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We hope you safely enjoy your experiences in Durham Region. Remember to follow Durham Region Health Department guidance: Stay home if you are sick, wear a mask when required, and wash your hands. Please respect the health and safety rules of any venue or facility you visit. For more information please see the COVID-19 case and contact information hub.

September 2022


Home is where the heart is

Home means many different things to people in Durham Region—a collection of incredible communities, each with their own unique charm, quirks and personality.


The Durham is Home collection features community designs on hoodies, T-shirts, hats, totes, wine glasses, coffee mugs and more, that showcase the unique communities we call home.


Shop our Durham is Home collection and share your community pride with us on social media using #DurhamIsHome.

Eat your way around the world

in Durham Region's downtowns

From dim sum to moin moin (bean cakes), eat your way around the world with us in Durham Region’s downtowns.

 

Durham Region is a delicious place to live. With more than 1,300 farms and 13 farmers’ markets, there’s an abundance of fresh local food being grown right here in the region.

 

Across the region, you can find everything from haggis to halal options. It truly does seem that a new small grocer is opening up every week, which means there’s more variety of imported, specialty and international foods to discover.

 

In this post, we explore international food options found specifically in Durham Region’s downtown areas, but be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the latest openings in your neighbourhood.

Remembering the Children Memorial

At a memorial on September 24 at 11:30 a.m., a commemorative orange crosswalk—designed by visual artist, Jon Colwell, a proud member of Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation—and accompanying plaque will be unveiled near the south entrance to the Durham Regional Headquarters building.

 

We will observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation together to honour Indigenous children that have not returned home from residential schools, families left behind and survivors. We will hear some words of wisdom and guidance; and the All Our Relations Métis Drum Circle will honour the children and families through drumming and song.

 

Please access the grounds from the north entrance on Rossland Road. Follow the directional arrows to the south parking lot. We will meet at the entrance off Garden Street.


For more information, visit durham.ca/Reconciliation.

Find your flavour during Gates Open

Durham Tourism, in partnership with Durham Farm Fresh, is counting down to Durham Region’s Gates Open: Find Your Flavour event, taking place on October 1 and 2.


Gates Open: Find Your Flavour is a region-wide farm tour celebrating the region's natural resources, cultural heritage and diversity. Enjoy this self-guided tour where you’ll learn about farm life, watch farm demonstrations, take part in fun family friendly activities, and have a chance to sample (or purchase) farm fresh products and treats. The event will highlight a number of Durham Region’s finest farms and provide an opportunity for visitors—from near and far—to learn about agriculture and immerse themselves in hands-on educational experiences about life on the farm.


Confirmed host farms include:



Admission to Gates Open is free. Visit GatesOpen.ca for more information on participating farms and activities to plan your agricultural adventure.

Oshawa to host 2023 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships

The 2023 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships will take place in Oshawa at Tribute Communities Centre from January 9 to 15, 2023. The week-long event will feature the best Canadian figure skaters in the men, women, pairs, ice dance, and for the first time ever, synchronized skating disciplines.

 

Tickets are on sale to the public today (September 1) at 10 a.m. EST. Single session tickets will be available for sale in December 2022.


To purchase tickets, visit TributeCommunitiesCentre.com.

 

Stay up-to-date on Skate Canada’s latest news and event information, by subscribing to the Skate Canada Fan Mailing List.

Feast On the Farm tickets now on sale

Feast On the Farm, produced by the Culinary Tourism Alliance, is a unique two-day event series bringing together chefs, producers and food lovers in different parts of Ontario.

 

Durham Tourism is thrilled to be hosting both the consumer day and industry day events this year at Slabtown Cider Co. in Uxbridge.

 

Feast On the Farm: Durham Region Consumer Day

September 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.


Every ticket includes:

 


Feast On the Farm: Durham Region Industry Day

September 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Gather with industry colleagues to learn, network and of course, eat! You'll be broken up into smaller groups to move around the farm attending themed fireside chats, demos and talks hosted by industry thought leaders.


Learn more and purchase tickets by visiting OntarioCulinary.com/FOnFarm.

The Durham Region International Film Festival (DRIFF) is coming!

The DRIFF fall festival returns on September 29 after a one-year hiatus. Mark your calendars for a weekend full of inspiring films from Canada and across the globe. It’s a cultural event you won't want to miss!

 

Awards will be presented to films in the following categories:

 

  • Best Student Film
  • Best Short Film
  • People’s Choice
  • Best Feature Film
  • Best Regional Film


Program details are coming soon. Virtual screenings and tickets can be found at driff.ca/Fall-Festival.

Oshawa hosting special orientation week event

The Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce is hosting a special orientation week event for new students on September 10 from 3 to 10:30 p.m., at Memorial Park in downtown Oshawa. The event is free and open to all incoming students!


The day will begin with a welcome and job fair, followed by mini events with downtown Oshawa businesses, and ending the day off with an epic dance party with free silk-screened T-shirts, DJ, food trucks and drag show.


