MDC Programs & Events
All year round, Muskoka Discovery Centre offers programs for youngsters, adults and special interest groups. Stay tuned for new event postings!
🎃 Halloween Dance Party at MDC – Friday, October 30, 2026! 👻
Get ready for a wickedly fun night at the Muskoka Discovery Centre! Put on your favourite costume and dance the night away with music from Downbeat DJ, playing a great mix of tunes to keep everyone on the dance floor. Enjoy costume prizes, exciting door prizes—including a Wenonah II sightseeing cruise for four for the 2027 season—and a cash bar. Gather your friends for a fang-tastic evening of music, dancing and Halloween fun!
Get your tickets today! Tickets are just $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Save $5 by purchasing early, and don’t miss out on a wickedly fun night at MDC!
OR CALL 705-687-2115
MDC Author Series
Meet the writers and discover the stories behind the books. This fall, the Muskoka Discovery Centre welcomes a series of authors whose work explores Muskoka’s boating heritage, Canadian history, mystery, resilience, Indigenous knowledge and our connection to the land.
October 24 | 1:00–3:00 PM
Beverley Brewer — What No One Knew Book Launch
Meet author Beverley Brewer and discover What No One Knew. Told across twelve days, the novel moves between the desperate world of a basement and the frantic search unfolding above it—through the eyes of a woman trying to survive, a man terrified of losing his wife, and a damaged, fiercely loving woman determined to protect the two children who need her most.
November 12 | 2:00–4:00 PM
John Little — Larry Dixon’s Cabin Author Talk
Join Canadian journalist and author John Little for a fascinating exploration of Larry Dixon’s Cabin, co-authored with R.J. Anderson.
Inspired by the enduring mystery surrounding the death of Canadian artist Tom Thomson, the historical mystery unfolds across two timelines—Algonquin Park in 1917 and Toronto in 1977. At the centre of the story is a mysterious painting known as Larry Dixon’s Cabin, which leads to hidden motives, forgotten witnesses and new questions about what really happened at Canoe Lake.
Little has spent decades researching the mystery surrounding Thomson’s death and is the author of more than 40 books.
November 19 | 2:00–4:00 PM
Richard Tatley — The Steamboat Era in the Muskokas Author Talk
Step back into the golden age of Muskoka steamships with renowned local historian and author Richard Tatley. Through his writing and extensive knowledge of the region, Richard will share stories of the steamships, people and communities that helped shape Muskoka.
This is a wonderful opportunity for history lovers, steamship enthusiasts and anyone interested in discovering more about Muskoka’s rich marine heritage.
November 26 | 2:00–4:00 PM
Jack Payette — Nitam (The First) Author Talk
Join Knowledge Keeper Jack Payette for a special author event exploring his book Nitam (The First).
Through stories, teachings and personal perspectives, Jack will share insights into history, identity, culture and our connection to the land. Visitors to the MDC may already know Jack through his work in Misko-Aki: Confluence of Cultures, making this an opportunity to spend more time listening, learning and engaging with the stories he shares.
RVSP ONLINE OR CALL 705-687-2115 | Pay What You Can | Suggested Donation: $5
MDC Film Nights
November Theme: The Natural World
November 13 at 7:30 PM — Being Caribou
Environmentalist Leanne Allison and wildlife biologist Karsten Heuer set out on an extraordinary journey, following a herd of 120,000 caribou across 1,500 kilometres of Arctic tundra. Their expedition through mountains, icy rivers and challenging Arctic conditions offers an intimate look at the caribou migration and the threats facing this remarkable species and its habitat.
November 20 at 7:30 PM — Incandescence
A visually powerful documentary from filmmakers Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper, Incandescence explores wildfire through the experiences of Indigenous Elders, first responders and evacuees in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. Moving beyond fire as simply a destructive force, the film also explores Indigenous fire stewardship and the natural cycles of destruction, renewal and rebirth.
RVSP ONLINE OR CALL 705-687-2115 | Pay What You Can | Suggested Donation: $5
🎄 Experience the Magic of the MDC Christmas Market! 🎄
Join us at the Muskoka Discovery Centre on November 28 from 10am to 7pm & November 29 from 10am to 5pm, for a festive weekend filled with holiday cheer!
