Oakville Museum Programs and Events
Specialized museum program and registration information.
Browse Oakville Museum programs
Summer camp 2025 at the Oakville Museum
Looking for an unforgettable adventure for your kids this summer? Enjoy hands-on history and engaging learning with different camp themes each week, ranging from science and nature to heritage, architecture and design.
Our week-long camps for Tots ages 4-5, Tykes ages 6-7, Juniors ages 8-9 and Seniors ages 10-12 are offered July and August, running from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Registration opens Tuesday, February 25 at 7 a.m.
Museum Discovery Camps
Take Part Art
July 2-4
Explore the world of art at your local museum! Dive into exciting activities like drama games, painting, and sculpture. This interactive program combines history with creativity, offering an engaging journey through art and discovery.
Outdoor Adventures at Erchless Estate
July 14-18
Located on the 4-acre site of Erchless Estate, the Oakville Museum is a wonderful place to explore natural diversity. Learn about our water systems and discover wildlife and native plants to gain an appreciation for our natural world. There will be lots of nature exploration and arts and crafts inspired by your daily investigations of our site!
Buildings in Your Town
July 28-August 1
The Oakville Museum is located in the heart of Old Oakville’s historic architectural district. Find out about the Chisholm family (the original town planners) and their vision for our community. Meet our neighbours and find out about the amazing buildings and places that make up your town! As a kid architect, build structures and create your own city inspired by the many amazing places we will investigate.
Incredible Insects
August 5-8
Since prehistoric times, people have been fascinated with entomology – the study of insects. Examine how insects throughout history have been represented in art and symbolized in daily life. Search for incredibly interesting insects as you explore our natural site. Learn about native pollinators who help our gardens grow! Play fun games, make crafty critters, and create beautiful art inspired by our multi-legged buggy friends. Draw inspiration from the Victorians and fashion your own cabinet of curiosity to showcase your insect findings.
Take Part Art
July 2-4
Explore the world of art at your local museum! Dive into exciting activities like drama games, painting, and sculpture. This interactive program combines history with creativity, offering an engaging journey through art and discovery.
What's in a Museum?
July 7-11
Our fascinating collection of artifacts will ignite your curiosity and creativity! Themes from science, natural history, local heritage, design, architecture, and costume will uncover stories from near and far. Your week will be filled with hands-on exploration and historical discoveries, alongside arts, crafts and classic camp games for a fun, well-rounded experience!
Buildings in Your Town
July 28-August 1
The Oakville Museum is located in the heart of Old Oakville’s historic architectural district. Find out about the Chisholm family (the original town planners) and their vision for our community. Meet our neighbours and find out about the amazing buildings and places that make up your town! As a kid architect, build structures and create your own city inspired by the many amazing places we will investigate.
Incredible Insects
August 5-8
Since prehistoric times, people have been fascinated with entomology – the study of insects. Examine how insects throughout history have been represented in art and symbolized in daily life. Search for incredibly interesting insects as you explore our natural site. Learn about native pollinators who help our gardens grow! Play fun games, make crafty critters, and create beautiful art inspired by our multi-legged buggy friends. Draw inspiration from the Victorians and fashion your own cabinet of curiosity to showcase your insect findings.
Inventor’s Workshop
August 18-22
Curiosity, experimentation and imagination is the theme this week! Be inspired by the inventions of the Chisholm family to tinker and create your own. Participate in fun invention challenges and team up to create inventive solutions!
Museum Mystery
August 25-29
Calling all detectives! Hone your investigative skills and unravel the mysteries of Oakville’s past. Crack the code, track the evidence, and solve intriguing puzzles during this awesome week of sleuthing.
What's in a Museum?
July 7-11
Our fascinating collection of artifacts will ignite your curiosity and creativity! Themes from science, natural history, local heritage, design, architecture, and costume will uncover stories from near and far. Your week will be filled with hands-on exploration and historical discoveries, alongside arts, crafts and classic camp games for a fun, well-rounded experience!
Where Science Meets Art
July 14-18
The beautiful Erchless Estate grounds will inspire children as they illustrate nature while learning basic scientific principles. Stunning flower beds and an incredible waterfront setting are the perfect background to explore various art mediums to create your masterpiece.
