Waterloo Region – After a successful summer, the Region of Waterloo Museums and Archives will extend Doon Heritage Village season to include select Saturdays this fall as well as Thanksgiving weekend. Due to popular demand, the Village will open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on September 26, and October 3, 10, 11 and 12. The historic buildings will be open with costumed interpreters and seasonal programming.

The Village celebrated its grand reopening on July 1, 2026, following a three-year closure to complete maintenance, security and accessibility upgrades and to engage with the community to provide a more inclusive offering. Opening day attracted 5,000+ visitors and the response from patrons throughout the season was overwhelmingly positive. Visitors appreciated the improved accessibility and updated approach to sharing stories.

“Doon Heritage Village has always been a beloved landmark in our community. I’m thrilled so many residents and visitors got to experience the new stories and revitalized space,” said Karen Redman, Chair of the Region of Waterloo. “It was an amazing summer, and we’re excited to extend our season to give even more people the opportunity to experience Doon.”

Fan favourites like Day in the Life and Taste of 1914 programming also returned this season to rave reviews and will continue during the extended season. Hands-on activities that offer a glimpse into daily life in rural 1914 Waterloo Region will be available to visitors during select weekend days this fall.  Visitors will also have an opportunity to taste seasonal samples from Doon’s own fall harvest and can take a recipe with them to try at home. With the longer season, visitors will have an extended chance to visit the Vintage Black Canada exhibit in the upper level of the Martin House from curator Aaron T. Francis.

“The reopening of Doon Heritage Village this summer was a major milestone. We had amazing summer students, dedicated volunteers, and so many visitors who came and enjoyed being back on site,” said Katie Anderson, Head of Doon Heritage Village. “I hope everyone will take advantage of the extended hours this fall and enjoy this incredible cultural destination.”

Admission to Doon Heritage Village ranges from $8 for children 5 to 12, $10 for students and seniors, and $15 for adults. Special rates apply for groups of four to eight people. Doon Heritage Village will be open to the public for free admission on Saturday, September 26 for Ontario Culture Days.

Join us at Doon Heritage Village for seasonal events, including the Kids’ Trick-or-Treat Hunt on Sunday, October 25, and Starry Night on Friday, December 18 and Saturday, December 19. Stay tuned for new events to be announced for the holiday season.

For more information about Doon Heritage Village visit Regionofwaterloomuseums.ca/village.

To explore events at Doon Heritage Village and Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum visit https://calendar.regionofwaterloo.ca/museum/List

About the Region of Waterloo Museums

The Region of Waterloo Museums & Archives operates four experiential sites throughout Waterloo Region. Together, Doon Heritage Village, Schneider Haus, McDougall Cottage and the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum tell stories from this region through educational and public programming, events, and a collection of over 60,000 cultural belongings.

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