🇺🇦 How to Celebrate Vyshyvanka Day in Toronto

How to Celebrate Vyshyvanka Day in Toronto:
From Sunrise to Dobranich!

Tomorrow is Vyshyvanka Day!
International Vyshyvanka Day is observed annually on the third Thursday of May, with this year's celebration falling on May 15th. On this occasion, Ukrainians and supporters of Ukraine worldwide proudly don vyshyvanky (Ukrainian embroidered shirts), showcasing solidarity and unity with the Ukrainian people. 🇺🇦

Whether you're a longtime participant or joining for the first time, here’s our guide to spending a meaningful day wrapped in tradition and spreading Ukrainian spirit in Toronto!

MORNING

Wake up, greet the sun & put on your favourite vyshyvanka!
Brew a cup of Hutsul Coffee to start your day right.
Stop by Koota Ooma to shop for Ukrainian books, goods and gifts.
Grab lunch or coffee at Future Bakery or Kolo Cafe – enjoy borshch, syrnyky, or a sweet treat!

AFTERNOON

Spend the afternoon at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch at St. Volodymyr Institute! Bring a friend!

Wear your vyshyvanka for a free gift from the Museum
Say “Pryvit!” and pose for a photo with our amazing staff and Thursday Volunteers
Explore the Making a Museum exhibition – featuring rarely seen artifacts, antique vyshyvanky, and the history of our Museum
Browse the Museum Boutique and Baba’s Treasures for unique gift items

Choose your next cultural adventure:

Take part in the Basket Weaving with Paper Workshop at the Museum at 7:00 PM, or sign up for one of our many exciting Spring Workshops
Head to Jane & Bloor Streets for Toronto’s Annual Vyshyvanka Parade — join the crowd in celebrating our colourful Ukrainian culture!
Stop by the Motherland – DesignTO Project at Scavolini featuring stunning large-scale vytynanky by Daria Alyoshkina and art installation by Oksana Hawrylak (on until May 19).

EVENING

Enjoy a cozy Ukrainian meal at Heavenly Perogy, UNO Bistro or Barrel House Korchma!

After dinner, slip into your favourite vyshyvanka pajamas, say your prayers and whisper “Slava Ukraini!”. And before you say “Dobranich!”, consider making a donation to your favourite Ukrainian charity or cause — a small act of generosity can go a long way in supporting Ukraine and its people. 💙💛

Share the Spirit!
Post your Vyshyvanka Day moments using #VyshyvankaToronto and tag @umcontario on Instagram and Facebook!

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

Making a Museum:
Safeguarding • Sharing • Celebrating

Through June 27, 2025

This exhibition honours the Museum's founders and their ongoing contributions over eight decades. It showcases treasured and rarely displayed artifacts, telling the story of our donors, collection, and diaspora while highlighting the Museum's rich history.

SPRING WORKSHOPS

These workshops and lecture are part of our Making a Museum programming series and are generously sponsored by:

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 15 Vyshyvanka Day
May 15 Workshop: Basket Weaving with Paper Workshop
May 17 Closed for Victoria Day weekend
May 18 International Museum Day 🌎
May 22 Workshop: Introduction to Ukrainian Goddess Embroidery
May 25 Spring Tea at St.Demetrius Orthodox Church
June 1 Workshop: Motanka
June 12 Lecture: Baba Yaga’s Palette: The Secrets of her Three Sacred Colours
June 18 UMCO Annual Meeting

May is Museum Month! 🏛️
May is Museum Month is an annual program led by the Ontario Museum Association. This year’s theme is Discover Ontario’s Museums, and we can’t think of a better place to start than the Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch! Read more…

May 18 is International Museum Day
As they say, "Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples." We couldn’t agree more!! We encourage you to explore our past exhibitions on our website to delve deeper into Ukrainian culture and history, or support our Museum.

MEMBERSHIP NEWS
📅 Save the date for our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. If you haven’t already renewed your membership, or would like to become a member, click here to join our community of supporters of Ukrainian culture, history and identity in Canada!

The Ukrainian Museum of Canada, Ontario Branch is a member of the Canadian Museums Association and the Ontario Museum Association.

How to Celebrate Vyshyvanka Day in Toronto:From Sunrise to Dobranich!