International Women’s Day, observed globally on March 8th, isn’t just another date on the calendar—it’s a powerful reminder to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness about gender equality, and support women in our communities.
In Toronto, one of the world’s most diverse cities, International Women’s Day 2026 offers countless opportunities to honor the women who’ve shaped our lives, support women-owned businesses, connect with other inspiring women, and reflect on how far we’ve come while acknowledging the work still ahead.
Whether you’re looking to celebrate with friends, support women entrepreneurs, learn from female leaders, or simply take time for self-empowerment, this guide offers 15 meaningful ways to make March 8th, 2026 truly special.
Let’s explore how to celebrate women’s strength, creativity, and resilience in Toronto.
bear-painting
Why International Women’s Day Matters
The History
International Women’s Day has been observed since 1911, originally advocating for women’s rights to vote, hold public office, and work without discrimination. Over a century later, the day celebrates achievements while continuing to push for gender parity worldwide.
The 2026 Theme
Each year features a global theme. While the official 2026 theme will be announced closer to the date, recent themes have focused on gender equity, breaking biases, and empowering women in all spaces.
Why Celebrate?
Recognition – Acknowledge women’s contributions often overlooked in history books Solidarity – Stand together with women fighting for equality globally Inspiration – Learn from women leaders and role models Action – Turn celebration into tangible support for women’s causes Community – Connect with other women and allies
1. Support Women-Owned Creative Businesses
User Intent: Meaningful support for women entrepreneurs
The most direct way to celebrate? Put your money where your values are. Support women-owned businesses, especially those creating spaces for women’s empowerment.
Creative Workshops Led by Women
ZuoZuo Studio – Women-Founded Creative Space
Founded and operated by women, ZuoZuo Studio provides a welcoming environment where women can explore creativity without judgment or competition.
Pearl Jewelry Making Workshop Create your own jewelry while supporting women artisans. The symbolism is powerful—pearls, formed through adversity into beauty, mirror women’s resilience.
Duration: 1.5-2 hours
Price: Starting at $150
Perfect for: Women’s groups, mother-daughter dates, solo empowerment Book Pearl Workshop →
Fluid Bear Painting Express yourself freely through color and creativity. No rules, no judgment—just pure creative expression. Many women find this incredibly therapeutic and empowering.
Rug Tufting Workshop Build something substantial with your own hands. There’s profound empowerment in creating functional art through physical effort—a reminder that women can build anything.
Duration: 3-6 hours
Price: Starting at $150
Perfect for: Team building, girls’ day out, personal achievement Book Tufting Workshop →
Why Creative Workshops Empower:
Safe spaces for self-expression
No prior skills required (accessible to all women)
Tangible results boost confidence
Community connection with other women
Support women-led businesses
2. Organize a Women’s Circle or Gathering
User Intent: Meaningful connection with other women
Create an intentional space for women to gather, share stories, and support each other.
How to Host:
Intimate Home Gathering (6-10 women)
Invite women from different life stages
Share stories of female role models
Discuss current challenges and victories
Potluck meal (everyone contributes)
Larger Community Event
Book a creative workshop for the group
Invite guest speaker (local woman leader)
Organize panel discussion
Create space for networking
Virtual Circle (for distant friends)
Zoom gathering with women globally
Share screen for documentary viewing
Breakout rooms for small group discussions
Digital vision board creation
Conversation Starters:
“What woman has most influenced your life?”
“What achievement are you proudest of?”
“How can we support each other better?”
“What barriers have you overcome?”
3. Attend Toronto’s IWD Events and Rallies
User Intent: Community participation and activism
Toronto hosts numerous International Women’s Day events annually. Mark your calendar for March 8, 2026.
Expected Events:
Nathan Phillips Square Rally
Traditional gathering point
Speakers from women’s organizations
Music and performances
Community booths
Usually 11am-2pm
Women’s March Toronto
Walking demonstration
Signs and solidarity
Route typically through downtown
Afternoon event
University Campus Events
U of T, York, Ryerson host panels
Often free and public
Feature student and faculty speakers
Focus on intersectional feminism
Cultural Centers
Aga Khan Museum events
Black Creek Community Centre
Various cultural celebrations
Diverse perspectives
Check:
City of Toronto website (February updates)
Eventbrite “International Women’s Day Toronto”
Social media hashtags #IWDToronto2026
4. Support Women’s Shelters and Organizations
User Intent: Direct impact and charitable giving
Turn celebration into action by supporting organizations helping women in need.
