Multicultural Festival
Back-to-back cultural performances, a Community Zone with family activities, a corn roast, face painting, henna, balloon twisting and food samples from around the world — Aurora's biggest celebration of diversity.
Local Life · Aurora, Ontario
This weekend in Aurora
Week of Friday, September 18, 2026
Aurora's Month of Culture hits its peak this weekend: the Multicultural Festival takes over Town Park and Town Square on Saturday, Doors Open Aurora unlocks the town's historic buildings on Sunday, and Theatre Aurora opens its new season in between.
Forecast
A mild, mostly dry weekend — cloud clears through Friday afternoon, giving way to sun and warming temperatures by Sunday.
Fri21° / 11°Mainly cloudy, clearing in the afternoon
Sat22° / 10°Mix of sun and cloud — good festival weather
Sun25° / 13°Mix of sun and cloud, warm for late September
Weekend events
Doors Open Aurora 2026
Explore Aurora's historic buildings and hidden-gem spaces — a behind-the-scenes library tour, a Q&A on the Church Street School, and a look inside two of the town's oldest churches. The 1926 Lorne fire engine will be parked outside Town Square.
Central York Fire Services Fall Open House
CYFS's annual open house for Aurora and Newmarket families — truck tours, safety demos and hands-on activities for kids.
Aurora Farmers' Market & Artisan Fair
The market runs every Saturday through October — fresh produce, baked goods and artisan vendors, right next to the morning half of the Multicultural Festival.
Theatre Aurora season opener
Theatre Aurora opens its new season with opening night Friday — a good option for an evening out or a Sunday matinee if the festival crowds aren't your thing.
Library & kids
- Iranian GatheringFriday, September 18, 10am–1pm — celebrates Iranian culture, meets every other FridayAdults; no registration required
- Friday Family StorytimeFriday, September 18, 10:30–11am — stories, rhymes and songsBest for 5 and under with a caregiver; all welcome
- Mandarin Community Mom & Baby ClubSaturday, September 19, 9:30–11:30am — playtime, storytime and discussion for Mandarin-speaking parentsAdults with babies
- Saturday Family StorytimeSaturday, September 19, 10:30–11am — stories, rhymes and songsBest for 5 and under with a caregiver; all welcome
- Pipe Cleaner Flower WorkshopSaturday, September 19, 12–2pm — twist and shape a take-home bouquetKids & teens
Pools & rinks
Tap a tab to see this week's drop-in schedule.
Civic brief
Aurora's 2026 election field is set — 35 candidates
The certified field for October 26 is locked in: a four-way mayoral race (incumbent Tom Mrakas, Councillor John Gallo, Shawn Deane and Yafang Shi) plus crowded council races, with Ward 5 drawing six candidates. The campaign is now in its stretch run.
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.
Cannabis retail survey finds no town-wide safety concerns
A community survey commissioned by council's cannabis task force found mixed but largely mild views on Aurora's legal cannabis retailers, with no evidence of a significant town-wide public safety or enforcement problem. Findings go back to council as part of the task force's final report.
Notable news this week
Aurora Library highlights Indigenous teachings for Month of Culture
As part of Aurora's Month of Culture, the Aurora Public Library is running programming centred on Indigenous teachings and cultural dialogue throughout September.
Where Aurora's council candidates stand on e-scooter safety
With more e-scooters on Aurora's roads and sidewalks and rising injury numbers reported by Southlake Health, ward candidates are weighing in on stronger provincial regulation and coordinated enforcement ahead of the October election.
Cannabis retail survey shows mixed but mild views
A survey commissioned by Aurora's cannabis retail task force found no evidence of a significant town-wide safety problem tied to legal cannabis stores, with results feeding into a report headed to council and provincial bodies.