Oshawa Orientation Experience schedule:


  • 3 p.m. - Memorial Park: Welcome from Mayor and city officials and job fair.
  • 3:30 p.m. - explore downtown Oshawa: Explore, play, shop and dine while you get to know local downtown Oshawa businesses.
  • 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. - Memorial Park chill and dance: Dance in the park to the sounds of a DJ, host and performers. Enjoy delicious food truck food, a drag show and get your own hand silk-screened commemorative T-shirt by local artist, Dani Crosby.


More details at OshawaOrientation.com.

Mark your calendars for the Port Perry Street Party

Dance the night away at the Port Perry Street Party on September 24! Enjoy live music, a beer and cider garden, fabulous shopping, lively patios, fun games and more, across Queen Street in Downtown Port Perry.


Get all the details on what to expect at DiscoverPortPerry.ca.

Drawing for Art is back again

Get your ticket for Station Gallery’s Drawing for Art event taking place on September 29. Each year, the event hosts more than 100 guests where donated works by talented artists are awarded to ticket holders in a random order. The excitement of having your number called and scoring one of your top picks is unlike anything else, and this exciting event sees regulars coming back year after year to support their local art gallery and go home with some amazing artwork in the process.


It’s an evening of art, refreshments and entertainment. Each Drawing for Art is better than the last, and the quality of the works donated by our generous community of artists knows no bounds.


Each ticket admits two people to the event and secures one piece of artwork of your choice when your name is drawn. Attendees will have access to complimentary appetizers and a cash bar throughout the evening.


Information about the event will be emailed to ticket holders as the event date approaches.


Tickets are on sale now at Station Gallery’s front desk or online at StationGallery.ca.

Scugog is your Ontario Culture Days hub

Ontario Culture Days—a celebration of arts, culture and heritage taking place across Ontario from September 23 to October 16—is returning to Scugog on September 24 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Enjoy arts and crafts demonstrations and workshops, music and live performances, Indigenous arts and culture, culinary arts, literary readings, garden tours and so much more!

 

Scugog Arts and other organizers will be hosting several different events all day and into the evening. Ontario Culture Days takes place primarily on Queen Street, but activities will be held at other venues including the Scugog Arts Space, Scugog Memorial Public Library, Old Flame Brewing Co., Lavender-Blu, and the Side Roads of Scugog. Visit each hub location to participate in events and activities for free! Live music and fun events will continue into the evening at the Port Perry Street Party on Queen Street, hosted by the Port Perry Business Improvement Area.

 

For a sneak peek of what to expect, visit ScugogArts.ca/Culture-Days.

Celebrate music in Durham Region at the

Oshawa Music Awards

Under wraps no more, the Oshawa Music Awards (OMAs) have announced this year’s nominees!


Marking its fifth year celebrating music in Durham Region, the 2022 OMAs awards show will be hosted at The Biltmore Theatre on September 29 and will honour artists across multiple categories—including Songwriter of the Year, Album of the Year, Emerging Artist or Band of the Year, Durham Song of the Year and Music Teacher of the Year. Further, the 2022 OMAs will again distribute Lifetime Achievement and Industry Leader awards, marking distinct work within the local community.


Get tickets online at Eventbrite.com.

Whitby Beer Fest tickets on sale now!

The Downtown Whitby Business Improvement Area is pleased to host Downtown Whitby Beer Fest 2022 from September 9 to 11 at Celebration Square at the Whitby Public Library (405 Dundas Street West). Beer Fest highlights the best that Durham Region has to offer in both breweries and grassroots musical talent.


Learn more and purchase tickets at ShopDurhamRegion.ca.

All aboard York Durham Heritage Railway this fall

Don't miss out on York Durham Heritage Railway’s (YDHR) exciting lineup of fall events! From the very popular Murder on the Petulant Express to the beloved Fall High Tea, there are a range of events for everyone to enjoy.


September events:


  • September 8 to 10, 16 and 17: Murder on the Petulant Express.
  • September 11: Bippity Boppity Princess Tea Party.
  • September 21 and 28: Fall Colours Lunch Feast.
  • September 30: Fall High Tea.


October events:


  • October 5: Fall Colours Lunch Feast.
  • October 1 and 2, 7 to 9: Fall High Tea.
  • October 7: Thanksgiving Harvest Dinner Train.
  • October 15 and 16, 22 and 23, 29 and 30: Pumpkin Patch Family Fest and Train Ride.
  • October 29: Halloween Dinner Train (ages 19 and over Halloween event).


Visit YDHR.ca for more details and to book your tickets.

PineRidge Arts Council ArtScene newsletter is your guide to the arts

PineRidge Arts Council produces an online publication six times a year called ArtScene featuring members' upcoming events and interesting articles about the arts in Durham Region.


The current issue is available online at PineRidgeArts.org.

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For unique trip ideas or to plan your perfect day, visit DurhamTourism.ca, or call 1-800-413-0017. If this information is required in an accessible format, contact Durham Tourism.