Culture Days

Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture. At the end of each September and throughout October, millions of people attend thousands of free participatory arts and culture events both in-person and online. Culture Days programs invite the public to get hands-on and behind-the-scenes to highlight the importance of arts and culture in our communities. To learn more, visit Culture Days website.

City-led Workshops

The City is proud to offer free hands-on workshops during Culture Days, inviting residents and visitors to explore a variety of mediums.

A person wearing a blue denim jacket and orange beaded earring

Thursday, September 24

Orange T-shirt Pin Beading

Thursday, September 24
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
South Oshawa Community Centre, 1455 Cedar St.

Join Emily Clairoux for an evening of learning and connecting while creating an orange t-shirt pin that can be worn throughout the month of September. This workshop will include a discussion about Orange Shirt Day and the Orange Shirt Society. This workshop is suitable for participants aged 12 and up, participants aged 12 to 15 must be accompanied by a guardian.

Two people participating in an art activity using blocks to paint on fabric

Tuesday, September 29

Block Printing

Tuesday, September 29
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Donovan Recreation Complex, 171 Harmony Rd. S.

Learn about block printing with Priya. Participants will learn about the history and significance of block printing and explore repetition, alignment and pattern making while creating their own printed tote bag. This workshop is suitable for participants aged 12 and up. Participants aged 12 to 15 must be accompanied by a guardian.

Thursday, October 1

Beading on Fabric

Thursday, October 1
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Arts Resource Centre, 45 Queen St.

Join Leequette Santiago-Hinds for an evening of beaded embroidery. Participants will watch a demonstration of the beaded backstitch before creating their own beaded work in this three-hour workshop. Beading is a legacy rooted in many African civilizations and has been used to convey identity, status and share personal and collective stories at times using intricate patterns and codes within the beaded work. This workshop is suitable for participants aged 18 and up.

A woman holding a tool decorating painted eggs

Saturday, October 3

Pysanka

Saturday, October 3
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Delpark Homes Centre, 1661 Harmony Rd. N.

This workshop is for participants who want to experience the ancient Ukrainian tradition of decorating eggs using a wax resist method. Participants will learn the history and background of how this art form originated and gain hands-on experience using the tools to create unique Pysanka motifs. This workshop is suitable for participants aged 12 and up, participants aged 12 to 15 must be accompanied by a guardian.

Kick off Culture Days at Oshawa Tourism’s Convergence Music & Art Festival on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20. The City of Oshawa will be turning Veterans Square into “Creativity Corner” with a temporary art exhibit and interactive art activities. Learn more at oshawa.ca/ArtsEvents.

Culture Days Event Guide

Oshawa’s vibrant cultural community is at the heart of Culture Days. We are pleased to highlight a wide range of free events independently organized by local cultural organizations, community groups and creative partners across the city. Browse the following events and programs to discover new ways to connect and celebrate with your community during Culture Days.

Please note, some events may have specific timing and details which may be subject to change. For up-to-date information please visit the event organizer’s website.

Oshawa Museum

September 18: Yoga in the Garden

Henry House Gardens, Oshawa Museum

9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Breathe deep, take a moment and do a sun salutation in the morning sun with the Oshawa Museum's Yoga in the Garden. All levels of yogis are welcome! Participants are required to bring their own mats, water and any props that support their practice.

Visit Oshawa Museum's website

Oshawa Tourism

September 19 & 20 Convergence Music & Art Festival

Downtown Oshawa

12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Downtown Oshawa transforms into a hub of music, art and creativity during Convergence Music & Art Festival. This free two-day event, organized by Oshawa Tourism, features two nights of live music, immersive art installations, pro wrestling, vendor markets and much more!

Visit the Convergence website

Durham Shores Chorus

September 22: Sing Barbershop with Harmony

Assomption de Notre Dame Church Hall

7:30 p.m.

Learn how to sing barbershop style! Participants will be provided with an overview of what Durham Shores Chorus and barbershop is. Then participants will watch a performance of a few songs and take part in a mini music theory session highlighting how to build a four-part chord with visuals and choreography to capture a song’s message.

Visit the Durham Shores Chorus Website

Oshawa Museum

September 25: Yoga in the Garden

Henry House Gardens, Oshawa Museum

9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Visit Oshawa Museum's website

Oshawa Public Libraries

September 26: Culture Days: Métis Jigging

John Aker Northview Branch, Oshawa Public Libraries

2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Experience and learn about Métis jigging with professional Métis dancer Auriele Diotte. Métis jigging is a combination of First Nations dancing and Scottish and French-Canadian step-dancing and reel, jig and quadrille steps. All ages are welcome.

