About Welcoming Week

Welcoming Week is an annual campaign and celebration to showcase the movement of communities striving to be more welcoming places for all, including immigrants.  More than 4,000 people have celebrated in Huron County since 2021, with dozens of events organized throughout our communities.

Launched in 2012 by Welcoming America, Welcoming Week is a global initiative that provides individuals and communities the opportunity to proclaim welcoming values through events and local initiatives.  Overall, Welcoming Week aims to foster mutual understanding between immigrants and non-immigrants, as well as deeper belonging for all.

Huron County participates in Welcoming Week each year.  It’s a time for people of all backgrounds to come together and demonstrate the importance of being welcoming to new neighbours.

Join the 2025 Welcoming Week Events!

Bayfield: Main Street Arts Festival

Date/time: Sunday, September 21, 2025; 12pm
Location: Main Street, Bayfield, Ontario

Enjoy art in the street from local and regional artists including displays and exhibitions, artisan vendor booths, interactive art elements and hands on artmaking opportunities for all ages. Be sure to visit the Immigration Partnership booth and explore how art and culture connect us all.

Main Street Arts Festival runs Sept. 19-21.

Hosted by Huron County Cultural Services.

Brussels: Meet Your Neighbour Night

Date/time: Wednesday, September 10, 2025; 7pm
Location: Brussels library branch, 402 Turnberry St., Brussels, Ontario

New to the area? Meet others and connect with community organizations at this fun get-to-know-you evening. Refreshments provided. Everyone welcome.

Hosted by the Huron County Library.

Dashwood: Community picnic

Date/time: Saturday, September 13, 2025; 1pm
Location: Dashwood Community Centre, 158 Centre St., Dashwood, Ontario

Come out for a lively community picnic featuring a lunch, soccer, yard games, and great opportunities to connect with neighbours and local organizations!

Hosted by Municipality of South Huron and Huron County Immigration Partnership.

Exeter: Block Party

Date/time:  Wednesday, September 17, 2025; 5pm
Location: Municipality of South Huron Town Hall, 322 Main St. S., Exeter, Ontario

Celebrate community and culture at an Exeter Block Party, featuring music and games; everyone is welcome to join the fun and meet their neighbours!

Hosted by the Municipality of South Huron and Huron County Library.

Goderich: Conversation Circle restarts

Date/time: Monday, September 15, 2025; 6:30pm
Location: Goderich library branch, 52 Montreal St, Goderich, Ontario

Conversation Circles are a way to make new friends and practice speaking English while talking about culture, family, food, movies, or anything you like. For this fall start-up session, the group will be joined by Patsy Anne Day who will lead a beading workshop and share information about Indigenous knowledge and culture.

Hosted by the Huron Welcome Hub for Newcomers.

Goderich: Networking and meet your neighbour event

Date/time: Wednesday, September 17, 2025; 3pm
Location: Goderich library branch, 52 Montreal St, Goderich, Ontario

Join the Huron County Immigration Partnership Council for a thought-provoking webinar led by Dr. Vidya Shah on the urgent need for equity, diversity, and inclusion, followed by a multicultural dessert social to connect with others in the community.

Hosted by the Huron County Immigration Partnership.

Goderich: Film screening: Parade

Date/time: Saturday, September 20, 2025; 2 and 7pm (two screenings)
Location: Goderich    Museum, 110 North St., Goderich, Ontario

Description:  Experience a powerful journey through Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ history at the Huron County Museum with Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance—a free film screening featuring activist and drag performer Rico Rodriguez in a special post-show Q&A.

Hosted by No Hate in Huron and the Huron County Museum.

Hensall: Meet Your Neighbour Night

Date/time: Thursday, September 18, 2025; 5pm
Location: Hensall library branch, 108 King St., Hensall, Ontario

Come out for an evening meet-up to get to know the community better and connect with others. Everyone welcome.

Hosted by the Huron County Library.

Seaforth: Meet Your Neighbour Night

Date/time: Wednesday, September 17, 2025; 7pm
Location: Seaforth library branch, 108 Main St. S. Seaforth, Ontario

Join this evening designed to welcome new people to the community and introduce various community organizations. Everyone is welcome. Refreshments available.

Hosted by the Huron County Library.

Wingham: Meet Your Neighbour Night

Date/time: Thursday, September 18, 2025; 7pm
Location: Alice Munro library branch, 281 Edward St, Wingham, Ontario

Join this vibrant community event designed to bring neighbours together through fun activities, conversation, and shared connection.

Hosted by: Wingham Community Connectors and the Huron County Library

Become a Welcoming Week Event Host

Are you interested in hosting a Welcoming Week event for your organization?

Huron County’s Immigration Partnership will support your efforts by:

• Providing mentoring and guidance
• Assisting with promotion
• Supporting an evaluation process of your event

Past events have included Welcome Hikes, a community cooking class, movie screenings, and an introduction to lawn bowling.

Welcoming America has created a Welcoming Week event toolkit to help you plan an activity.

Reach out to us at home@huroncounty.ca to tell us about your idea.