Special occasions bring additional financial strain for families experiencing hardship. Help families gather around the table to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. GBF will be supporting 250 local households with a Thanksgiving dinner, which includes the choice of Turkey, Ham, Vegetarian Option, the fixings, and dessert. A generous donation of $100 will sponsor a family’s Thanksgiving meal. Donations can be made in-store at 40 Elm Street, or online through www.gbfgrimsby.com.

Hand Crafted Holidays is open every week 11-4:30, Thursday-Sunday until Christmas! Shop from beautiful, handmade Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Easter decor while supporting Pets Alive Niagara!

SCPL LitFest is an all-ages literary festival celebrating reading, writing, and illustration. It's about discovering literature at any age and unearthing new experiences. This year, we're excited to host a weeklong celebration of learning, literacy, and historical fiction! Join us from September 28th to October 3rd for a series of workshops and events to help you explore your literary creativity, discover new reads, and celebrate local literature.

Join us for a guided tour of the Central Library’s Local History Department. Discover a rich collection of resources—including maps, microfilm, and city directories—that bring our city’s past to life.

Fan favourite Hugh Fraser returns to the Homestead to get into the nitty gritty of Niagara’s barns and answer all your barn history-related questions! Discover the types of barns historically prevalent to the region, how to date barn structures, how barn building practices have evolved, what was considered when designing a fruit barn compared to a dairy barn, and more! 

Hugh Fraser is the author of Swing Beam Barns of Niagara and is currently working on his second volume on the same subject.

Harvey joins us at the library to discuss his book, Without Prejudice: My Life as a Gay Judge. Harvey Brownstone was Canada’s first openly gay judge and the first sitting judge in the world to write a bestselling book and host a national television show. 

Harvey Brownstone’s story is a tumultuous, sometimes hilarious, and uplifting journey from bullied child to outcast after coming out to his parents, to trailblazing lawyer, to distinguished judge. 

Brownstone colorfully details his momentous and inventive judicial career marked by his numerous innovations of the justice system, particularly revolutionizing Ontario’s child support enforcement program. In retirement, he is no longer shackled by the restraints traditionally imposed on the judiciary, and thus Brownstone provides a frank, unfiltered, and refreshing glimpse into the inner workings of the justice system, boldly delineating the strengths and weaknesses of criminal and family courts, both of which he claims are sorely in need of comprehensive reform.

His remarkable story, reinventing himself from high-profile judge to highly acclaimed talk show host, is a testament to the resilience and triumph of the human spirit. He lives in the Niagara Region of Ontario.

St. Catharines Public Library returns to the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre for the third annual SCPL LitFest. Each fall, SCPL LitFest gathers talented Canadian authors in a celebration of local literature. Join SCPL in conversation with celebrated historical fiction authors Bryn Turnbull, Jack Wang, Lisa Rochon, and Joanna Goodman to explore the influence of time and place in storytelling and narrative.

The panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A and book signing. Bring your book or purchase one at the event from our friends from Someday Books.

While Past Tense is free to attend, we encourage a pay-what-you-can donation to support future SCPL LitFest events!

Grab the leash, bring your best furry friend and get ready for one of our favourite fall traditions! There’s plenty to enjoy before and after the walk, including:

Dog massages
Autumn-themed dog photo booth
Paint booth where your pup can create their very own masterpiece
HSGN Paw-Linko game
$1 Puppuccinos
50/50 draw
Raffle table packed with prizes
Prize flags along the walk
Event photography by Tara
Pizza
Sweet treats from Sweetie’s Ice Cream Truck
And more surprises throughout the day!

Whether you join us for the walk, stop by for the activities, grab some lunch or simply want to spend a beautiful fall Saturday surrounded by dogs, BarktoberFest has something for everyone.

Best of all, your participation helps support the animals who rely on the Humane Society of Greater Niagara for shelter, medical care and a second chance.

Adoptions and More!
Come visit our Kitties 
that are looking for their “Forever Home !

Autumn Playday invites families to experience Niagara’s agricultural heritage through a hands-on day of storytelling, food, and history. Explore the historic John Brown House (c. 1796), create harvest-inspired crafts, discover the journey from flax to linen, uncover local archaeology, and enjoy stories that bring our past into the present.

