Aurora's Ribfest
The town's biggest backyard party returns — award-winning ribbers, food vendors, a licensed area and a full weekend of live music on the entertainment stage. Free to get in; come hungry and bring a chair for the bands.
Local Life · Aurora, Ontario
This weekend in Aurora
Week of Friday, August 28, 2026
The last weekend of August is the big one: Aurora's Ribfest takes over Machell Park all three days with ribbers, food trucks and a live-music stage. Pair it with the Saturday farmers' market and the splash pads, and you've got a full send-off to summer before Labour Day.
Forecast
A general late-August outlook: warm days in the low-to-mid 20s°C with a mix of sun and cloud and the usual chance of a passing shower — check the forecast midweek before you plan around Ribfest.
Fri24° / 14°Outlook: mix of sun and cloud, seasonably warm
Sat24° / 14°Outlook: sun and cloud, slight chance of a shower
Sun23° / 13°Outlook: variable cloud, pleasant
Weekend events
Aurora Farmers' Market & Artisan Fair
The end-of-August market is loaded with peaches, plums, corn and tomatoes, plus bakers and makers. An easy morning stop a short walk from downtown before heading over to Ribfest.
Splash pads, parks and the Arboretum
One of the last no-planning summer weekends. The free splash pads and the shaded Arboretum trails along the East Holland River are a good way to cool off between Ribfest visits.
Aurora Public Library — long-weekend hours
Heads up for the holiday weekend: library hours change around Labour Day. Check the website before you go if you're planning a visit or a program pickup.
Looking ahead — Movies in the Park finale
The third and final double-feature of the season closes out the free outdoor movie series in Town Park. Themed activities from 6pm, first film at 7, second at 9. Free popcorn while it lasts.
Library & kids
- Fall program registration is openRegister online now for September sessionsAll ages
- TD Summer Reading Club — final daysWraps up August 31 — log your last reading and claim prizesKids & families
- Teen Summer Reading Challenge 2026Final week — ends August 31Teens
- Baby & Toddler StorytimeWeekday mornings, 10:30–11am — check the calendar for open datesBabies to age 2 with a caregiver
- Online StorytimeWeekdays on the library's Facebook pageKids & families
Pools & rinks
Tap a tab to see this week's drop-in schedule.
Civic brief
Aurora's 2026 election field is set
With Nomination Day closed on August 21, the certified list of mayor and ward-councillor candidates is posted at aurora.ca/Candidates and the campaign is under way ahead of the October 26 vote. Aurora votes by ward for a mayor and one councillor.
No data centres planned for Aurora
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.
Confirm your voter information before October 1
The Town is asking eligible voters to check they're on the list at aurora.ca/Voters before October 1 so their information is accurate ahead of the October 26 election, with advance and internet voting from October 16.
Notable news this week
Aurora and Newmarket say data centres aren't on the horizon
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.
Nomination Day closes Aurora's 2026 election field
August 21 was the deadline for mayor and ward-councillor candidates to file, finalizing the October 26 ballot. Aurora votes by ward for a mayor and one councillor, with advance and internet voting from October 16.
Movies in the Park expands to three double-feature nights
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.