This national celebration of arts and culture, scheduled to take place from September 20 to October 13, 2024, seeks to eliminate barriers, while encouraging appreciation and participation in our communities. During this month long event, the City invites the community to participate in FREE activities to discover the world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators, and designers at work.
Enjoy a diverse lineup of free arts and culture events, including the screening of "Barbie" at Moonlight Movies (September 20), the Richmond Hill ArtWalk (September 22), and a concert by Mimi O'Bonsawin at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (September 30). Discover thought-provoking exhibitions like "Outcome of the War of 1812: First Nations Betrayed," or take part in exciting heritage scavenger hunts and guided or self-guided walking tours throughout the City. There’s something for everyone!
What is Culture Days?
Culture Days is celebrated in hundreds of cities and towns across Canada. During this month-long event, participants explore and discover cultural awareness in their local communities through visual arts, music, dance, theatre, architecture, heritage, film and video, literature, culinary arts and new media.
Culture Days 2024 Event Schedule
September 20 to October 13
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Cultural Services
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| ArtWalk |
| Sunday, September 22, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Join us for the Richmond Hill ArtWalk at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. Discover dozens of local artists and artisans showcasing handcrafted creations — pottery, paintings, glasswork and more. Plus, catch live painting sessions, local music and dive into fun arts activities.
Location: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, 10268 Yonge St, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3B7
Learn More: RichmondHill.ca/ArtWalk
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| Visual Art Gallery @ RHCPA Exhibitions |
| Browse the galleries of the month-long exhibitions, highlighting the artwork of esteemed local artists across a range of mediums.
Location: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, 10268 Yonge St, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3B7
Learn More: RichmondHill.ca/VisualArtGallery
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| Boynton House Exhibitions |
| Come explore the Boynton House Art Exhibition Space, a heritage home converted into a charming rentable gallery, located in lively Richmond Green Park. Exhibit information available online.
Location: Richmond Green Park, 1300 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill, ON L4S 1M5
Learn More: RichmondHill.ca/BoyntonHouse
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Heritage Services
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| Heritage Centre Scavenger Hunt |
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Enjoy a trip through time with a Heritage Centre Scavenger Hunt and learn about the history of Richmond Hill’s community. Start in the ‘History Room’ to learn about the earliest inhabitants in the area. Explore the ‘Community Gallery’ to learn about the significant contributions of past residents. Discover the story of Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe and the official establishment of Yonge Street.
Interactive pop-up panels encourage an engaging visitor experience. Get up close to a selection of historical objects from the Richmond Hill Artifact Collection as you meander through the centre.
Location: Richmond Hill Heritage Centre, 19 Church Street North, Richmond Hill
Dates and Times:
- Saturday, September 21, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 24, 1 – 4 p.m.
- Thursday, September 26, 4 – 8 p.m.
- Saturday, September 28, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 1, 1 – 4 p.m.
- Thursday, October 3, 4 – 8 p.m.
- Saturday, October 5, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 8, 1 – 4 p.m.
- Thursday, October 10, 4 – 8 p.m.
- Saturday, October 12, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Duration of activity: 30 minutes
Learn More: RichmondHill.ca/HeritageCentre
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| Museum of the Streets |
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Museum of the Streets is a free, self-guided tour of Richmond Hill’s community history. Starting from Amos Wright Park (Richmond Hill Heritage Centre), participants can journey across eleven heritage sties. Distinctive green and tan signs direct participants through the streets of Old Richmond Hill. Participants choose how many stops to visit and how much time spend at each one. Download the map and begin your journey.
Location: Richmond Hill Heritage Centre, 19 Church Street North, Richmond Hill
Dates and Times: September 20 - October 13, available anytime.
Duration of activity: 1.5 – 2 hrs.
Learn More: RichmondHill.ca/HeritageCentre
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| Tour the Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory |
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Drop by the Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory (RHDDO) for a self-guided tour of the Administration Building and the Observatory Dome. RHDDO is a national historic site and houses the largest telescope in Canada. Visitors are welcome to explore the trail system and parks surrounding the RHDDO. This is a self-guided tour that does not include live demonstrations or viewing through the telescope.
Location: 123 Hillsview Dr, Richmond Hill
Dates and Times:
- Saturday, September 21, 1 - 5 p.m.
- Sunday, September 22, 1 - 5 p.m.
- Saturday, September 28, 1 - 5 p.m.
- Sunday, September 29, 1 - 5 p.m.
- Saturday, October 5, 1 - 5 p.m.
- Sunday, October 6, 1 - 5 p.m.
- Saturday, October 12, 1 - 5 p.m.
- Sunday, October 13, 1 - 5 p.m.
Location: 123 Hillsview Dr, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 1T3
Duration of activity: 30 minutes
Accessibility: As the Observatory and Administration Buildings are historic buildings, they do not meet existing accessibility standards. Access to both buildings is by stairs only. Washrooms and program rooms are in the basement and on the second floor of the Administration Building and are accessible only by stairs. Both the Administration Building and the Observatory do not have elevators.