Toronto Women’s Organizations to Support:
Interval House
Toronto’s first shelter for abused women
Donate items or funds
Volunteer opportunities
Women’s Habitat
Housing for women and children fleeing abuse
Accepts clothing, household items, toiletries
Financial donations year-round
Toronto Rape Crisis Centre
24/7 support line
Counseling services
Education and advocacy
YWCA Toronto
Housing and employment programs
Leadership development
Safe spaces for women
Native Women’s Resource Centre
Supports Indigenous women
Cultural programs
Community services
How to Give:
Financial Donations
One-time or monthly giving
Tax receipts provided
Direct impact on services
Item Donations
Professional clothing (for job interviews)
Toiletries and personal care items
New underwear and socks
Children’s items (many shelters house families)
Time Donations
Volunteer at events
Offer professional skills (resume writing, coaching)
Mentor programs
5. Book a Spa Day or Wellness Experience
User Intent: Self-care and personal restoration
Women spend so much time caring for others. International Women’s Day is the perfect excuse for self-care without guilt.
Toronto Wellness Options:
Women-Only Spas:
Elmwood Spa (full-day packages)
Body Blitz (budget-friendly, multiple locations)
Both offer water circuits, treatments, relaxation spaces
Wellness Workshops:
Yoga classes specifically for women
Meditation circles
Sound bath experiences
Breathwork sessions
Self-Care at Home:
Create a personal spa day
Face masks and bath rituals
Journal about your journey as a woman
Rest without apologizing
Group Wellness:
Book spa packages with female friends
Organize yoga class together
Wellness retreat day trip
Remember: Self-care isn’t selfish. Resting and restoring yourself is revolutionary in a world that demands women give constantly.
6. Attend Panel Discussions and Workshops
User Intent: Learning and professional development
International Women’s Day features numerous educational events focusing on women’s leadership, empowerment, and challenges.
Topics to Explore:
Professional Development:
Women in leadership
Salary negotiation workshops
Entrepreneurship for women
Breaking glass ceilings
Social Issues:
Reproductive rights
Gender-based violence prevention
Intersectional feminism
Women’s health advocacy
Cultural Conversations:
Women in different cultures
Immigration experiences
LGBTQ+ women’s issues
Indigenous women’s perspectives
Where to Find Events:
University campuses
Public libraries
Community centers
Online webinars
7. Celebrate with a Women’s Dinner or Brunch
User Intent: Social celebration and connection
Break bread with the women who’ve supported you—or meet new inspiring women over a meal.
Ideas:
Restaurant Celebration:
Choose woman-owned restaurants
Toronto options: Donna’s, Tabule, Leña
Make reservations early (March 8 is busy!)
Celebrate diverse cuisines from women chefs
Potluck at Home:
Each woman brings a dish
Share recipes from female family members
Tell stories behind the food
Create a recipe book together
Book Club Brunch:
Discuss books by women authors
Focus on feminist literature
Mix reading with food
Regular monthly tradition
Intergenerational Gathering:
Include women of all ages
Grandmothers, mothers, daughters, friends
Share wisdom across generations
Honor elder women’s experiences
8. Watch Films or Documentaries by Women
User Intent: Cultural engagement and education
Support women filmmakers and learn from women’s stories on screen.
Must-Watch Options:
Documentaries:
“RBG” (Ruth Bader Ginsburg)
“Coded Bias” (AI and racial bias)
“The Cave” (female doctor in Syria)
“Miss Americana” (Taylor Swift)
Films by Women Directors:
Chloé Zhao films
Greta Gerwig’s work
Ava DuVernay’s documentaries
Canadian women directors
Canadian Women Filmmakers:
Sarah Polley
Deepa Mehta
Patricia Rozema
Atom Egoyan’s collaborators
Host a Screening:
Invite women friends
Discussion after viewing
Snacks and conversation
Virtual or in-person
9. Take a Solo Day for Self-Reflection
User Intent: Personal growth and introspection
Sometimes the most powerful way to celebrate is alone, reflecting on your journey as a woman.
