Culture Days

Celebrate Culture Days 2026 in St. Catharines

Join us from September 18 to October 4, 2026, as St. Catharines comes alive with creativity, culture, and community during Culture Days, Canada's largest celebration of arts, culture, and heritage.

Throughout the festival, residents and visitors can explore a diverse lineup of free exhibitions, performances, workshops, public art experiences, cultural activities, and community celebrations taking place across the city. Whether you're discovering local artists, participating in hands-on creative activities, attending live performances, or exploring new cultural perspectives, Culture Days offers opportunities for people of all ages to connect through arts and culture.

Culture Days is a nationwide movement that brings together artists, cultural organizations, collectives, municipalities, and community groups to provide meaningful and accessible cultural experiences for everyone.

About Culture Days

Each year, artists, creators, grassroots organizations, public libraries, museums, galleries, municipalities, and arts and cultural institutions across Canada participate in Culture Days by offering free opportunities to experience, create, and engage with culture. The annual celebration highlights the important role that creativity plays in building vibrant, inclusive, and connected communities.

Learn more about Culture Days at culturedays.ca.

Festival Hubs and Featured Events

St. Catharines City Hall Hub

Celebrate the launch of Culture Days in St. Catharines at City Hall, where community, creativity, and artistic excellence come together. As a key festival hub, City Hall will host the official Culture Days Flag Raising Ceremony on Friday, September 18 at 4:30 p.m., featuring a special reading by St. Catharines Poet Laureate Shannon Kitchings.

Visitors can also explore the City of St. Catharines Annual Juried Exhibition: Current, a long-standing showcase of exceptional work by local and regional artists. Featuring a diverse range of artistic styles, media, and perspectives, the exhibition highlights the creativity that thrives throughout Niagara. Community members are encouraged to attend the exhibition reception and celebrate the achievements of participating artists.

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre Hub

Located in the heart of downtown St. Catharines, the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre Hub will feature free exhibitions, performances, workshops, and family-friendly cultural experiences taking place on Saturday, October 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Visitors can explore Lives Displaced By War, a powerful photography exhibition presented by Rakoubah: The Art House featuring the work of Sudanese photographer Ala Kheir, and participate in What We Carry, an interactive art activity exploring themes of migration, resilience, belonging, and home.

Families can also enjoy a vibrant Day of the Dead cultural workshop led by LuisMartinFlores, featuring sugar skull decorating, face painting inspired by Catrina and Catrín traditions, a photo booth experience, and an educational Ofrenda de Muertos display celebrating Mexican cultural heritage.

Additional activities will be presented by local organizations including Carousel Players, Future Black Female, The Brown Homestead, and Willow Arts Community, offering engaging opportunities for creativity, learning, and community connection.

Niagara Artists Centre (NAC) Hub

Experience the creative energy of downtown St. Catharines at the Niagara Artists Centre (NAC) Culture Days Hub. Visitors can explore contemporary visual art exhibitions, attend live music performances, and participate in community-focused arts programming throughout the festival.

NAC's galleries will showcase the work of individual artists and collaborative groups, while live performances provide opportunities to experience Niagara's vibrant music scene. Visitors can also explore the popular Well Done Super Market, discover regional artists, and engage with one of Niagara's leading cultural organizations.

St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre Hub

Discover creativity through hands-on artmaking at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre Culture Days Hub on Sunday, October 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This welcoming community space will feature free drop-in workshops led by talented Niagara artists.

Participants can create colourful woven artworks with Janice Low, experiment with nature-inspired printmaking techniques in Michelle Nicholls' Botanical Monoprints and explore storytelling through recycled materials in Joanne Ring's Come Collage with Me!

Open to all ages and experience levels, these workshops encourage creativity, curiosity, and self-expression. All materials are provided, and no registration is required.

Featured Public Art Event: Everything in Balance

As part of the 2026 Niagara Festival Hub, Toronto-based artist Jon Sasaki will create Everything in Balance, a large-scale collaborative sculpture developed with contributions from community members.

Throughout the performance, visitors are invited to contribute a symbolic object representing something that is important to them. Each item will be incorporated into a suspended mobile sculpture, creating a continually evolving artwork that explores balance, coexistence, and shared values. As new objects are added, the sculpture will be carefully reconfigured to maintain equilibrium, reflecting the ongoing process of making space for diverse perspectives within a community.

