WeeFestival of Arts and Culture, a celebration of vibrant performing arts created especially for the very young by leading artists and companies from far and wide returns this spring from May 22nd until June 8th. This year's programme stretches over three weekends in venues across the city and showcases a captivating array of productions meticulously curated to ignite the imaginations of very young children and their grownups.

Highlights include two shows from acclaimed Québec-based Motus Theatre which offers a rich, immersive, gentle experience tailored for different audiences; Tree, for infants and toddlers; and Tree, a World In Itself, created for children with Developmental Disabilities. From the pioneering Italian theatre for early years La Baracca-Testoni Ragazzi comes Casa (Home), a playful duet for two actors expertly crafted for children 1 - 4 years which will play for audiences in Hamilton and North York before its run at Tarragon Theatre ExtraSpace. In another fascinating duet, the exceptional musical artistry of Emmanuelle Lizere, “Tigouli” is matched by dancer Alexandra Carron with In Tune, a performance inspired by the research of early childhood researcher Daniel Stern.

This year’s edition reflects the festival’s ongoing commitment to nurturing the creation of homegrown theatre and performance by Canadian artists with two festival premieres and presentations of two new works in progress. Mer Océane, a physical theatre and puppetry performance from the experimental Québec-based Le Chemin qui Marche which had its first test showings in the festival’s 2022 edition, will play May 30 - June 2 at the Spadina Theatre.

Cooo, a contemporary music and theatre performance for infants and toddlers from singer Xin Wang with percussionist Michael Murphy, commissioned and developed by WeeFestival, will also have its official premiere June 6 - 9 at the Tarragon Theatre’s Near Studio, renamed “the Nest” for the duration of the festival.

The Friendship Star by Cheri Maracle, a Seedling Project initiated in 2022, will have a series of test performances for kindergarten students in Toronto and Surrey, B.C. over the month of May in advance of its scheduled premiere in 2026 while artists of Canada’s Global Orchestra- Kuné will be in residence as the 2025 Seedling Project creating a brand new music theatre piece for children 0-3 years. Public showings of the new work in progress are scheduled for June 8th, the final day of the festival.

Lynda Hill, the festival’s Artistic Director says, “After our expansive 10th anniversary festival last year, we’re embarking on our next decade with a programme that features more new works for the very very young. We’re inviting our audiences into a form of embodied and relational exchange with artists around the possibilities of contemporary Canadian theatre for the very young. Regardless of the show’s form or style, each production in the 2025 WeeFestival promises to spark joy, curiosity, and a lifelong love of the arts in young audiences while fostering meaningful connections with their peers and families.”

In addition to the featured performances, WeeFestival will offer a range of special events and activities that enrich and extend the theatre experience for children and families. Full details will be available on the festival website by May 9, 2025.

The 2025 edition will once again offer a professional stream of activity engaging artists, theatre studies students, and researchers over a series of events including workshops, talks, studies in performance practice sessions, and roundtable discussions.

WeeFestival will take place in multiple spaces including Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre as well as The Spadina Theatre of Alliance Française, and The Deanne Taylor Theatre in Leslieville, as well as on tour at Hamilton’s Arts for All’s Kinderfest and Villa Charities The Columbus Centre.

Finally, Le Théâtre français de Toronto returns as the WeeFestival’s Francophone Programme Partner along with support from the Office of Quebec in Toronto and the Alliance Française supporting efforts to reach Francophone and francophile families and students, while the Italian Cultural Institute of Toronto steps up as a major supporter of the tour of Casa from La Baracca-Testoni Ragazzi.

2025 WeeFestival Lineup

Tree: a World in Itself Motus Theatre (Quebec)

Inclusive Theatre, Music, Puppetry

Age Recommendation: 4 - 8 years

May 22 & 23, 2025 - The Deanne Taylor Theatre

Tree Motus Theatre (Quebec)

Theatre, Music, Puppetry

Age Recommendation: 0-3 years

May 24 & 25, 2025 - The Deanne Taylor Theatre

*

Casa La Baracca - Testoni Ragazzi (Italy)

Co-presented with the Istituto Italiano di Cultura

Theatre

Age Recommendation 1 - 4 years

May 30 - June 1, 2025 - Tarragon ExtraSpace

Mer Océane Le Chemin qui Marche (Quebec)

Theatre, Puppetry

Age Recommendation: 3 years +

May 31 & June 1, 2025 - Spadina Theatre, Alliance Française

*

In Tune June 4 & 5, 2025 - Tarragon Theatre Near Studio “The Nest”

Tigouli Productions (Quebec)

Music, Dance

Age Recommendation: 4-18 months or 18 months – 4 years

Cooo June 6 & 7, 2025 - Tarragon Theatre Near Studio “The Nest”

Xin Wang with Michael Murphy - WeeFestival (Ontario)

Music, Performance

Age Recommendation: 6 - 24 months

*

Full schedule/details on our website

2025 WeeFestival of Arts & Culture for Early Years

Dates: Venues: May 22th - June 8th 2025

The Deanne Taylor Theatre - Videocab, 10 Busy Street

The Spadina Theatre of Alliance Française: 24 Spadina Rd. Toronto ON M5R 2S7

Tarragon Theatre: 30 Bridgman Ave. Toronto ON M5R 1X3

Tickets: $10 - $17 (including ticketing and box office fees)

Box Office: weefestival.ca

Festival Website: weefestival.ca

About WeeFestival

Founded in 2014, WeeFestival is dedicated to the presentation of inspiring theatre and performing arts created especially for very young children and their families. Through its annual festival, they curate a dynamic and culturally diverse mix of productions from around the world and across the country created by leading companies and artists specializing in art for early childhood.

Through its touring and outreach programming in communities and schools, WeeFestival strives to increase access to quality theatre and performing arts experiences for children and families in Toronto and beyond. Through seedling projects, commissions, residencies, and professional development workshops, WeeFestival hopes to contribute to the advancement of Canadian theatre for young audiences.