Culture Days are back with more than 100 activities to enjoy!
Celebrate what makes Oakville a vibrant and special community with three weeks of local arts and culture events, including:
- the return of the World of Threads Festival on October 10, after a five-year break, with its opening weekend at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC)
- Art Swap: Portraits for Community Love workshop with youth mural Artist Yen Linh Thai on October 14 at QEPCCC from 1 to 4 p.m.
- a watercolour workshop at QEPCCC, hosted by Maryna Salagab on October 14 from 2 to 4 p.m.
- musical performances all day on October 14 at QEPCCC by High Rendition Jazz, Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton, Kerr Street Big Band, Oakville Wind Orchestra, Intrada Brass and Oakville Symphony Orchestra
- hands-on workshops by Oakville Suzuki Association (October 7 from 1 to 4 p.m.), the Oakville Woodcarvers and Sculptors Guild (October 14 from noon to 2 p.m.), the Oakville Sewers Forum (October 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and the Wearable Art Show (October 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Theatresports with Oakville Improv Theatre Company at QEPCCC on October 14 from 4 to 6 p.m.
- town-led drop-ins at QEPCCC on October 14 for hands-on fibre-based and Digital Maker Space activities all day long, plus All Ages Clay (Parented for 6+) in the afternoon
- a Seniors Art Show and Sale at Sir John Colborne on October 14
- Oakville Museum tours (from 1 to 4 p.m.), including Oakville's First Post Office (from 1:30 to 4 p.m.), and a Mindful Breathing workshop (from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.) on October 7
- Meditation & Mindfulness (from 3:20 to 3:50 p.m.), Parent & Child Yoga (from 2 to 2:30 p.m. and 2:40 to 3:10 p.m.), and Taekwondo (from 3 to 4 p.m.) activities at Iroquois Ridge Community Centre on September 23
- a printable Culture Days Animal Critters foldable activity (pdf), copies can also be picked up at Town of Oakville Culture Day sites and most Recreation and Culture facilities.
- The Crossing: Community Heritage Day – Discover the history of Lions Valley Park and enjoy children's games and activities on September 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Consider taking Oakville Transit to this free #CultureDays event at Lions Valley Park/Knox Presbyterian Church Sixteen!
Watch From Flute to Tuba: An Interactive Exploration of Music Instruments on October 1 from 2 to 4 p.m. and Music Connect with Yuan Yin Group from 7 to 8 p.m. Both community group performances take place at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts.
Celebrate Indigenous Culture
Create a visual reminder to recognize and honour the original caretakers of these lands. A Moccasin Identifier activity will be available at The Crossing event at Knox Presbyterian Church Sixteen on September 23 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and at Centennial Square (120 Navy Street) on September 30 starting at 7 p.m.
Complimentary tickets are available to watch singer/songwriter and inspirational speaker Lacey Hill and special guests at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30 from 8 to 10 p.m. Lacey Hill is a member of the Oneida/Mohawk of Six Nations, Wolf Clan.
Learn more about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events in Oakville.
Explore public art
- Connextions is an exhibition showcasing temporary public artworks on prominent windows at recreation facilities in each ward to build community spirit and celebrate community.
- A new mural has been installed at Glen Abbey Oakville Publick Library by artist Caroline MacFarlane.
- New mural at River Oaks Community Centre has been installed by artist Ning Yang, an illustrator and designer participating in the CreateSpace Public Art Residency in partnership with the Town of Oakville this year. Workshops will also be offered at Iroquois Ridge Community Centre, Oakville Museum, and QEPCCC.
- We are launching the new youth mural project with workshops led by artist Linh Thai.
Show us what home means to you!
New to Culture Days in Oakville this year is #APlaceICallHomeHalton, a participatory community art project led by hybrid media artist Faisal Anwar.
Residents are invited to think about what home means to them and share an image by tagging @aplaceicallhomeproject on Instagram, using the hashtag #APlaceICallHomeHalton or sending visuals to the @townofoakville Instagram account through in a direct message.
Images will be reposted as part of a growing archive that will form a collective memory of what home means to Halton residents. The visual content will also be added to a large-scale installation of photographs in motion, projected in various locations in Oakville and Halton during Culture Days.
Visit the #APlaceICallHomeHalton installation as it comes to life as a large scale one-day projection at QEPCCC on October 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Pre-registration is recommended for some activities
The calendar of events is subject to change and some programs have capacity restrictions. Sign up for select drop-ins up to seven days in advance.
Search for activities in your area, across Oakville and the Halton Festival Hub:
Questions?
Please email culturedays@oakville.ca or call 905-845-6601, ext. 4614.