Community members can contribute objects weighing five pounds or less during the performance on September 18 or in advance at the Culture Days/Cultural Services table at the St. Catharines Farmers' Market on September 10, 12, and 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Everything in Balance encourages participants to consider what matters most to them while contributing to a collective artwork that celebrates the connections between people, ideas, and communities.

Plan Your Visit

For a complete listing of Culture Days activities, event details, and registration information, visit culturedays.ca and search for events in St. Catharines.

From exhibitions and performances to workshops, public art, and community celebrations, Culture Days 2026 invites everyone to discover, create, and connect through arts and culture in St. Catharines.

Sept. 18, 2026

Everything in Balance with Jon Sasaki

Date and Time
Friday, September 18, 2026
3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Location
Rear Parking Lot (NACyard), Niagara Artists Centre (NAC)
354 St. Paul St.
St. Catharines, ON

About

Join Toronto-based artist Jon Sasaki for Everything in Balance, a large-scale collaborative sculpture created with contributions from community members throughout the day.

Visitors are invited to bring an object weighing five pounds or less that represents something important to them, such as a personal value, interest, or priority. As new objects are added to the suspended sculpture, Sasaki will continually rebalance the work, creating an evolving artwork that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the community.

From plant cuttings to books, tools, or everyday objects, each contribution becomes part of a shared artwork exploring connection, coexistence, and what it means to make space for everyone's "important things."

Please note that contributed objects will become part of the artwork and will not be returned. Sentimental or irreplaceable items are not recommended.

Drop in anytime during this free public art experience and help create a sculpture that celebrates balance, collaboration, and community.

Contribute an Object

Community members can also contribute objects in advance at the Culture Days/Cultural Services table at the St. Catharines Farmers' Market:

Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Everything in Balance is presented as part of the 2026 Niagara Festival Hub in partnership with the Niagara Artists Centre and the City of St. Catharines.

Culture Days Flag Raising

Date and Time
Friday, September 18, 2026
4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Location
St. Catharines City Hall Front Lawn
50 Church St., St. Catharines

About

Join us as we officially launch Culture Days 2026 in St. Catharines with a celebratory flag raising at City Hall. The ceremony features a reading by St. Catharines Poet Laureate Shannon Kitchings, remarks from the Mayor, and the raising of the Culture Days flag.

Following the ceremony, attendees are invited to visit the opening reception for the 17th Annual Juried Exhibition, Current. All are welcome.

Opening Reception: 17th Annual Juried Exhibition – Current

Date and Time
Friday, September 18, 2026
5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Location
City Hall, Third Floor Chambers Gallery
50 Church St., St. Catharines

About

Join us for the opening reception of the City of St. Catharines' 17th Annual Juried Exhibition, Current. Featuring artists from across the Niagara Region, the exhibition explores the waterways, histories, cultures, and contemporary forces that shape our communities.

Meet participating artists, enjoy light refreshments, and celebrate Niagara's vibrant creative community.

Exhibition: 17th Annual Juried Exhibition – Current

Date and Time
Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
September 18 to October 11, 2026

Location
City Hall, Third Floor Chambers Gallery
50 Church St., St. Catharines

About

Experience the City of St. Catharines' 17th Annual Juried Exhibition, Current, on display throughout Culture Days. Featuring work by artists from across Niagara, the exhibition explores the environmental, cultural, and social currents that shape our region.

Drop in during regular hours to discover a diverse range of artistic perspectives and celebrate local creativity.

Oct. 3, 2026

Birdsong by Carousel Players

Date and Time
Saturday, October 3, 2026
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Registration required by October 2.

Location
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
250 St. Paul St.
St. Catharines, ON

About

A giant bird has lost its way during migration and landed in St. Catharines. With the help of local children and their handmade bird puppets, the community comes together to help guide it home in this imaginative and interactive theatrical experience presented by Carousel Players.

Participants will begin by creating their own flying bird puppet before joining performers in an outdoor presentation of Birdsong, where audience members become part of the story. Featuring original music by Joe Lapinski, performed by members of the Niagara Youth Orchestra under the direction of Lisa Donati, this family-friendly event celebrates creativity, cooperation, and the natural world.

