Emancipation Day | Laurier Library

Resources for Emancipation Day

The Library has resources to explore this history in more detail.

Henry, N. L. (2012). Talking about freedom : celebrating Emancipation Day in Canada. Dundurn Press.

Henry, N. L. (2010). Emancipation Day: celebrating freedom in Canada. In Emancipation Day (1st ed.). Natural Heritage Books.

2026 Events

Ontario

Brampton
August 3     1:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/torontocaribbean/posts/1960840454599372/
Cambridge
July 26        10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
https://rhythmbluescambridge.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/rhythmbluescambridge/eventRegistration.jsp?event=3&
Kingston - August
August 1        12:30 PM – 3:30
https://www.cityofkingston.ca/arts-culture-and-events/city-calendar-and-events/feature-events/emancipation-day-celebrations/
London
July 26        10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
https://www.fanshawepioneervillage.ca/events/emancipation-day-celebration-july-26-2026
Morrisburg
August 1        11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., https://www.uppercanadavillage.com/event/emancipation-day-celebration/
Owen Sound
July 31        6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
August 1        9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
August 2        12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
St. Catherines
July 25     11 AM – 3 PM
July 26        12 PM – dusk
https://www.matterofblack.ca/

Nova Scotia

Dartmouth
August 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
https://raceroster.com/events/2026/119596/emancipation-day-timed-runwalk-2026

New Brunswick

Fredericton
July 31     5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
August 1    11:00 PM – 9:00 PM
August 2    12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
August 3    12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
https://stillherefestival.ca/#schedule
Prince William
August 1     10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
https://kingslanding.nb.ca/calendar/emancipation-day/2026-08-01/

Charlottetown
August 1 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
https://www.facebook.com/PEICommunityNavigators/posts/-save-the-date-we-are-pleased-to-share-this-upcoming-emancipation-day-2026-celeb/1336214408657402/

Prince Edward Island

Previous years

2025 events

Southwestern Ontario

Waterloo Region

Kitchener

Saturday July 26th, 2:30pm to 3:30pm, Emancipation Day Caribbean Dance. With ance performance by CariVybz, and Aaron De Silva playing the steel drums. Kitchener Public Library (central branch)

Cambridge

Saturday July 26th, 1:00pm to 7:30pm, Emancipation Day Celebration with Rhythm & Blues, Cambridge

Beyond Waterloo Region

Amherstburg

Saturday August 9, 2025, Walter Perry Emancipation Golf Classic

Dresden

Saturday August 2, 2025, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, 11am to 2pm, Celebrate Emancipation Day: Pressed, Poured, Plated and Played
Saturday August 2, 2025, various speakers, performers, exhibits and cuisine that reflect early Black life in Ontario, Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History

London

Sunday July 27, 2025, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Emancipation Day Celebration, London

Kincardine

August 1, 2025, 11:00 am, Raising of Black Liberation flag for Emancipation Day/Month, Kincardine

Owen Sound

2025 marks the 163rd Emancipation Festival in Owen Sound
Friday August 1st, 6:00pm to 9:00pm, Speaker's Corner
Saturday August 2nd, 9:00am to 9:00pm, Emancipation Festival & Picnic, Harrison Park
Sunday August 3rd, 12:00pm to 3:00pm, Gospel Sunday, BME Church of Owen Sound

Greater Toronto Area

Pickering

Wednesday July 30, 2025, 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Emancipation Day Celebration, Pickering

Brampton

Saturday August 9, 2025, 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Celebrate Emancipation Day

Niagara Peninsula

St. Catharines

Sunday July 20th, 8:30am, Walk to Freedom, guided tour by Ken Johnston with 6 stops through historic 1850s Black community
Friday July 25th, "Soul" Film screening at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
Saturday July 26, 11am to 3pm, Self Guided Tour & Tour Talk, Salem Chapel BME Church
Sunday July 27, 2025, 11:00am to 3:00pm: Salem Chapel BME Church tour in partnership with Tubman Tours Canada
Sunday July 27, 2025 12 noon to dusk, Emancipation Day 2025 at Lakeside Park