Today marks the first anniversary of the death of Federal NDP leader Jack Layton, from a cancer the family to this day refuses to divulge.

Layton's widow, his son, Councillor Mike Layton and his family will gather for a private ceremony at the grave site in the historic Necropolis Cemetery in Cabbagetown Wednesday morning to bury more of his ashes. The headstone including a bust of his likeness was unveiled on Tuesday. It contains an excerpt from his final letter to Canadians which reads:  Let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic and we'll change the world."

Unofficially, the memorial for Jack Layton at Nathan Phillips Square begins at 2 p.m. as artists filter in to make chalk drawings of his likeness and others leaving messages, much like the days following his death.

The main event is a concert organized for 6 p.m. by the Layton family and the Broadbent Institute. It that will feature artists Ron Sexsmith, Raffi and Jason Collette to name a few. That's also where NDP MP Olivia Chow and councillor Mike Layton will address the crowd. It's scheduled to wrap up by 7:30 p.m.

There are also events planned in major cities across the country including Ottawa, where a vigil will be held at the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill and a picnic in Hintonburg Park.

In Montreal, there will be a Commemoration at Les Bobards, which was one of Layton's favourite bars.

In Calgary: Drink Orange Crush (in remembrance of the NDP’s election performance in Quebec last year) and watch a live stream of Toronto’s events at Melrose Cafe and Bar, 7 p.m. (MT).

Vancouver: Remembering Jack Layton, an informal gathering at the Vancouver Convention Centre at 6 p.m. (PT).