East End Arts is excited to be partnering on Game On East End to bring the spirit of sport to Toronto’s East End in Riverside and Leslieville. Scroll down to learn more!
Game On East End!
June – July, 2026
Various Locations in Riverside + Leslieville
ABOUT GAME ON EAST END 2026:
Throughout June and July, 2026, “Game On East End 2026” will bring the soccer spirit to Toronto’s East End as we welcome the world with a dynamic series of free, public community activations in Riverside and Leslieville! This is a suite of inclusive, all-ages activities presented by East End Partners including, Riverside BIA, Leslieville BIA, Fontbonne Ministries, Ralph Thornton Community Centre, Queen-Saulter Library Branch, East End Arts, SH Armstrong Youth Council, and Blessed Caribbean Grocery & Takeout.
As part of Game On, East End Arts is excited to present a brand new Sports-Themed Community Mural by east end muralist, Phillip Saunders, which will involve lead-up community activations and co-creation painting days with community members!
We invite you to join us for the activities that East End Arts will be leading, as well as the many other activities and events being led by our partners! Scroll down to learn about the full itinerary.
ACTIVITIES LED BY EAST END ARTS:
Community Sports-Themed Activities at Riverside Eats and Beats
Saturday June 6, 2026 | 12-6pm
Carroll Street (North of Queen East)
Come by and make a sports-themed button, engage in a sports-themed colouring activity, and learn about our new collaborative mural that is coming to Riverside later this summer!- Community Mural (Sports-Themed)
Friday & Saturday, July 10–11, 2026 | 11am–1pm
33 Davies Ave (North-Facing Wall)
Come help co-create a community mural at 33 Davies (north-facing wall)! Led by the talented east end mural artist, Philip Saunders, come join in to add your stamp to a colourful, collaborative, sports-themed mural! There will be a folks on hand to guide the process and all materials will be provided.
ABOUT THE MURAL ARTIST:
Phillip Saunders is a Jamaican-born multidisciplinary artist and arts educator based in Toronto, Ontario. His practice spans oil painting, charcoal drawing, mural-making, and digital illustration, and is rooted in an exploration of cultural identity, visual storytelling, and the relationship between tradition and contemporary expression.
Saunders’ work exists across two distinct yet interconnected approaches. His studio-based oil paintings draw from classical realism and the techniques of the Old Masters, centering the Black body within contemplative and historically informed landscapes. In contrast, his mural practice embraces a bold, contemporary visual language defined by vibrant colour, portraiture, and large-scale public engagement. Through this duality, Saunders bridges past and present, using each medium to inform and expand the other.
As an arts educator and community-oriented muralist, Saunders is deeply committed to making art accessible and reflective of the communities it inhabits. His public works prioritize connection, representation, and shared cultural experience.
As pertaining to Phillip’s mural art, he explores the interplay of colours coupled with feeling in his vibrant portraits. His distinctive use of colour and abstract patterns portray a unique perspective of human emotion through colour theory, with the goal of invoking joy, reflection and happiness in the viewer.
Drawing inspiration from art forms found in cathedrals and churches, Phillips mural work possesses a stain-glass appeal that runs consistently through his body of work. His artistic approach is both awe-inspiring and original with a contemporary twist.
THE FULL GAME ON EAST END ITINERARY:
Picnic in the Park & Youth Soccer Clinic
Saturday, June 20, 2026 | 2–5pm
Jimmie Simpson Park, 872 Queen St E
Enjoy a community picnic, free games, live music and art, youth soccer clinic, prizes, and giveaways. Hosted by Leslieville BIA. More information HERE!
Community BBQ & Sports Trivia
Monday, July 6, 2026 | 11am–1pm
Fontbonne Ministries (Mustard Seed), 791 Queen St E
Join us for a free BBQ lunch, community gathering, and fun sports trivia with gift cards from local businesses.
Community Mural (Sports-Themed)
Friday & Saturday, July 10–11, 2026 | 11am–1pm
33 Davies Ave (North-Facing Wall)
Help co-create a community mural celebrating sport and neighbourhood pride. Materials provided.
Outdoor Movie Night (Soccer-Themed)
Friday, July 10, 2026 | 8pm–10:30pm
Riverside Common Park, 657 Queen St E
Watch a fan-voted, family-friendly soccer film under the stars. Snacks and drinks available from local businesses. RSVP HERE!
Caribbean Game Nights
Saturday, July 11 & Wednesday, July 15, 2026 | Evenings
BlessedLove Caribbean Market, 753A Queen St E
Enjoy Dominoes, Ludi, Bingo, FIFA tournaments, Caribbean food, and music.
East End Spirit Fest
Sunday, July 12, 2026 | 12pm–5pm
Jimmie Simpson Park, 872 Queen St E
A youth-led community festival featuring local entertainers, mini games, scavenger hunt, and sports history.
World in a City Programming & Workshops
June 11 – July 19, 2026 | During Library Hours
Queen/Saulter Library Branch, 765 Queen St E
Free public programming including a soccer-themed book display and cultural workshops such as Chinese Brush Painting (June 27) and Henna (July 17).
Pop-Up Cool Zone
June 11 – July 19, 2026 | Dates to be confirmed (Weather Dependent)
Ralph Thornton Community Centre (East Patio), 765 Queen St E
Drop by for mist cooling, cold drinks, music, and a welcoming outdoor space on hot days (30°C+).
FUNDER:
We thank the City of Toronto’s Community Celebration Support Fund for support of Game On East End programming 2026.
FULL PROGRAMME POSTER:
