Heritage Week celebrations and events start August 1

By Gazette Staff

July 20th, 2026

BURLINGTON, ON

The Heritage Burlington Advisory Committee invites you to take part in an exciting lineup of activities for Heritage Week, Aug. 1 -8, showcasing the many aspects of Burlington’s heritage. A total of 16 heritage events and activities are planned throughout the week, focusing on the theme of Waterways of Life: Connecting Our Cultures and Heritages.

Schedule of events

A detailed schedule of all the events taking place during Heritage Week, including locations and how to register, is available at burlington.ca/heritageweek. All events are free. Registration is required for some events and is open until July 31, or until capacity is reached. All are welcome.

• Opening Ceremony – Saturday, Aug. 1, 10 to 11 a.m.
  Join Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Indigenous Spiritual Healer White Eagle and Town Crier David Vollick for the launch of Heritage Week 2026.
  Location: LaSalle Park Pavilion, 50 North Shore Blvd. East
  Registration: No pre-registration needed.

• LaSalle Park and Waterfront Walking Tour – Saturday, Aug. 1, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  Join Alan Harrington of the Burlington Historical Society on a walk through LaSalle Park.
  Location: LaSalle Park Pavilion, 50 North Shore Blvd. East
  Registration: To pre-register, email Heritage Burlington

• Water Themed Arts Burlington All-Guild Exhibition – Starts Saturday, Aug. 1
  Join Arts Burlington for an all-Guild art exhibition.
  Location: Burlington Centre, 777 Guelph Line
  Registration: No pre-registration needed.

• Halton Emancipation Celebration Festival – Saturday, Aug. 1, 1 to 11 p.m.
  Celebrate the 192nd year of Emancipation throughout the British Commonwealth.
  Location: Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Rd.
  Registration: No pre-registration needed.

• Hike the Twelve Mile Creek Valley on the River and Ruin Trail – Sunday, Aug. 2, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  Join Joe Borges, the Hike Director for the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club for a journey along the River and Ruin trail through the Twelve Mile Creek Valley.
  Location: Kilbride Park parking lot
  Registration: To pre-register online, visit River and Ruin Trail Hike.

• Heritage Driving Tour Focused on the Waterfront – Sunday, Aug. 2, self-guided
  Take a self-guided driving tour of Burlington and learn more about the waterfront community.
  Location: Starts at Burloak Drive and Lakeshore Road
  Registration: No pre-registration needed.

• Spencer Smith Park and Waterfront Walking Tour – Monday, Aug. 3, 10 to 11 a.m.
  Join Alan Harrington from the Burlington Historical Society on a walk from Spencer Smith Park to the Beach Canal/Lighthouse.
  Location: 1400 Lakeshore Rd.
  Registration: To pre-register, email Heritage Burlington.

• Presentation by Mark Zelinski, author of “Niagara Escarpment: Land Between Waters” – Tuesday, Aug. 4, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
  Location: Joseph Brant Museum, 1240 North Shore Blvd. East
  Registration: To pre-register, email Heritage Burlington.

• So You Think You Know Burlington Trivia Night – Wednesday, Aug. 5, 7 to 9 p.m.
  Test your local knowledge and learn surprising facts about Burlington.
  Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Community Studio, 440 Locust St.
  Registration: To pre-register online, visit Burlington Performing Arts Centre.

• The Meaning of Water for the Six Nations, Joseph Brant and Burlington’s History – Thursday, Aug. 6, 7 to 9 p.m.
  Dr. Rick Monture explores the legacy of Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea).
  Location: Burlington Public Library, Central Branch, Centennial Hall, 2331 New St.
  Registration: To pre-register online, visit the Burlington Public Library.

• Heritage Fair – Celebrating Burlington’s Organizations, Community Service and Local History – Friday, Aug. 7, 12 to 4 p.m.
  Meet community groups to learn about their history and role in preserving Burlington’s rich heritage.
  Location: Burlington Public Library, Central Branch, Centennial Hall, 2331 New St.
  Registration: No pre-registration needed.

• Presentations on the Water Around Us – Friday, Aug. 7, 1:30 to 3 p.m.
  Listen to presentation from Mark McNeil, former journalist with The Hamilton Spectator, who will share stories about Burlington Bay/Hamilton Harbour, and Kellie McCormack, Acting Senior Director Watershed Management and Climate Change at Conservation Halton.
  Location: Burlington Public Library, Central Branch, Centennial Hall, 2331 New St.
  Registration: No pre-registration needed.
• Lowville History Talk – Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m.
  Discover the rich history of Lowville, its beginnings and early residents.
  Location: Lowville United Church, 5800 Guelph Line
  Registration: To pre-register online, visit the Kilbride History Group

• Doors Open Burlington – Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  Explore Burlington’s culture and heritage during Doors Open Burlington.
  Multiple locations
  Registration: No pre-registration needed.

• Burlington Beach Litter Cleanup – Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  Join BurlingtonGreen for a Burlington Beach litter cleanup.
  Location: 1094 Lakeshore Rd.
  Registration: No pre-registration needed.

• Open Mic: Special History Edition – Saturday, Aug. 8, 2 to 4 p.m.
  Share a story, poem, song or anecdote about living in Burlington, past or present, or be a member of the audience.
  Location: Burlington Public Library, Central Branch, Centennial Hall, 2331 New St.
  Registration: Register on site.