A day of stories, creativity and family fun, completely FREE!
The Next Chapter Festival returns for its third year on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 10 AM–8 PM at Scarborough Town Centre. Explore the mall and discover free books, live storytelling and music, hands-on activities, special guests and experiences for the whole family.
Want a sneak peek? Watch highlights from last year’s festival and see what’s in store.
Be Part of the Story
Help us make the day unforgettable for families. Join our festival volunteer team!
Explore the Festival
Discover four festival zones across Scarborough Town Centre:
🌈 Rainbow Stage — Centre Court
🍋 Lemon Lane — West Court, near the former Hudson’s Bay
🦋 Butterfly Lounge — East Court, former IKEA Court
🎒 Creation Station — Upper Level, by the former Hudson’s Bay
Plan Your Adventure
Find all four festival zones before you arrive.
Explore the full schedule below!
RAINBOW STAGE at CENTRE COURT
Where stories come to life.
Catch storytelling, music, movement and performances throughout the day, and stop by anytime for a free book or a little creativity of your own.
On Stage
10:00 AM – Festival Opening & Land Acknowledgement
Join us as we officially open The Next Chapter Festival.
10:15 AM – Hoop dancing, singing and storytelling with Nimkii Nini
Sharing stories through traditional rhythms and sounds.
11:00 AM – Story Adventure with Gabrielle of TVOKids
Build a story in real time with Gabrielle of TVOkids!
11:25 AM – Storytime: T for Terry with Denise Dias
Discover Terry Fox’s inspiring journey and the Marathon of Hope, told one letter of the alphabet at a time.
12:05 PM – Music Around the World with Ms. Aria
Sing, move and travel the globe through music with Ms. Aria of The Teeny Tinys.
1:00 PM – Storytime: Patty Dreams with Nadia L. Hohn
When August moves from Jamaica, missing his dad’s famous patties inspires a delicious new beginning for his family.
1:50 PM – Alphabet Yoga with EarlyON
Stretch and move your way through the letters and sounds of the alphabet.
2:00 PM – Storytime: Love, Panda with Charlene Chua
Meet a grumpy stuffed panda whose new roommate might not be so bad after all. Then grab a pencil and draw along with illustrator, Charlene Chua.
2:45 PM – Dance Party with EarlyON
Dance, move and boogie on down with bubbles all around!
3:00 PM – Storytime: I am Sheriauna with Sherylee Honeyghan and Sheriauna Haase
Meet Sheriauna, a bright and funny girl in a story celebrating confidence, kindness, inclusion and the beauty of being yourself.
3:45 PM – Alphabet Yoga with EarlyON
Stretch and move your way through the letters and sounds of the alphabet.
4:00 PM – Play the Djembe! with Sistema Toronto
Feel the rhythm and try your hand at the djembe in this interactive music workshop.
4:55 PM – Sing a Story! with KayGeni Benebi
Discover the magic that happens when storytelling and song come together
6:00 PM – DJ Mel Boogie Live
All Day at Centre Court (10:00 AM – 8:00 PM)
THE READING PARTNERSHIP
Learn about The Reading Partnership, try activities from our literacy programs and get your Adventure Map stamped.
BOOK MOBILE
Choose a free, brand new book to take home with you.
BOOKMARK MAKING
Design your very own bookmark that you can home. Fun for kids of all ages!
Free books and bookmark-making supplies available while quantities last.
LEMON LANE at WEST COURT
Explore stories, art, music and hands-on learning with community partners throughout the day.
10:30 AM – Feel the Rhythm! with Claude Noel
Enjoy the bright, vibrant sounds of live steel pan.
11:00 AM-2:00 PM – Draw Together with Sahle Robinson
Help create one big community artwork, adding your ideas as the story comes to life on canvas.
11:30 AM – Traditional Drumming & Song with Nimkii Nini
Sharing stories through traditional rhythms and sounds.
2:00 PM – Hello Hair! with Nicole Cummings-Morgan
Celebrate the beauty of textured hair through stories and hands-on styling with Hello Hair.
All Day at West Court (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
THE READING PARTNERSHIP
Get hands-on with activities from The Reading Partnership’s literacy programs and get your Adventure Map stamped.
TVO
Play, learn and explore with games, storytelling and interactive fun.
TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Sign up for a library card and discover more ways to read, learn and explore.
AGA KHAN MUSEUM
Discover fascinating objects and stories from cultures around the world.
VISIONS OF SCIENCE
Try hands-on experiments!
BUTTERFLY LOUNGE at EAST COURT
Slow down, get cozy and enjoy stories, quiet activities and sensory-friendly spaces!
All Day at the Butterfly Lounge (10:00 AM – 8:00 PM)
THE READING PARTNERSHIP
Learn about The Reading Partnership, try activities from our literacy programs and get your Adventure Map stamped.
360º STORIES LISTENING LOUNGE
Listen to stories by some of Toronto’s youngest published authors and unwind with quiet colouring activities.
SNOOZE ROOM
Take a sensory break in a calm, cozy space powered by Snooze Room.
STORYBOOK SNAPSHOT
Strike a pose and snap a fun festival photo!
CREATION STATION
Upper Level, by the former Hudson’s Bay
Get creative with a hands-on activity you can make and take home.
All Day at Creation Station (10:00 AM – 8:00 PM)
BACKPACK CHARM MAKING
Design and create your own custom backpack charm. For ages 16 and under.
THE READING PARTNERSHIP
Learn about The Reading Partnership, try activities from our literacy programs and get your Adventure Map stamped.
Backpack charm supplies available while quantities last.
EVENT SPONSORS
READING SPONSORS
ACTIVITY SPONSORS
EXHIBITORS
CREATIVE TEAM
