What to do in St. Catharines during the 2026 August Long Weekend

Whether you're interested in exploring local history, browsing the farmers market, or getting active outdoors, there's plenty of ways to make the most of the Civic Holiday long weekend in the city.

St. Catharines Farmers Market
The St. Catharines Farmers Market will be open Saturday, Aug. 1 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring the best that Niagara makes, bakes, and grows. The Discovery Table series continues Saturday morning, with the theme “Apricots n Plums”. The Music in the Square concert series features Brandon Agnew performing on the Market stage from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For farmers market events, including the Discovery Table series lineup, visit stcatharines.ca/MarketEvents.

Swimming and Splash Pads
For those wanting to make a splash, St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre and all the City’s indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities are open throughout the weekend, including the holiday Monday, for regular operating hours and regularly scheduled programs, including swimming lessons. Information on the City’s pools is available at stcatharines.ca/aquatics.
All five City splash pads will be open over the long weekend. Catherine Street Park, Pearson Park, Secord Woods Park, Bogart Street Park, and West Park splash pads are open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, including locations, visit stcatharines.ca/SplashPads.

Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm
Families can spend some time with farm animals, including goats, pigs, and horses all weekend long at Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm. In addition to animal viewing, families can enjoy the playground, as well as the trails along the ponds and the waterfront. The park is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. For more information, visit stcatharines.ca/HappyRolphs.

Garden City Golf Course
Enjoy a relaxing round with friends and family on one of Niagara's most affordable and welcoming golf courses. Whether you're looking to play nine or 18 holes, join us for a great day on the course. Book your tee time today by calling 905.682.6432 or book online via stcatharines.ca/Golf.

St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre
The St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the long weekend, including Monday, Aug. 3. Explore the exhibits to
learn more about our city’s history. For more information, including current exhibits, visit
stcatharines.ca/Museum.

Lakeside Park Carousel
The historic carousel with 68 hand-carved wooden animals, including horses, lions, camels, goats, and giraffes, as well as four chariots, operates all weekend, including holiday Monday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The carousel is still only five cents per ride or by donation. For more information visit stcatharines.ca/carousel.

Morningstar Mill
Restoration work has completed and the mill has reopened to the public. The site is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the holiday Monday.

Parks and trails
Explore approximately 1,000 acres of parks, gardens, open greenspace and trails in St. Catharines, including the Bruce Trail and other trails in Short Hills Provincial Park. Learn more at stcatharines.ca/Trails. You can find a list of all the City’s parks, and their amenities, at stcatharines.ca/parks. Please note that some parks and trails may be facing temporary closures or disruptions due to the rainstorm earlier this week.

Closures
The following City facilities will be closed on the Civic Holiday, Monday, Aug. 3:

• City Hall
• Enterprise Centre
• City arenas
• Russell Avenue and Port Weller community centres
• Dunlop Drive and West St. Catharines older adult centres
• Victoria Lawn Cemetery administration office (visitation is always available from dawn to dusk)