St. John's LIP August 2026 Newsletter | | The St. John’s Local Immigration Partnership is a broad-based partnership designed to support the well-being and participation of newcomers in all aspects of life in the city, as well as to strengthen the city’s ability to integrate newcomer needs into municipal planning processes. The St. John’s LIP is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. |
| City Of St. John's Updates | | |
Join us in celebrating and uplifting diverse voices at our third annual, “Pride in Colour: An open mic for queer and decolonial storytelling”!
Are you a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, person of colour) 2SLGBTQIA+ artist eager to showcase your talent?
We invite you to share your art with us in this queer and decolonial space.
Whether it’s poetry, music, writing, visual art, script performances, we welcome it all.
Additionally, we’ll have plenty of open mic time for spontaneous sharing, so feel free to stop by and join in! While we are prioritizing art from 2SLGBTQIA+ BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of colour), allies are welcome and encouraged to attend.
August 7th
Doors open at 6:30pm, event starts at 7:00pm
Foran Room, St. John's City Hall (10 New Gower Street)
This event is for all ages, and free to attend.
| | NEW Outdoor Birthday Parties! | | |
Celebrate your special day in the great outdoors at Rotary Sunshine Park! Available in May, June, September, and October, these adventure-filled parties let you choose one exciting activity for up to 25 guests:
🏹 Archery
🌲 Shelter Building
🔥 Fire Building
🧭 Orienteering
📍 Geocaching
Parties are $250 for a 2 hour bookings (1.5 hours of outdoor programming, 30 minutes in our indoor space). Please note: All bookings are weather dependent and there is no indoor backup.
Email outdoor@stjohns.ca to book!
| | Fall Recreation Registration | | |
Registration for fall recreation programs begins Thursday, July 30 at 10 a.m. for St. John's residents. Register for children, youth, fitness outdoor, adult and seniors programs!
➡️To register and view programs visit StJohns.ca/RECconnect
📅Save the date!
Registration for Swimming and Aquatic Leadership programs begins Tuesday, August 25.
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The City of St. John’s Downtown Pedestrian Mall (DPM) returns for the 2026 season. Water Street transforms into a lively, people-first space filled with patio dining, local shopping, and downtown energy!
Date: June 25 to September 7, 2026
Time: Noon to 10 p.m. daily
Location: Water Street (Adelaide Street to Prescott Street)
| | Partner and Community: News and Updates | | The Downtown St. John’s Busker Festival | | |
The Downtown St. John’s Busker Festival brings live street performance to the heart of the city. From July 31 to August 2, 2026, downtown streets come alive with energy, creativity, and entertainment.
Each day, visitors can enjoy performances from local, national, and international artists. The lineup includes jugglers, magicians, acrobats, comedians, and visual artists.
In addition, the festival is free and open to all ages. Families can enjoy face painting, balloon twisting, and interactive performances throughout the day.
The Downtown St. John’s Busker Festival creates a fun and welcoming atmosphere. As a result, it has become one of the most exciting summer events in the city.
| | HOLD FAST Contemporary Art Festival | | |
The HOLD FAST Festival is a four-day celebration of contemporary art in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. The festival brings together artists, audiences, and communities through engaging and accessible art experiences.
This year’s festival takes place August 12-15, 2026.
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August 5, 2026
8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Held on the first Wednesday of August, the day is recognized as a civic holiday in the St. John’s area. The Royal St. John’s Regatta is one of the most historic events in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is also the oldest organized sporting event in North America, with documented races dating back to 1816.
Every summer, thousands of spectators gather at Quidi Vidi Lake in St. John’s to watch exciting rowing races. The event features fixed-seat rowing crews competing in a full day of races on the lake.
| | Fête de l’Acadie. Let’s Celebrate National Acadian Day Together ! | | |
August 15, 2026
12 pm - 1 pm Join us for a joyful parade on the pedestrian mall
1 pm - 6 pm Free concerts all afternoon on George Street stage
Practical Information for Tintamarre
- Meet at 11 a.m. at the corner of Water St. and Prescott St. (across from the ALT Hotel)
- The parade will follow the pedestrian mall on Water St. and end on George St., in front of the stage.
- Bring something to make noise with—pots, pans, spoons, etc.—as well as your outfits and flags in the colors of France, Newfoundland, Labrador, and Acadia!
- For more information: info@acfsj.ca
Concert Details
- From 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM on the George St. stage
- Free French-language concerts
- French-language songs, gypsy jazz, Newfoundland folk rock, traditional Acadian music
- Don’t forget your water bottles, hats, and flags!
- For more information: culture@fftnl.ca
| | Women and Gender Diverse Newcomers | | |
Are you an immigrant or refugee woman? Find community at our Peer Support Group for Women and Gender Diverse Newcomers.
This confidential, non-judgmental space offers important settlement information, support, and community connection.
To receive location details, ongoing program updates, and future schedules - register today!
Have questions, or need help registering? Contact Kari Esparza-Sosa via email at kari@ywcastjohns.ca or call/text/WhatsApp (709) 769-0595
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Are you an LGBTQIA+ immigrant or refugee? Find community at our LGBTQIA+ Newcomer Peer Support Group.
This confidential, non-judgmental space offers important settlement information, support, and community connection.
