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Culture Days: Create, Share, Celebrate!

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Culture Days 2025

Culture Days, the annual cross-country celebration of arts and culture, launches on September 19 and runs through October 12, 2025.

Brampton is proud to celebrate and amplify the incredible artists, groups, and organizations that bring free and engaging arts experiences to the community! Whether you're interested in trying out a workshop, attending an artist talk, a demonstration, or learning a new skill - there's something for everyone and all ages during Culture Days.

Culture Days in Brampton is co-presented with community organizers and partners, including Experience Brampton, Brampton Arts Organization (BAO), Brampton Public Library,​ Downtown Brampton BIA, and Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives (PAMA).

Brampton had an outstanding year in 2024, ranking #1 in Urban Centres and #2 overall in Canada for Culture Days participation. One local event earned a runner-up spot for Best Collaborative Program in the Spotlight Awards​. This year, the City of Brampton is excited to again support and amplify community-led programming by providing funding for free, arts-based, participatory events through the Culture Days Calls for Proposals.

Successful Applicants

Meet the Successful Applicants and their programs:

Meegan Lim

Meegan Lim is a Brampton-based illustrator, arts facilitator, and former arts worker dedicated to fostering community growth and healing through visual storytelling. She holds a Bachelor of Design in Illustration from OCAD University, specializing in Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation. Her multidisciplinary practice explores the intersections of food and cultural identity, expressed through intricate gouache illustrations, murals, digital paintings, and risograph zines. Her work has been featured in Chatelaine, Eater, Broken Pencil Magazine, and in the books What We Talk About When We Talk About Dumplings and What Do We Eat? With experience as an arts worker, Meegan understands the importance of collaboration and accessibility in the arts. She actively engages in community-driven projects and contributes to her arts collective, Fuelled By Coffee.

Learn More about Meegan Lim​​

Saturday, September 20, 1:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Snelgrove Community Centre

Celebrate culinary storytelling through paper art! In this hands-on workshop youth will explo​re the significance of food in Mid-Autumn Festival traditions. Participants will choose a significant dish or food of the Mid-Autumn Festival and re-create it as a playful paper cut illustration. No drawing experience required! This session encourages creativity and cultural reflection, all while learning the basics of paper layering and cut-out techniques.

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Wednesday, September 24, 5:30 PM - 7:45 PM
Happy Hands Pottery and Art Studio (Unit #303) 57 Mill Street North

Learn the intricate folk art of Chinese papercutting! Participants will explore ​the symbolism and storytelling found in traditional paper cut designs while creating their own artwork using scissors, X-acto knives and red paper. Guided by cultural context and hands-on instruction, this workshop is both meditative and meaningful.

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Saturday, October 4, 3:00 PM - 5:15 PM
Mount Pleasant Community Centre (Paul Hunt Room A)

What stories live inside your favourite dishes? In this cozy workshop, participants will illustrate a personal or family recipe while sipping Chinese tea and enjoying light snacks. Participants will be guided through the illustration process and encouraged to reflect on how food connects us to memory, family, and culture. Whether you're a seasoned drawer or trying illustration for the first time, this session is all about celebrating the heartwarming connections behind what we eat.

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Sunday, October 5, 1:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Snelgrove Community Centre

Get ready for the Mid-Autumn Festival on October 6th by crafting your own glowing lantern! Children and families are invited to learn about the legend of the Jade Rabbit and create paper lanterns inspired by moonlight, rabbits, and celebration. This joyful, family-friendly workshop encourages imagination, storytelling, and community building. All materials provided; just bring your creativity!

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Happy Hands Pottery and Art Studio with Angelica Candido

Angelica Candido is a multidisciplinary artist, poet, and community arts facilitator whose work explores heritage, healing, and belonging. Her paintings and poetry serve as portals into a world where emotion, memory, and dream coexist. Her book, Interconnectedness, is a collection of art and poetry that navigates grief and transformation through creative expression. Candido creates inclusive, reflective spaces that use art as a bridge between people. She has facilitated community workshops with Happy Hands Pottery and Art Studio for over a year and has led watercolour/mindfulness workshops at Kalayaan Community Centre.

Happy Hands Pottery and Art Studio is a vibrant creative hub in Brampton dedicated to fostering community and connection through hands-on artistic experiences. From pottery wheel classes to poetry nights, the studio offers welcoming, accessible programs for all ages and backgrounds. Rooted in the belief that creativity is for everyone, Happy Hands empowers individuals through artmaking, self-expression, and joyful discovery.

Learn More about Happy Hands Pottery​

Thursday, September 25, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Happy Hands Pottery and Art Studio

Join artist and poet Angelica Candido for an evening of creative exploration throug​h mixed media art and poetry. In this guided workshop, we'll get hands-on with collage, watercolor, ink, and thoughtful writing prompts that invite you to explore your personal and cultural roots—all in a supportive, beginner-friendly environment.

