• Community
• Arts and Culture
• Festivals and Programs

Where can I find information about festivals and cultural attractions?

Look in your local newspaper, at a community centre or ask a neighbour.

You can also contact tourism agencies, such as Ontario Tourism.

Many cultural and arts festivals take place during the summer and offer free outdoor performances. These festivals may focus on theatre, music, dance, literature, film, an art form or a specific ethnocultural community.

There are many cultural attractions you can visit, such as museums, art galleries, heritage buildings in Ontario, historic sites in Canada and other local attractions. Many of these places have a lower entrance fee for children, students and seniors. Sometimes they have 1 day a week when the entrance fee is free or at a lower cost for adults.

You can get the Canoo App if you hold a Permanent Residence or are a new Canadian citizen. Canoo offers free passes to some Ontario's best attractions like: museums, parks, art galleries, and the Science Centre as well as as free attractions across Canada.    

There are also special events and important celebrations in Ontario, such as Canada Day, when many towns have public celebrations, parades, fireworks and musical entertainment.

Many smaller communities or neighbourhoods have a local fair during the summer or fall. The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world's largest indoor agricultural fair and international equestrian competition. It takes place in Toronto every November.

Learn to Camp at Ontario Parks has information to help you plan your next, or first, camping adventure. Find out what to bring, how to set up a tent and campfire, camping safety and more. You can also sign up for guided overnight or day trips to parks.

Many community agencies can help you find information about community events. To find help, go to Services Near Me and search for "settlement agency" in your area.

For More Information

• Discover Ontario - This website invites newcomers to learn more about their new home. It has information about arts and culture, history, tourism, geography, fun facts and more.
• Canoo App - As a new Canadian citizen, you can download this app and use this pass to visit many cultural institutions in your region for free. This program was launched by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.
• Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries - Get information about what the Ontario government is doing to preserve arts and culture, heritage and libraries in Ontario.
• Ontario Heritage Trust - This website has information about hundreds of historical museums, buildings and sites across Ontario.