About Culture Days
Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture. At the end of each September, millions of people attend thousands of free participatory arts and culture events across the country both in-person and online. Culture Days programs invite the public to get hands-on and behind-the-scenes to highlight the importance of arts and culture in our communities. Read through our Culture Days 2025 highlights page to find out more about the latest festivities.
The next national Culture Days will take place September 18th through October 4th, 2026 for a multi-week celebration of colour, creativity, and community.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation occurs on September 30. Since 2022, Culture Days has set September 30 as a day to create space exclusively for events organized to commemorate the NDTR, including those aimed at sharing First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit experiences and perspectives celebrating the creative and cultural expressions of Indigenous people and communities.
The Culture Days national organization supports a Canada-wide network of arts, culture, and heritage organizers to facilitate free public events in their communities every year during Culture Days.
Culture Days aims to:
- FOSTER appreciation and support of the artistic and cultural life that is lived, created and expressed across the country in urban, suburban and rural areas alike;
- PROMOTE direct interaction between creators and the public, as a key to increasing
understanding and appreciation of art and culture; and
- AFFIRM that every citizen is the guardian of the cultural life of his, her or their community.
As a registered charity, the national Culture Days organization serves as a year-round catalyst that connects individuals and creators to build measurable support for the entire sector and amplify its contributions. We seek to eliminate barriers to access and participation, and stimulate understanding, appreciation and exploration of arts and culture—so that every person in the country has a deeper connection with themselves, their communities, and Canada.
How we work
The Culture Days national organization works with [provincial partners](/about/contact) and a wide network of event organizers, from grassroots community volunteers to major institutions. This collaborative model allows a unique Canada-wide scope while simultaneously supporting individual communities and on-the-ground organizers. We provide marketing and industry development resources and manage an annual multi-tiered advertising and promotion campaign that connects thousands of Culture Days events by a common thread.
Select your province or territory from the Regions menu above to learn more about Culture Days in your province.
Interested in organizing a Culture Days event? Get started by browsing through our Event Organizer Guide.
History
Culture Days was initiated in 2010 by the Canadian Arts Summit, made up of some of Canada's largest arts organizations, and was inspired by the success of Québec’s Journées de la culture weekend. It has since generated enthusiastic interest, participation, and support from a growing network of artists, organizations, municipalities, media, and both the private and public sector across Canada. After a decade of success, Culture Days has expanded beyond the weekend to support year-round communications initiatives aimed at strengthening the sector and inspiring public discourse about the value of arts and culture.
Land Acknowledgment
The Culture Days network is present and active in all corners of the country, and collaborates with a vast array of people, organizations, and communities across Indigenous territories. Culture Days is committed to working with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, seeking to uphold equity for all to participate, and supporting a diversity of art forms and cultural expressions.
The Culture Days National office is located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the traditional territory of many peoples and nations including the Anishinabeg, the Haudenosaunee, the Chippewa, and the Wendat peoples. Today, the City of Toronto remains the home and meeting place for many Indigenous people, whose presence and cultures continue to shape and influence communities. We are grateful to live and work on this land.
Funders and supporters
Culture Days extends our deepest gratitude to our national partners and funders for their generous support. Thanks!
In 2017, Culture Days was granted charitable status, enabling us to more effectively engage with organizers and the public alike. Join our growing list of funders and supporters by donating at our Canada Helps page.
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Annual Reports & Highlights
2025 Culture Days highlights page
2024 Culture Days highlights page
2023 Culture Days highlights page
2022 Culture Days highlights page
2021 Culture Days highlights page
2020 Culture Days National Report
2019 Culture Days National Report
This website uses Aestetico, a typeface designed by Luciano Vergara, Daniel Hernández, and Alfonso García at Latinotype. Aestetico’s clear, geometric forms and extensive style range make it ideal for digital accessibility while maintaining visual character—reflecting our commitment to making culture accessible to all Canadians.