Emancipation Day weekend scheduled July 24–26 in St. Catharines
The community in St. Catharines will mark Emancipation Day with a weekend of events from July 24 to July 26, centred on the 175th anniversary of abolitionist Harriet Tubman’s arrival in the city. The program, organised by Matter of Black in partnership with several local groups, brings together performances, public gatherings and a commemorative walk to recognise the history and contributions of African, Caribbean and Black communities in Niagara.
Three days of programming
The schedule opens Friday evening at Spotlight Comedy Club (92 St. Paul Street) with a ticketed comedy show featuring Jay Martin as the headliner. The show, produced in partnership with Spotlight Comedy, begins at 8 p.m.; tickets are being sold through Eventbrite.
- Friday, July 24 — Emancipation Day STC Comedy Night, Spotlight Comedy Club, 8 p.m. (ticketed)
- Saturday, July 25 — Harriet Tubman 175th Anniversary Arrival and commemorative walk (hosted by the Downtown Association with Matter of Black and Tubman Tours Canada)
- Sunday, July 26 — Big Picnic at Lakeside Park and Pan-African Flag Raising at St. Catharines City Hall
Commemoration and community gatherings
Saturday’s events highlight the historical focus of the weekend. The St. Catharines Downtown Association, working with Matter of Black and Tubman Tours Canada, will host an arrival commemoration and a walk to recall Tubman’s connection to the city. On Sunday, the annual Big Picnic at Lakeside Park will provide a community gathering combining food, music and culture, and the weekend concludes with a Pan-African Flag Raising Ceremony at St. Catharines City Hall.
“One of Canada’s rising comics”
The promotional material identifies Jay Martin as an award-winning Canadian entertainer and notes his national profile; the Toronto Star has described him as "one of Canada's rising comics." The event organisers say the comedy evening is intended to launch the weekend on a lighter, communal note before the historical commemoration on Saturday.
Organisers and partners
Matter of Black is the lead organiser of Emancipation Day STC 2026 and has partnered with Spotlight Comedy for Friday’s show. The Saturday walk and arrival commemoration are being delivered in collaboration with the St. Catharines Downtown Association and Tubman Tours Canada. City Hall is the site for the Sunday flag-raising ceremony. Event details and ticketing information are available through Eventbrite and the organisers’ communications.
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| July 24 | Comedy Night (Jay Martin) | Spotlight Comedy Club, 92 St. Paul St. |
| July 25 | Harriet Tubman 175th Anniversary Arrival & Commemorative Walk | Downtown St. Catharines (hosts: Downtown Association, Matter of Black, Tubman Tours Canada) |
| July 26 | Big Picnic & Pan-African Flag Raising | Lakeside Park; St. Catharines City Hall |
Residents interested in attending should consult organiser channels for updated times, ticket availability and any accessibility or safety information. The weekend is framed as both a commemoration of emancipation history and an occasion to celebrate the ongoing cultural presence of Black communities across Niagara.