To receive location details, ongoing program updates, and future schedules- register today!
Have questions, or need help registering? Contact Kimberly Offspring via email at kimberly@ywcastjohns.ca or call/text/WhatsApp (709) 769-6649
| | BLOOM Bachata Harbour Scuff Festival | | |
Date & Day: August 7/ Friday
Time: 7:00PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Downtown Pedestrian Mall, St. John's, NL
Join BLOOM for a special outdoor bachata class at Harbour Scuff Festival on the
Downtown Pedestrian Mall!
| | RIDNI canteen is now officially open in Bannerman Park! | | |
RIDNI (meaning "close ones" in Ukrainian) is a social enterprise run by the Ukrainian National Federation of Canada – Avalon Branch.
We're cooking tasty, homemade-style food with heart, all season long, right in the park.
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 11 am (weather dependant)
| | Improve Your Communication Skills | | |
Join us for Improve your communication skills: Your Best Voice, an engaging session designed to help you communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and authenticity. Learn practical strategies to strengthen your voice for interviews, conversations, and professional opportunities.
What you’ll learn:
- Communicate with confidence and authenticity
- Strengthen your voice for interviews and conversations
- Express your ideas with clarity and impact
📅 Wednesday, August 5
🕒 Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Room A1046, Art & Administration Building, Memorial University (230 Elizabeth Ave, St. John’s, NL)
| | Building Cultural Competence | | |
Join us for Building Cultural Competence: Understanding, Communicating, and Thriving Across Cultures through the Empowerment Bridge Program.
In this session, we will explore the importance of intercultural competence and provide practical tools to understand, communicate, and collaborate effectively across diverse cultural contexts.
What you will learn:
- Understand key intercultural competence frameworks
- Build cultural awareness in personal and professional settings
- Navigate cultural differences and challenges
- Strengthen cross-cultural communication and collaboration
📅 Wednesday, August 12
🕒 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Online
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Join us for a full day of Caribbean culture in the heart of downtown. St. John's! Jerk Fest brings together the best of food, music, and community - all in one place.
What to expect:
Food vendors serving authentic Jamaican cuisine
Live entertainment - singers, DJs & more
Artisans showcasing Jamaican goods and crafts
Children's activities for the whole family
Entry $10. Food and goods available for purchase on-site.
St. John's Jerk Fest 2026
Hosted by JCANL
George Street, St. John's
August 8, 2026
12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
| | Mauril: An Essential Resource for Learning Official Languages | | Mauril is a free app that helps newcomers learn French and English as they’re spoken in Canada. It offers a unique linguistic and cultural immersion that fosters a sense of belonging to the diverse Canadian experience. Developed by CBC/Radio-Canada and funded and endorsed by the Government of Canada, Mauril provides a variety of engaging content tailored to all skill levels and curated by pedagogical experts (including TV series, documentaries and podcasts). By making it easy to incorporate language learning into your daily routine, Mauril improves listening comprehension and helps build lasting language habits. | | Get Your Resume Noticed: Understanding Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) | | |
A strong resume is your first opportunity to make an impression. Join us for our next NETGroup (Newcomer Employment Training Group) Workshop as we explore how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) work and share practical strategies to help your resume get noticed by employers.
Thursday, August 20
10:30 AM-12:00 PM
C4 Bethesda Settlement Office - 57 Thorburn Road, Suite A
This is a free, in-person workshop.
| | More Than a Number: Portraits and Stories of Migrants | |
A Free Art Workshop – Intervening Polaroids Through Story, Reflection, and Art-Making.
Join us for a free community art workshop exploring migration, identity, memory, and belonging through storytelling and creative expression.
Using photographs, reflection activities, and mixed-media art, participants will transform Polaroid portraits into meaningful visual stories that celebrate diverse migrant experiences. No artistic experience is required, and all materials will be provided.
Participants will:
- Reflect on migration, identity, and belonging
- Engage in guided discussions and creative activities
- Create a personalized mixed-media artwork
- Connect with others through shared stories and artistic expression
Free admission. Registration required.
Date & Time: August 12, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Kenmount Terrace Community Centre, 85 Messenger Drive, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
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| Pathway To Diversity National Art Exhibition | | |
City in Colour Urban Consultancy Cooperative and Expertise Hub Cooperative are pleased to invite you to the opening of the Pathway to Diversity National Art Exhibition in St. John’s, a project commemorating the 50th anniversary of Canada’s 1976 Immigration Act.
Opening Event
Date: August 13, 2026
Time: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Location: City of St. John's. City Hall – 10 New Gower St., 4th floor, Foran Greene Room
Exhibition
Dates: August 12 to 23, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm (weekdays)
Location: St. John’s City Hall
| | Tombolo Community Connections Mentorship Program | | |
The activities offered will include:
- Informal Language Learning
- Newcomer and Indigenous Connections
- Matching - Mentorship Newcomers with Canadians, New Canadians, other Locals, and long-time residents.
Participation in the community connections activities will be FREE with no cost
| | Submit Your Events and Get Involved | | |
Do you have an upcoming event the community should know about? Would
you like us to highlight a successful program or initiative? Get in touch.
The St. John’s LIP also has many opportunities for you to get involved.
Contact immigration@stjohns.ca for more information or to get involved.
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