This weekend, Toronto is singing “I feel it coming” at the top of its lungs because it’s not just another tour stop for The Weeknd. It’s “The Weeknd Weekend,” as officially proclaimed by the City of Toronto, honouring global icon Abel Tesfaye with the ultimate flex: the key to the city.
Presented by Mayor Olivia Chow at a private ceremony on July 26th, the celebration was full of local love, complete with kids from the Boys & Girls Club of West Scarborough and students from the crooner’s alma mater, Birchmount Park Collegiate. Before The Weeknd takes over the city with his After Hours Til Dawn tour Toronto dates (July 27–28th and August 7–8th), this heartfelt homecoming gave us a reminder: even after shattering Billboard records and making Super Bowl history, Abel hasn’t forgotten his Scarborough roots.
And while getting the key to the city is obviously iconic (Stormy Daniels has the key to West Hollywood, so it’s kind of a big deal), The Weeknd isn’t just collecting shiny accolades. In partnership with Live Nation, he’s giving back by providing a revitalized basketball court and a mobile recording studio for the Boys & Girls Club, plus a next-level media arts and robotics lab, dance and arts studio, and a sensory room at Birchmount Park.
In Abel’s own words: “I’m deeply honoured to receive the Key to the City. It feels good to be home. Toronto is where I found my voice, and I’m committed to helping the next generation find theirs. That’s why I’m proud to support the Boys & Girls Club of West Scarborough and my former high school, Birchmount Park, providing youth with the means to unlock their full potential.”
If that all isn’t enough, the CN Tower is lighting up in blue and green in honour of The Weeknd’s contributions. So yes, the skyline will be as dramatic and stunning as one of his album covers, and we’re absolutely here for it.
Beyond the chart-smashing hits and stadium-filling tours, Abel’s been quietly building a legacy of humanitarian work. Through his XO Humanitarian Fund and efforts with the UN World Food Programme, he has donated over $10 million to causes ranging from Gaza to Ethiopia, supported wildfire relief efforts, and ensured that every tour ticket helps kids worldwide access education. And let’s not forget HXOUSE, his Toronto-based incubator for young creatives that’s already shaping the next generation of visionaries.
From West Scarborough to the world stage, The Weeknd has done more than make us cry in the club; he’s proven that superstardom and community care don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
You can still get tickets to see The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Down Tour in Toronto here.
