Culture Days

Culture Days 2024

Culture Days 2024 Recognition                                                       

• Thunder Bay has been recognized on the Culture Days 2024 Top Participating Communities Listing!
• Each year, Culture Days releases a highly anticipated ranking of communities from across the country with the most registered Culture Days programs and events. Thunder Bay ranked 5th among Mid-Size Cities with an impressive 80+ events organized for the 2024 festival!
• This is an amazing achievement, thanks to the incredible effort and dedication of our community partners. Being included as a top participating community is a reflection of the hard work, creativity, and passion within our city.
• This recognition also affirms that Thunder Bay is a community of active champions and supporters of local arts, culture, and heritage initiatives.

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  Arts & Culture Under the Lights (City of Thunder Bay)

  • September 20, from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Baggage Building Arts Centre

• CAHEP: The Art of the Mushroom (Community Arts & Heritage Education Project)
  • September 20, from 6:00pm - 9:00pm, Baggage Building Arts Centre
• Interactive Alive in Wonderland Workshop (All the DAZE Productions)
  • September 20, from 6:00pm - 9:00pm, Baggage Building Arts Centre
• Literary Stage (Thunder Bay Public Library)
  • September 20, from 6:00pm - 9:00pm, Baggage Building Arts Centre
• Neighbour Day (City of Thunder Bay)
  • September 21, from 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
• IMPROVATHON! at Cambrian Players (Cambrian Players)
  • September 21, from 10:00am - 10:00pm, Cambrian Players Theatre
• Plein Air of Gold Domed Church in Westfort (Visual Ukrainian Artist, Irene Warmenhoven)
  • September 21, from 11:00am - 4:00pm, St. Volodymyr's Ukrainian Orthodox Church
• BARBIE-que (Youth Move)
  • September 21, from 6:00pm-7:00pm, Kinsmen Youth Centre
  • Bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket, connect with neighbours, play lawn games and grab a hot dog or hamburger before settling in for the Movie Night in the Park featuring Barbie!
• Barbie Movie Preshow (All the DAZE Productions)
  • September 21, from 7:00pm - 9:00pm, Kinsmen Youth Centre
• Movie Night in the Park - Barbie Edition (City of Thunder Bay) 
• September 21, from 7:00pm - 10:00pm, Kinsmen Centre
• French Language Cafe and Badge-Making Activity (Club Culturel Francophone de Thunder Bay)
• September 21, from 9:00am - 12:00pm, Centre Francophone
• Northern Nature Trading (Thunder Bay Public Library)
  • September 21, 10:00am - 12:00pm
  • September 24, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
  • September 25, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
  • September 28, 10:00am - 12:00pm
  • October 1, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
  • October 2, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
  • Mary J.L. Black Library
• Good Harvest Farmer's Market (Roots Community Food Centre, Goods & Co. Market, and the Waterfront District BIA)
• September 22, from 10:00am - 4:00pm, Court Street, adjacent to the Goods & Co. Market
• Moana - Open Door Rehearsal (All the DAZE Productions)
• September 22, 10:00am - 2:00pm
• Baggage Building Arts Centre
• Free Admission at Fort William Historical Park (Fort William Historical Park) 
  • September 22, 10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Fort William Historical Park
• Celebrating Indigenous Culture & Honouring Truth and Reconciliation (Anishnawbe Mushkiki)
• September 23, from 4:30pm - 6:00pm, Spirit Garden, Marina Park
• An Evening with Rod Carley (Thunder Bay Public Library)
  • September 23, from 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Waverley Library
• Play Day @ Mary J (Thunder Bay Public Library)
• September 24, 12:00pm - 4:00pm
• October 1, 12:00pm - 4:00pm
• October 8, 12:00pm - 4:00pm
• Mary J.L. Black Library
• Tinker Tuesdays at the THINK Hub (Thunder Bay Public Library)
  • September 24, 12:30pm - 7:30pm
  • October 1, 12:30pm - 7:30pm
  • October 8, 12:30pm - 7:30pm
  • Brodie Library
• Indigenous Action Council (Thunder Bay Public Library)
  • September 24, from 6:00pm - 7:45pm, Brodie Library
• Water Walks by Elder Sheila DeCorte Lecture (Thunder Bay Museum)
  • September 24, from 7:30pm - 9:00pm, Thunder Bay Museum
• Ms. Rachel Storytime (Thunder Bay Public Library) 
• September 24, from 10:30am - 11:30am, Waverley Library
• Family Storytime @ Mary J.L. Black (Thunder Bay Public Library)
  • September 24, from 10:00am - 12:00pm 
  • October 1, from 10:00am - 12:00pm 
  • October 8, from 10:00am - 12:00pm 
  • Mary J.L. Black Library
• Baby and Me Storytime @ Waverley (Thunder Bay Public Library)
• September 25, from 11:15am - 12:00pm
• October 2, from 11:15am - 12:00pm
• October 9, from 11:15am - 12:00pm
• Waverley Library

