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Apple orchard
Ocala Winery & Orchards, Port Perry
September 2019
September is one of the best months of the year, isn’t it? You have those last few weeks of summer to enjoy, but also the beginnings of fall–think beautiful fall colours, walks in the woods and harvest time. It really is the best of both seasons! This year, you can look forward to a fantastic fall in Durham Region, with lots of events and activities to choose from.

Check out the events featured below, visit our events calendar on durhamtourism.ca, or check out the York Durham Headwaters Fall Road Trip website (beginning September 12) for more ideas on what to do in Durham this month.
Culture Days logo
Celebrating 10 years of Culture Days
Immerse yourself in Durham’s arts and culture scene during the 10th anniversary of Culture Days, from September 27 to 29 . Whether you visit a single event; a culture hub like the Perry Street hub (a centralized, walkable location where attendees can access several linked activities and experiences); or embark on a culture trek (a specially curated itinerary with suggested stops and activities, dining options, and overnight accommodations), you’ll experience the vibrant and diverse artists, attractions and organizations that call Durham Region home.
apples
I heart harvest time
Throughout September, Durham comes alive with celebrations and activities dedicated to local food, agriculture and the harvest. Here are a few you might want to check out:
  • Great eats, midway rides, and agricultural displays and shows are all on the menu at many of the fall fairs and festivals across the region, including the Brooklin Harvest Festival on September 14.
  • September is prime apple-picking season. Visit one of Durham’s many orchards or experience all things apple with Clarington’s Great Apple Adventure. This self-guided driving tour takes you through Clarington’s towns and villages, showcasing “pick-your-own” markets, family farm adventures, sweet apple treats, exciting festivals and more! You can also check out the Durham Region spots that made it onto blogTO's list of 10 Places To Go Apple Picking Near Toronto; or stop by one of the many farms, market stands, or orchards across the region.
  • Explore Whitby’s most iconic street on September 28 in a fun and healthy way during Open Streets Whitby. Activity hubs and pop-up activities will be featured along the 1.2 km route, which is closed to traffic. Brock Street becomes a paved park open to pedestrians to walk, bike, wheel, skateboard, rollerblade or jog. 
  • Bistro ’67 is holding their annual Harvest Dinner, where community, local agriculture and learning come together, on September 19. If you can’t make it, consider stopping by the bistro another time for a field-to-fork dining experience. Bistro ‘67 was just voted one of the 100 Most Scenic Restaurants in Canada for 2019 on OpenTable. 
  • Order a DC Pantry fresh bag through the Pantry’s community-supported Agriculture (CSA) program–available weekly to October. This program connects the producer and consumers by allowing the consumer to subscribe to the harvest of the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food (CFF) gardens.
Young girl milking cow
Gates Open returns
After being on hiatus for close to a decade, the popular Gates Open festival is returning to Durham Region on October 5 , from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eight featured farms are opening their gates just for you! See what life on the farm is like, get hands-on experience with fun farm activities, and discover one of Durham’s largest industries through this unique self-guided tour. You’ll learn about agriculture, build an appreciation for Durham’s bountiful local food, and meet the passionate, dedicated people who produce it. Admission is free.
Young boy and man biking on trail
Get your cycle on
There are several cool cycling events taking place this fall:

The Batty Cross is back in Brooklin on September 27 and 28. This Halloween-themed cyclocross race for kids is hosted on the Batty Family Farm where Olympian Emily Batty grew up and learned to ride! This exclusive Emily Batty signature event features a corn maze, a trick-or-treat zone, a graveyard garden, the haunted forest, and new this year, a pump track competition and ride-the-plank challenge. Use of the natural terrain and hills on the farm and many other fun design elements will excite racers and challenge their abilities. Registration is opening soon!

Circle October 5 on your calendar for Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day. Now in its 15th year, this event has put more than 55,000 kids and adults on bicycles worldwide. Developed and co-ordinated by the International Mountain Biking Association, the event officially takes place every June and October. In Durham, the Durham Region Mountain Biking Association (DMBA) hosts the event at Durham Forest in Uxbridge. It’s a great opportunity to share your passion for pedalling with kids on our local trails.
How do you #PictureDurham durham.ca forward slash YourVoice
How do you #PictureDurham?
Join Durham Region’s photo challenge by capturing images across the region! Share your favourite pictures of people and places in Durham, and your photo may be featured in our upcoming strategic plan. You can share your photos on Durham Region’s new digital engagement platform durham.ca/YourVoice , or via social media using the hashtag #PictureDurham. Be sure to tell us the story behind your photo, and don't forget to "like" photos that you think are the best! 
Man looking at artwork
A visitor appreciates artist Lynne McIlvride’s work (studio #24).
Uxbridge Studio Home Tour
On September 14 and 15, explore 24 amazing North Durham artist studios and discover a world of creativity and wonder. This free, self-guided tour will take you to unique artists’ studios, where you’ll have the opportunity to chat with award-winning artists as you explore their artwork. The tour celebrates the work of 61 remarkable artists, including guest artists from across Canada. See the spaces where art happens–from studios nestled into historic downtown Uxbridge, to workspaces tucked into lush green forests or surrounded by rolling farmland. Sculptors, painters, ceramic artists, gold- and silversmiths, mixed-media, textile and wood artists covering a range of 21st century artistic visual expression are all on display. Collect five Passport to Art stamps as you visit the studios and sponsor locations for a chance to win the fabulous grand prize of a $1,000 gift certificate for art from ANY of the tour’s 2019 artists!
Beer Fest Downtown Whitby BIA
East and West beer fests!
We've got beer festivals from east to west this month. The Downtown Whitby Beer Fest is an intimate, lively and unforgettable experience that will make any craft beverage lover’s dreams come true! Craft breweries, local food and live music come together on September 13 and 14 in Celebration Square. See history in the making when four Whitby breweries go head to head in the Celebration of Craft Brew Crews. Tickets are on sale now .

The best street party on the east side is on September 21 . The Pickering Brew and BBQ Fest in Esplanade Park promises a day full of fun, sun, dancing and more!
Golf course
Falling "fore" golf
Take advantage of great golfing weather in Durham Region this fall. With 48 courses across the region, we know sometimes the biggest challenge is in deciding where to play! We’ve made it easy for you, with a suggested course in each municipality to get the ball rolling. Be on the lookout for fall golf specials and pair your day on the green alongside an exciting festival or event taking place in Durham. Did you know, many of our courses also offer wedding and banquet facilities that are ready to host your special day?
Oshawa Generals Street Fest Free admission Sunday September 29 1-6 p.m.
Celebrate #GensNation at new street festival
The Oshawa Generals , the Downtown Oshawa BIA and the Tribute Communities Centre , are hosting a free street festival before the Gens home opener on September 29 . Head down to Athol Street, in front of the Tribute Communities Centre, and cheer on the Oshawa Generals as they prepare to face the Kingston Frontenacs. The festival begins at 1 p.m., with live entertainment, fun activities and a beer garden coming together for a tailgate-like experience before the big game!
Catch the DRIFF
Three days. Five amazing programs featuring films from across the globe. The Durham Region International Film Festival (DRIFF) lights up the big screen on October 3, 4, and 5 at Oshawa's Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Whitby's Station Gallery and Durham College's Centre for Collaborative Education. Experience hand-picked short films, features, documentaries and animations that will engage and expand the imagination. Tickets go on sale soon!
For unique trip ideas or to plan your perfect day, visit  DurhamTourism.ca , or call 1-800-413-0017. If this information is required in an accessible format, contact  Durham Tourism.