Culture Days
Culture Days 2026
Culture Days is an annual, free, nationwide celebration of arts and culture in Canada, taking place each year from mid-September to mid-October. This festival encourages public engagement with the arts through free events, workshops, performances, and hands-on activities hosted by artists, cultural organizations, and municipalities across Canada.
Join the City of Niagara Falls Culture to celebrate Culture Days with a series of free, hands-on arts, culture, heritage, and community experiences across Niagara Falls. From interactive art-making and creative workshops to dance, local history, and a gallery exhibition featuring Niagara artists, these events invite residents and visitors of all ages to explore creativity, discover local culture, and connect with the community through accessible and engaging experiences.
To learn more, please visit the Culture Days website.
2026 events
There is a variety of fun activities and events led by local artists from September 18 to October 4, 2026. Visit the Niagara Falls Culture Days website for resources and to find events happening near you.
Thursday, September 24
Cultivating Indigenous Culture through Songs and Stories
Location: The Exchange, Market Hall, 5943 Sylvia Place
Time: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
About: Immerse yourself in an all-ages celebration of Indigenous storytelling and joy. Presented by Patty Krawec, renowned local author of “Bad Indians Book Club” and “Becoming Kin: An Indigenous Call to Unforgetting the Past and Reimagining Our Future”, in collaboration with Cindy Biancaniello, Nicole Joy-Fraser, and Okie. During this family-friendly event, Patty will share with us a story about animals saving us from an eternal winter, and Cindy will talk about her family's experiences in what is now Nunavut, as well as her own experiences here in Niagara. Nicole will lead a drum circle that invites audience participation, and Okie will be talking about the importance of loving and caring for each other across all the boundaries that our world creates to keep us separated. Together, they will create an Indigenous storytelling experience that combines drumming, joy, and identity in a collaborative environment that emphasizes shared moments and audience activation.
Friday, October 2
Driftwood Dreams- Exchange gallery opening event
Location: The Exchange, 2nd floor gallery, 5943 Sylvia Place
Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
About:
Driftwood is a material that has come away from its roots, shaped by the sun, water and wind to become a unique and beautiful form, retaining nicks, breaks and asymmetries as reminders of it’s journey.
Here we have brought together many individual pieces of driftwood into collective representations.
The dragonfly represents transformation and adaptability.
The tortoise symbolizes perseverance and patience.
Our work gives homage to all the elements, just as all the elements have shaped the driftwood.
Artists:
- Sarah Carter is a multi-disciplinary artist with many shows, both group and solo. From paintings to sculptures, Sarah has done it all.
- CD Onofrio is an eclectic artist who most often shows up as a songwriter/musician and a writer of lyrical poetry. @captaindelumen
- Geoff Farnsworth is a visual artist with a spirit for process, experimentation and exploration which melds into the framework of his painted figures and settings @Geofffarnsworth
Saturday, October 3
Paint, repurpose, reimagine
Location: Sining Cafe at The Exchange, 5943 Sylvia Place
Time: 11:00 am to 2:30 pm
About: Help bring colour and comfort to a local café! Using repurposed second-hand pillows provided by the organizer, participants are invited to create unique painted designs that will become part of the café's seating area. Templates, materials, and creative guidance will be available, making this a fun and accessible activity for artists and beginners alike. Leave your mark on a shared community space while giving new life to reclaimed materials.
Shake, shimmy & celebrate: The joy of bellydance
Location: Sining Cafe at the Exchange (Sherman Zavitz Theatre), 5810 Main Street
Times: 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, and 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
About: Get ready to move, shimmy, and have fun! This interactive bellydance experience invites everyone to explore movement, connection, and the joy of dancing together in a welcoming and supportive environment for all ages and abilities. No experience needed, just come ready to have fun, meet new people, and enjoy yourself.
Woven paper art
Location: Niagara Falls History Museum (Sherman Zavitz Theatre), 5810 Ferry Street
Time: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
About: Have fun creating a unique piece of art by weaving together strips of coloured and patterned paper. This technique can be simple or intricate. Materials, samples, and support will be provided as part of this free, family-friendly City of Niagara Falls Culture Days activity. Suitable for all ages and skill levels.
Sunday, October 4
Magical art postcards
Location: Sining Cafe at the Exchange, 5943 Sylvia Place
Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
About: Create your own postcard masterpiece using paint, drawing, or collage techniques. Design a piece of happy mail to keep or send to someone special. Open to all ages and skill levels, this creative activity welcomes everyone. All materials are provided, so just bring your imagination and enjoy making art together.
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