Hubs are selected based on outstanding community support and the number of free activities during the festival

TORONTO, ON -(MARCH 20, 2024)  Ontario Culture Days has announced the thirteen Ontario communities selected to be official 2024 Festival Hubs for the fall festival. The festival will run from September 20th to October 13th across Ontario.

The Festival Hubs serve as local community leads for Ontario Culture Days, helping visitors to find events and learn more about the festival. Hubs represent a selection of the diverse communities within Ontario, and present a high volume of quality programming for all ages during the annual festival.

“If you’re searching for a creative community to visit this fall, look no further than our Festival Hubs!” says Ruth Burns, Executive Director, Ontario Culture Days.” We are thrilled to announce our 2024 Festival Hubs from towns and cities across Ontario. Festival Hubs provide on-the-ground representation and help get the word out about the hundreds of community events that will happen in their communities this September.”

ONTARIO CULTURE DAYS FESTIVAL HUBS

In response to the incredible community engagement seen in 2022 and 2023, Ontario Culture Days is thrilled to continue the Festival Hub program into its third year. These Hubs are strategically positioned in cities and towns across the province. The Hubs serve as focal points for visitors to discover local events and gain insights into the diverse cultures of the areas.

Brant: Home to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, this mostly-rural region invites outdoor adventures and cultural exploration. Partner: County of Brant

Gananoque & 1000 Islands: Once known as Manitouana (“Garden of the Great Spirit”) by the Haudenosaunee, this region on the St. Lawrence River is a year-round destination. Partner: Gananoque Arts Network

Guelph: Guelph, known as The Royal City and nestled between the Speed and Eramosa Rivers in Southwestern Ontario, is famed for world-class arts festivals. Partner: City of Guelph

Halton: Perched against the Niagara Escarpment, Halton captivates with its stunning landscapes and historic villages, providing a haven for the artists that live there. Partners: Town of Oakville, Arts Milton, City of Burlington

Manitoulin Island: Manitoulin Island, “Spirit Island” is a unique geographic feature that lies within the Great Lakes, and an arts and culture hub in Northeastern Ontario. Partner: 4elements Living Arts

Ottawa Region: Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, offers impressive museums, galleries, and a wealth of festivals and cultural events. Nearby, Prescott and Russell offer charming rural landscapes and a burgeoning local culture and art scene. Partner: Conseil des arts Prescott-Russell Arts Council

Sault Ste. Marie: “Bawating” as named by the Ojibwe people, is a gateway to the further-north, and a vibrant hub for arts and culture in Northern Ontario. Partner: Art Gallery of Algoma

Scugog: Scugog, a township bordering its eponymous lake, is a creative hub northeast of Toronto, featuring artisan workshops and performances for the perfect creative getaway. Partner: Scugog Arts

St. Catharines & Niagara Region: The St. Catharines and Niagara region, bustling since the 1820s, has transformed into a thriving arts hub hosting several prominent arts destinations. Partner: City of St. Catharines

Thunder Bay: Stunning landscape meets unique history in Thunder Bay. Situated on Lake Superior, the city is rich with history, artists, and landmark institutions. Partner: City of Thunder Bay

Toronto: In Toronto, diverse neighbourhoods and an iconic skyline set the stage for city-wide arts events that showcase community spirit. Partner: Urbanspace, Queen West Art Crawl

Vaughan: Vaughan is a creative urban city that uniquely integrates art into its public realm, making art accessible to all. Partner: City of Vaughan

Windsor: The Windsor-Essex Region, a gateway to Ontario that borders the Detroit River, is a vibrant arts hub with historical ties to the Underground Railroad. Partner: Arts Council Windsor & Region

Ontario Culture Days will take place between September 20th to October 13th, 2024. Individuals, groups, and organizations can showcase their creativity and connect with their communities by hosting arts, culture, and heritage events across the province. Start planning your events now – registration opens in the spring. For more information, visit onculturedays.ca.

Photos of the 2024 Festival Hubs can be found here.

About Ontario Culture Days:

Ontario Culture Days is a not-for-profit organization that celebrates artists and cultural groups in our communities.

The Ontario Culture Days festival is an annual celebration of arts, culture and heritage taking place each fall across the province. Each year, we work with organizers of all disciplines to produce this province-wide festival.

Organizers host programs throughout Ontario and invite the public to participate for free. The next Ontario Culture Days festival will take place between September 20th to October 13th, 2024. Ontario Culture Days lives at the local level. We support organizers from the smallest hamlets to the largest cities, while coordinating with other national and provincial Culture Days partners. We support the success of our sector colleagues through resources and network development, while highlighting the breadth and heterogeneity of Ontario’s arts and culture to the wider public.

A sincere thanks to Ontario Culture Days’ supporters, including Arterra Wines Canada, VIA Rail Canada, and the Toronto Star. Our programs have benefitted from the support of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), Destination Northern Ontario and Destination Toronto.

These programs would not be possible without the support of the Government of Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Province of Ontario, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Toronto Arts Council.

For further media information, contact:

Deanne Moser
DMPUBLIC
(647) 888-9388
deanne@dmpublic.com