Local Life · Aurora, Ontario
Week of Friday, August 21, 2026
It's Nomination Day — by 2pm the ballot for October's election is set — and the weekend follows the same in-then-out rhythm: a bright, warm Friday near 26°C, then a showery Saturday and a cooler, unsettled Sunday. Catch the Alley Jam and the market Saturday morning before the rain, and keep the splash pads for whenever the sun breaks through.
A sunny, warm Friday near 26°C gives way to a showery Saturday with the risk of a thunderstorm, then a cooler Sunday around 21°C with showers around.
The free Saturday laneway series brings singer-songwriter Larra Skye downtown as a duo with Gord Girvan. Bring your own chair, and go early — Saturday's showers may push people to the covered spots. It's a short walk from the farmers' market.
Late-August is peak season — sweet corn, tomatoes, peaches and plums alongside bakers, makers and live music. Go in the morning before the afternoon showers arrive.
A stand-up bill with Chris Quigley and Ronald Hae, hosted by MC Dan Brennan. A good rain-plan for a showery Saturday evening downtown.
For the sunny breaks this weekend, the free splash pads and the shaded Arboretum trails along the East Holland River are the easy, no-planning call. Pack a rain layer given the showery outlook.
The final Wednesday of the free TD summer concert series in Town Park. Bring a lawn chair; food vendors and licensed beverages on site.
Week two of the double-header movie nights: Kicking & Screaming at 7pm, then Happy Gilmore at 9pm on a giant LED screen. Free popcorn while it lasts — come for one film or stay for both.
Tap a tab to see this week's drop-in schedule.
Candidates for mayor and Aurora's six ward-councillor seats must file in person by 2pm Friday, August 21, with 25 endorsement signatures and a filing fee ($200 for mayor, $100 for other offices). Once nominations close the certified candidate list is posted at aurora.ca/Candidates. Voting day is Monday, October 26, with advance and internet voting from October 16.
As parts of southern York Region field proposals for large data centres, Aurora and Newmarket say none are on the horizon here — the 13 built or planned in the region are all in Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Markham, not identified in Aurora's planning process.
The Town is asking eligible voters to confirm they're on the list at aurora.ca/Voters before October 1 so their information is accurate ahead of the October 26 election. Aurora votes by ward — for a mayor and one ward councillor.
While southern York Region cities weigh proposals for power-hungry data centres, Aurora and Newmarket say none are planned locally. All 13 of the region's built or proposed facilities are in Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Markham.
Friday, August 21 is the deadline for mayor and ward-councillor candidates to file, finalizing who appears on the October 26 ballot. Aurora votes by ward for a mayor and one councillor, with advance and internet voting starting October 16.
For the first time, each of Aurora's free outdoor movie nights is a back-to-back double bill — August 20, August 27 and September 3 at Town Park. Themed activities start at 6pm, the first film rolls at 7 and the second at 9.