Downtown Summerside will host a new community celebration called Open City on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Presented by Explore Summerside and Downtown Summerside, the event is designed to showcase the city’s small businesses, entrepreneurs, and creative spaces through workshops, live music, and family activities.
The one-day event is part of an ongoing effort to boost activity in the city’s core. Rose Dennis, Executive Director of Explore and Downtown Summerside, has noted the importance of the collaborative nature of these local initiatives. This focus on local commerce comes as the city continues to invest in the area, with over $1 million set aside in the 2026-27 budget for revitalization projects tied to the Downtown Waterfront Transformation Initiative.
Residents attending the event will find a variety of activities at different locations along Water Street. Art Buds, an art studio and gallery opened in 2024 by owners Kiele Poirier and Julia Campbell, will offer workshops for painting tiny landscapes and creating wildflower suncatchers, with prices ranging from $10 to $50. Meanwhile, the Summerside Farmers’ Market will operate its regular Saturday market from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, providing shoppers access to local artisans.
The celebration will also feature entertainment at Evermoore Brewing Co., which was established in 2018 as the city’s first craft brewery. The venue will host Saturday Sessions, featuring a traditional Celtic music circle from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM. These activities are among many planned by local businesses to highlight the variety of shops and services available in the downtown district.
