Heritage Week celebrations and events start Aug. 1

Burlington, Ont. — July 20, 2026 — The Heritage Burlington Advisory Committee invites you to take part in an exciting lineup of activities for Heritage Week, Aug. 1 -8, to showcase the many aspects of Burlington’s various heritages. A total of 15 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. 

• 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. 

Burlington is a city where people, nature and business thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at burlington.ca/subscribe and follow @CityBurlington on social media. 

Links and Resources

• For more information about the events happening during Heritage Week, visit burlington.ca/heritageweek.
• Learn more about the Heritage Burlington Advisory Committee.

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