For participants 16+

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Thursday, October 2, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Happy Hands Pottery and Art Studio

Step into the world of place-based storytelling in this mixed media workshop with artist and poet Angelica Candido. Gui​ded by visual prompts and reflective writing, you'll create an expressive piece inspired by a place that holds meaning for you—a room, a street, a garden, or even a corner of Brampton.

For participants 16+

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Tuesday, October 7, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Happy Hands Pottery and Art Studio

Your Creativity, Your Community, One T​ransformative Evening Step into a space that's more than an open mic. More than an art critique. More than networking. Hosted by Angelica Candido, this drop-in blends open mic practice, art sharing, and conversation over light refreshments and music.

For participants 16+

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Friday, October 10, 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Happy Hands Pottery and Art Studio

Celebrate the culmination of our Culture Days series with an evening of art, music, an​d community storytelling. What We Carry brings together a gallery exhibition of works from our workshops, a warm and welcoming open mic, and performances by Angelica Candido (poetry) and Megan Romano (music). We'll be delving into the stories that make up each individual unique, the things they carry in their heart and minds that shape who they are.

For participants 16+

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Brampton Latinos Association

Brampton Latinos Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering, connecting, and celebrating Brampton's Latino and multicultural communities through arts, culture, and community initiatives. The Association designs inclusive, participatory programming that fosters intercultural understanding and provides platforms for underrepresented voices. Signature events include the Brampton Latin Festival and Fiesta Navideña, which have engaged thousands of residents and showcased both local and international talent.

Raíces y Ritmos, presented by Brampton Latinos Association, is a participatory Latin dance and culture series designed for Brampton's Culture Days 2025. This project offers four free, public events focused on Latin dance genres - Bachata, Salsa, Merengue, and Cumbia - each combining an interactive performance, a community dance lesson, and an educational component exploring the genre's roots and cultural significance. The activities celebrate diversity, promote intercultural learning, and foster community connection.

Learn More​

Saturday, September 27, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Snelgrove Community Centre

To begin, we'll share Ilse Moreno's The Canadian Dream, followed by a quick discussion on community, heritage, and storytelling through the arts.

This session explores bachata, a dance of connection and emotion that originated in the Dominican Republic. The instructor will guide participants through its smooth steps and flowing movements, while also sharing its cultural significance as a form of storytelling through rhythm.

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Saturda​y, September 27, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Snelgrove Community Centre

We'll begin with a screening of Ilse Moreno's The Canadian Dream, followed by a short panel conversation to ground the session in themes of identity, resilience, and cultural roots.

The dance class will focus on Cumbia Traditions. Cumbia, a folkloric rhythm with roots in Colombia, blends Indigenous, African, and Spanish influences. The instructor will share the story of cumbia's origins and its role as a dance of community celebration and resistance.

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Saturday, September 27, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Snelgrove Community Centre

The session will open with Ilse M​oreno's The Canadian Dream and a brief panel discussion, offering reflections on shared experiences of migration and cultural pride.

This dance class will focus on Merengue Moves.

Merengue, known for its upbeat tempo and playful footwork, will set the stage for connection and celebration. The instructor will explain its Dominican origins, highlighting how the dance reflects unity and joy.

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Saturday, September 27, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Snelgrove Community Centre

We'll begin with a special screening of Ilse Moreno's The Canadian Dream, followed by a short panel discussion. This conversation will highlight themes of identity, resilience, and belonging - setting the tone for an afternoon of cultural connection.

Following the panel, we will hold a Salsa Rhythm dance class.​ This session dives into the vibrant world of salsa, a dance that embodies passion, energy, and community. The instructor will share the history and cultural roots of salsa while teaching participants the foundational steps.

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Discover Other Programs and Events

Discover other programs and events proudly supported by Cultural Services:​

Saturday, September 20, 10:20 AM to 11:50 AM
Knowledge Bookstore - 177 Queen Street West

In this family-friendly event, guests will e​xperience a live performance by singer-songwriter and dancer, Durreyl. Afterwards, participants will then have the opportunity to learn simple Afro inspired dance moves meant to uplift the energy and allow everyone to move and embrace the freedom of expression and joy of dance.

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Saturday, September 20, 12:15 PM to 2:15 PM
Knowledge Bookstore - 177 Queen Street​ West

Damien will demonstrate how to set up the microphone and record audio using the music production software. Participants will have an option to practice, record their own voice or use instrumental software. Participants are encouraged to experiment with different microphone settings and effects to learn about their pitch and tonality. Through their engagement with MPC Beat maker, they will learn about music production with a basic beginner's guide and demonstrations that will teach them about the process of midi, samples and drums. They will complete the workshop with an understanding of how to create sequences to build a song.

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Saturday, September 20, 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Knowledge Bookstore - 177 Queen Street West

In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of mixing music by taking two songs to engage the beats per minute (bpm) which they will learn allows for smooth transition between songs.

