By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Burlington residents will soon experience a new chapter in the city’s waterfront festival tradition as the Lakeshore Music and Arts Festival takes over Spencer Smith Park on June 20 and 21, bringing live music, arts programming, and community celebrations to the city’s iconic lakeside venue.
Organized by MRG Live, the two-day event will feature more than 30 local and Canadian artists, including headlining performances by The Trews, Katie Tupper, The Dirty Nil, and Burlington’s own Walk Off the Earth. The festival arrives following the pause of Burlington’s long-running Sound of Music Festival, which had been a fixture of the city’s summer calendar for more than three decades.
Alongside the new festival, the City of Burlington will continue one of the community’s most cherished traditions with the Burlington Summer Music Parade. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on June 20 in downtown Burlington and will feature local favourites including the Burlington Teen Tour Band, Burlington Junior Redcoats, Top Hat Marching Orchestra, Halton Regional Police Service Pipes and Drum Band, and Crash Rhythm, as well as community organization entries.
While the festival format may be changing, organizers say many of the elements that residents have enjoyed for years will remain.
“Longtime supporters can expect the spirit of a community-first, waterfront music festival to remain at the heart of the experience,” a spokesperson for MRG Live told Burlington Local-News.ca. “Our goal is to preserve many of the elements people have loved about gathering along Burlington’s waterfront, live music, an energetic festival atmosphere, opportunities for families and friends to come together, and a celebration of local culture in one of the city’s most iconic outdoor settings.”
The spokesperson added that organizers understand the significance of large-scale music festivals to the Burlington community. “We know how important this type of event has been to Burlington, and we want Lakeshore to feel familiar in the best ways.”
At the same time, MRG Live says the Lakeshore Music and Arts Festival is designed to bring a fresh approach to the city’s festival landscape. “While we want to honour the legacy of the festival experience Burlington knows and loves, Lakeshore Music and Arts Festival also gives us an opportunity to build something fresh for the next chapter,” the spokesperson said.
Attendees can expect a broader arts and culture experience that extends beyond live music. Organizers say they are exploring opportunities to incorporate curated programming, local vendors, food and beverage experiences, family-friendly activities, and participation from community organizations, artists, and local businesses.
The future of the Sound of Music Festival remains uncertain. In a statement to Burlington Local-News.ca, the festival organization confirmed it will not be operating in 2026. “Thank you for reaching out. Our event is on pause for 2026. Stay tuned for some exciting news in 2027!” the Sound of Music team stated.
Julie Cole, a board member with Sound of Music (SOM), said the organization was forced to pause operations due to financial challenges. “We are not running a festival this year due to a lack of sponsorship support. SOM is a non-profit, and the new festival is run by a for-profit company that the city hired.”
Cole noted that the organization continues to evaluate its future.”Still much in the air as we try to manage finances and decide the future of SOM. We have a board meeting coming up, so we will be looking to make some decisions, but for now, activity is on hold.”
She added that many residents have expressed disappointment over the absence of the long-standing event. “The Lakeshore Music Festival is again, in no way affiliated with us, and I know there is general disappointment that the long-standing tradition of SOM is unable to happen this year.”
Despite the transition, organizers of the new event hope residents will embrace the opportunity to create new memories while continuing long-held community traditions along Burlington’s shoreline.
“We hope people walk away feeling proud that Burlington continues to be a place where major community events can bring people together,” said the MRG Live spokesperson. “Ultimately, we want the Lakeshore Music and Arts Festival to be a positive, welcoming experience that celebrates Burlington, supports local economic activity, and gives residents and visitors another reason to connect with the city.”
MRG Live has also indicated that its intention is for Lakeshore Music and Arts Festival to become an annual event. They say future plans include continued collaboration with local stakeholders, while listening to community feedback and ensuring the festival reflects the diversity and character of Burlington.
For residents, the upcoming weekend represents both a farewell to a familiar chapter and the beginning of a new one. While the Sound of Music Festival remains on pause, Burlington’s tradition of gathering along the waterfront for music, culture, and community celebration is set to continue, offering a blend of old traditions and new experiences for generations of festivalgoers.
