A Bit of an Update on the Festival That Will Take Place in June

By Pepper Parr

February 2nd, 2026

BURLINGTON, ON

A bit of an update on what is going to replace the former Sound of Music Festival next June.

Council will hear a report from MRG Live on what is being phrased as the Lakeshore Music & Arts Festival

It will be a two-day outdoor music festival at Spencer Smith Park on June 20 & 21 2026 – that will celebrate Canadian music, local arts & culture, and help solidify Burlington’s waterfront as a premier tourism and cultural destination. The event is envisioned as a vibrant, multi-stage festival that brings together nationally recognized Canadian artists, emerging performers, local and Indigenous talent, and family-friendly programming, while generating meaningful cultural and economic benefits for Burlington’s downtown and waterfront.

At the heart of the festival, the Main Stage at Spencer Smith Park will showcase a diverse lineup of Canadian musicians across genres such as indie, pop, rock, folk, and country, with each evening culminating in a notable Canadian headliner. Professional production, accessible viewing areas, LED screens, and a premium VIP viewing area will ensure a high-quality and inclusive concert experience.

Complementing the main stage programming, the Community Stage, will focus on family-friendly and youth-oriented programming, including music, dance, and storytelling, fostering arts engagement and inspiring the next generation of performers.

Will Civic Square be used during the June Music Festival? All we know at this point is that Brant Street will be temporarily pedestrianized,

The Brant Street Stage, part of the street festival, will offer a more intimate community-focused setting featuring Burlington-based artists, emerging performers, Indigenous musicians, and small ensembles, encouraging close interaction and celebrating local creativity.

Beyond music, the festival planning includes a significant activation of Burlington’s downtown core, creating a downtown marketplace that will be part of the street festival portion of Lakeshore M&A Festival. Temporary pedestrianization of Brant Street, with potential extensions to Elgin and Pine Streets, will create a lively, walkable corridor for approximately 150 artisan and business vendors, strengthening local entrepreneurship and increasing economic activity.

Additional on-site experiences will include a curated food truck zone offering diverse cuisine options and family-friendly beverage gardens operating under AGCO permitting, thoughtfully designed to blend with the park’s natural environment while ensuring safe, accessible, and welcoming social spaces.

To further enhance the visitor experience, a ticketed VIP option is planned, featuring premium site lines, exclusive beverage offerings, lounge seating, merchandise, and optional artist meet-and-greet experiences. The planning process also includes exploring the potential continuation of midway rides and games. Plans for the Kids Zone include face painting, balloon twisting, bounce houses, interactive activities based around art and music.

Overall, the festival planning is centered on celebrating Canadian talent, strengthening community connections, supporting local businesses, and positioning Burlington’s waterfront and downtown as a dynamic and inclusive cultural destination.

What the public hasn’t been given much information on is how much is the city is committed to in terms of dollars, and are there services being provided that the new festival will not have to be paid for?

No mention of where the Community Stage is going to be located.

Nothing specific on where the Brant Stage will be located

Will the Performing Arts stages be used during the festival in June?

No mention of whether the Performing Arts Centre stages will be part of the event.

The event doesn’t have a name that is unique to the city:  Lakeshore Music & Arts Festival isn’t going to cut it.

All the conversations at this point are between city staff and MRG Live.

The absolutely astounding part of this agenda item is that it is placed as a Consent item and will not be discussed unless someone asks to speak to this matter.

Expect Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns to look for more in the way of public participation on how this event is grown.