Take Part Art
July 21-25
Explore the world of art at your local museum! Dive into exciting activities like drama games, painting, and sculpture. This interactive program combines history with creativity, offering an engaging journey through art and discovery.
Buildings in Your Town
August 11-15
The Oakville Museum is located in the heart of Old Oakville’s historic architectural district. Find out about the Chisholm family (the original town planners) and their vision for our community. Meet our neighbours and find out about the amazing buildings and places that make up your town! As a kid architect, build structures and create your own city inspired by the many amazing places we will investigate.
Inventor's Workshop
August 18-22
Curiosity, experimentation and imagination is the theme this week! Be inspired by the inventions of the Chisholm family to tinker and create your own. Participate in fun invention challenges and team up to create inventive solutions!
Museum Mystery
August 25-29
Calling all detectives! Hone your investigative skills and unravel the mysteries of Oakville’s past. Crack the code, track the evidence, and solve intriguing puzzles during this awesome week of sleuthing.
Fashion and Design Camp
July 21-25
Explore design and fashion through the ages at Oakville Museum! Get up close and personal with the Oakville Museum’s renowned costume and textile collection. Let this repository of Canadian fashion inspire you as we experiment with different craft techniques such as weaving, dyeing and stitching to design and create unique projects. Throughout the week, engage with guest speakers who are experts in the field.
Design and Architecture Camp
August 11-15
In this creative Oakville Museum camp, explore the architecture and designs of both buildings in your community and inspiring world-famous structures. Explore the heritage district of Old Oakville to see unique designs from the past. Throughout the week, engage with guest speakers who are experts in the field. Discover how design and architecture shape our world and influence our lives and get a chance to express your own vision through futuristic designs of our town!
Spring programs
Museum Tots n' Pots
May 9 and 16 from 9:45 to 11:15 a.m.
May 14 and 21 from 9:45 to 11:15 a.m.
Ages 3 to 5
This special gardening program for young children allows them to try out their green thumbs at the Oakville Museum. Children will have lots of fun planting seeds, decorating containers, and making flowering crafts. This is the perfect way to introduce young children to an unparented program experience while exploring the historic Erchless gardens.
Register for Tots n' Pots May 9 and 16
Movement, Mindfulness and Meditation Workshop
Saturday, May 17 from 10 to 11:15 a.m.
Free event. Registration opens May 10.
Ages 18 and older
Begin with gentle yoga poses to stretch the body, release tension, and calm restlessness. Learn breathing exercises to draw the senses inward and focus the mind. Guided meditation will make up the majority of the session. Learn practical tools to build awareness, reduce stress and support a mindfulness practice.
The Spirited Garden: A Victorian Cocktail Affair
Friday, May 23 from 7 to 9 p.m.
For ages 19 and over
Tickets: $90
Join us for an immersive one-night-only experience where history is stirred, not shaken. Journey back to the Victorian era, when cocktail culture blossomed alongside the art of herbology. Discover how wild-foraged botanicals and garden herbs, once prized for their healing properties, found their way into the refined libations of the time.
Presented in collaboration with local cocktail boutique Flourish and Bask, the evening includes expertly crafted tastings, engaging storytelling, and a celebration of the Golden Age of Mixology.
Get tickets for The Spirited Garden: A Victorian Cocktail Affair
The Way of Tea – The Japanese Tea Ceremony
Saturday, May 31 from 1 to 2 p.m.
Ages 18 and older
Tickets: $15
Experience the art of the Japanese tea ceremony with Momo Yoshida, founder of Momo Tea. Discover the rich history, core philosophies, and the centuries-old meanings behind of the rituals of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Enjoy a serene afternoon at the Coach House then visit the Museum for a guided tour.
Museum tours
Oakville Museum guided tours
Tuesday to Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.
General admission by donation
Join our expert staff for a fun and fast-paced guided tour of the beautiful Erchless Estate. Learn about the Chisholms, Oakville's founding family who called the museum home for six generations. Gain insight into the history of the town and Oakville's Black History.
Walk-in visits and guided tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For groups of 10 or more, please contact us to confirm group rate and availability. Group tours must be booked a minimum of two weeks in advance.