Sit down for a storytime with the St. Catharines Public Library, discover the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum Tiny Museum, watch the short vignette "Brief Encounters" from Essential Collective Theatre, and savour fall flavours with Char-in-the-Kitchen.

Join us for our annual Artists’ Marketplace - where local artists, crafters and makers will display and sell their creations at the West Lincoln Community Centre. This event is part of the Township's Harvest Routes celebration of arts and culture.

Enjoy afternoon tea with sweet and savoury treats and a fashion show by Donna's Fashions at this beautiful 18th century manor.

The ALS Canada Revolution Ride is a volunteer-powered fundraising event that unites recreational, intermediate, and avid cyclists who want to challenge themselves to do more in support of those we have loved and lost or who are facing ALS today.

This premier cycling event takes place on Sunday, October 4, in Jordan, Ontario, in the beautiful Niagara wine region. The roads surrounding the area offer a landscape that takes riders along a route steeped in excitement and beauty, leaving participants with a sense of accomplishment and the reward of seeing their fundraising efforts go towards helping families affected by ALS. There are three scenic routes to choose from, including 25 km, 40 km and 90 km options. Choose the distance that suits your level!

Not only will the kilometres logged be worthwhile, but the start and finish lines are located in the heart of Ontario wine country at the stunning Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery. The day promises to be a memorable one.

Come celebrate community at the 4th Annual TCAG Community Open House! This FREE, family-friendly event is open to everyone in Niagara, so bring the whole crew and join us for a fun-filled time!

Enjoy free refreshments, Get the kids involved in fun activities, Meet and connect with local community organizations, Snap a photo with local mascots, Enter for door prizes from Bird Kingdom and Landmark Cinemas …and so much more!

There’s something for everyone. Come out, get connected, have some fun, and celebrate our amazing community with us!

Local author Christine Hill Suntz joins us to chat about her new inspirational historical romance The Heiress and the Woodsman, a story of reluctant allies set in the wilderness of 1837 Canada.

With the lens of "Permaculture", we can re-imagine our need for food, water, shelter, and connection. In a world facing growing environmental and economic uncertainty, local solutions are becoming increasingly relevant. Growing food in our own backyards, neighbourhoods, and communities is more than a practical response. It is an opportunity to reconnect with the land, build resilience, strengthen local relationships, and cultivate a more sustainable future. The presentation will also highlight the importance of learning local native plants such as perennial vegetables, fruiting shrubs and trees.

Presenter Elya Justina has worked in various nature-based settings such as tree planting in Northern Ontario, seaweed harvesting in the Pacific, organic farms in Australia, and local garden centres and greenhouses. She studied Permaculture Design and Natural Building in Costa Rica while living in remote rainforest town.

Join Dr Brian Doucet as he goes coast to coast to learn about policies, programs and projects that are helping to ensure that housing is a human right. From using public land to build non-market housing in Kitchener and Whistler, and inspiring Indigenous-led projects in Vancouver, to strong tenant protections and rent control in British Columbia and Prince Edward Island, the examples featured in this film demonstrate how many important solutions are making a difference in communities big and small that are
hiding in plain sight.

Free

Join us at Brock's Monument on October 6, as we celebrate the life of the hero of Upper Canada, Major General Sir Isaac Brock. This event will include special presentations highlighting the life of Brock, and birthday treats which are being generously donated by a member of the Friends of Fort George. 

Join Canadian explorer Adam Shoalts as he discusses his book "Vanished Beyond the Map" and his stories and experiences in making it. 

The Thanksgiving Festival features all of your fall favourites! Ball’s Falls comes alive with 150+ unique craft and artisan vendors, delicious foods, craft beverages and wines, local farmers, live music, historical demonstrations, and guided nature hikes. Enjoy beautiful fall colours while shopping the handcrafted goods and make new family traditions.

Adoptions and More!
Come visit our Kitties 
that are looking for their “Forever Home !

To commemorate the 213th anniversary of the Battle of Queenston Heights and the death of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, the Friends of Fort George will be offering a commemorative tour of the battlefield at 10 am, followed by a tour of the Landscape of Nations Memorial. 

