IN THIS ISSUE
Fall Flavours and Country Traditions
Local farm-fresh food, rural traditions, and family-friendly harvest fun
Bike, Run or Hike in the Great Outdoors
Mountain bike races, fundraising and awareness runs, and early-fall hikes through local conservation area trails
The Big Event: Wake the Giant
Marina Park on September 12 will have live music, community-building and big festival energy
Découvrez l'AFNOO!
Get to know AFNOO, the Association des Francophones du Nord-Ouest de l’Ontario
Canadian Musical Talent Shines
From Bryan Adams to The Barra MacNeils, the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium will feature performances from Canadian icons throughout the fall
Arts, Culture and Theatre
Ontario Culture Days, Come From Away at Badanai Theatre and Magnus Theatre’s 2026/27 season
Hockey Season is Back!
Save the dates for this season's home openers!
| | | | Fall Flavours and Country Traditions | | |
September brings a full calendar of farm-fresh flavours, rural traditions and hands-on harvest experiences. Begin with the Taste of Fort William on Saturday, September 6, where fur trade-era cooking, multicultural food traditions and local favourites come together. That same weekend, the Hymers Fall Fair returns September 6 and 7 with its “Sunshine and Sunflowers” theme, country contests, horse and cattle shows, and the welcoming atmosphere of rural life.
On Saturday, September 12, head to Rural Heritage Days and the Slate River Plowing Match for plowing competitions, antique tractors, a tractor rodeo and parade, live entertainment, and family activities. The Good Harvest follows on Sunday, September 13, transforming downtown Red River Road into a free outdoor celebration of local farmers, food vendors, kids’ activities, live music, a corn boil, apple cider and more.
Fall fun continues at Belluz Farms Fall Wonderland Weekends, beginning the last weekend of September and running through Thanksgiving, with pumpkins, gourds, seasonal décor and farm-store comfort foods. For a different taste of the season, join the Boreal Museum’s guided Foragers Walks on September 4, 5, 12 or 13 at LPH Greenspace and The Tree Farm to discover the wild edible plants and fungi that grow in the Boreal Forest.
Keep the harvest spirit going with a visit to the Thunder Bay Country Market, open Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings, where local businesses sell what they make, bake and grow. For a true farm-to-table fall outing, visit a local farm such as Mountain Stream Orchard to pick your own fresh apples. Find other local farms and food producers in our online business directory!
| | | Bike, Run or Hike in the Great Outdoors | | |
Shuniah Forty Miner
Get ready to ride! The Shuniah Forty Miner, presented by Tbaytel, is rolling into Kinsmen Park in the Trowbridge Forest on September 11 and 12 for an action-packed weekend of mountain biking, music, food, and community fun.
Organized by the Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club, this XC mountain bike marathon features a 20 km loop with race categories for every level, including 20 km, 40 km, 60 km, and a 5 km Mini-Miner youth race.But it’s not just about the ride — check out the vendor village, tasty food vendors, and live music throughout the weekend.
Tourism Thunder Bay is proud to support the Shuniah Forty Miner through the CEDC Tourism Development Fund.
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Terry Fox Run
Join the 46th annual Terry Fox Run on Sunday, September 20, and help continue Terry’s legacy by raising funds for cancer research. Register and fundraise at terryfox.org, and visit the Terry Fox Monument and Visitor Centre to learn more about his remarkable Marathon of Hope and its connection to Thunder Bay.
Also, save the date for Run Terry Run, a new documentary showing in theatres on October 9, featuring never-before-seen archival footage from Terry Fox’s historic 1980 journey across Canada. Watch the trailer here.
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Honouring Our Children Run
Mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by taking part in the Honouring Our Children Run at Boulevard Lake on Wednesday, September 30. Hosted by Mazinaajim’s Children’s Foundation, this annual community event honours Indigenous children lost to the residential school system and supports the ongoing healing journey of Survivors and their families. The run brings people together in remembrance, solidarity and a shared commitment to truth, reconciliation and a brighter future for Indigenous children, families and communities.