Browse a wonderful selection of local vendors offering unique gifts, handmade treasures and seasonal favourites. Enjoy holiday crafts, delicious treats from our food truck, a festive raffle table and a special visit with Santa!
Bring your family and friends, get a head start on your holiday shopping and support local businesses while celebrating the season at Muskoka Wharf.
Calling All Vendors! We still have a limited number of spaces available! If you’re a local artisan, maker or small business looking to showcase your products during the holiday season, we’d love to have you join us. Contact the Muskoka Discovery Centre for more information at mdc@realmuskoka.com or call 705-687-2115.
Admission is by donation. MDC is also proudly accepting food donations for Gravenhurst Against Poverty and serves as a community drop-off location.
We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with you!
Fine Films Gravenhurst Presents: I Swear
Tuesday, January 5, 2027 | 7:00 PM
MDC is pleased to welcome Fine Films Gravenhurst for its January and February 2027 screenings!
In partnership with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Film Circuit, Fine Films brings outstanding independent, Canadian and international cinema to Muskoka.
January Feature: I Swear
Based on the extraordinary true story of Tourette syndrome activist John Davidson, I Swear is a moving, humorous and inspiring film starring BAFTA Award-winning actor Robert Aramayo. Set in 1980s Britain, it follows John’s journey from his teenage diagnosis through the challenges of adulthood, celebrating resilience and determination.
A local Tourette syndrome advocate will provide a brief introduction before the screening.
Rated R (language) | Runtime: 2 hours
Tickets:
- $13 online: Gravenhurst Opera House Box Office
- $11 at the door: Available at MDC on film night.
Watch the Trailers: Official Trailer | Extended Trailer
Next Screening: Tuesday, February 2, 2027, at 7:00 PM. Film to be announced.
Community Days at the Muskoka Discovery Centre
Everyone’s welcome at the Muskoka Discovery Centre during our Community Days! On October 22 and November 27, we’re opening our doors with pay-what-you-can admission, so cost is never a barrier to curiosity.
Come explore Muskoka’s rich natural and cultural history, dive into hands-on exhibits, and enjoy a relaxed day of discovery with family, friends, or on your own. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, Community Days are all about sharing stories, sparking curiosity, and celebrating what makes Muskoka special.
We can’t wait to welcome you!
Indigenous Perspectives at the Muskoka Discovery Centre
Visitors to the Muskoka Discovery Centre are invited to deepen their understanding of Indigenous history, culture, and storytelling through Indigenous Perspectives, an enriching summer and fall programming experience connected to the award-winning “Misko-Aki: Confluence of Cultures” exhibit. This powerful exhibit explores the relationships between Indigenous peoples, settlers, and the waterways that shaped Muskoka, sharing stories of resilience, connection, and cultural continuity through immersive displays and personal narratives.
To further enhance the visitor experience, an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper will be on-site every Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. from June through October with October 22 the last day. Guests will have the unique opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions, and gain deeper insight into local Indigenous traditions, teachings, and perspectives directly from community knowledge holders. Indigenous Perspectives offers an important space for reflection, learning, and connection for visitors of all ages.
Family Weekend Fun
KidZone comes alive every weekend throughout the summer with special programming designed specifically for families. Children of all ages can enjoy hands-on activities, creative play, and engaging experiences in a fun environment.
It is also an ideal venue for birthday parties, offering a memorable and easy experience for parents and kids alike.
Discovery Gallery at the Muskoka Discovery Centre
The Muskoka Discovery Centre proudly continues its renewed vision for the Discovery Gallery, a space that has grown into a vibrant hub for creativity, community connection, and local expression. Formerly known as the Greavette Room, the Gallery has been actively showcasing exhibitions since 2024, receiving an enthusiastic response from visitors and artists alike.
Building on this momentum, the MDC has expanded its role to support the Town of Gravenhurst by hosting a rotating exhibit of local artists, changing bi-monthly. This collaboration further strengthens our commitment to celebrating Muskoka’s creative community and providing artists with meaningful exhibition opportunities.
Current Exhibition – Cottage Country: A Year in Colour
👉 Watch this space for upcoming Calls to Artists for future exhibits.
The Discovery Gallery is where art, community, and discovery come together—and we’re just getting started
