The days may still feel like summer, and the season’s biggest events are just getting started.
Across St. Catharines, the weeks ahead are packed with wine celebrations, waterfront concerts, cultural experiences, live performances and the return of hockey downtown.
From afternoons in wine country to festival weekends and big nights out, the city is coming alive for harvest season. Here is what is coming next.
It’s Grape & Wine Time
Niagara’s biggest celebration of the season takes over downtown St. Catharines this month!
From September 24 to 27, the iconic Niagara Grape & Wine Festival transforms historic Montebello Park into a lively gathering place filled with Niagara VQA wines, local food, live music and plenty of harvest spirit.
Thursday night starts the weekend with the ticketed Montebello Rocks concert featuring Sloan. From Friday through Sunday, admission to the park is free, making it easy to drop in, discover a new favourite wine and stay for the music.
Want to start celebrating sooner? The Niagara Grape & Wine Festival Discovery Pass continues September 11 to 13 and 18 to 20. Choose your route and travel between participating wineries for curated wine and food pairings inspired by the harvest.
For a more intimate experience among the vines, Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery is hosting its Harvest Dinner in the Vineyard on September 26. Join winery co-owners Paul, Matt and Daniel Speck for an evening of seasonal food, thoughtfully paired wines and vineyard views at the height of harvest.
You can also take the flavours of the season home after a visit to the St. Catharines Farmers Market. Browse Niagara-grown produce, fresh baking and locally made goods while meeting the growers, bakers and makers who bring Market Square to life every Thursday and Saturday.
Come hungry. Bringing an extra tote bag would not hurt either.
Follow The Music
If your ideal festival weekend involves big performances, local artists and a full day by the water, save October 2 and 3 for the Cicada Music & Arts Festival.
The annual festival returns to Henley Island with Metric, Bahamas, USS, Wintersleep, The Zolas, Hawksley Workman and more. Add local art, a makers market, great food and drinks, and a waterfront setting, and you have a convincing reason to spend the weekend in St. Catharines.
The music continues November 7 when Light of Day Canada Presents Tim Hicks & Friends at the Meridian Centre. The lineup brings together Tim Hicks, Steven Page, Miss Emily, Teenage Head and more for one major night of live music downtown.
Take Your Seat Downtown
A new season takes centre stage at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.
Canadian rock favourites Crash Test Dummies kick off the 2026–27 season on September 22, opening a lineup featuring more than 80 performances.
On October 24, the annual SPARK Gala welcomes The National Ballet of Canada to St. Catharines for the first time. The company will celebrate its 75th anniversary season with The Future at 75 and the Balcony Pas de Deux from Romeo and Juliet.
The city itself also becomes a stage during St. Catharines Culture Days, running from September 18 to October 4.
Free arts, culture and heritage experiences will take place at locations across St. Catharines, inviting visitors to meet local creators, try something new and experience the city through the stories and ideas that shape it.
Hockey Returns to the Meridian Centre
The Niagara IceDogs return to the Meridian Centre in September, bringing the energy of Ontario Hockey League action back to downtown St. Catharines.
Make a night of it with dinner or drinks nearby before heading into the arena. Once the puck drops, the energy takes care of the rest.
Build Your Perfect Weekend
Maybe your perfect September itinerary includes a glass of wine among the vines. Maybe it is live music by the water, an evening at the theatre or the return of hockey downtown.
Whatever brings you out, harvest season offers plenty of reasons to experience St. Catharines.
Start planning your visit at lovestc.ca
