September 26–27 is shaping up to be a full local weekend, with hands-on heritage, live music, baseball, arts programming, agricultural traditions and family-friendly community events across Burlington and Hamilton.
Use this guide to plan your weekend, confirm ticket details before leaving home and make the most of the communities Team Smulders is proud to serve.
1. Visit the Heritage Fibre Festival at Ireland House Museum
Step into Burlington’s past at the Heritage Fibre Festival on Saturday, September 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ireland House Museum.
Explore the historic property, browse local fibre-art vendors and watch demonstrations of traditional techniques, including knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving, tatting, yarn dyeing and rug hooking. Bring the whole family and give children a chance to enjoy hands-on activities, live music and the historic setting.
Peach Coffee Co. will also be on-site with beverages and baked goods.
- Date: Saturday, September 26
- Time: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Location: Ireland House Museum
- Admission: Pay what you may
- Tickets: No advance registration or ticket purchase is required
Read the full details on the official Heritage Fibre Festival page and view the event through the City of Burlington calendar.
2. Catch Patrick Watson at Royal Botanical Gardens
Start your weekend early with Patrick Watson’s Under the Harvest Moon concert at Royal Botanical Gardens on Friday, September 25.
Although the concert takes place the night before the main weekend, it is worth mentioning for anyone planning a full Burlington getaway. Enjoy an outdoor performance in Hendrie Park and take in the gardens as the season changes.
The show begins at 7 p.m., with general-admission doors opening at 5:30 p.m. General-admission guests should bring their own lawn chair, blanket or cushion. Premium tickets include earlier garden access, a reserved foldable chair and a separate entrance and parking area.
- Date: Friday, September 25
- Time: 7–9 p.m.
- Location: Hendrie Park, Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Road West
- General admission: $79, plus HST and service fee
- Premium admission: $129, plus HST and service fee
Review the official Patrick Watson event information and purchase tickets through the RBG ticket portal.
3. Cheer on the Blue Jays against the Cincinnati Reds
Make the trip to Toronto for Saturday afternoon baseball when the Toronto Blue Jays host the Cincinnati Reds at Rogers Centre.
First pitch is scheduled for 3:07 p.m. on Saturday, September 26. The game forms part of a three-game home series, and Saturday is listed as Fan Appreciation Weekend presented by TD.
Arrive early, explore the ballpark and plan extra travel time from Burlington or Hamilton. Consider using public transit or carpooling, especially if you are pairing the game with dinner or another downtown activity.
- Date: Saturday, September 26
- First pitch: 3:07 p.m. ET
- Location: Rogers Centre, Toronto
- Promotion: Fan Appreciation Weekend
Check the official Blue Jays schedule and ticket information, then select Saturday’s tickets directly through Ticketmaster.
The Reds return to Rogers Centre on Sunday, September 27, at 3:07 p.m. Visit the official Sunday ticket page if you prefer a Sunday outing.
4. Experience Culture Days and WANDER at BPAC
Celebrate local creativity during Burlington Culture Days, which runs citywide from September 18 to October 4.
The weekend’s featured event is WANDER, a free, site-responsive arts experience at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre on Saturday afternoon. Visit between 1 and 4 p.m. and discover dance, music, acrobatics, spoken word and installations in unexpected areas of the building.
Return for the ticketed evening presentation at 7 p.m. to see the concept expanded into a larger performance experience.
- Daytime WANDER: Saturday, September 26, 1–4 p.m.
- Evening WANDER: Saturday, September 26, 7 p.m.
- Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre
- Daytime admission: Free
- Evening admission: Ticketed
Start with the City of Burlington’s Culture Days information, review the official WANDER details and browse the Burlington Culture Days hub.
5. Spend the day at the Ancaster Fair
Continue a long-standing Hamilton-area tradition at the Ancaster Fair, running from September 24 to 27 at the Ancaster Fairgrounds.
Visit on Saturday or Sunday for agricultural exhibits, homecraft displays, animals, midway attractions, food and family entertainment. The 2026 theme, “In Her Hands: Family, Farm and Future,” recognizes the contributions of women in agriculture and the strength of local farming communities.
Check the daily schedule before you go, since opening hours and admission details vary throughout the fair.
- Dates: September 24–27
- Location: Ancaster Fairgrounds
- Activities: Midway, food, animals, competitions and exhibits
- Tickets: Review admission information before attending
Visit the official Ancaster Fair website and review the official fair event listing. Use the Visit the Fair page for admission and planning information.
6. Celebrate fall at Bronte Creek Provincial Park
Head east toward Oakville for the Harvest Festival at Bronte Creek Provincial Park on September 26 and 27.
Plan for a full fall day with seasonal programming, park scenery and family-friendly activities. Pair the festival with a walk through the park and enjoy the changing landscape before the leaves reach their peak colour.
Review the official Ontario Parks Harvest Festival information before travelling. Confirm admission, parking and any event-specific ticket requirements in advance.
More Local Events This Weekend
Add one or more of these verified local options to your itinerary:
- Burlington Model Railway Club Public Demonstration : September 26: Watch a local model railway demonstration. View the official City of Burlington listing.
- Walk to the Lighthouse for Mental Health and Addictions : September 27: Join this community-focused walk at 10 a.m. See the official event details.
- SO YOU THINK YOU CAN’T DANCE? Chair Tap Classes : September 27: Try a free chair tap class at 1 p.m. Check the City listing.
- Duo Petrichor at Hamilton Public Library’s West Harbour Branch : September 26: Hear a free flute-and-guitar performance as part of Ontario Culture Days. View the library event page.
- Discover Burlington Culture Crawl : September 26–27: Explore local cultural attractions through this free choose-your-own-adventure pass. Learn about the Culture Crawl.
- Burlington Culture Days programming : September 26–27: Browse workshops, talks, performances and community projects across the city. Explore the official Culture Days hub.
- WANDER daytime activity : September 26: Drop into BPAC between 1 and 4 p.m. for free interactive arts programming. Review the official event page.
- WANDER evening performance : September 26: Purchase tickets for the 7 p.m. presentation at BPAC. Check ticket availability through BPAC.
- Blue Jays vs. Reds : September 27: Watch the Sunday afternoon game at Rogers Centre. Buy official Sunday tickets.
- Ancaster Fair : September 27: Spend the final day of the fair enjoying midway rides, agricultural displays and food. Review the official fair information.
- Harvest Festival at Bronte Creek : September 27: Visit for the second day of seasonal programming. Confirm details with Ontario Parks.
- The White Buffalo at Bridgeworks : September 26: Travel to Hamilton for the evening concert at Bridgeworks. Check the venue’s event information.
- Burlington’s full event calendar: Find additional community, recreation and arts listings. Browse the City of Burlington calendar.
Make the most of local living
Weekends like this show why Burlington and Hamilton continue to attract buyers, families and investors. Enjoy heritage programming near Burlington’s established neighbourhoods, explore the arts and culture scene around the downtown core, or spend time discovering Ancaster’s community character.
Use the weekend to explore the lifestyle you want close to home. When you are ready to compare neighbourhoods, evaluate a move or discuss the local market, connect with Team Smulders for knowledgeable real estate guidance across Burlington and Hamilton.
Check official event pages before heading out, since schedules, ticket availability and weather plans can change.