• Family Storytime @ County Park (Thunder Bay Public Library)
  • September 25, from 10:00am - 12:00pm 
  • October 2, from 10:00am - 12:00pm 
  • October 9, from 10:00am - 12:00pm
  • County Park Library

• Baby and Me Storytime @ Mary J.L. Black (Thunder Bay Public Library)
  • September 25, from 1:30pm - 2:30pm
  • October 2, from 1:30pm - 2:30pm
  • October 9, from 1:30pm - 2:30pm
  • Mary J.L. Black Library
• Blissful Beading (Thunder Bay Public Library)
• September 26, from 3:00pm - 7:00pm
• October 3, from 3:00pm - 7:00pm
• October 10, from 3:00pm - 7:00pm
• County Park Library
• Family Storytime @ Waverley (Thunder Bay Public Library)
• September 26, from 10:30am - 12:00pm 
• October 3, from 10:30am - 12:00pm 
• October 10, from 10:30am - 12:00pm
• Waverley Library
• YOUth Rec Room (Thunder Bay Public Library)
  • September 26, 5:00pm - 7:30pm
  • October 3, 5:00pm - 7:30pm
  • October 10, 5:00pm - 7:30pm
  • Mary J.L. Black Library

• Baby and Me Storytime @ County Park (Thunder Bay Public Library)
  • September 27, from 10:00am - 10:30am
  • October 4, from 10:00am - 10:30am
  • October 11, from 10:00am - 10:30am
  • County Park Library 
• Play Day @ Waverley (Thunder Bay Public Library)
  • September 27, from 10:00am - 4:00pm
  • September 28, from 10:00am - 4:00pm
  • October 4, from 10:00am - 4:00pm
  • October 5, from 10:00am - 4:00pm
  • October 11, from 10:00am - 4:00pm
  • October 12, from 1:00pm - 4:00pm
  • Waverley Library 

• Waking Beauty Puppet Show! (Thunder Bay Public Library)
  • September 27, from 2:30pm - 3:15pm, Mary J.L. Black Library 
• A Day in the Life of You/th (Youth Move)
  • September 27, from 4:00pm - 7:00pm, Kinsmen Youth Centre

• Thunder Bay Community Auditorium Open House & Tours (Thunder Bay Community Auditorium)
  • September 28, from 10:00am - 4:00pm, The Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
• Hip-Hop 101: A Conversation about Culture (City of Thunder Bay with Nolan Schmerk)
  • September 28, from 10:00am - 12:00pm, The Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
• The Land is Dancing - Water Poem (City of Thunder Bay with Betty Carpick)
  • September 28, from 2:00pm - 4:00pm, The Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
• DIY Library Card Holders (Thunder Bay Public Library)
  • September 28, from 10:00am - 4:00pm, Waverley Library
• Endgame by Samuel Beckett: A Green Room Production (Cambrian Players)
  • September 28, from 7:30pm - 10:00pm, Cambrian Players Theatre
• Pay What You Want Performance - Gaslight (Magnus Theatre)
  • September 29, from 2:00pm - 4:30pm, Magnus Theatre 
• Wild Ones (Thunder Bay Public Library) 
  • October 2, from 10:00am - 11:00am
  • October 9, from 10:00am - 11:00am, Mary J.L. Black Library
• petal, clay, berry, leaf: natural inks, dyes, and pigments of Northern Ontario (Thunder Bay Art Gallery) 
  • October 4, from 7:00pm - 9:00pm, Thunder Bay Art Gallery
• Baby Prints (Thunder Bay Public Library) 
  • October 7, from 1:30pm - 2:30pm, Mary J.L. Black Library
• Indigenous Author Series: Niigaan Sinclair (Thunder Bay Public Library)
  • October 10, from 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Brodie Library
• Lunch & Learn (Thunder Bay Art Gallery)
• October 11, from 12:00pm - 1:00pm, Thunder Bay Art Gallery
• L.U Visual Arts Visiting Artist Talk (Sam Shahsahabi)
  • October 11, from 2:00pm - 3:45pm, (Lakehead University, The William H. Buset Music and Visual Arts Centre
• Thanksgiving STEM Storytime (Thunder Bay Public Library) 
• October 12, from 10:30am - 12:00pm, Waverley Library 

Ongoing

• Thunder Bay Art Gallery 
  • Collector's Challenge Scavenger Hunt 
  • Drop-In Art Activities 
  • A Gallery for the Senses 
  • Thunder Bay Art Gallery Pay-What-You-Can-Admission
• Thunder Bay Museum 
  • Kids History Themed Crafts 
  • Behind the Scenes Tour
  • Pay-What-You-May Admission Days