Learn More: RichmondHill.ca/Astronomy
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| Walk and Learn Tour, Sports History |
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Discover Richmond Hill community heritage with a Walk and Learn guided tour. Participants will explore the diverse and vibrant streets of Old Richmond Hill with a knowledgeable guide. This walk will focus on the athletes, teams, and supporters who have shaped the sports community in Richmond Hill.
Included in the walk is a visit to the Richmond Hill Sports Hall of Fame (Elgin Barrow Arena, 2nd Floor). Check out the inductees, awards recipients, and Moments in Sport winners.
Tour runs rain or shine. Wear appropriate attire for walking and the outdoors.
Location: McConaghy Centre - 10100 Yonge St, Richmond Hill - look for the Walk and Learn sandwich board
Date and Time: Sunday, October 6, 1 p.m.
Duration of activity: 1.5 - 2 hrs.
Thank you to our 2024 partner, Richmond Hill Historical Society
Learn More: RichmondHill.ca/HeritageCentre
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| Walk and Learn Tour, Church Street and the Bright Lights of Yonge Street |
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Discover Richmond Hill community heritage with a Walk and Learn guided tour. Participants will explore the diverse and vibrant streets of Old Richmond Hill with a knowledgeable guide. On this walk, participants will take a stroll down Church Street and head up Yonge Street to discover the enterprises that shaped Richmond Hill’s “Main Street.”
Tour runs rain or shine. Wear appropriate attire for walking and the outdoors.
Location: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts - 10268 Yonge St, Richmond Hill - look for the Walk and Learn sandwich board
Date and Time: Sunday, September 22, 1 p.m.
Duration of activity: 1.5 - 2 hrs.
Thank you to our 2024 partner, Richmond Hill Historical Society
Learn More: RichmondHill.ca/HeritageCentre
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Event Services
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Moonlight Movies – “Barbie”
Date and Time: Friday, September 20, 6:30 p.m. (movie begins at dusk)
Soak up the final nights of summer under the stars at our Moonlight Movies. Pack your chairs and blankets, gather the family to enjoy a new release or an old classic. Join us for some pre-show fun and indulge in some delicious food and desserts starting at 6:30 p.m. The movie will begin at dusk.
Be sure to stop by our Information Booth for a chance to be entered into a draw to win a prize!
About the movie: Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colourful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans. Rated PG
1 h 54 m
Location: David Hamilton Park, 311 Valleymede Dr., Richmond Hill, ON L4B 2E1
Learn More: RichmondHill.ca/MoonlightMovies
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Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts
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| RHCPA Presents – Mimi O’Bonsawin
Date and Time: Monday, September 30, 8 p.m. (Doors at 7:30 p.m.)
September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Feature Opening Act - The North Sound. Mimi O’Bonsawin is a contemporary roots singer-songwriter from Northeastern Ontario. Through her rhythm and story-driven songs, Mimi embraces the beauty of the land, all the while yielding to her Franco-Ontarian and Abenaki roots. In her music, you will find sounds from the forest, uplifting melodies and introspective lyrics weaved with pop sensibilities and acoustic instruments. The layers of percussion and surprising harmonies make you feel the music rather than just hear it. Her duo stage performances are honest and dynamic as she tours with her partner Ryan Schurman on drums, making it an intimate yet uplifting experience for the audience. Mimi has released her newest album, Willow, in 2023. It features four singles, “Here’s to the Women,” “I am Alive,” “I Wish I Was a Farmer,” and “The River”. Mimi shares, “Just like the bark of the willow tree, the making of this album has brought me so much healing. I have never felt more alive.”
Tickets are free. Max. four (4) tickets per patron. Available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Location: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, 10268 Yonge St, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3B7
Get Tickets and Learn More: https://bit.ly/MimiOBonsawin-RHCPA
Contact: Box Office: boxoffice@rhcentre.ca or 905-787-8811 during Box Office hours.
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Richmond Hill Public Library
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Visit our friends at the Richmond Hill Public Library for a whirlwind of fun, free programs and workshops for the whole family. Join the fall cultural event as the Central Branch transforms into a lively Culture Days Hub, featuring music, dance, and art workshops. Try Chinese calligraphy, sing with a choir, polish your Bollywood dance moves, and more.
Date and Activity Times: Saturday, September 21
- 11 - 11:45 a.m.
- 12 - 12:45 p.m.
- 12 - 3 p.m.
- 12 - 4 p.m.
- 1 - 1:45 p.m.
- 3 - 4 p.m.
Location: 1 Atkinson St, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 0H5
Learn More: rhpl.ca/culture-days
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Why should we celebrate culture?
Culture is everywhere and is a part of every moment of our lives. We celebrate Culture Days to recognize the special place that arts and culture occupies in our lives, much like you would celebrate a birthday or an anniversary.
How do I participate as a Culture Days activity organizer?
If you are interested in learning how you can participate in Culture Days contact the Cultural Services team at culturalplan@richmondhill.ca.
How can I find Culture Days activities in my community?
Visit culturedays.ca and you can search by neighbourhood, municipality or region.
