LONDON, Ont. — As London approaches a milestone year, the city’s heritage community is preparing to showcase two centuries of local history, culture, and civic evolution through one of its signature annual events.
The London Heritage Council will host the 14th Annual Heritage Fair on Feb. 21, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Central Branch of the London Public Library, located at 251 Dundas St. The event is presented in partnership with the library and the City of London – Cultural Services.
Held annually during Heritage Week, the Heritage Fair has become a key platform for celebrating the people, organizations, and stories that have shaped London. The 2026 edition carries added significance, coinciding with the city’s 200th anniversary. This year’s theme, Honouring the Past, Celebrating the Present: Here’s to 200 More, reflects both a retrospective and forward-looking approach to London’s heritage.
Organizers say the Bicentennial edition of the fair will place a special focus on how London has evolved over two centuries of growth, innovation, and social change. From its early settlement period to its emergence as a regional economic and cultural hub, the fair aims to trace the city’s transformation while highlighting the diverse communities that continue to define it.
The one-day event will feature a wide range of interactive exhibits, historical artifacts, and hands-on activities designed to appeal to visitors of all ages. Exhibitors are expected to include local museums, historical societies, cultural organizations, and heritage groups, each presenting elements of London’s past and present through displays and demonstrations.
According to the London Heritage Council, these exhibitors play a vital role in preserving and interpreting the city’s history. Their participation at the fair offers attendees a chance to see how individual collections, research initiatives, and community projects fit into the broader narrative of London’s development. Displays will explore themes such as industry, innovation, neighbourhood life, arts and culture, and the integration of new communities over time.
The Heritage Fair has traditionally attracted a broad cross-section of the community, including families, students, seniors, and newcomers to the city. Organizers emphasize that the event is designed to be both educational and accessible, offering informal opportunities to engage with history outside of a classroom or formal museum setting.
This year’s Bicentennial focus is expected to resonate particularly strongly with residents who have witnessed London’s recent growth and diversification. By placing contemporary experiences alongside historical milestones, the fair aims to show how the city’s past continues to influence its economic, cultural, and social landscape today.
The choice of venue at the London Public Library’s Central Branch underscores the event’s emphasis on public access and lifelong learning. The downtown location provides a central gathering space where community members can explore London’s heritage while also connecting with the institutions that support local culture and knowledge-sharing.
For the London Heritage Council, the annual fair also serves as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration among heritage organizations and to raise awareness of ongoing preservation efforts. As pressures from urban development and demographic change continue to reshape the city, organizers see public engagement as critical to ensuring that London’s historical assets are understood and valued.
The 14th Annual Heritage Fair is open to the public and offers a chance not only to reflect on the city’s first 200 years, but also to consider how today’s decisions will shape the next two centuries. Whether attendees are longtime residents or newcomers eager to learn more about their adopted city, the event invites the community to honour London’s history, celebrate its present achievements, and look ahead with a shared sense of stewardship and pride.
