City of Toronto Declares ‘The Weeknd Weekend’ in Celebration of Singer’s Upcoming Hometown Concerts
By Website Content Manager
On July 26, the singer received the Key to the City of Toronto.
Toronto Celebrates The Weeknd with City Key and Namesake Weekend Ahead of His Hometown Shows
The Weeknd is making a major impact in his hometown.
The globally renowned singer — who grew up in Scarborough, a suburb of Toronto — was presented with the Key to the City and recognized with a dedicated “The Weeknd Weekend” by Toronto officials on Saturday, July 26.
According to an official statement, the honors were given during a private event attended by Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, members of the Boys & Girls Club of West Scarborough, and students from Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute, the artist’s former high school.
“Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye was born in Toronto and embodies the excellence of our city,” Mayor Chow said. “From Scarborough to international stardom, he’s redefined R&B as a Diamond-certified, multi-platinum artist, while also using his influence to make a positive, lasting difference both here and globally.”
In addition to his musical achievements, The Weeknd — who has a series of upcoming shows in Toronto — is investing in community projects. His initiatives include renovating a basketball court, creating a mobile recording studio for the Boys & Girls Club, and adding a dance and arts studio and a sensory room for students with developmental disabilities at Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute.
“I’m truly honored to receive the Key to the City. It’s great to be back home,” The Weeknd said. “Toronto is where I discovered my voice, and I’m dedicated to helping the youth here find theirs too.” Since 2020, the singer has donated over $10 million to humanitarian efforts worldwide.
Earlier this year, The Weeknd achieved a historic milestone by becoming the highest-grossing Black male artist to headline a show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, according to Live Nation.
Though he has expressed interest in retiring his stage persona, The Weeknd emphasized in a Variety cover story in January that he remains fully invested in his music career. “I don’t think I can ever stop,” he said. “But I always need to feel challenged. And right now, I’ve fully mastered whatever ‘The Weeknd’ is.”