Join the Green Herons, a local youth conservation group, for a hands-on workshop to learn how to save seeds for next year. Weather-pending, help harvest and prepare seeds from the pollinator and vegetable gardens.

Support local artists, makers, and creatives by shopping for unique one of a kind art, jewelry, clothing, decor, and other hand-crafted objects.

Hear directly from farmers in Niagara about how farming in the region has evolved over their years of working the land, current issues facing the agricultural sector, and innovations for the future. Come with your questions, and learn from first-hand experience!

The Other Side: Embracing My Brain Injury by Alissa Orsulak is a heartfelt memoir chronicling her journey of recovery after an acquired brain injury. Through candid and reflective storytelling, Alissa shares the physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges she faced while learning to navigate life anew. From relearning everyday skills to rebuilding relationships and rediscovering her sense of self, her story is one of resilience, patience, and hope. Interwoven with moments of vulnerability and triumph, The Other Side offers an intimate look at the process of healing and the unexpected lessons that emerge from life-altering experiences. This memoir is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for growth, acceptance, and transformation, inspiring readers to find strength in their own journeys. The Other Side is for anyone facing life’s challenges, seeking inspiration, or navigating recovery from a brain injury. It’s also for caregivers, health professionals, and readers of true, uplifting stories who want an intimate look at resilience, growth, and the strength of the human spirit.

Explore a beautiful 18th century home as you attempt to unravel the murder of Jacob Radcliffe

The Town of Lincoln has partnered with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority to plant a rain garden within the bike loops at Ashby Drive Park, as well as to plant hundreds of trees along the banks of the Bartlett Creek!

Bring your empty beer, wine, and liquor bottles down to support Kiwanis West Lincoln!

Join us Saturday, October 17th, 2026, at the Pen Centre for the 20th annual Walk a Mile in HER Shoes supporting Gillian's Place. Walk a Mile in HER Shoes is a symbolic march that gives men and male-identifying allies the opportunity to take a stand against violence against women.

Come celebrate three decades of the library in Vineland. Share memories, enjoy light refreshments, meet the team working on the upcoming expansion, and share feedback on the design. Here’s to the next thirty years, and the next chapter!

Paranormal Investigators Ricco Sweets & Ben McDouhui bring their unconventional style to Welland this afternoon. Join the stars of I Fought The Lore on Spotify and YouTube as they discuss all things supernatural in Niagara and beyond.

A FREE afternoon of wellness activities, food, refreshments & community connection with expert insights to educate and empower women about cancer.

Expert Health Talks & Women’s Cancer Awareness

Interactive Panel & Audience Q&A

Mindfulness & Wellness Activities

Dance for Wellness

Complimentary Food, Mocktails & Refreshments

Exciting Raffles & Giveaways

Local Vendors & Community Connections

Come enjoy an afternoon where health meets wellness, connection and fun. Meet local vendors, connect with other women, enjoy delicious refreshments, take part in wellness activities, and leave feeling informed, inspired and empowered. 

Test your trivia knowledge and take part in a 50/50 raffle and silent auction while supporting the Animal Assistance Society of the Niagara Region

Explore a beautiful 18th century home as you attempt to unravel the murder of Jacob Radcliffe

Spend the evening with two bestselling Canadian authors as Tara Gereaux (Wild People Quiet) and Amanda Peters (The Birthing Tree) take the stage for an in-depth discussion about their writing, creative process, and inspiration. The event includes a moderated conversation with each author, audience Q&A, and book signing.

Wine and light refreshments will be available, generously supported by our wine sponsor Tawse Winery and food sponsor Sun-Ray Orchards.

Books will be available for purchase on site from Epic Books.

Win over 50 Prizes!
BBQ, Bake Sale, Games and More!
Purrs, Paws & Pumpkins Party!

Step into the shadows of Jordan's past on an evening of history, folklore, and reflection.

Join the Lincoln Museum & Cultural Centre for a guided Haunted Walking Tour through the historic village of Jordan, where centuries of stories come to life beneath the glow of autumn evenings. This unique experience explores the people, places, and legends that have shaped our community, blending documented local history with the folklore that has grown alongside it.

