By Pepper Parr
September 29th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
For once Council has taken a firm stand and decided not to spend.
While we will not see a decision until later in the month the Staff report says the following:
Will the Sound of Music come to an end?
Decline Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival Inc.’s 2026 funding request and discontinue municipal financial support due to ongoing financial instability and non-compliance with Agreements conditions; and
Approve the reallocation of $150,000—originally designated for Sound of Music in the 2026 Operating Budget—to the Community Investment Fund. This adjustment will enhance support for a broader range of festivals and events across Burlington, promote greater equity and sustainability in cultural programming, and create opportunities to potentially support a new music festival and/or provider in 2026; and
Direct staff to report back to Council on exploration of potential opportunities for a different form of music festival and/or a different operator of a music festival at Spencer Smith Park, following a call for expressions of interest from potential event organizers; and
Remove Council’s Ex Officio appointment from the Burlington Sound of Music Inc. Board of Directors. A Council Member was appointed in 2022 for the duration of the term, building on a 2019 request from SOM to reinstate a Council-appointed ex officio position.
Not what most people were expecting.
Was it the right decision?
Council has begun to hear the concerns about the out-of-control spending.
Love to hear what you think.
I know SoM so you bite now to pause so my doctor had there’s always saying that I can put loans an I put them on d credit facilities backed by the City, but has the City provided SoM funds other than through a grant program?
If not then why not continue providing a loan of some amount?
I really look forward to going to this each year. It’s definitely had a different vibe since the Pandemic. Moving the VIP section back was a big mistake, as you don’t feel very important back their. I think it does need a fresh take.. but we need a major music event in the Core it’s part of Father’s Day in Burlington!
It’s about time. Let’s see if they actually do this.
I am more interested generally speaking in the process, guardrails and stewardship of taxpayer dollars and how council funds not only the SOM but other non core initiatives. This does not mean I dont support the SOM.