Day of the Dead Family Experience

Date and Time
Saturday, October 3, 2026
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Location
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre Lobby
250 St. Paul St.
St. Catharines, ON

About

Celebrate the traditions of Mexico's Day of the Dead with local artist and cultural presenter Luis Martin Flores. Participants can decorate sugar skulls, enjoy face painting inspired by Catrina and Catrín characters, explore a traditional Ofrenda de Muertos display, and take part in a themed photo booth experience.

This family-friendly activity offers a creative introduction to the customs, stories, and cultural significance of this vibrant celebration.

Community Story Sharing

Date and Time
Saturday, October 3, 2026
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Location
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre Lobby
250 St. Paul St.
St. Catharines, ON

About

Join Willow Arts Community for a collaborative storytelling experience using creative Story Trading Cards. Participants of all ages are invited to write, draw, and share personal stories while learning different approaches to storytelling from artist facilitators.

Completed cards can be displayed on a community story board or taken home, helping build a collective portrait of Niagara's experiences, memories, and voices.

Pop-up: Future Black Female

Date and Time
Saturday, October 3, 2026
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Location
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre Lobby
250 St. Paul St.
St. Catharines, ON

About

Visit Future Black Female's lobby activation to learn about programs and opportunities that support Black girls and young women in education, career development, leadership, and financial wellbeing.

Connect with the organization, explore available resources, and discover ways to become involved in their growing community.

Pop-up: The Brown Homestead

Date and Time
Saturday, October 3, 2026
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Location
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre Lobby
250 St. Paul St.
St. Catharines, ON

About

Explore local history with The Brown Homestead, one of St. Catharines' oldest historic sites. Through this interactive pop-up, visitors can learn about Niagara's diverse heritage, ongoing preservation efforts, and the stories that continue to shape the community today.

Stop by to connect with local history and discover the people and places that have helped define the region.

Exhibition: Lives Displaced By War & Interactive Art Activity: What We Carry

Date and Time
Saturday, October 3, 2026
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Location
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, Second Floor
250 St. Paul St.
St. Catharines, ON

About

Explore Lives Displaced By War, a powerful photography exhibition presented by Rakoubah: The Art House featuring the work of Sudanese photographer Ala Kheir. Through images documenting the experiences of refugees displaced by conflict, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on themes of resilience, community, and belonging.

Inspired by the exhibition, visitors are also invited to participate in What We Carry, an interactive art activity exploring the question: "If you had to leave home, what would you carry with you?" Through drawing, writing, and creative expression, participants can reflect on meaningful memories, people, objects, traditions, and places. Contributions can be added to a collaborative suitcase installation or taken home as a personal keepsake.

Together, the exhibition and activity encourage creativity, empathy, and conversation while exploring themes of home, identity, migration, and connection.

Oct. 4, 2026

Free Collage Workshop: Come Collage With Me!

Date and Time
Sunday, October 4, 2026
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location
St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre (Locke Room)
425 Carlton St.
St. Catharines, ON

About

Join local artist Joanne Ring for a fun and welcoming introduction to collage art. Using a variety of papers and reclaimed materials, participants will explore composition, visual storytelling, and creative expression while creating one or more unique collage artworks.

Suitable for all ages and experience levels, this free drop-in workshop encourages artistic exploration in a relaxed and supportive environment. All materials are provided.

Free Printmaking Activity: Botanical Monoprints

Date and Time
Sunday, October 4, 2026
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location
St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre (Locke Room)
425 Carlton St.
St. Catharines, ON

About

Explore the beauty of nature through printmaking with local artist Michelle Nicholls. Using leaves, flowers, and other botanical materials, participants will experiment with monoprint techniques to create one-of-a-kind artworks.

This hands-on activity encourages creativity, curiosity, and artistic discovery while introducing participants to simple printmaking processes. All materials are provided.

Free Paper Weaving Activity: Woven Paper Art

Date and Time
Sunday, October 4, 2026
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location
St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre (Locke Room)
425 Carlton St.
St. Catharines, ON

About

Create a unique woven artwork with local artist Janice Low. Using colourful and patterned paper strips, participants will explore weaving techniques while experimenting with pattern, colour, and design.

This family-friendly activity is suitable for all experience levels and offers a fun introduction to a versatile art form. Participants will leave with a finished artwork to take home. All materials are provided.

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