Solo Day Activities:
Morning:
Journal about your growth
List 10 achievements you’re proud of
Write letter to younger self
Meditation or yoga
Afternoon:
Visit art gallery alone (observe women artists)
Walk through a beautiful space (High Park, Toronto Islands)
Creative workshop solo (tufting, painting, pottery)
Read in a cozy café
Evening:
Cook yourself a special meal
Watch inspirational film
Bath with candles and music
Early bedtime (rest is radical)
Reflection Prompts:
“What does being a woman mean to me?”
“Which women have shaped who I am?”
“What do I want to achieve this year?”
“How can I support other women better?”
10. Support Women Artists and Creators
User Intent: Cultural support and patronage
Invest in women’s creative work—art, music, writing, performances.
How to Support:
Visual Arts:
Visit galleries featuring women artists
Purchase art from women creators
Follow and share women artists on social media
Attend women artists’ exhibitions
Music:
Stream women musicians
Attend concerts by female artists
Buy albums directly from artists
Support women-owned record labels
Writing:
Buy books by women authors
Support women journalists (subscriptions)
Read women bloggers and writers
Leave reviews for women’s books
Toronto Venues Featuring Women:
AGO women artists collection
Harbourfront Centre performances
Local galleries in Distillery District
The Music Gallery (experimental women composers)
11. Mentor or Be Mentored
User Intent: Knowledge sharing and community building
International Women’s Day celebrates the intergenerational connection between women.
Mentoring Opportunities:
Formal Programs:
Women’s Executive Network mentorship
Big Sisters of Toronto
YWCA mentoring programs
Industry-specific women’s groups
Informal Mentoring:
Reach out to women in your field
Offer coffee chat to younger women
Ask established women for guidance
Share skills within your community
Reverse Mentoring:
Learn from younger women
Technology skills from Gen Z
Social media from millennials
Fresh perspectives on old problems
How to Start:
“I admire your work. Could we chat?”
Offer specific help, not vague “let me know”
Be genuine about what you can learn
Commit to showing up
12. Take a Women’s History Tour
User Intent: Education and historical awareness
Discover Toronto’s hidden history of women’s contributions.
Toronto Women’s History:
Notable Toronto Women:
Dr. Emily Stowe (first female doctor)
Mary Ann Shadd (journalist, abolitionist)
Agnes Macphail (first female MP)
June Callwood (journalist, activist)
Historical Sites:
Old City Hall (suffragette rallies)
University of Toronto (first women admitted)
Queen’s Park (women’s political firsts)
Harbourfront (women’s labor history)
Create Your Own Tour:
Research Toronto women’s history
Visit significant locations
Take photos and share stories
Create Instagram story tour
Share with other women
13. Shop from Women-Owned Toronto Businesses
User Intent: Economic support and conscious consumerism
Every purchase is a vote. Vote for women on International Women’s Day.
Toronto Women-Owned Businesses:
Fashion:
SMYTHE (women’s blazers)
Pink Tartan (Canadian designer)
Local boutiques in Leslieville, Queen West
Food:
Roselle Desserts (women-owned bakery)
Lady Marmalade (brunch spots)
Women-owned cafés
Wellness:
Women-owned yoga studios
Female practitioners (massage, acupuncture)
Women’s health clinics
Creative Services:
Women photographers
Female graphic designers
Women-owned studios (like ZuoZuo!)
How to Find:
Google “women-owned businesses Toronto”
Check Instagram hashtag #TorontoWomenOwned
Ask in local Facebook groups
Support directories listing women businesses
14. Start a Women’s Book or Discussion Club
User Intent: Ongoing connection and intellectual engagement
Turn March 8th into the start of something lasting.
How to Start:
Choose Format:
Monthly book club (women authors)
Bi-weekly coffee discussions
Online forum for working women
Industry-specific women’s group
Book Suggestions:
“Sister Outsider” (Audre Lorde)
“The Argonauts” (Maggie Nelson)
“Bad Feminist” (Roxane Gay)
“Women Who Run With Wolves” (Clarissa Pinkola Estés)
Canadian women authors (Margaret Atwood, Dionne Brand)
Discussion Topics:
Career challenges as women
Work-life balance
Supporting each other
Feminism intersectionality
Personal growth
Meeting Places:
Rotate hosting at homes
Public library meeting rooms
Coffee shops
Virtual via Zoom
15. Create Art with Intention
User Intent: Creative expression and empowerment
Use creativity to process, celebrate, or express your experience as a woman.
