Burlington's Twin City Celebrations

Summer is just around the corner, and Poolside Swimming wants to help

Poolside Swimming has been a part of this community since 1993, offering personalized swimming lessons right in your backyard. With swimmers ranging from 6 months to 83 years old, there truly is something for every age and every skill level.

No pool at home? No worries. Lessons can happen in your backyard or at our private pool, and every session is tailored to the swimmer in front of us. As a Lifesaving Society affiliate, we offer certified programs ranging from Parent & Tot all the way through to Adult Swimmer. Fully insured and with over 30 years helping thousands of families feel safe and confident in the water, we are a name this community knows and trusts.

Whether you have questions or are ready to get started, the team at Poolside Swimming would love to hear from you. Give us a call or shoot us a message! 👇

📞 (905) 582-7702
✉️ [email protected]

Burlington is celebrating its long-standing international friendships with two free spring events tied to its twin cities in the Netherlands and Japan.

Canada Netherlands Friendship Day runs May 2 from 10-11:30am at LaSalle Park Pavilion, marking 21 years with Apeldoorn and featuring live music from the Burlington Teen Tour Band along with Dutch treats.

The Sakura Festival follows May 9 from 1-3:30pm at Burlington Performing Arts Centre, celebrating 37 years with Itabashi. The afternoon includes taiko drumming, martial arts demonstrations, traditional dance performances, and artwork from local and Japanese students, offering a lively showcase of culture as spring gets into full swing.

Both events highlight Burlington’s involvement in global “twinning” relationships, which connect cities through cultural exchange, community visits, and shared traditions, bringing a bit of that international spirit close to home.

Burlington is supporting 15 local arts events with $75,000 through its 2026-27 Arts & Culture Fund, with nine projects receiving funding for the first time.

Highlights include a free Indigenous music showcase, “Walking Through the Fire,” set for Sept. 27 at Port Nelson United Church, featuring performances tied to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

A Broadway-themed concert is also planned for February through a partnership between the Burlington Symphony Orchestra, Drury Lane Theatre, and KooGle Theatre Company.

Returning events like the Burlington Latin Festival and Telling Tales Festival also received funding, continuing a mix of new and familiar programming across the city.

Burlington’s Mike Malott delivered a career-defining performance Saturday, defeating former title challenger Gilbert Burns in the main event of a UFC Fight Night in Winnipeg.

Malott controlled much of the fight, defending takedowns and staying patient before finishing Burns with strikes in the third round, a statement win against one of the division’s top veterans.

For Burlington, it’s a rare moment on the global MMA stage, as a local fighter breaks through in one of the world’s biggest sports leagues.

The win moves Malott into serious contention in the UFC’s welterweight division and signals a shift from rising prospect to legitimate threat, putting a hometown name firmly in the spotlight.

📚 Attendance To Count In Grades For High School Students

The Halton-Peel Gutsy Walk returns June 7 at Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park, with a fundraising goal of $115,000 for Crohn’s and colitis research.

The 5 km walk marks its 40th year, with registration at 10am and the walk beginning at 11:30am, alongside a lakefront barbecue, live music, vendors, and family-friendly activities.

Organized in support of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, the event funds research, advocacy, and programs for inflammatory bowel diseases that affect more than 322,000 Canadians.

Organizers say while treatments have improved over time, the conditions remain lifelong, and continued fundraising helps drive new therapies and awareness in the community.

Burlington’s 100 Women Who Care has selected Lighthouse for Grieving Children and Families as its latest charity, directing new funding to support children coping with loss.

The group made the choice at a recent meeting at the Burlington Golf and Country Club, as demand grows across Halton, with more than 100 local kids and teens using the program in recent years.

Though based in Oakville, Burlington families are among the largest group using the service, which remains free and relies entirely on donations.

Lighthouse is also the only provider in the region offering grief support for children under six, with funding helping cover about $1,250 per child each year and keeping programs accessible for families when they need it most.

Monday, April 20
🌨️ Chance flurries
High: 3°C | Low: -2°C

Tuesday, April 21
🌦️ Chance showers
High: 10°C | Low: 5°C

Wednesday, April 22
☀️ Sunny
High: 13°C | Low: 5°C