National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Toronto
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. In Toronto, the day is for remembrance, learning and reflection concerning the residential school system, Survivors, children who never returned home, their families and Indigenous communities.
The City of Toronto says flags at City Hall, civic centres and other City facilities are lowered to half-mast, the Survivors’ Flag is flown at half-mast, and the TORONTO sign at Nathan Phillips Square is lit orange.
Verified Toronto events
Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the AGO
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 · 1–8 p.m. · Walker Court, Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas Street West. The AGO lists National Film Board short-film screenings and guided experiences connected with work by First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists. The program is free with General Admission, not automatically free admission to the Gallery. Check the official AGO details.
Lighting the Tower Orange community gathering
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 · 7–9:30 p.m. · CN Tower Square, 301 Front Street West. The CN Tower and Orange Shirt Society list remarks from Elders and Indigenous community members, music, traditional drumming and jingle dress dance. The gathering is free, registration is requested, and it is scheduled rain or shine. Register and check the official CN Tower details.
University of Toronto commemorations at Hart House have used registration for in-person attendance and a separate livestream in recent official notices. A publicly accessible 2026 event listing with final attendance instructions was not independently confirmed at the last verification, so a previous-year schedule is not presented as a 2026 walk-in event. Check U of T’s official events listing.
Spirit Garden at Nathan Phillips Square
The Spirit Garden at Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West, was led by Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre in partnership with the City of Toronto. The City describes it as a space for teaching, learning, sharing and healing, with a Teaching Lodge, amphitheatre, Three Sisters seasonal garden and Two Row Wampum walkway.
What is Orange Shirt Day?
The Orange Shirt Society traces Orange Shirt Day – Every Child Matters to the 2013 St. Joseph Mission Residential School commemoration and reunion events in Williams Lake, British Columbia, and Phyllis Webstad’s story of a new orange shirt being taken from her on her first day at residential school. Orange Shirt Day predates the federal statutory holiday; the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation followed Call to Action 80, and Bill C-5 received Royal Assent in 2021.
Orange illuminations
The CN Tower and Orange Shirt Society say the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Scotiabank Arena, The Bentway, the Canada Malting Silos and the Public Pier will light Toronto orange. The Bentway separately confirms illumination of The Bentway Skate Trail and the Canada Malting Silos at Public Pier. These illuminations are framed within remembrance and reconciliation, not as a tourist spectacle.
What is open and closed?
Toronto Public Library location pages list National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a closed-all-day date for 2026. Federal services, Ontario provincial services, TTC, schools, banks, Canada Post, attractions, shopping centres and LCBO or retail hours vary by operator; 2026 hours have not yet been confirmed for many services. Check the specific official operator before travelling.
Authoritative resources
- City of Toronto National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- City of Toronto Spirit Garden
- Orange Shirt Society
- Government of Canada
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action
Frequently asked questions
When is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Toronto?
Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Is the CN Tower gathering free?
Yes. The CN Tower says everyone is welcome and asks attendees to register so organizers can understand attendance.
Is the AGO program free?
The AGO says it is free with General Admission, so Gallery admission requirements still apply.
Are Toronto libraries closed?
Toronto Public Library location pages list the date as closed all day for 2026.
Last verified September 22, 2026. Schedules, registration links and operating details can change.