Archive: Festival Hubs 2023

Nestled within Centre Wellington are the picturesque hamlets of Elora and Fergus. Resplendent with natural beauty and historical charm, these communities are known for unique shops, delicious dining, and of course, a plethora of art experiences.

This waterfront region, home to more than 1800 islands, stretches east along the St. Lawrence River. The area shines in the summer and has plenty to do during the cooler months too.

Known as The Royal City and nestled between the Speed and Eramosa Rivers, Guelph is a gem of Southwestern Ontario. The city is famed for world-class arts festivals and its unique collaborative arts programming.

Along the Niagara Escarpment, in the northwest end of the Greater Toronto Area, you’ll find the communities of Halton: Halton Hills, Milton, Oakville and Burlington. The area’s natural beauty, historic hamlets and charming villages have captured the hearts of artists, encouraging many of them to call this place home.

Located in eastern Ontario, Canada’s capital city presents you with impressive “big-ticket” possibilities, like Parliament Hill and national museums. Visit Ottawa proper for a rich cultural experience, and the satellite Hub of Prescott-Russell for a selection of arts and culture events for all ages.

As a natural highway into the Great Lakes, the Soo is forever linked to its river, the “Bawating” as named by the Ojibwe people. And as a gateway to the further-north, the city is a vibrant hub for arts and culture in Northern Ontario, including a rich Indigenous artist community.

Scugog is a sweeping township skirting a lake by the same name, with its largest population anchored in Port Perry. From artisan workshops to performances responding to local history, this hub northeast of Toronto and just north of Oshawa is the perfect creative getaway out of the city.

South Georgian Bay’s sun and ski destinations draw visitors year-round. From Wasaga Beach to Collingwood and Blue Mountain, the area enjoys one of the largest concentrations of artists in Ontario. Artists in the region amplify the beauty of the natural environment and create events that allow locals and visitors to gather, create, and celebrate community.

Catharines grew into a bustling city after the construction of the Welland Canal in the 1820’s and since then, the city has also become a thriving centre for the arts. Nearby Lincoln boasts the historic and lively Lincoln Museum & Cultural Centre.

Stunning landscape meets unique history in Thunder Bay, on the traditional territory of the Anishinabek. This city is rich with history, artists, and landmark institutions including the Thunder Bay Art Gallery and the Thunder Bay Museum.

Vaughan is a creative city that integrates art into its public realm – a city where art is accessible to all people and valued as a placemaking catalyst for conveying Vaughan’s unique identity. Vaughan is home to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, featuring more than 6000 works by artists across Canada.

Windsor, stretching along the Detroit River, is a vibrant cultural destination and a starting point for visitors to the province. Ontario’s southernmost city is storied with transportation innovation and labour history, making Windsor’s tale ripe for the art scene to explore.