Your journey begins at the Lincoln Museum & Cultural Centre before winding through the historic Haines Cemetery, the 1815 Fry House, the One-Room Schoolhouse and the streets and landscapes that have witnessed generations of community life. Along the way, you'll discover the stories of early settlers, mischievous schoolchildren, orchardists, physicians, and the peoples who lived on this land for thousands of years before the village was established.

Bestselling crime writer Linwood Barclay joins us in conversation about his brand-new thriller Not a Word, in which a man’s world is upended after he stumbles upon a grisly crime scene in the family home.

Hosted at beautiful Stonewall Estates, each ticket includes entry, a beverage of your choice (beer, wine, or non-alcoholic option), and a $20 tax receipt. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

The Books on the Bench Author Series is a major fundraiser in support of Lincoln Pelham Public Library. All proceeds support future collections, programs, and services.

Join Margot Stornelli as she discusses her memoir, The Big Red Suitcase.

When Margot Stornelli returns home after her senior year abroad and finds love in Canada, will she relocate and live happily ever after? Margot's memoir starts with the flight across the pond on her high school graduation day, then flashbacks to her childhood where she develops the love of travel. She embraces the European lifestyle in a fairytale far away from the hustle and bustle of city life on a student exchange program. A shock to her system when she returns home to face the reality of continuing her education, embarking on a career, and then a weekend adventure in Canada changes everything; finding love, a permanent international relocation, and a new life.

Boo! Join us on Friday October 30 at 4:30pm for the ultimate immersive literary event! With a few of your most adventurous friends, you can become a character in this dramatic whodunnit story, set in Dracula’s Castle. 

Dinner and refreshments are provided. 
Cost is $25 per person (cash only).

Adoptions and More!
Games, Penny Sale, BBQ and More.
Halloween Parking Lot Party !

Tens of 1000s LPs, 45s, CDs, Tapes, Swag, and Music related Memorabilia brought to you by vendors from all over Southern Ontario. All in one convenient location for your viewing & purchasing pleasure.$1 Charity tables loaded with donated vinyl, tapes & CDs with proceeds going to Alzheimer's Niagara Region. Remember, Music and Memory go together.

The Rotary Club of Grimsby, in collaboration with the Town of Grimsby, is proud to present the Grimsby Glows Pumpkin Parade! We are inviting the citizens of Grimsby and surrounding West Niagara to walk the path in Coronation Park from Main St. to Elm St. and view 300+ carved jack-o'-lanterns and more. 

Individuals and various groups in the local area are encouraged to drop off their carved and decorated pumpkins (especially the ones that graced your front entrances on Halloween!) between 8AM-4PM on event day, November 1st  in the Elm St. parking lot (Grimsby public pool parking lot). Jack-o'-lanterns can be entered into our carved pumpkin contest or donated to display on the pathway. Volunteers will be on-site to help organize.

The Grimsby Glows Pumpkin Parade is a wonderful way to end off spooky season! Enjoy light refreshments and take selfies at our seasonal photo stations and Halloween displays. Be sure to visit our fortune teller, Madam Erica, for a tarot card reading. Halaloo will be joining us again to tie balloon animals for the kids and Creative Bug will have a booth of creative activities for families to participate in. The Grimsby Public Art Gallery will be on-site again with a family photo station including props. We will have Josh Coulter performing live music as well!

We’re cooking up something special for an even more special cause! Over the years, we’ve helped raise more than $20,000 for Community Care of St. Catharines & Thorold, and we’re not stopping now!

Join us at Ovation Ballroom on Wednesday, November 4th at 6:00 PM for a delicious Gnocchi Night featuring:

Homemade Gnocchi
Meatballs
Fresh Salad
Assorted Buns
Delicious Desserts

All for just $25 per person — available for dine-in or takeout!

Come enjoy a delicious meal, bring your family and friends, and help us continue giving back to our community. 

Join Cayuga Faithkeeper Ken Maracle to explore the history, meaning, and continuing significance of Wampum Belts within Haudenosaunee culture.

