Ontario Culture Days
September 18 to October 4, 2026
This fall, the Ontario Culture Days festival invites Ontarians to experience art in unexpected ways.
Returning September 18 to October 4, 2026, Ontario Culture Days will once again transform communities across the province with more than 1,500 free arts, culture and heritage experiences, from large-scale installations and performances to hands-on workshops and unexpected public encounters.
Please visit onculturedays.ca for full festival information, or https://www.clarington.net/CultureDays/ for other Culture Days activities going on in Clarington.
Music & Stories
Indigenous Medicine Music
Bowmanville Library | Thursday, September 24 | 10-11am | Grades 3-6 | Drop in
Join Aqua Nibii Waawaaskone as they share their favourite original and traditional hand drum songs. All Nations, generations, and walks of life welcome. This is an interactive and transformative experience meant to heal and uplift our hearts and spirits.
Islamic History Month Storytime
Bowmanville Library | Saturday, September 26 | 11am-1pm | All ages | Drop in
Celebrate Islamic History Month by learning about the contributions of Muslims to the Arts and Sciences. Families can enjoy stories, colouring, crafts, and Henna.
Presented with the Muslim Women of Durham Region.
Local Heritage
Rick Gimblett | Guardians of the North; Canadian Warships and Maritime Aircraft
Sarah Jane Williams Museum | Thursday, September 24 | 6:30-7:30pm | Adults | Registered
Jury Lands Foundation: Guest Speaker Series
Learn what is happening at the historic Camp 30 site and about the Jury Lands Foundation’s work to preserve it. Join us for guest lectures and special updates about the preservation efforts and discover the work of community heritage organizations in Clarington!
Author Visit: Monique Gray Smith
Online via Zoom | Monday, September 28 | 7-8pm | Adults | Registered
Bestselling author Monique Gray Smith will discuss her personal journey of truth and reconciliation and read from her various books. She will explore Canada’s historical treatment of Indigenous people and how it impacts them today and will share her Cultural Resilience model and strategies for weaving aspects into our work.
Presented in partnership with Durham and York Region Libraries.
Marilyn Pearce & CLMA | Prince Albert to Bowmanville, John Jury
Sarah Jane Williams Museum | Thursday, October 1 | 6:30-7:30pm | Adults | Registered
Jury Lands Foundation: Guest Speaker Series
Learn what is happening at the historic Camp 30 site and about the Jury Lands Foundation’s work to preserve it. Join us for guest lectures and special updates about the preservation efforts and discover the work of community heritage organizations in Clarington!
Celebrating Courtice History
Courtice Community Complex | Friday, October 2 | 4-7pm Adults | Drop in
Celebrate the unique history of Courtice with informative displays and guest speakers!
Presented with the Municipality of Clarington 55+, and Courtice Vintage History Group.
Collecting Courtice
We are looking for artifacts and archival materials relating to the community of Courtice to display at the event or add to our museum collections! Please visit the event website for more information.
Film Screenings
Film Screening: The Nest
Newcastle Library | Friday, September 18 | 10:30am-12pm | Adults | Drop in Adults | Drop in
As she prepares to say goodbye to her childhood home and her ailing mother, a decolonial writer uncovers generations of forgotten matriarchs and rebels whose intertwined lives transform the house into a living archive of resistance (NFB).
Film Screening: The Nest
Bowmanville Library | Monday, September 21 | 1-2:30pm | Adults | Drop in Adults | Drop in
As she prepares to say goodbye to her childhood home and her ailing mother, a decolonial writer uncovers generations of forgotten matriarchs and rebels whose intertwined lives transform the house into a living archive of resistance (NFB).
Film Screening: Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot Man
Courtice Library | Friday, September 25 | 1-2:30pm | Adults | Drop in Adults | Drop in
Sons, fathers, brothers, riders, racers, dancers, dreamers... Sinakson Trevor Solway introduces us to the many lives, identities and stories of the boys and men of the historic Blackfoot Confederacy (NFB).
Film Screening: Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot Man
Bowmanville Library | Monday, September 28 | 10-11:30am | Adults | Drop in Adults | Drop in
Sons, fathers, brothers, riders, racers, dancers, dreamers... Sinakson Trevor Solway introduces us to the many lives, identities and stories of the boys and men of the historic Blackfoot Confederacy (NFB).