The Seventh Annual Collingwood Music Festival Wraps-up Its Most Successful Cultural Celebration To Date

Now almost two weeks long, with programming daily from July 6th through 18th, 2026, the Collingwood Music Festival (CMF)’s seventh annual event once again captivated hearts and elated spirits from across South Georgian Bay – with concerts and events not only in Collingwood, but for its second year maintaining its expansion into neighbouring Clearview Township and the town of Creemore, as well as the Osler Bluffs in the Town of the Blue Mountains.

The festival’s Artistic Director Daniel Vnukowski reminisced on this recent regional celebration of music and culture:“This season was filled with unforgettable moments. Audiences sat in complete silence as the Dagilėlis Lithuanian Boys’ Choir filled the church with breathtaking purity of sound. Forgotten Nova Scotian folk songs from the Helen Creighton Collection were brought back to life by the Ménestrel a cappella vocal ensemble.He continued: “Louise Pitre’s signature interpretations of Broadway favourites reminded the audience why she is Canada’s First Lady of Musical Theatre, while Schmaltz & Pepper, and Mark Fewer & Friends reminded us of the joy, virtuosity, and spontaneity of live performance. Les Rugissants delivered a deeply moving tribute to Ukraine, and our World Music by the Bay series transformed the waterfront into a vibrant celebration of Zimbabwean, Flamenco, and Indigenous traditions.”

“About a thousand joined us for a free symphony beneath the stars in Creemore, our Youth Academy inspired the next generation of musicians, and we closed the Festival with the Toronto Mass Choir bringing audiences to their feet, dancing in the aisles. Those are the moments that define a festival and remind us why live music matters.”The festival expresses heartfelt gratitude to all of the artists, educators, and their incredible team of board, staff, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and loyal audiences for making the 2026 edition their greatest success yet.Collingwood Music Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of: Canadian Heritage (Government of Canada), Canada Council for the Arts, Government of Ontario, Ontario Trillium Foundation, 

Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, Ontario Creates, Simcoe County, Town of Collingwood, and Regional Tourism Organization (RTO7) in partnership with BruceGreySimcoe.

Reminders & News!

The Collingwood Music Festival will continue presenting events including concerts over the fall and winter months. Registration soon opens for the 2027 Youth Academy Masterclass. Saturday December 5th  marks CMF’s  final concert of the year, proudly presenting The Men of the Deeps. Tickets on sale soon! Sign-up to the CMF e-newsletter for updates at http://www.collingwoodfestival.com/stay-in-touch.

A Visual Journey: The CMF Retrospective Exhibition is still running daily 11 to 3pm until July 31. A stunning collection of art photography from concerts throughout the festival’s history, captured by award-winning photographer Tjalling Halbertsma. In “The Press Room” Gallery at Simcoe Street Theatre, 65 Simcoe St., Collingwood. 705-351-2715. Details at: 

A Visual Journey: The CMF Retrospective Exhibition

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CMF is honoured to be part of the 2026 Ontario’s Choice Awards! Until September 6th, please take a moment to cast your vote in the “Top Performing Arts Attraction” section at: Top Performing Arts Attraction .

Collingwood Music Festival acknowledges that the area in which we work is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat peoples and is subject to Treaty 18, 1818 of the Upper Canada Treaties.

Photo Credits: All photos by Tjalling Halbertsma

Before the Festival Finale concert with Toronto Mass Choir, more than 60 community members took part in a gospel-singing workshop led by the choir’s director Karen Burke, then joined the amazing Mass Choir onstage to perform one unforgettable song. Over the course of the evening, the entire audience was on its feet, clapping, singing, dancing, and celebrating together. 

Esteemed conductor Lydia Adams (center) expertly conducted the Elmer Iseler Singers through an extraordinary Opening Night Concert program featuring the world premiere of a newly commissioned CMF work by Andy Milne (pictured at right)  and culminating with Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, a thrilling finale.

In the concert titled “Encore!”, the stage belonged to Broadway legend Louise Pitre. From the timeless emotion of Les Misérables to classics by Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel , Mamma Mia and much more, every song was filled with fierce passion and heartfelt emotions, reminding us why Louise Pitre is Canada’s First Lady of Musical Theatre.

Collingwood Music Festival’s Artistic Director Daniel Vnukowski performed a solo piano recital titled “Storm & Sea: Turbulence & Tranquillity”. His playing mesmerized the audience as he explored the balance between intensity and stillness, sharing works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, and Bernstein.

Far from traditional, Schmaltz & Pepper thoroughly engaged the audience, reimagining the sound of Yiddish music with fearless creativity, blending classical brilliance with fresh, inventive arrangements, sprinkled with a lot of humour.