In June 1914, a week-long military exercise took place across Niagara, culminating in a mock skirmish involving 3,600 men nearby The Brown Homestead. Return to the place that stood witness to this dramatic event and discover this little-known piece of local military history during this special presentation to commemorate Remembrance Day. 

Join us at the Croatian National Home in Welland, for an evening of friendly competition, food, and community.

Event starts at 7:00 pm (Doors open at 6PM)

Cash Bar Available

Participants are welcome to bring additional snacks.

Ticket includes pizza. 

By registering, you help Niagara Safety Village deliver hands-on safety programs that teach children and families how to stay safe at home, at school, and in our community. 

Gather your team, and join us for a fun night that keeps important safety lessons going across the Niagara region.

International bestselling British writer Lucy Foley joins us in conversation about Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel, the first book in a new series starring Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple.

Hosted at beautiful Vieni Estates, each ticket includes entry, a beverage of your choice (specialty coffee, mimosa, wine, beer, or non-alcoholic option), and a $20 tax receipt.

Books will be available for purchase from Someday Books.

The Books on the Bench Author Series is a major fundraiser in support of Lincoln Pelham Public Library. All proceeds support future collections, programs, and services.

Learn how to cook using heritage methods at the hearth of Nelles Manor!

Join us to experience the true essence of Día de los Muertos, a vibrant Mexican tradition rooted in Aztec history. This is not a Halloween party or a commercial celebration; it is a sacred, living tradition dedicated to honouring and remembering our loved ones who have passed away.

For more than 200 years, blue-collar workers shaped the city of Welland. From the construction of the Welland Canal to the rise of world-renowned manufacturing companies, generations of skilled workers built not only factories and ships, but a thriving community. This presentation explores Welland's industrial heritage through the stories of the people who laboured in its factories, fought for workers' rights, and experienced the challenges of deindustrialization. Join us as we examine how blue-collar work transformed Welland, the impact of industrial decline, and the enduring legacy these workers have left on our community.

Learn sustainable ways to store seasonal produce with Nancy Lariviere from Ecosphere Permaculture. In these hands-on workshops you’ll learn how to pickle in October, and in November we’ll learn how to ferment. 

Cost is $3 per person (cash only). Non-refundable. 
All supplies provided.

Come get your Christmas on!

Your one stop Holiday shopping & family event!!

Meet Santa, bring the kids for free crafts, enter the raffles and win some more great gifts. Stay to enjoy lunch and some of the delicious baked goods or sip on some fresh hot coffee or have a cold drink while you shop.

Marcie will introduce everyone to the basics of birdwatching and how to get started enjoying wild birds in our backyards and neighbourhoods. She will also talk about some of the rare and unusual birds that have been in Niagara.

Kick off the holidays with the lighting of our Town Tree "Hope". Light refreshments and music inside Town Hall following the lighting.

Discover the wonders of nature with a special visit from Heartland Forest! Learn about the local environment, wildlife, and the importance of protecting the natural spaces around us. This engaging and informative program is a great opportunity to connect with nature and discover something new—right here at the library.

Join us for an unforgettable evening at our Annual Deep Roots Fundraising Dinner! Where fine food, Niagara wines, and rich culture come together in support of the Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre: Home of the Jordan Historical Museum of the Twenty.

This is an evening you won’t want to miss as we celebrate local heritage, connect with community, and help support the preservation of our shared history.

Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts and decor.

Assortment of products: personal care, wood, pottery, glass, candles, birdhouses, textiles, baked goods and more!
Features hand-made products by over 20 local artisans
Ornaments & stocking stuffers on Christmas trees
Original art on display available for sale
Holiday helpers to assist shoppers
BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag)
No charge to enter with a food item donation to Newark Neighbours Food Bank

Celebrate the season with our Winter Concert—a cozy afternoon of music set inside the museum’s historic schoolhouse.
Enjoy the warm glow of the holidays and the beautiful voice of beloved local performer Melissa-Marie Shriner, as she fills the room with classic favourites and festive spirit.

Seating is limited — only 36 tickets available for this intimate experience.
Don’t miss your chance to enjoy this special holiday event in the heart of Lincoln Village.