Arts & Entertainment

The Art Gallery of Burlington is home to the largest collection of contemporary Canadian ceramics in the world, featuring more than 2,000 pieces. Visitors can also browse the Art Etc. Gift Shop, which offers hand-crafted Canadian works selected by a dedicated curatorial committee.

The Burlington Artist Gallery is a community-focused art centre offering a range of creative services. Visitors can find art supplies, custom framing, and restoration, along with art classes for all skill levels. Weekly sessions and private lessons are available by appointment.

NESAART is a studio and gallery space in Burlington that showcases original abstract paintings, including textured landscapes and cityscapes. The artist also explores digital art, fashion-inspired pieces, and NFTs, blending traditional techniques with modern tools.

BPAC is a premier cultural hub located in the heart of downtown Burlington. Designed to inspire, entertain, and connect the community, BPAC offers a diverse lineup of world-class performances across music, theatre, dance, comedy, and more. With state-of-the-art facilities and a commitment to supporting both emerging and established artists, the Centre serves as a vibrant gathering place for residents and visitors.

Drury Lane Theatre is one of the oldest continuously operating community theatres in Canada and a cornerstone of Burlington’s arts scene. Known for high-quality, volunteer-led shows, the theatre offers a welcoming space for local talent to shine through musicals, comedies, and dramas. With a strong focus on arts education and community engagement, Drury Lane fosters a love for performance across all generations.

The Student Theatre Centre is a vibrant community program that empowers youth through the performing arts. Participants gain hands-on experience in performance, technical theatre, and leadership while building confidence, creativity, and collaboration. Through productions and workshops, students develop valuable life skills, strengthen communication, and connect with their community through the power of theatre.”

Theatre Burlington, formerly known as Burlington Little Theatre, has been part of the city’s cultural fabric since 1952. What began as a small group of theatre enthusiasts has grown into a thriving community organization based at the custom-built Drama Centre in Central Park. Each season, Theatre Burlington presents four full-length productions, including a special show for children. The venue features a full-size stage, auditorium, lighting and sound booth, and dedicated spaces for costumes, props, and set design. Known for its high production standards and welcoming spirit, the theatre also supports local groups and schools by sharing its professional-grade space and expertise.

Inspired by 18th-century Sevres vases and Renaissance apothecary jars, Alumina explores the dynamic interplay between positive and negative space. Artist Greg Payce invites viewers to interpret shifting relationships between form and image, creating a sense of movement and rhythm within the stillness of the ceramic vessels.

This granite monument commemorates Terry Fox’s run through Burlington during his Marathon of Hope on July 13, 1980.Located near Lakeshore Road, along the exact route he took, it marks the 3,582 km point of his journey, symbolized by a mile marker. It was made possible through the efforts of local residents and donors, and was generously gifted to the City of Burlington’s Public Art Collection by the Terry Fox Monument Committee.

Dedicated by Governor General Lord Byng, Burlington’s cenotaph honours local soldiers who served and died in major conflicts including the First and Second World Wars, Korea and Afghanistan. The 10-foot granite column is topped with a bronze soldier and engraved with the names of fallen service members and key battle locations. Originally located in Lakeside Park, the monument was moved to City Hall in 1962 and features a verse from Pro Patria by Owen Seaman.

Architect and artist Kristof Zukowski designed two unique public art seating styles for Burlington’s multi-use pathways.One features stainless steel backrests with maple leaf silhouettes, while the other uses curved tubing to suggest a bench gently sinking under a butterfly’s weight. Installed at 26 crossings along the Centennial and Hydro Corridor pathways, these functional artworks enhance neighbourhood spaces, encourage active living, and provide welcoming rest spots for pathway users.

The Central Park Labyrinth is Canada’s first wheelchair-accessible labyrinth, modelled after the historic Chartres Cathedral design in France. Made of burnt sienna-coloured concrete, it’s located across from the Rotary Youth Centre in the northeast corner of Central Park. Unlike a maze, the labyrinth features a single path symbolizing healing and unity, offering a calming and reflective walking experience.

This artwork by David General honours the resilience, traditions, and language revitalization efforts of the Onkwehón:we and Anishinaabe Peoples. Two female figures walk toward a gathering, symbolizing the passing of knowledge through storytelling, teachings, and ceremony. Born on Six Nations and raised on Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, the artist reflects a continued commitment to preserving Indigenous languages for future generations.