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Sunday, September 21, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Rose Brampton - 1 Theatre Lane

Brampton Arts Walk of Fame Inductee, Exco Levi, will be leading a free drop-in Reggae Dub Session in celebration of the new exhibit at the Rose. Whether you're a lifelong reggae fan or curious to see the artist up close and personal, this is your chance! Bring your friends and family and your best skankin' shoes!

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Monday, September 22, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Four Corners Library - 65 Queen Street East

Using comics as a medium, participants will share their borders and border crossing stories and experiences. Through this powerful medium, community members will write and illustrate, visualizing many borders - in the mind, in the body, in geography, in time, in values, in society - and their own border crossing stories and experiences.

The border crossings: Zine Zone forms part of an evolving gallery with public drop-ins and workshops. No prior experience required. All materials and supplies will be provided. Age: 13+

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Wednesday, September 24, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Snelgrove Community Centre - 11692 Hurontario Street

Join producer, composer and internationally renowned drummer O'Neil “Drummy” Fuller in an exciting hand drum and percussion workshop. No experience needed. Materials provided or bring your own.

Arts Inside is a monthly performing arts workshop series for adults and youth 16+ led by arts professionals working in all art forms. With a focus on creation, connection and community, this is your chance to bring out your inner artist! Whether you are interested in exploring acting, poetry, singing, creative writing, digital storytelling or dancing, each month will provide a new and exciting option! No previous experience is necessary — just an open-mind and the willingness to try something new in a safe space.

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Friday, September 26, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Historic Bovaird Log House - 56​​3 Bovaird Dr E

Join First Nations singer/songwriter from Elsipogtog First Nation, Pamela Levi in this interactive songwriting circle. Meet with other writers and musicians and have a chance to share an original song and receive feedback from each other in a safe space.

Bring your acoustic instruments if you have them!

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Monday, September 29, 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Snelgrove Community Centre - 11692 Hurontario Street

First - we'll introduce and explore the Cyanotype printing process using botanicals and harnessing the sun to print on fabric scarves

Second - we'll introduce some introductory hand embroidery stitches that participants can use to embellish and customize their scarves

All participants will go home with their scarves, and some embellishment supplies to allow them to continue their creative journey.

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Saturday, October 4, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Snelgrove Community Centre - 11692 Hurontario Street

This is a live interactive workshop where participants will learn and play musical improv games designed to spark creativity, laughter, and connection. Families can join in for a fun and memorable experience, discovering new ways to bond through music and performance. At the same time, artists, singers, and rappers can use this opportunity to sharpen their improvisation skills for the stage, music videos, or even songwriting. We want this to be an inclusive event for everyone and learning to work with different ages and groups will benefit everyone. Plus it will be a good time where you can pick up new skills and hang with the community!

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Saturday, October 4, 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Balmoral Recreational Centre - 225 Balmoral Drive

In this workshop, participants will be taught and guided by 3 professional stop motion animators to plan and animate their own short, animated film.

For Culture Days, we are encouraging participants to bring in a small item that's important and relevant to your heritage. We will provide cameras, lighting, computers and other tools to help teach you to bring your object to life, while also giving you an opportunity to write and voice a short piece about your item and its culture.

By the end of the workshop, everybody will have had a chance to create their unique work of film, which we will then screen altogether and learn a little something about everybody's unique heritage and cultural identity. Through the magic of stop motion!

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Saturday, October 11, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

We want to create an atmosphere that allows artists and music lovers alike to come together and cook up a song from scratch! Our two-hour program offers basic production and songwriting techniques for beginners, followed by a live group production and recording session on how to create a demo track. During this workshop the participants will learn how to produce/record a track with Truss, and how to write lyrics for a verse and hook with Nicole Chambers!

Our goal for this workshop is that participants will leave feeling encouraged and inspired to use these skills they have gained and create their own demos. We also want folks to network and connect within the community - as two artists who have grown up together in Brampton, and continue to make music together, we hope this experience will stimulate the group to build a connection with one another like Brampton arts programs have done for us!

For ages 18+

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More About Culture Days

Culture Days is a nationwide network of events, presentations, activities, workshops, and more happens over three weeks and is free to attend.

Culture Days has become the largest cultural event in Canada, attracting millions of annual attendees to thousands of free activities and performances hosted by artists, cultural organizations and municipalities in hundreds of communities across Canada. Culture Days programs invite the public to get hands-on and behind-the-scenes to highlight the importance of arts and culture by connecting communities and creators.

Past Culture Days Events

How to Participate

There are more than 100 free activities happening across Brampton!

Visit the Brampton Hub on the Culture Days website to discover what's happening in our community.

Visit the Brampton Hub

Post Your Event

New events can be added up to the day before Culture Days officially launches. Create your own organizer profile for free at www.culturedays.ca​​

Contact Cultural Services

Brampton City Hall
2 Wellington St W
Brampton, ON
L6Y 4R2

Email Cultural Services