What’s On in Oshawa This August: Attractions, Events, and Family Fun!

Explore this history of the McLaughlin name at the Canadian Automotive Museum!

If you’re from Oshawa, you have undoubtedly heard the name “McLaughlin” around town. Whether because of the Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG), R.S. McLaughlin high school, the Oshawa Public Library McLaughlin Branch, or Parkwood Estates, the museum and former home of Col. Sam McLaughlin, who was the president of GM Canada, the McLaughlin name has definitely been solidified as a mainstay in the Oshawa community. August 4 is a civic holiday called McLaughlin Day. Essential services will be closed, but there is still so much to do around town. Observe the holiday by checking out The Canadian Automotive Museum (99 Simcoe Street South), which will be open on Monday, and look through Oshawa’s rich automotive history. The Walking Tour, taking place from 10:30 a.m. to noon, offers tickets on a sliding scale, ranging from free for children aged 5 and under, to $16 for an adult. Parkwood Estates is also open on holiday Monday, offering their Basement Tour for a limited time. This Basement Tour only happens once a year, for about 10 days. Patrons will get a chance to see the family vault, the central clockwork system, and get a better understanding of how a 55-room mansion used to operate. Visitors can explore the Basement Tour, gleaning how innovators of automation would have engineered their homes, from July 30 through Sunday August 7, with ticket times from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For both of these events, visit their websites (linked above) to book tickets in advance. Both of these opportunities seem like fitting events to phone friends from out of town to spend the day in Oshawa, and to discover how Oshawa became known as “Canada’s Motor City.”

Visit Parkwood Estate this August for the exclusive Basement Tour from July 30 to August 7.

One of my favourite things about Oshawa is the way the people work hard and play hard. There is always a fervor for coming together to celebrate the things that make Oshawa unique. This year’s annual Kars on Kingcelebration is sure to be another hit. Starting 3:30 p.m. on August 22, this event brings car enthusiasts together to relish in all things vintage. Classic cars and trucks will be on display on King Street. The main stage (located at the King and Celina intersection) will have live music performances at 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. As someone who is a lover of the Blues, anything shoegaze, and the easy listening of summertime grooves, I am excited to see what the Kars on King setlist is going to be. Hopefully it will be a day of throwbacks from vintage vinyl, the kinds of songs that remind us of sitting at the dock of the bay. This event also includes family friendly attractions at Memorial Park (110 Simcoe Street South, Oshawa) from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bring the whole family out for inflatables, games, buskers, and of course, other fans of craftsmanship. Looking to make the most of your visit to Kars on King? Purchase your Auto Lover's Weekend Get-a-way Package! This new package includes passes for four to the Canadian Automotive Museum, passes for four to the Canadian Tank Museum, overnight accomodation at the Holiday Inn Express and of course, free admission to Kar on King. This award-winning event is free to the public, and pays homage to Oshawa’s rich automotive history. The hard work of Oshawa’s people is part of our city’s reputation. It is time to enjoy some of the fruits of that labour by getting excited about the cool cars that bring back memories, and inspire ways ahead.

As my anticipation grows for Oshawa’s third annual Convergence Festival (coming September 19 and 20), I am reminded of the artistry of Tony Romano, whose work was featured at the Robert McLaughling Gallery as well as Convergence 2024. His whimsy is part of his signature style, which makes it so memorable.

On August 7, folks 16-29 are invited to the RMG for a Zine making workshop in collaboration with Ruckus Art Collective and Zine Magazine. IMAGE: Ruckus Art Collective.

On August 8 and 9 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., come out to the Lake Vista Community Centre and Park (450 Emerald Avenue, Oshawa) for a Topsy Turvey Whimsical Day. In what is sure to be a day full of surprises and hometown fun, oversized games, and activities accessible for all ages and abilities, Oshawa is leaving every last bit of summer out on the field. For a $10 fee, patrons are invited to this whimsical event and encouraged to wear their most mismatched outfits. The promise of “unusual food combos” is definitely intriguing, and I cannot wait to see what the organizers come up with. I say this as someone who thinks mint and chocolate together is wacky enough. Hopefully the food is even more interesting, more delicious, more memorable than that! As I have seen from Toronto’s Planet Fabulon parties, there is an understanding for multi-sensory fun that is inclusive to everybody. Oshawa’s Topsy Turvey Whimsical Day is no different. Offering a quiet sensory-friendly zone, there is an opportunity for everyone to be part of the fun. Organized by Unique Connections, this outdoor event also offers VIP tickets for food, event buddies, and a fun gift to take home.

I remember my summers as a student being spent reading, walking, playing around with photography, but really wanting to get back to my friends, my classes, and routine. I as overjoyed when I saw this Zine Making Workshop for youth (ages 16-29). I used to make zines back when I was in university. I loved the informal style, the storytelling, the way I as encouraged to dump my mind and culture jam at the same time. It felt so alternative to the dense texts I as reading in school, and somehow more authentic to make zines from scratch. I still buy zines to this day, although I don’t make them anymore. In collaboration with Ruckus Arts Collective and Zene Machine, head out to the RMG (72 Queen Street, Oshawa) from 6 to 8 p.m. on August 7 to make some really cool, important, and impactful art. I always do my best to advocate for the voice of the people, stories from the margins, independent press and media, and zines are a perfect foray into this kind of crafting and storytelling. I am so grateful for my time making friends while making zines, and I highly encourage everyone to give it a try!

With the waves and waves of heat that have been hitting us throughout the summer, I quickly retired my daily morning steeped tea and had to find a caffeine replacement. Iced matcha has been my saving grace this summer; a bit of matcha powder, ice cubes, something to sweeten, and oat milk. No one makes it better than the staff at the Olive Branch Café (452 Taunton Road West). Get the most out of the last dregs of summer vibes by stopping by the Olive Branch with some friends to grab a sweet treat, or some good eats before a day on fun in the city.

I have said it before and I will keep on saying it: Oshawa is one of the best cities to make new friends, to gather the cool kids, and deep dive into niche interests. No matter how you spend the last few weeks before we go back to school, Oshawa has something interesting happening in the corners of the city or in the heart of downtown. I am really proud of the ways organizers always consider the accessibility for all patrons. I hope to see you on the streets, ogling at cars on King Street, making zines about your favourite thing, enjoying the whimsey of the outdoors, or having a little pick me up at one of Oshawa’s newest cafes.

Enjoy the summer! I can’t wait to see you all at Convergence 2025!