This dynamic sculpture captures movement and energy through a twisting, rising form inspired by musical buildup and flowing water. Its wave-like design reflects both modern vibrancy and the historical transformation of Aldershot Village. The piece is a result of a collaborative effort between local residents, businesses, and the City of Burlington.

These functional bike racks double as public art in Burlington’s downtown core. Designed to highlight key bicycle components in creative ways, the racks celebrate cycling culture and community spirit. Selected through a public and jury voting process from over 180 submissions, it’s one of six winning designs chosen to enhance the urban landscape.

This sculpture features six stainless steel house-shaped forms in varying sizes, symbolizing home, identity, and belonging within the community. Designed to be viewed from multiple angles, it invites reflection on memory, family, and sustainability. The transformation of the house into a greenhouse pays tribute to the Royal Botanical Gardens, representing health, recreation, and self-sufficiency.

Created in 1973 as part of Burlington’s Centennial Fountain, this sculpture by Almuth Lutkenhaus depicts the mythical Lady of the Lake from Arthurian legend. Representing the mysterious figure who gifted King Arthur the sword Excalibur, the piece symbolizes Burlington’s deep connection to Lake Ontario. Commissioned by R.J. Van Seters Co. Ltd., the artwork blends mythology with local identity.

This granite bench, named Louise, was gifted to Burlington by its twin city, Apeldoorn, and sits beside the Naval Memorial in Spencer Smith Park. The official twinning agreement was signed in 2005, following a Memorandum of Understanding in 2003. Apeldoorn is known for its focus on sustainable development and its close connection to Canadian veterans, making it a meaningful sister city for Burlington.

This sculptural tribute celebrates Burlington’s natural heritage by highlighting native wild orchid species including the Dragon’s Mouth, Three Birds Orchid, and Pink Lady’s Slipper. These delicate plants, known for their intricate root systems and symbiotic relationship with fungi, represent the deep, unseen connections within nature. Created by Irish artist Alex Pentek, the piece reflects his focus on natural forms and large-scale public sculpture.

Created by Canadian art collective Studio F Minus, is an interactive sculpture that plays with light, colour, and reflection to symbolize connection across time. By day, it casts multicoloured reflections from sunlight; by night, it glows from within, shifting between transparency and reflection. Acting as both a mirror to the past and a window to the future, Portal invites viewers to reflect on their journey and envision what lies ahead.

This bold orange aluminum sculpture by Haydn Llewellyn Davies has been a landmark on Lakeshore Road since 1978. Formally titled A Space Composition for Rebecca, it explores the relationship between mass and void. Located outside the Art Gallery of Burlington, the piece reflects influences ranging from Stonehenge and Japanese design to the artist’s Welsh heritage. Davies transitioned from a career in advertising to sculpture, with works featured in collections across North America and Europe.

Created by artist Peter Powning, Spiral Stela is a community-inspired sculpture that celebrates Burlington’s cultural identity, history, and connection to the Performing Arts Centre. A bronze band wraps around the piece, embedded with more than 200 personal objects donated by residents—including trumpets, Olympic medals, and heirlooms—telling a shared story of local life. The project was made possible in part by a generous donation from Dan Lawrie, the first major donor to Burlington’s Public Art Program.

Unveiled on May 14, 1995 in Spencer Smith Park, this monument marks the 50th anniversary of VE Day and honours those lost at sea during the Second World War. Funded entirely by public donations, it commemorates 31 Royal Canadian Navy warships and 2,024 naval personnel, along with 75 Canadian Merchant Navy ships and 1,466 merchant seamen. Featuring a granite cairn, a bronze statue titled The Salute, a remembrance wall with gold-etched ship names, and historic flags, the site serves as a powerful tribute to Canada’s naval heritage and sacrifice.

Joseph Brant Museum is built as a replica of the homestead of Mohawk leader Joseph Brant ‘Thayendanegea’, which once stood on the same site overlooking Burlington Bay. The museum features three permanent galleries, rotating exhibitions, and a space dedicated to education and school programs. It highlights Burlington’s history while connecting visitors to broader themes in Canadian heritage.

Ireland House Museum offers a glimpse into Burlington’s early settler life through the preserved home of one of the city’s founding families. Built in 1837, the house features original furnishings and reflects three distinct time periods, with a cottage and surrounding woodlands included as part of the property. Today, the museum provides educational programs, volunteer opportunities, and rental spaces, connecting the community to its rich local heritage.