Want to be the first to learn about upcoming programs and events at the Oakville Museum? Then join our email list and we’ll send the information right to you! Email oakvillemuseum@oakville.ca or call 905-338-4400 to be added to the list.

The Spring and Summer 2013 Parks, Recreation and Culture Guide is now available for pick-up at the museum. A digital guide is available on the Registration page.

How to register

For programs offered through the Parks, Recreation and Culture guide click on the listing's registration link or call 905-815-2000. To register online or by phone, you will need a family PIN number and personal ID number (an iris card). Call 905-845-6601, ext. 4747 to open an account.

For all other museum programs and events, see the listing for registration details.

Program Notice

The Spring Bling Bracelet Jewelry Making Workshop (May 15) has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

A special gardening program for young children to try out their green thumbs at the Oakville Museum! Children will have lots of fun planting seeds, decorating containers and making flowering crafts. Design a magical crown and go on a flower hunt while exploring the historic Erchless Gardens.

Wednesday, May 29 and Wednesday, June 5
Two times available: 9:30 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Age: 3–5
Fee: $45
Iris code: 178407 (morning session) 178410 (afternoon session)
Register online 

Join us for a summer break filled with excitement and adventure! Our full day and half day camps offer a safe environment for kids to learn, laugh and explore. See below for weekly themes.

Mini Hands on History - The Environmental Easel (half day)

Flowers, trees and bumblebees! Look at insects, plants, and some feathered friends to see how they help the garden grow. Spend some time getting close to nature in the beautiful gardens of Erchless Estate. Explore our gardens in either July or August!

Four camp sessions available:
July 2–4 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
August 26–28 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Age: 4-6
Fee: $63
Iris codes for July 2–5 camp: 178409 (morning)  178412 (afternoon)
Iris codes for August 26–28 camp: 178435 (morning)  178436 (afternoon)
Register for Environmental Easel online

Mini Hands Take a Closer Look! (half day)

There’s a mystery at the Oakville Museum! Can you help us to solve it? Look for clues as you play memory games, go on a detective hunt, and expeditions through the Chisholm Chambers. Who is Mr. Chisholm? Join us this week to find out!

July 9–11
9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Age: 4–6
Fee: $63
Iris code: 178888 (morning) 179195 (afternoon)
Register for Take a Close Look online

Hands on History - Museum Summer Fun!

Enjoy a week of exciting summer fun at the Oakville Museum and Centennial Pool! Explore the museum’s new feature exhibit "What about Water?: Oakville’s H20 and History", play beach ball volleyball, and take a hike along a waterfront heritage trail. There will also be plenty of pool time to cool down from all the fabulous summer sun! Practice swim skills and play fun pool games - all under the supervision of Aquatic staff.

July 15–19
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Age: 8–12
Fee: $220
Iris code: 179198
Register for Museum Summer Fun online

Mini Hands Museum Summer Fun! (half day)

Explore our new feature exhibit, ‘What about Water?’, make ice cream, and play games in the park! Join us at our fabulous lakefront location for some serious summer fun!

July 23–25
9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Age: 4–6
Fee: $63
Iris code: 179228 (morning) 179229 (afternoon)
Register for Mini Museum Summer Fun online

Hands on History - Where Science Meets Art

The beautiful Erchless Estate grounds will be used to inspire children as they illustrate nature while learning basic scientific principles. Stunning flower beds and an incredible waterfront setting are the perfect background to explore various art mediums to create your masterpiece. Last day of camp we will learn about the change of state from liquid to a solid by making ice cream the old fashioned way!

July 29 to August 2
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Age: 7–11
Fee: $184
Iris code: 178833
Register for Where Science Meets Art online

Mini Hands Museum Scene - Act 1 (half day)

The museum is your stage during this thrilling drama filled camp! We will act out finger plays, make puppets, and play an assortment of drama games. Please note that different activities will be offered for Museum Scene Act 1 and Act 2 camps.

August 6–8
9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Age: 4–6
Fee: $63
Iris code: 178452 (morning)  178457 (afternoon)
Register for Mini Museum Scene Act 1 online

Hands on History - The Museum Scene

Learn acting techniques from a local stage performer, act out a play, make puppets, and play an assortment of drama games. Museum artifacts on exhibit will inspire ideas for making unique props. The entire museum is your stage during this thrilling drama filled week!

August 12–16
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Age: 7–11
Fee: $184
Iris code: 178884
Register for The Museum Scene online

Mini Hands Museum Scene - Act 2 (half day)

We set the stage in act 1 and continue the drama in act 2! Children will act out poems, make masks, and play an assortment of drama games.

August 20–22
9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Age: 4–6
Fee: $63
Iris code: 178458 (morning)  179194 (afternoon)
Register for Mini Museum Scene Act 2 online 

Museum Camp Before and After Care

Supervised extended care activities for Oakville Museum Summer Day Camps from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fee: $30.00 per week. Register for Before and After care online

Saturday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 24 at 7 p.m.
All ages
Free admission

Enjoy these free summer evening concerts on the beautiful grounds of the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate. The internationally renowned Halton Regional Police Services Pipes and Drums, and the Chisholm Dancers will draw on their fabulous repertoire of Scottish dance and traditional music from the British Isles and Canada. The evening will end at dusk with a flag lowering ceremony dedicated to Canada’s veteran and serving troops. Bring your blanket or lawn chair and enjoy some great music and cooling lake breezes. Concerts will take place weather permitting.

Monday, August 5
1 to 4 p.m.
All ages
Free admission

Enjoy a family-friendly afternoon of music, dance, games, crafts and activities celebrating Oakville’s role in the Underground Railroad. The event commemorates August 1, 1834 – the day slavery was abolished in Canada and throughout the British Empire. Bring a lawn chair and picnic! Enjoy cool breezes by the lake and enjoy performances by:

• Tsingory Dance
• The Hope Gospel Choir
• Beyond Sound Empijah

Beyond Sound Empijah is a collective of young artists who have grown up in various Toronto based dance and drum organizations; Ballet Creole, COBA, and Ngoma Drum and Dance Ensemble. These groups share a common goal to learn, maintain, present and share African and Caribbean Cultures. Beyond Sound Empijah brings a unique mixture of the past to the present and is dedicated to educate youth through drum and dance. This collaboration of drummers studied this art form and trained in the rhythms of drums providing them with the solid foundation that is needed when instilling a passion for musicality and performance. Our Motto is Youth Who Engage Youth! Our Slogan: Old Roots, New Leaves.

Tsingory Dance showcase Madagascar’s diverse culture and history through their mix of dancing and live drumming.

Hope Centre Choir encompasses individuals covering all walks of life from students to social workers, teachers, I.T. professionals and business men and women. With roots stemming from the Turner Chapel in Oakville, the Hope Centre Choir is always excited about opportunities to engage in the local community and to share the gift of HOPE through music.