Culture Days 2023

Arts & Culture Under the Lights (City of Thunder Bay)
September 22, 2023 from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm, Baggage Building Arts Centre

• Karim Y Nady from Italian Touch Latin Dance School.
• Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop (NOWW)
• Community Arts & Heritage Education Project (CAHEP)

The Art of the Mushroom (CAHEP in Partnership with the City of Thunder Bay)
September 22, 2023 from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm, Baggage Building Arts Centre

Literary Stage (NOWW in Partnership with the City of Thunder Bay)
September 22, 2023 from 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm, Baggage Building Arts Centre

Window Painting (Thunder Bay Public Library)
September 22, 2023 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am, County Park Community Hub

The Art of the Mushroom: Arts & Scavenger Hunt (CAHEP in Partnership with the City of Thunder Bay)
September 23, 2023 from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, Baggage Building Arts Centre

Neighbour Day (City of Thunder Bay)
September 23, 2023 from 9:00 am - 10:00 pm

Gallery Neighbour Day (Thunder Bay Art Gallery)
September 23, 2023 from 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm 

Culture Days at the Thai Healing Centre (Thai Healing Centre)
September 23, 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

Drag Queen Story Time (Thunder Bay Public Library)
September 23, 2023 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm, Waverly Community Hub

Author Reading - Margaret Schweitzer (Thunder Bay Public Library)
September 23 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Mary J.L. Black Library

Lion King Jr. Public Musical Theatre Rehearsal (All the DAZE Productions)
September 24 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Baggage Building Arts Centre

Women in Technology Lecture by Stephanie Pesheau (Thunder Bay Museum)
September 26, 2023 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Sharing Seed Saving Knowledge (Willow Springs Creative Centre) 
September 27 from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm, Lappe Nordic Ski Centre

Kiikurit Finnish Folk Dancing (The Kiikurit Folk Dancers)
September 28, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm, Prince Arthur Hotel
October 5, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm, Prince Arthur Hotel
October 12, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm, Prince Arthur Hotel

The Land is Dancing: Artist Talk with Betty Carpick (ON Culture Days)
September 28, 2023 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Co. Lab Art Gallery

The Land is Dancing: Art Projection by Betty Carpick (ON Culture Days)
September 28, 29, and 30 from 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm, Goods and Co.

Our Thunder Gay: Belonging in the Bay Panel and Discussion (Thunder Bay Museum)
September 28, 2023 from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm

Blissful Beading (Thunder Bay Public Library)
September 28, October 5, and October 12 from 3:00 pm - 7:30 pm, County Park Community Hub

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (City of Thunder Bay Indigenous Relations)
September 30, from 9:00 am - 10:30 am, Hillcrest Park

Foraging for Natural Art Making Materials & Open Studio (Willow Springs Creative Centre)
October 1, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Willow Springs Creative Centre

The Land is Dancing: Drop-In Maker Session with Betty Carpick (ON Culture Days)
October 1, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Thunder Bay Art Gallery

Behind the Scenes Tour (Thunder Bay Museum)
October 1, 2023 from 1:30 pm - 2:15 pm and 3:30 pm - 4:15 pm

Baby Time (Thunder Bay Public Library)
October 3 and October 10 from 1:15 pm - 1:45 pm, Mary J.L. Black Library

Read. Sing. Play (Thunder Bay Public Library)
October 4 and October 11 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm, County Park Community Hub

Community Paint Day (Thunder Bay Public Library) 
October 5 from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, Mary J.L. Black Library

 Big Beautiful Bay (The Boreal Museum and Quirky Company)
October 7, 2023, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm, Keskus Court

Birch Tea Teachings (Ontario Native Women's Association) 
October 11, 2023, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm, Ontario Native Women's Association

 Spice Club (Thunder Bay Public Library) 
October 11, 2023, 9:30 am - 8:00 pm, All Branches

Music, Arts, & Botanicals at the Conservatory (Recreation and Culture, City of Thunder Bay)
October 12, 2023 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Refugee Library (Thunder Bay Multicultural Association)
October 14, 2023, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Thunder Bay Waverly Resource Library 

EcoArt Day (EcoSuperior, Mindful Makers, Club Culturel Francophone, and CreAction Collective)
October 14, 2023 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Baggage Building Arts Centre

Making Up the Gods, Book Launch and Reading with Marion Agnew (Laughing Fox Writers)
October 15, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm at Entershine Bookshop

Kids History Themed Crafts (Thunder Bay Museum)
Ongoing throughout Culture Days

Pay-What-You-Can Admission Days (Thunder Bay Museum)
Ongoing throughout Culture Days

Drop-In Art Activities (Thunder Bay Art Gallery)
Ongoing throughout Culture Days

Pay-What-You-May Admission (Thunder Bay Art Gallery)
Ongoing throughout Culture Days 

Culture Days 2022

Thank you for participating in Culture Days 2022!

