Culture Days festival returns with nearly 100 events across Oakville

With nearly 100 events scheduled, this year’s Culture Days festival in Oakville will offer plenty of ways for residents to immerse themselves in the town’s art and culture over the next three weeks.

The annual celebration of creativity and artistic expression held here and in communities across Canada begins Sept. 22 and runs through to Oct. 15.

The town and local artists, creators, and community members, are offing free programs and activities across Oakville.

Part of the Halton Festival Hub, designated event hubs offering a variety of activities throughout this year’s festival include the Iroquois Ridge Community Centre/North Hub, Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts/Central Southeast Hub, Oakville Museum/Southeast Hub, Queen Elizabeth Community and Cultural Centre/Southwest Hub, and The Crossing: Community Heritage Day.

“Oakville has a vibrant arts and culture community that helps our town stand apart from the rest,” said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. “I’d like to thank our local artists, creators and community groups for coming together with the town to spotlight all the inclusive and interactive programs and events we have in Oakville for Culture Days.”

The national celebration of arts and culture, which began in 2010 and was held over a weekend for the first 10 years, invites the public to get hands-on and behind-the-scenes to experience the importance of arts and cultures in our communities for free.

Last year, Oakville ranked No. 1 among mid-size cities in Canada for Culture Day festivities and was also ranked among the top 5 Digital Champions.

Over the last 11 years, Oakville’s Culture Days celebrations have ranked in the top 10 cities and towns in Ontario.

In 2022, there were more than 3000 events across Canada over three weeks in 300 communities. More than 3.8 million people participated.

“Our Culture staff and community groups are looking forward to showcasing our arts and culture scene,” said Julie Mitchell, Director of Recreation and Culture. “We hope you’ll join us and see everything Culture Days has to offer!

“There are nearly 100 new and different experiences for attendees of all ages and our hope is that these events will spark new passions and interests.”

This year’s events offer something for everyone and include:

• Watch singer/songwriter and inspirational speaker Lacey Hill perform at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30 from 8 to 10 p.m. Visit the Oakville Centre website for complimentary tickets.
• Celebrate Indigenous heritage and culture while creating a visual reminder to recognize and honour the past by participating in a Moccasin Identifier activity at Knox Presbyterian Church Sixteen, 1150 Dundas St., on September 23 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and at Centennial Square, 120 Navy St., on September 30 from 7 to p.m.
• 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.
• Visit a new mural created by illustrator and designer Ning Yang at River Oaks Community Centre, 2400 Sixth Line. Ning is a participant of the CreateSpace Public Art Residency in partnership with the Town of Oakville this year.
• Take in the World of Threads Festival, which returns to Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC), 2302 Bridge Rd., on October 10. The festival is an international showcase of contemporary fibre and textile art.
• Participate in Art Swap: Portraits for Community Love with Artist Yen Linh Thai on October 14 at QEPCCC from 1 to 4 p.m.
• Visit Connextions, an exhibition showcasing temporary public artworks on prominent windows at recreation facilities in each ward to build community spirit and celebrate community.

New to Oakville’s festival this year is #APlaceICallHomeHalton, a participatory community art project led by hybrid media artist Faisal Anwar.

Local 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.

The images will be reposted as part of a growing archive that will form a collective memory of what home means to Halton residents and will also be added to a large-scale installation of photographs in motion, projected in various locations in Oakville and Halton during Culture Days.

For a list of all the free programs and events, visit Oakville’s Culture Days page.