters Market AND fashion show, showcasing local Indigenous talent, vendors, artists, models and designers.

2PM — Harbord-Hoskins Celebration Ride (168 Brunswick Ave)
Cycle Toronto - A celebration of the upgraded bikeways and streetscape along Harbord Street and Hoskin Avenue. Free coffee, all ages and abilites welcome!

2PM — Food Not Bombs Leslieville (Jimmie Simpson Park)
Food Not Bombs Leslieville - Come by for some warm food and to connect with community. If you're interested in learning more about Food Not Bombs and how you can help out, this is a great way to meet.

🎁 2PM — Scarborough Loves Palestine x Filipinos United 4 Palestine Fundraiser (3478 Lawrence Ave E)
Scarborough Loves Palestine - A fundraiser in collaboration with Filipinos United for Palestine. Come get merch, totes, wreaths, paintings, purses, and so much more, and indulge in some flavoursome Yemeni food while you're there!

2PM — Card-Making Social (The 519)
Toronto Aces and Aros - Come join a holiday card-making social! Supplies provided (but you're welcome to bring more). Just in time for Chanukkah and in plenty of time for other December or January holidays!

6PM — Eviction Deputation Training (Hybrid)
Regent Park Neighbourhood Association - Join Regent Park Neighbourhood Association for a deputation training session to learn how to speak up to city council ahead of the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee Meetings in January.

7PM — Yiddish Vaudeville, Burlesque, and Drag Workshop (427 Bloor St W)
The Morris Winchevsky Schools - A performance / presentation on the history of Yiddish vaudeville and its enormous influence on today's comedy, burlesque and drag. Stay for the burlesque dance class with a Yiddishe twist!

Monday, December 15, 2025 🔗

12:30PM — Weekly Phone Zap for Palestine (Virtual)
Toronto Zaps For Palestine - Join with organizers from coast to coast in calling, emailing, and faxing demands to elected officials for a full two-way arms embargo to stop Canada's complicity in the genocide.

5PM — Students for Queer Liberation Radical Drop-In (UTSU Student Commons)
Students for Queer Liberation Toronto - Open to students and non-students alike. Masks required. The drop-in is an open space for fellow anarchists, leftists, and radicals to hang out, meet like-minded folks, discuss leftist and anarchist books/zines, explore OPIRG TO's resource library, enjoy snacks with friends, and build community.

7PM — Building a Better Bank (Virtual)
Change Course - Canadian banks have been taking our money and investing it in fossil fuels, weapons, and mining companies that are destabilizing our future. Learn about what public retail banks are, what is being done to win one in Canada, and how they can be part of a better world for all.

8PM — Social Production of Science Reading Group – Module 3 (Virtual)
Science for the People - Science for the People Canada invites you to join our upcoming online reading group exploring The Social Production of Science curriculum. This reading group continues SftP’s tradition of running a reading group alongside our local organising, and the goal of this series is to better link our collective education with collective action, bringing together members to deepen our shared understanding of science, power, and liberation. Module 3 will cover readings on the definition of science by Clifford D. Connor and Judith A. Carney.

8PM — The Social Production of Science: What is Science (Virtual)
Science for the People - Part 3 of the Social Production of Science reading series will cover "A People's History of Science: Miners, Midwives, and Low Mechanicks" by Clifford D. Conner and Chapter 3 of "Black Rice: The African Origins of Rice Cultivation in the Americas" by Judith A. Carney.

9PM — DSA Orientation (Virtual)
Democratic Socialists of Canada - In this one-hour session, you will listen to a brief presentation outlining the DSC's mission, structure, and activities, and learn how to get involved in your local Chapter and/or on a National level. Q&A follows the presentation!

Down the road

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 🔗

11AM — Ontario Pre-Budget Collective Submission (Virtual)
5PM — Civic Hacknight - 10 Years of Civic Tech Toronto (Hybrid)
5PM — East End Acts Weekly Vigil (Main and Danforth)
6:30PM — Rent Grant Program Info Session (Virtual)

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 🔗

🎁 7PM — West End Community Action Network Winter Clothing Drive (Houndstooth)
5PM — Art & Chat (2 Carlton St)
5:30PM — Ubuntu Christmas Party (163 Queen St E)
5:45PM — Doorknocking for Palestine (Available upon RSVP)
6PM — Monthly Resilience Reads (248 Ossington)
6:30PM — RIGS Grief Skill Building & Discussion Group (452 College St)

Thursday, December 18, 2025 🔗

🎁 7PM — Who’s Afraid: Sameer Project Fundraiser (438 Queen St W)
9:30AM — Breathing Lands Court Support Request (330 University Ave)
6PM — Chat & Craft (Scadding Court Community Centre)
6PM — Building Collective Power (Virtual)

Friday, December 19, 2025 🔗

3PM — Fridays 4 Palestine (Yonge and Bloor)
5:30PM — Armed By Design: A Propaganda & Revolutionary Art Event (Available upon registration (Toronto))
🎁 6PM — Kababayanihan: Fundraising Concert for Typhoon-Struck Filipinos (468 Queen St W)

Saturday, December 20, 2025 🔗

1PM — BDS Leafletting (900 Dufferin St)
🎁 3PM — Cuba Rising Fundraising Event (24 Cecil St)

Sunday, December 21, 2025 🔗

10AM — Virtual Tech Worker’s Coalition Coffee (Virtual)
11AM — Gaza Square (371 Wallace Ave)
11AM — Sundays 4 Palestine (Bathurst and Sheppard)
12PM — Civic Tech Toronto Holiday Party (1RG)

Monday, December 22, 2025 🔗

12:30PM — Weekly Phone Zap for Palestine (Virtual)
5PM — Students for Queer Liberation Radical Drop-In (UTSU Student Commons)

Tuesday, December 23, 2025 🔗

9AM — Trial of Faith and Climate Action protestor Canon Michael Van Dusen (92 Front St East)
5PM — East End Acts Weekly Vigil (Main and Danforth)

For the full up-to-date event listing, visit the Show Up Toronto website. If you find this newsletter useful, I would love for you to:

• Forward it to a friend
• Tell me if you go to an event
• Send me other organizing events in the city I may have missed

You can reach me by replying directly, or by emailing organize@showuptoronto.ca.