Below are a few highlights of different things that happened in the community during Culture Days in 2022.

Culture Days is a national celebration where arts, culture, and creativity intersect. Indoors, outdoors, and online — discover the world of arts and culture! Re-imagined to engage and delight despite the times, Culture Days extended beyond the traditional weekend to a 4-week interactive, immersive arts and culture experience happening in-person where possible, and online.

World Dance Collective at Goods & Co Market

Experience the vibrant and captivating movements of different world dance cultures! The World Dance Collective will be offering four free dance sessions that will include performances as well as opportunities for an interactive dance-along. Enjoy music and choreographed routines in the styles of Flamenco, Bollywood, Latin, and dances from the Middle East.

World Cultural Dance at Marina Park

This group of cultural dancers will take you through the amazing music and dance of the Middle East and many other countries across the world. Enjoy the dance of other countries with our troupe of dedicated dancers. Explore the many facets of other cultures and enjoy sharing with the rest of the world while watching our performance. They aim to explore and share many different cultures bringing inclusiveness to the city and its multicultural make up.

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation at Various Event Locations

September 30 will be reserved for Truth & Reconciliation events and activities that celebrate Indigenous culture. The following are just some of the activities happening on the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation:

• Survivors' Flag-Raising Ceremony hosted by City of Thunder Bay (Hillcrest Park at 9:30 am - 10:30 am)
• NAN Walk in Honour of Residential School Survivors and Families (NAN offices, 200 Syndicate Ave. S. at 11:00 am, followed by an 11:30 am event at destination Pope John Paul II School for the rest of the day)
• Pow Wow on the Mountain hosted by Fort William First Nation (1:00 pm Anemki Wajiw - Thunder Mountain Powwow grounds)
• Ontario Native Women's Association events - teachings, exhibit, clinic (1:00 pm - 380 Ray Blvd.)

Up Close & Personal with V2 Cello Duo at the Lakehead University Jean McNulty Recital Hall 

Captivating audiences with their expert playing skills and their energetic, innovative approach, VC2 Cello Duo will be in town to give a Consortium Aurora Borealis concert Saturday evening October 1 at St. Paul’s United. As a treat, they are offering a glimpse into their exciting musical life, through their intriguing “Up Close and Personal” presentation earlier that afternoon. This special educational event combines chat with playing of musical excerpts, in their inimitable style. Cellists Bryan Holt and Amahl Arulanandam convey “an enthusiasm that is catching”, appealing to all ages, including youth, bringing people to the edge of their seat! They quickly win audience’s hearts both with their virtuosic playing skills and their warm, witty and humorous patter about their music and experiences, drawing many chuckles and smiles. Learn more here.

Baggage Building Arts Centre Culture Days Celebration

The City's Recreation & Culture Division is hosting a free Culture Days event on Sunday, October 2nd from 1:00 - 4:00 pm at the Baggage Building Arts Centre. Join us for an afternoon of live music and intergenerational arts programming featuring:

• CAHEP

  • Playing with abstract painting with artist Julie Cosgrove - explore shapes & colour with paper & acrylic paint to make and learn about beautiful abstract art!
  • Fibre Art upcycling/sustainable dyeing with artist Abhi Rao - learn fun techniques to recycle used fibres and learn about the current unsustainable nature of fibre consumption in North America.

• Willow Springs Creative Centre - Forest Folk and Fairy House making 

  • To celebrate nature, autumn and a bit of magic we have designed this session so people can work individually on their own Woodland Forest Folk if they only stop by for 15 to 20 minutes or Family Groups who have 1 to 2 hours can make a family of Woodland Forest Folk and a Fairy House. 

• Live music from Connor Loughlin, Natalia Arroyo, and Rorik Shron

Culture Days at Thunder Bay Museum

The Thunder Bay Museum is hosting multiple events during Culture Days, including pay what you can admission, free kids colouring activities, a free public lecture and behind the scenes tours! Learn more here

The Red Chair Sessions (Opening Reception by Nadya Nwandibens) at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery

This opening reception will feature an artist talk with artist, Nadya Kwandibens and launch her exhibition, The Red Chair Sessions. The Red Chair Sessions is an ongoing open-call portraiture series by Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) artist Nadya Kwandibens from the Animakee Wa Zhing #37 First Nation in Northwestern Ontario. The series places importance on the acknowledgement and reclamation of Indigenous lands and the revitalization of Indigenous languages. Learn more here.

Thunder Bay Public Librarys

The Thunder Bay Public Library is hosting a variety of events during Culture Days, including book launches and signings at the Brodie Indigenous Knowledge Centre! Learn more here!

City of Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre

The 55 Plus Centre is hosting a variety of activities during Culture Days, including drop in painting classes, oil & acrylic classes and line dancing! Learn more here!