Fifth Annual Collingwood Music Festival Begins This Friday

The Collingwood Music Festival will present its 5th annual summer series, bringing over 120 outstanding musicians to the town this year. The first two nights take place onstage along the beautiful shores of South Georgian Bay at Millennium Park. On Wednesday, local dignitaries were present as Collingwood Music Festival’s flag was raised at the Collingwood Library to proclaim July 5 to 12 as Summer Festival Week. MP Terry Dowdall, MPP Brian Saunderson, and the Mayor of Collingwood Yvonne Hamlin officially congratulated the festival for the valuable work it’s done in the community. Joining them was the festival’s Artistic Director Daniel Vnukowski who warmly welcomed all to the Fifth Edition of the popular annual event, stating:

“That’s five years of transforming our beautiful town into a musical oasis! Our festival stamp remains world-class presenting classical, world, jazz and Indigenous music concerts for all to enjoy. This year, we are delighted to welcome award-winning artists to our stages, the likes of Tomson Highway, Gino Quillico, Jackie Richardson and James Campbell, among others”. 

Vnukowski continued: “In our spectacular inaugural event at Millennium Park you’ll hear the symphonic splendour of the Toronto Concert Orchestra beating in rhythm with the waves of Southern Georgian Bay. We are beyond excited to extend the use of this venue from one night to two nights this year, with the dazzling Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir singing away on Saturday, July 6." 

Shuttle service is available for both evening concerts at the Park and can be ordered in advance only with ticket purchases. In case of heavy rain / thunderstorm, First Presbyterian Church is the contingency location at 200 Maple Street, in the heart of downtown Collingwood. The church is also the venue for most other concerts and is wheelchair-friendly, offering easy access for patrons with special mobility needs

Over the week, music-lovers will enjoy a series of mesmerizing “Summer Serenades” with captivating story-telling, from an evocative “Bach to rock” cello and marimba duo to a grand finale of favourite sing-along show tunes.

The festival is thrilled to bring a world-premiere performance of “Postcards Lost” to Collingwood this summer, an emotional musical journey that brings to life the poignant love story of a couple that survived the atrocities of WWII and communicated via postcards. These postcards will be displayed alongside a live performance of heart-warming Jewish music. 

A generous array of free events includes an engaging new series of workshops titled "Beyond Music", a swinging jazz concert, a whole day of fun “music experience” programming for children and youth, plus two concerts showcasing talented youth from the next generation of musicians.