The City of Oshawa said Oshawa Valley Botanical Garden is the place to be on June 10 and 11, when the 19th annual Peony Festival will be held.
Named one of Ontario’s Top 100 Festivals and Events, the festival runs from 10 am to 4 pm, and features one of Canada’s largest contemporary peony collections in bloom in the gardens, in addition to hundreds of cut blooms displayed inside the arena during the Canadian Peony Society judged peony show.
Admission to the festival is free. The Peony Festival features activities for all ages, including:
- Garden-inspired works by painters, sculptors and artisans
- Vendor market
- Local musicians on the Garden Stage
- Children’s Garden featuring an educational bug display and garden-inspired crafts
- Local food vendors
- Educational talks and exhibits
Parking and Free Shuttles: Parking is available on-street, at the City Hall employee parking lot (45 Queen St., off King Street, and west of Centre Street, Saturday only) and at the McMillan parkade (on McMillan Avenue between King Street and Bond Street). A free shuttle will stop at the Arts Resource Centre (45 Queen Street), Parkwood National Historic Site & Heritage Gardens, and on the northwest corner of Bond Street West and McMillan Drive.
The shuttle bus will depart every 20 minutes between 10 am to 4 pm on both festival days. Shuttle service will be provided courtesy of Harmony Hill Retirement Community.
“Oshawa’s Peony Festival was recently recognized by Festival and Events Ontario as a Top 100 Festival,” said Mayor Dan Carter. “The city’s premier festival returns to Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens June 9 and 10 and I invite everyone to come and walk amongst the many blooms of these amazing gardens and take part in the family-friendly activities.”