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Discover Fall’s Colours, One Trail at a Time
Fall is an ideal time to explore Thunder Bay’s trails, with crisp air, colourful forests and beautiful views of Lake Superior and the surrounding landscape. The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority manages ten conservation areas for public recreation, hiking, birding, and photography. Local trails are a great way to experience the season—dress for changing conditions, stay on marked routes and check trail information before you go. The standard parking fee is $5, or you can purchase an Explore Card yearly pass for $40 +HST.
| Learn more about places to explore from the Thunder Bay Lifestyle article,
"7 Must-See Spots To See The Fall Colours Around Thunder Bay"
and the Northern Ontario Travel article,"10 Fall Lookouts Near Thunder Bay." | The Big Event: Wake the Giant |
Wake the Giant
Wake the Giant returns to Marina Park on Saturday, September 12! It's an inspiring celebration of music, Indigenous culture and community. Presented by the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council, the festival welcomes Indigenous youth arriving in Thunder Bay to attend high school while encouraging the community to celebrate culture, build understanding and stand together against racism. There will be live music, traditional drumming, Round Dancing, food and artisan vendors, a wellness tent and a kids' activities. Don't miss one of Canada’s most meaningful cultural music festivals! Order tickets online.
Date: Saturday, September 12
Time: 11:30 am to midnight
Location: Marina Park
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The Association des Francophones du Nord-Ouest de l’Ontario (AFNOO) supports and promotes Francophone communities across Northwestern Ontario. Through a network of more than 20 member organizations, AFNOO connects people and organizations with French-language resources, partnerships and services in areas. AFNOO can also assist employers seeking bilingual staff, organizations promoting services in French, and communities welcoming Francophone residents.
September 25th is Franco-Ontarian Day. This is an annual celebration of French culture and of the contributions made by francophones from all parts of Ontario.
| | Canadian Talent at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium | | |
Celebrate the incredible musical talent Canada continues to produce with these upcoming performances at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium:
And Thunder Bay's own Rodney Brown, will perform the music of Cohen, Dylan and Young on November 20.
| | Arts, Culture and Theatre | | |
Ontario Culture Days
Ontario Culture Days returns to Thunder Bay from September 18 to October 4, celebrating the city’s Indigenous heritage, diverse cultures, and creative talent. Start the festival with Arts & Culture Under the Lights on September 18 at Marina Park, featuring an illuminated evening of arts and entertainment, including a spectacular drone show.
On September 27, head to Fort William Historical Park for Celtic Day, a celebration of Celtic culture with music, dance, hands-on activities, and performances by local pipe and drum bands and Highland dancers.
Events are free or offered on a pay-what-you-can basis. Other local highlights include the free Pedal Forward Fix-a-Bike Program, Medicine Pouch Making and Teachings with the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre, and Gallery for the Senses at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. Learn more from the City of Thunder Bay website.
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Come From Away
Badanai Theatre presents Come From Away, a heartfelt and uplifting story of the people of Gander, Newfoundland and the passengers who came from away on 9/11. Featuring music, movement, humour and heart, this community production runs in September and October. Tickets are available through Ticket Owl.
Dates: September 17–19 and 24–26, October 1–3 and 8–10
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: Badanai Theatre, 499 Dewe Ave.
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Magnus Theatre's 2026/27 Season
A new season is coming to Magnus Theatre, with musical comedy, drama, suspense, holiday fun and farce.
- Evil Dead the Musical — October 1–24, 2026
- Niizh — November 12–28, 2026
- A Christmas Carol Comedy — December 10–20, 2026
- Succour — February 4–20, 2027
- Betrayal — March 11–27, 2027
- Noises Off — May 6–22, 2027
Visit the website to purchase your tickets online at MagnusTheatre.com.
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Save the Date ~ Thunder Bay Medieval Faire
Come one, come all! The Knights of Valour are bringing the Thunder Bay Medieval Faire to Northwestern Ontario! Join them at the Hymers Fairgrounds on October 10th & 11th from 10 am to 6 pm, for two action packed days of medieval merriment!
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Drop the Puck on a New Season
Hockey season returns later this September—come out and cheer on Thunder Bay’s teams with the following home openers:
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@ThunderBayLifeStyle is your source for insider tips on the city’s best-kept secrets. Their curated updates provide the local perspective you need to experience the very best of Thunder Bay.
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The Terry Fox Monument and Visitor Centre is open daily year-round. We're open from 9 am to 5 pm.
Visitor Services
Telephone:807-983-2041 - Local
1-800-MOST-FUN (667-8386) Toll Free
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