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City of Nanaimo is planning a “Take a Walk in a Park” theme and “Try Something New” leisure activties. This will include organized opportunities that individuals, groups, families can experience at free or low cost exposure to leisure activities.

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“You need to move!”

A whole day family programme organized the 22nd of April for everyone, using each possible room and equipment on University of Pécs campus

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Sesc is a member of the World Leisure Organization and works daily throughout Brazil to encourage and promote leisure for people of all ages. For World Leisure Day, the institution will hold over 300 actions in all regions of the country focused on experimentation and knowledge exchange.

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The Western Sydney Univeristy, in Sydney, Australia is planning an activation in the middle of Parramatta Square, which is a busy area in the Western Sydney area, with games, music and art activities. Stay tuned for more info!

April 16, 2026

A day to explore how leisure transforms lives and communities for the better!

World Leisure Day in 2026

Volunteering for a sustainable future

On April 16, 2026, the World Leisure Organization will proudly celebrate the sixth edition of World Leisure Day (WL Day), shining a spotlight on the theme “Leisure that inspires change: Volunteering for a sustainable future.”

Leisure is more than a moment of pause—it is a powerful catalyst for active citizenship, social commitment, and community resilience. Through volunteering, leisure becomes a force that empowers individuals, strengthens communities, and contributes to a more equitable and sustainable world.
Let your passion lead the way and join us in celebrating the transformative role of volunteering in shaping a brighter future for all.

Unleash your creativity and join us!

World Leisure Day 2026 invites you to share your energy and community spirit by discovering how leisure can inspire real change. Whether you’re organizing a neighborhood clean-up, a volunteer-led workshop, a community garden activity, a charity event, or supporting local causes, your actions help build a more sustainable future.
Join us in celebrating how leisure and volunteering strengthen communities and create a more connected, resilient, and equitable world. Together, let’s make a positive impact.

Here it comes!

World Leisure Day

Leisure is essential to individual, community, and national development, enhancing quality of life, well-being, social connection, and democratic engagement. It fosters solidarity, belonging, and voluntary participation across societies.

Encompassing play, recreation, arts and culture, sport, festivals, health and fitness, travel and tourism, and education, leisure enriches everyday life.

The World Leisure Day (WL Day) is a global initiative from the World Leisure Organization (WLO) which aims to reinforce leisure as a social right and its importance in daily life, as well as to expand and promote leisure globally while recognizing that barriers still exist for many worldwide.

How it started – Our Journey

The first WL Day on April 16, 2021 with the theme Leisure For Better Life was coordinated by WLCE USP (World Leisure Center of Excellence at University of São Paulo), LAGEL (Laboratory of Management of Leisure experiences), and Sesc (Social Service of Commerce) in Brazil.

The second edition of the WL Day took place on April 16 2022 with the theme Leisure Matters and was organized by Vancouver Island University (VIU) in Nanaimo, BC, in collaboration with l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR). Both universities are part of the World Leisure Centres of Excellence Network (WLCEs), which also includes universities in Brazil, China, The Netherlands, and New Zealand.

The third edition of the WL Day was celebrated on April 16 2023 and was devoted to the theme Leisure for Social Transformation. On this occasion, it was organized by WLCE Vancouver Island University (VIU) from Canada, in collaboration with WLCE University of São Paulo (USP) and Sesc (Social Service of Commerce), both from Brazil.

The fourth edition of the WL Day was celebrated on April 2024 and was devoeted to the them Embracing Digital Horizons in Leisure. This event was organized by the WL Day Committee in partnership with the World Leisure Centers of Excellence and World Leisure Special Interest Groups.

Participants were encouraged to explore the transformative potential of leisure in the digital age and the intersection of leisure and emerging technologies, such as the metaverse, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality, and the dynamic landscape of virtual leisure practices. There were dozens of leisure-themed activities held worldwide, among them were classes, debates, workshops,  seminars, etc.

The fifth edition of World Leisure Day was celebrated on April 16, 2025, under the theme Leisure for a Better Society. This event was organized by the WL Day Committee in partnership with the World Leisure Centers of Excellence and World Leisure Special Interest Groups.Events took place across eight countries—Brazil, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Hungary, Australia, Slovakia, and Taiwan—with strong engagement from Sesc units in Brazil and international highlights in Richmond, Canada. A total of 41 leisure-themed activities were held worldwide, encouraging dialogue on how leisure can promote social well-being, equity, sustainability, and community connection.

WL Day 2026:

Leisure that inspires change: Volunteering for a sustainable future

WL Day 2026 is a global invitation to explore how leisure can inspire meaningful change through volunteering and collective action toward a more sustainable future. Celebrated on April 16, 2026, this sixth edition of World Leisure Day marks an important milestone, as it is officially included in the United Nations Tourism Work Plan, reinforcing a shared global commitment to well-being, sustainability, and social responsibility.

Celebrating Leisure as a driver of volunteer action

Under the theme “Leisure that Inspires Change: Volunteering for a Sustainable Future,” WL Day 2026 highlights the transformative power of leisure when it is channeled into volunteering and community engagement. This year’s celebration emphasizes leisure not merely as time away from obligations, but as a meaningful space for active citizenship, social commitment, and collective responsibility. Through volunteer initiatives, leisure becomes a pathway for individuals and communities to contribute to positive social and environmental change.

Inspiring sustainable and resilient communities

WL Day 2026 underscores the vital role volunteering plays in building equitable, inclusive, and resilient societies. From environmental conservation and community development to education, culture, and social care, volunteer-led leisure activities strengthen social bonds and promote shared values. By engaging in purposeful leisure, individuals help address pressing global challenges such as climate change, social inequality, and community fragmentation, while fostering hope and solidarity at the local and global levels.

Advancing global well-being through active citizenship

The World Leisure Organization (WLO) recognizes volunteering as a powerful expression of leisure that nurtures personal fulfillment and societal well-being. WL Day 2026 emphasizes the importance of accessible and inclusive volunteer opportunities that empower people of all ages and backgrounds to participate. Whether through neighborhood clean-ups, community gardens, volunteer-led workshops, charity events, or support for local causes, leisure-based volunteering encourages lifelong engagement and strengthens the fabric of society.

Overcoming challenges through collective engagement

While celebrating the positive impact of volunteering, WL Day 2026 also calls attention to the barriers that limit participation, such as lack of resources, time constraints, or social exclusion. The initiative encourages innovative approaches and partnerships that make volunteering more accessible and impactful. By removing these barriers, societies can unlock the full potential of leisure as a force for collaboration, mutual understanding, and sustainable development.

Leisure that inspires change for future generations

WL Day 2026 highlights the intergenerational value of volunteering, showing how leisure can connect people across ages through shared purpose and action. From youth-led initiatives to intergenerational projects and lifelong volunteering, leisure fosters empathy, responsibility, and environmental stewardship. By inspiring individuals to lead with passion and purpose, WL Day 2026 reaffirms leisure as a cornerstone of sustainable development and a brighter future for all.

Through World Leisure Day 2026, the WLO continues its mission to promote leisure as an essential element of human life and social progress. Together, through volunteering and collective action, we can harness the power of leisure to inspire change and build a more sustainable world.