Province-wide stay-at-home order in effect
The Premier of Ontario has declared a province-wide state of emergency and issued a stay-at-home order in response to rising COVID-19 variant infection rates.
There's Snow Place Like Home for winter adventures.
Unique experiences you won't find at any other time of year!
As part of our There's Snow Place Like Home campaign throughout the winter months, the Town of Oakville is excited to introduce a wide variety of opportunities for families, youth and adults to get outside and stay active while we're practising physical distancing this season.
All programs offered follow strict COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Weekly programs are currently paused. Visit Programs Oakville to browse upcoming classes and workshops.
Virtual and in-person pre-booked drop-in programs are posted on Active Oakville. Spaces are limited.
Check out our Virtual Programs and Get Active and Creative at Home pages for more activities and resources to keep busy and social.
Click on the tabs that follow for information about our featured winter activities.
Outdoor ice rinks
Due to rising temperatures, outdoor ice rinks, including the refrigerated outdoor ice rink at Trafalgar Park, are closing for the season.
Skating on ponds, creeks or streams is not permitted
Skating is not allowed on any ponds, streams and creeks for the health and safety of the public. Visit the Stormwater Management Ponds page for information on the purpose of stormwater management ponds.
Festive Light Installation at Coronation Park
Coronation Park has undergone a magical transformation. Take a stroll or drive through and enjoy the light display.
Self-guided StoryWalks
Oakville Public Library (OPL) is excited to provide fun, self-guided walks based on a selected story. Leisurely stroll a trail and enjoy a tale that unfolds along the way in a safe and socially distanced environment. Scan the QR codes also posted for reading recommendations available at the library.
Kick off your self-guided StoryWalk at:
- Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park located at 2340 Ontario Street
- Tannery Park located at 10 Walker Street, and
- Waterworks Park located at 5 Kerr Street.
At Home in Bronte: Winter Edition
Enjoy the artwork of six diverse local artists during a walking tour of Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park and surrounding businesses. Organized by the Bronte BIA, 50 professionally-painted Muskoka chairs have been installed throughout the district. Safely spaced out, free and available any time until March.
Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Sections of the following trails will be groomed for cross country skiing or snowshoeing:
- Bronte Creek Trail
- Joshua Creek Trail
- East Joshua Creek Trail
Find a trail using our Recreational Trails map.
Winter Cycling
Parks and Open Space teams will also be clearing select trails for cyclists to enjoy safe biking during the winter months at the following locations:
- Crosstown Trail
- Tannery Park
- Bronte Waterfront Heritage Park
Find a trail using our Recreational Trails map.
Winter Pickleball and Tennis
For the enjoyment of our enthusiastic players, the following tennis/pickleball courts will be cleared:
- Shell Park (outdoor lights currently out of order)
- Old Abbey Lane Park
- Jonathon Park
- Maplegrove Park
- Bloomfield Park
- River Oaks*
- Glenashton Park
- Fowley Park*
Visit our Outdoor Courts page for more information on courts, including a map.
*Lit until 8 p.m.
Please note: Trails and courts will be cleared subject to weather and after snowfall stops. Please do not use during icy conditions.
Residents are encouraged to wear a face mask when engaging in outdoor activities.
Explore the grounds of Erchless Estate and Oakville's history at your own pace
While you're looking for signs of spring at Erchless Estate, take a moment to reflect on our rich history with the help of informative signs posted in the windows of Oakville Museum. New subjects will appear as seasons change, etc.
Check out the Heritage links on our Get Active and Creative at Home page to take a virtual (pre-holiday) tour of Erchless Estate, explore our online archive of collections, and more from your favourite chair at any time!
Get tickets for virtual performances through the Oakville Centre
While the Oakville Centre for Performing Arts remains closed for in-person performances, we are offering some shows online.
Self-guided StoryWalks
The Oakville Public Library (OPL) is excited to provide fun, self-guided walks based on a selected story. Leisurely stroll a trail and enjoy a tale that unfolds along the way in a safe and socially distanced environment. Scan the QR codes also posted for reading recommendations available at the library.
Kick off your self-guided StoryWalk at:
- Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park located at 2340 Ontario Street
- Tannery Park located at 10 Walker Street, and
- Waterworks Park located at 5 Kerr Street.
Virtual OPL
Oakville Public Library Book Clubs, including the Historical Book Club in partnership with Oakville Museum, continue to be very popular, both virtual and in-person. So we're excited to introduce a new book club initiative, the Inclusion and Diversity Book Club in partnership with Halton Equity and Diversity Roundtable!
Other new virtual programs include Literacy LEGO for preschoolers and Little Artists in Partnership with Oakville Galleries.
We also offer Ontario curriculum-inspired Kids Library Clubs, literary Fan Clubs, and New Parent Connections in Partnership with Oakville Parent Child Centre.
In addition, appointments can be booked for an opportunity to ignite your creativity and pursue passion projects using our state-of-the-art technology and equipment in our Creation Zones.
At Home in Bronte: Winter Edition
Enjoy the artwork of six diverse local artists during a walking tour of Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park and surrounding businesses. Organized by the Bronte BIA, there are 50 professionally-painted Muskoka chairs installed throughout the district. Safely spaced out, free and available any time until March.
Visit Oakville
Spend some time as a tourist in your own town with the help of Visit Oakville. They have created two itineraries you can follow:
They also have an attractions map, a support local safely blog and Shop and Dine Map for up-to-date information about services, as many local stores are offering curbside pickup and contactless delivery.
Take a self-guided outdoor tour of Erchless Estate
Experience the grandeur of the Oakville Museum with a self-guided tour around the grounds at Erchless Estate. Outdoor exhibits will be updated throughout the winter. All activities are in full compliance with provincial regulations.
You'll find answers to your most-asked questions about registration, attendance requirements, etc. on the Recreation FAQs page.
Access to Public Washrooms
The public washrooms at Towne Square, Tannery Park and Fisherman’s Wharf are open.
Coronation Park has a temporary washroom trailer installed for the winter months.
Designated public washrooms at Trafalgar Park Community Centre can be accessed from the rear parking lot. Please refer to facility signage.
In addition, residents can access washrooms at Sixteen Mile Sports Complex, Glen Abbey Community Centre and Iroquois Ridge Community Centre. Doors to these facilities are locked. Please call the number posted at the facility entrance to request washroom access. Hours of operation vary by location and are posted at each facility.
Parking Lots
As well as our usual clearing, the Westbrook Park parking lot will be cleared this year.