Emancipation Day

August 1st is Emancipation Day, celebrating the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 which ended slavery in the British Empire on August 1st, 1834.  

About Walter Perry

Emancipation Day was celebrated in the Windsor Ontario area since the beginning.  The celebrations were led for 30 years by Walter Perry, known as Mr. Emancipation, until his death in 1967.  

Watch the documentary, Mr. Emancipation, about his life to learn more.

Resources for Emancipation Day

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

Events in 2025

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

Eastern Ontario

Kingston

• Friday August 1st, 2025, 11:30am, Flag-raising ceremony
• Friday August 1st, 2025, 12:30pm, Community Services fair
• Friday August 1st, 2025, evening, City Hall will be illuminated in colours of Pan African flag in recognition of Emancipation Day 

Morrisburg

• Friday August 1st, 2025, Emancipation Day Celebration, with guest speakers, music, and vendors

Nova Scotia

Dartmouth

• August 9, 2025, Emancipation Run/Walk 

New Brunswick

Prince William

• August 2, 2025, Emancipation Day Weekend,

British Columbia

Vancouver

• Vancouver City Council proclaims Emancipation Day

Previous years