Creative Expression Ideas:
Visual Art:
Paint your feelings about womanhood
Create a vision board for women’s goals
Photograph women in your life
Make a collage of inspiring women
Writing:
Poetry about female experience
Essay on women who influenced you
Letter to future generations of women
Memoir pieces about your journey
Creative Workshops: Book an empowering creative experience at ZuoZuo Studio:
Tufting Workshop: Create a rug with feminist message, woman symbol, or empowering word. Physical act of building = empowerment metaphor.
Fluid Bear Painting: Express emotions through color without words. Many women find this liberating—creating without explaining or justifying.
Pearl Jewelry: Like women, pearls are formed through pressure into beauty. Create jewelry celebrating resilience.
Group Creative Sessions:
Organize women’s creative night
Everyone creates together
Share stories while making
Support each other’s artistic expression
How to Make Your Celebration Intersectional
International Women’s Day must include ALL women—across race, class, ability, sexuality, and identity.
Inclusive Celebration Checklist:
✅ Amplify diverse voices – Share posts from women of color, trans women, disabled women ✅ Support diverse organizations – Not just mainstream women’s groups ✅ Learn about different experiences – Read books by women unlike yourself ✅ Check your privilege – Acknowledge advantages you have ✅ Make events accessible – Physical accessibility, financial accessibility, language ✅ Use inclusive language – “People with uteruses” includes trans men, excludes trans women without ✅ Pay attention to who’s missing – Who isn’t represented in your celebration?
Resources:
Black Women’s Collective Toronto
Native Women’s Resource Centre
Trans women’s organizations
Disabled Women’s Network Canada
Planning Your International Women’s Day
Week Before (March 1-7):
Monday: Research Toronto IWD events, mark calendar Tuesday: Reach out to women friends about gathering Wednesday: Book a creative workshop or spa appointment Thursday: Purchase items to donate to the women’s shelter Friday: Plan weekend activities Saturday: Prep for March 8 celebration Sunday, March 8: International Women’s Day!
Day-Of Schedule Options:
Morning:
Attend rally or march
Solo reflection and journaling
Brunch with women friends
Afternoon:
Creative workshop at ZuoZuo Studio
Visit women’s art exhibition
Support women-owned businesses
Evening:
Women’s dinner gathering
Watch film by woman director
Self-care spa evening at home
Virtual Celebration Ideas
Can’t celebrate in person? These online options connect you with women globally.
Virtual Activities:
Online Events:
Livestream IWD events worldwide
Webinars on women’s issues
Virtual workshops and classes
Global women’s discussions
Social Media:
Share women’s stories using #IWD2026
Tag inspiring women
Share resources
Amplify women’s voices
Digital Connection:
Video call with women friends
Online book club meeting
Virtual creative session
Global women’s meditation
Continuing the Momentum Beyond March 8
International Women’s Day shouldn’t be the only day we celebrate and support women.
Make It Ongoing:
Monthly:
Buy from women-owned businesses
Attend women’s events
Mentor or be mentored
Donate to women’s causes
Weekly:
Read books by women
Share women’s work on social media
Support women colleagues
Connect with women friends
Daily:
Challenge sexism when you see it
Uplift other women
Practice self-care without guilt
Remember your strength
Celebrate Women at ZuoZuo Studio
This International Women’s Day, celebrate female creativity, resilience, and strength through empowering workshop experiences.
Why ZuoZuo for IWD:
✨ Women-founded and operated – Support women entrepreneurs ✨ Safe, welcoming space – Non-judgmental environment ✨ No experience required – Accessible to all women ✨ Empowering activities – Build confidence through creation ✨ Group bookings welcome – Celebrate together ✨ Flexible scheduling – Weekend and evening sessions
International Women’s Day Workshops:
💎 Pearl Jewelry Making (Starting at $150)
Create symbol of resilience
Support women artisans
Take home lasting reminder
🐻 Fluid Bear Painting (Starting at $65)
Express freely without judgment
Colorful creative release
Therapeutic and fun
🎨 Rug Tufting (Starting at $110)
Build something substantial
Physical empowerment
Collaborative creation option
Join the Celebration
International Women’s Day 2026 is your opportunity to honor women’s achievements, support women in your community, and celebrate your own journey as a woman.
Whether you attend rallies, book creative workshops, support women’s organizations, or simply take time for self-reflection, make March 8th meaningful.
Share your celebration: Tag @zuozuostudio and use #IWDToronto2026 #InternationalWomensDay #TorontoWomen
Because when women support women, incredible things happen. 💜
