The 15th annual Marine Heritage Festival returns to Southammpton July 24 to 26 with family fun, live music, delicious food, and unique opportunities to discover the stories that shaped life along the Lake Huron coast.
Festival favourites include the Kids’ Bike Rally, Children’s Gold Hunt, Fun In The Park, Look-Up Theatre acrobatics, a magic show, and zany cardboard boat races.
Visitors can also sail aboard a traditional tall ship, explore historic landmarks, meet colourful characters from Southampton’s past, and discover the remarkable people and events that helped shape this oldest port on the Bruce County coast.
Heritage highlights include:
Connecting Communities: The Ferry Boat Tradition – Guest speaker Richard Thomas presents a fascinating multimedia journey through the ferry boats that linked families and commerce long before modern highways. Historic photographs, rare newsreel footage, and a musical introduction by Canadian composer David Archibald help bring this important chapter of Georgian Bay history to life. Friday, July 24 at 2:30 p.m. Free to attend but limited seating and advance registration is recommended.
Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre – Friday Evening Open Doors – Explore three floors of family-friendly exhibits celebrating the people, cultures, and stories that shaped the region, including Indigenous history, marine exhibits, a near life-size War of 1812 replica vessel, a turn-of-the-century general store, a model railway, and much more. Friday, July 24, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Chantry Time-Trek Adventure – Stroll around Fairy Lake where costumed characters from Southampton’s past come to life. Meet the stone mason who built the Chantry Island Lighthouse, hear from one of the Island’s first lighthouse-keeping couples, and encounter shipwreck captains whose dramatic stories still echo across Lake Huron. Friday evening, July 24, free to attend but limited group sizes and advance registration is recommended.
Tall Ship Tours & Sailings – Experience traditional Great Lakes sailing as the TS Playfair arrives in Southampton Harbour. Tour the ship, meet its remarkable youth crew, or book a memorable sailing adventure aboard this classic brigantine. July 25 and 26. Free deck tours. See website for sailing times and ticket details.
Footsteps Through Southampton Harbour – Enjoy a guided walking tour where every corner has a story to tell. Beginning at the Chantry Island Tour Base, discover historic homes, waterfront landmarks, and the people who helped build Bruce County’s oldest port. Sunday, July 26 at 1:00 p.m. Free tour, simply attend the day of, though advance registration is appreciated on the website.
Range Lights Open Doors – Climb inside Southampton Harbour’s iconic Range Lights and discover how generations of mariners safely navigated into port. Learn about the modern-day restoration of these 1903 beacons and their enduring place on the Lake Huron shoreline.
Visitors can also enjoy guided tours to the Chantry Island Lighthouse and Keepers’ Home throughout the summer season – but book ahead!
Complete Festival schedules, advance registration information, parking info, free shuttle bus service, bike valet, and details on all 30 Festival events are available at:
