Home Sweet Home Festival

Whitby's first annual Home Sweet Home Festival - the countdown is on!

Saturday July 26, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Downtown Whitby (Brock Street and Dundas Street)

The Home Sweet Home Festival is an epic all-day festival that showcases what truly makes Whitby our home. Whitby’s entire Downtown core will be pedestrian focused and walkable!

Celebrate our home by exploring the vibrant BIA businesses, outdoor patios, the Whitby’s Farmers’ Market, Station Gallery’s Artisan Marketplace, Lynde House museum activities, walking tours, Youth Entrepreneurs, cultural dances, performances, and exciting family activities like a 300-foot zip line!

CONTEST ALERT - The countdown is on and the excitement is building! Fill out the form below to be entered to win a $100 gift card to a Downtown Whitby business of your choosing. Prize draw will take place at 12 p.m. on July 30.

Enter now

Discover the Home Sweet Home Festival

Downtown Whitby Businesses

Shop, eat, drink, and discover! Find new flavours, old favourites in the heart of Downtown Whitby!

Whitby & Brooklin’s Farmers’ Markets

Local produce, handcrafts, seasonal favourites, delicious treats and so much more!

Jack de Keyzer performing at Whitby Event

Live Music & Entertainment

Enjoy live music at the main stage featuring Juno winning artist Jack de Keyzer. Full schedule below.

Adventure & Kids Zone

With a 300ft zipline, facepainting, balloon artists, games, and more - family fun all day long!

Shopping

Shop one-of-a-kind finds. Downtown Whitby businesses and outdoor vendors are open!

Delicious Food & Patios

Enjoy delicious food and drinks. Extended patios and the Whitby Legion have great views!

Station Gallery's Artisan Market

Brighten your space with unique works from a local artist or artisan, watch visual art demonstrations, and enjoy interactive crafts to take home.

Meet Peppa Pig & Dance with Spider-Man

The Whitby Public Library presents a meet and greet Peppa Pig and a dance party with Spider-Man at Celebration Square. Schedule below.

Lynde House Museum Activities

Journey through Downtown Whitby on a self-guided historical walking tour or participate in historical activities like butter churning.

Youth Entrepreneur Alley

Showcasing the next generation of changemakers and artists ages 10–25, Youth Entrepreneur Alley is a vibrant hub of creativity, innovation, and ambition.

Trackless Train & Town Trolley

Explore each end of the festival by riding the trackless train or hop-on hop-off trolley. Shuttle service to event available from the Henry Street Lot by Go Transit.

Rhythm Rider Dancers performing on stage

Cultural Performance Showcase

Learn new moves and express yourself with interactive dance performances and live demonstrations from different cultures. Fun for the whole family!

Home Sweet Home Helps the Homeless

Provide a monetary donation and dunk a Whitby leader or Pack with Purpose to help the homeless. Learn more below.

Sensory Zone at Whitby Library

Whitby's Accessibility Advisory Committee is offering a quiet, low-stimulation area at the Whitby Central Public Library.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Questions about shuttle services, parking, accessibility, and lost and found items? See below for answers to common FAQs.

Entertainment Schedules

Main Stage (Brock Street South and Colborne Street)

10:00 am - Event Opens

10:00 am - Pretty Penny – Rock, Pop, Country

11:00 am - Official Ceremony

11:20 am - Food Guide Unveiling

11:30 am - Kim and the Company Band - R&B, Motown, Classic Rock

12:45 pm - Ryan Scott – Country, Rock

2:00 pm - Jack DeKeyser Band – Blues, Rock, Soul

4:00 pm - Event Ends

Culture Performance Showcase (Celebration Square: 405 Dundas Street West)

10:00 am - DJ Jayden

10:30 am - The Travelling Stage

11:15 am - Bollywood Dancing with Rhythm Riders

11:30 am - DJ Jayden

12:00 pm - Peppa Pig Meet & Greet – Sponsored by the Whitby Public Library

1:00 pm - Bollywood Dancing with Rhythm Riders

1:30 pm - Salsa & Bachata Dancing with Latin Dancers of Durham & Friends

2:30 pm - Spiderman Dance Party - Sponsored by the Whitby Public Library

3:30 pm - DJ Jayden

4:00 pm - Event Ends

North Stage (Jacked Up Coffee Parking Lot: 132 Brock Street North)

10:00 am - DJ Shteeve

11:00 am - The Song Spot

12:00 pm - DJ Shteeve

1:00 pm - Caardia

2:00 pm - Aaron Roberts

3:00 pm - DJ Shteeve

4:00 pm - Event Ends

Temporary Road Closures, Restrictions, and Parking Information

Temporary road closures are in place 6:00 am – 6:00 pm to ensure the safety of attendees, participants, and staff for preparation and during the event. These closures help manage traffic, allow space for event activities, and ensure emergency access if needed. Please plan ahead, follow detour signs and allow extra travel time. We appreciate your patience and cooperation.

Advance information signs will be posted to advise motorists of the upcoming road closure. Temporary traffic and detour signs will be installed on site to direct motorists during the road closure. During the event, access for emergency vehicles will be maintained. View the map or list below for full listing of closures.

Road Closures and Restrictions Map

Roads Closed

Brock St N – Mary St to Dundas St
Brock St S – Dundas St to Dunlop St
Dundas St W – Henry St to Brock St
Dundas St E – Brock St S to Perry St
Byron St S – Dundas St to Colborne St
Colborne St W – Byron St to Brock St
Colborne St E – Brock St to Green St
Elm St – Brock St to parking lot entrance
Green St – Dundas St to Colborne St

Local Traffic Only

Byron Street N – Dundas to Mary St
Byron Steet S – Colborne St to Dunlop St
Center Street N – Dundas to Mary St
Center Street S – Dundas to Colborne St
King Street S – Dundas to Parking Lot
Kent Street – Dundas to Mary St
Green Street S – Colborne St to Dunlop St

Parking Restrictions

On-Street (No parking) on the following roads:

Henry Street/Euclid Street between Mary St and Dunlop St;
Kent Street between Dundas St and Mary St;
King Street between Dundas St and Colborne St;
Centre Street between Mary St and Dunlop St;
Byron Street between Mary St and Dunlop St;
Brock Street between Mary St and Dunlop St;
Green Street between Dundas St and Dunlop St;
Perry Street between Mary St and Dundas St;
Athol Street, between Dundas St and Dunlop St;
Mary Street, between High St and Perry St;
No Parking on Elm Street;
Dundas Street between Euclid St/Henry St and Athol Street
Colborne Street between Henry St and Athol St

Parking Meters (No parking):

All parking meters in the Downtown Whitby within the event area will be unavailable.

Municipal Parking Lots:

There will be no parking in Municipal Lot 1 (next to the Whitby Legion) however, several municipal parking lots are available near the festival site. We encourage guests to park at the Henry Street Parking Lot and take the free shuttle to the event.

Accessible Parking

Accessible Parking is available at all Downtown lots. Additional accessible parking spaces will be added to Municipal Lots 6 and 7 (Colborne Street and Perry Street Lots).

Home Sweet Home Helps the Homeless

The Downtown Whitby BIA and Mayor Elizabeth Roy are thrilled to introduce Home Sweet Home Helps the Homeless to support people in our community experiencing homelessness.

There are two ways you can help at the upcoming Home Sweet Home Festival:

Donate for Dunks – Make a splash for a good cause! Donate for a chance to dunk Whitby leaders in the dunk tank. Cost: $5 for 3 throws.
Pack with Purpose – Donate new items to help fill care packages with summer essentials for those in need.

Let’s build a stronger Whitby—one home sweet home at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

🐶 Dogs: Is the festival dog-friendly?

Yes! The Home Sweet Home Festival is a dog-friendly event. Water bowls will be available throughout the site. Some restaurants allow dogs on their patios — we recommend contacting individual establishments for details.

🚗 Parking and Transportation: Where should I park?

Parking Meters (No parking):

All parking meters in the Downtown Whitby within the event area will be unavailable.

Municipal Parking Lots:

There will be no parking in Municipal Lot 1 (next to the Whitby Legion) however, several municipal parking lots are available near the festival site. We encourage guests to park at the Henry Street Lot by Go Transit and take the free shuttle to the event.

Accessible Parking is available at all Downtown lots. Additional accessible parking spaces will be added to Municipal Lots 6 and 7 (Colborne Street and Perry Street Lots).

🚌 Shuttle Services: Are shuttles available?

Yes! A free shuttle will run between the Henry Street Parking Lot and the festival, with drop-off at the Whitby Public Library (west side of the event site). Shuttles run every 10 minutes from 9:50 a.m. to 4:20 p.m.

♿ Accessibility: Is the venue accessible?

Absolutely. The event takes place on flat, paved ground suitable for all mobility devices.

Accessible parking is available and expanded at:

Municipal Lot 7 (by the library)
Municipal Lot 6 (Perry Street)

Accessible washrooms include:

Portable toilets on-site
Indoor washrooms at the Whitby Public Library

🤫 Where do I go if I need a quiet space?

Whitby's Accessibility Advisory Committee is excited to offer a Sensory Space at Home Sweet Home Festival! Located within the Whitby Public Library - Central Branch (405 Dundas Street West), this quiet, low-stimulation area provides a calming retreat and sensory tools to help individuals who may feel overwhelmed by crowds, noise, or busy environments to regulate and feel comfortable. This initiative promotes greater inclusion and accessibility, ensuring everyone can participate fully in the event.

🏨 Accommodation: Are there hotel options nearby?

Yes. Visit whitby.ca/tourism for local hotel and accommodation information.

👶 Age Restrictions: Is this an all-ages event?

Yes! The Home Sweet Home Festival is open to all ages — bring the whole family.

☔ Weather: What happens if it rains?

The festival is a rain or shine event. Bring your umbrella for rain and sunscreen for sunny weather.

💵 Cost: Is there an entry fee?

Entry to the festival is free.
Restaurants, vendors and businesses $$
Fundraising activities may have costs if you wish to participate.
Zipline rides are $5.00 each (cash only).

📱 Lost & Found: What if I lose something?

Visit the Information Tent located at the four corners Brock and Dundas Streets to report or check for lost items.
After the event, unclaimed items are turned into Service Whitby at 575 Rossland Road East.