Visit Oshawa Public Libraries' website

Oshawa Museum

September 27: Craft Circle

Guy House, Oshawa Museum

12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Grab your needles and hooks and join other crafty people at Guy House for an afternoon of knitting, crochet and other creative activities in a welcoming environment. All skill levels are welcome!

Visit Oshawa Museum's website

Durham Shores Chorus

September 29: Sing Barbershop with Harmony

Assomption de Notre Dame Church Hall

7:30 p.m.

Visit the Durham Shores Chorus Website

Oshawa Public Libraries

September 29: Culture Days: Happy Little Paint Night

Delpark Homes Centre Branch, Oshawa Public Libraries

6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Follow along step-by-step as Oshawa Public Libraries embrace the calm, happy little tree vibes of everyone’s favourite painter. No experience needed and all supplies will be provided.

Visit Oshawa Public Libraries' website

Oshawa Museum

September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Oshawa Museum

Robinson House, Oshawa Museum

12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Oshawa Museum is commemorating National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day) with the following events and programs:

View the exhibition, Miijim: Traditional Foods of the Lake of the Woods Anishinaabeg, to learn more about the Indigenous foods of the Anishinaabeg. This exhibit was collaboratively designed by Iskatewizaagegan #39 Independent First Nation, The Natural Resources Institute of the University of Manitoba, and The Lake of the Woods Museum.

Participate in the Moccasin Identifier Project by painting a moccasin stencil.

Visit A Carrying Place and learn more about the Indigenous history of the area.

Visit Oshawa Museum's website

Parkwood National Historic Site

October 3: Fall Fest Vendor Market

Parkwood National Historic Site

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Join Parkwood National Historic Site for their much-anticipated Fall Fest Market. This market features over 60 vendors including local businesses and Emerging Talent (junior) vendors. Market entry is free, no tickets are required but please note that there will be no parking on site. Please visit Parkwood’s website to learn about parking options.

Visit Parkwood's website

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The City has proclaimed September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Oshawa. This day is an opportunity for Oshawa residents to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools.

The establishment of a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is in response to the 80th call to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (T.R.C.) which calls for a day to "honour survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process."

Below are some opportunities to observe Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. For more events and initiatives throughout Oshawa and the Durham Region, visit oshawa.ca/DEREvents.

Survivors' Flag Raising to honour truth and reconciliation

The Survivors' Flag, designed by residential school survivors through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, is a powerful symbol of resilience, hope, and reconciliation.

This flag honours the experiences and stories of survivors, their families, and communities impacted by the residential school system. By flying the Survivor Flag, we acknowledge the historical injustices inflicted upon Indigenous peoples, recognize the ongoing legacies of colonialism, and commit to a path of reconciliation, healing and meaningful relationship building.

The Survivors' Flag serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of listening to and amplifying Indigenous voices, and working together towards a more just and equitable future.

Join the Mayor and Council for the raising of the Survivors' Flag in honour of residential school Survivors and the families, communities, and generations impacted by the residential school system in Canada.

Event details:

Location: Oshawa City Hall - Civic Square (50 Centre St. S., Oshawa)
Date: Monday, September 28
Time: 2 p.m.

Honouring the Children - Orange Ribbon Memorials

In partnership with Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle, the City of Oshawa invited community members to commemorate the children lost to residential schools and support healing in Indigenous communities by tying orange ribbons at one of the five memorials across the city.

Starting in 2021, in partnership with Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle, the City of Oshawa invited community members to commemorate the children lost to residential schools and support healing in Indigenous communities by tying orange ribbons at one of the six memorials across the City of Oshawa.

Locations:

Giiwedinong (North Location): Columbus Community Centre 3265 Simcoe St N.
Waabanong (East Location): Delpark Homes Centre 1661 Harmony Rd. N.
Zhaawanong (South Location): Lakeview Park 55 Lakeview Park Ave.
Ningaabii'anong (West Location): Civic Recreation Complex 99 Thornton Rd. S.
Central location: Oshawa City Hall 50 Centre St. S.
Community Location: Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle 863 Glen St.

Photography at City of Oshawa events

The City of Oshawa hosts open, free public events. Photographers will be present taking photos and video footage at these events. These images may be used without further notification on City-owned and non-City-owned property, print media, digital media, the Internet, social media sites, media releases and broadcasts. By attending, you consent to such use.

Culture Days

City-led Workshops

Culture Days Event Guide

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Photography at City of Oshawa events

Get information from the source