Downtown Winnipeg's been alive with students and school buses today, with WE Day going on at Bell MTS Place.

Thousands of students from more than 400 schools across the province were taking in the celebration.

To attend, students had to take action in one local and one global cause; tickets could not be purchased. Avery Groeneveld, a grade 11 student at Fort Richmond Collegiate, for example, partnered with the Children's Hospital Foundation and participated in their book sales, as well as volunteered her time to be a mascot at the Teddy Bear's picnic. Michelle Ruston, a grade 11 student at Glenboro School, has raised funds for her community through two silent auctions; she also challenged her community to donate to the Health Action Committee, resulting in more than $12,700 raised, and helping secure a doctor for Glenboro.

Speakers and performers at today's event included George Takei, Tyler Shaw, Alexandre Trudeau, the Kenyan Boys Choir, and more.