Amherstburg’s history will be on full display as Heritage Weekend returns Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 2, 2026. The three-day event is part of the town’s popular Open Air Weekends program that turns the downtown into a walkable festival zone every Friday through Sunday all summer long.
The weekend kicks off Friday evening with a Town Crier declaration and a bagpipe parade through the streets. Throughout the weekend, visitors can take in fife and drum parades, WWI horse and infantry demonstrations, and the first Youth Town Crier Competition, where kids and teens show off their public speaking skills. Live music and heritage tours round out the schedule.
The Fort Malden National Historic Site hosts its Living History Festival on August 1 and 2 from 10am to 5pm each day. Period encampments and re-enactors bring 19th-century military and civilian life to the site at 100 Laird Avenue South. While general admission to Fort Malden is free through the Canada Strong Pass until September 7, the festival has a separate $5.75 entry fee.
The Park House Museum at 214 Dalhousie Street is also taking part with Heritage Days activities like croquet demonstrations and Fashion of the Eras presentations. The museum is open daily from 10am to 4pm through July and August.
Heritage Weekend fits into the broader Open Air Weekends series, which closes Richmond, Dalhousie, and Murray streets to vehicles from Friday at 3pm through Sunday at 8pm each week. The full program runs until September 6 and includes Friday night Night Markets with shopping, live music, and food. The Town of Amherstburg says the 2024 Open Air season drew about 249,000 visitors and had an economic impact of nearly $4.3 million for the community.
