There is nothing quite like listening to music outdoors. The feel is different, the atmosphere is unique, and it’s a great way to drain every moment from the season!
On June 1st, the Wallaceburg Concert Band concluded its 2024/25 season outdoors in Blenheim. I played a tuba solo called The Old Grumbly Bear, a piece with technical challenges, a three-octave range, and lovely melodic moments.
If you haven’t visited Blenheim in a while, it’s worth the trip. Play 18 holes at Willow Ridge, visit Red Barn Brewing, then finish the day with a free concert downtown at Talbot Trail Place—an outstanding community space.
According to our friend Tina Grant, who attended one of these concerts, “Get there early if you want a good seat.”
More Free Music Highlights
On June 22, the Lambton Concert Band wraps its season with musicals for concert band. On Canada Day, it performs with members of WCB at Canatara Park in Sarnia.
Thanks to Tina and Ian Grant for compiling this master list of free music events across CK and beyond. Pack your lawn chair, your sweet babboo, and explore the circuit!
Coming Soon
Next column: A look at Chatham Concert Band’s Wednesday night summer series with musical director Vaughn Pugh.
🎶 2025 Free Outdoor Music Listings
Chatham
Summer Concerts in the Park by Chatham Concert Band
📅 Wednesdays, June 25 – August 27
🕖 7:00 p.m. | 📍 Tecumseh Park
Schedule available online
Blenheim – Talbot Trail Concerts
📅 Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. | 📍 Talbot Trail Place
- June 12 – Fiddlestix
- June 19 – The Orangeman
- June 26 – Adam Cousins
- July 3 – Journeymen of Soul
- July 10 – Mystic Highway
- July 17 – Gravity Junky Band
- July 24 – Pepper Jones & the Rockits (More info)
- July 31 – Vox Vinyl
- August 7 – Elyse Saunders
- August 14 – Freedom Train
- August 21 – Otis Wonder & the Hustle
- August 28 – After Midnight
- September 4 – Big Shiny Toons
Dresden
Dresden Summer Concert Series
📅 Thursdays, June 5 – August 21
🕖 7:00 p.m. | 📍 Dresden Rotary Park
Schedule available online
Two Creeks – Wheatley
📅 Sundays at 6:30 p.m.
🔗 twocreeks.ca/summer-concert-series
- June 8 – Dirt Country
- June 15 – Unity Station
- June 22 – Tom Lockwood
- June 29 – Rick Labonte & the Band of Brothers
- July 6 – Crack the Whip
- July 13 – BB Anne
- July 20 – British Beat 66
- July 27 – Vox Vinyl
- August 3 – Ashley Lynn Experience
- August 10 – Adam Butcher Band
- August 17 – Big Shiny Toons
- August 24 – The Rose City Rockers
- August 31 – Mudmen
Ridgetown
🕖 7:00 p.m. | 📍 Ridgetown Legion
- June 4 – Acoustic FM
- June 18 – Ray Whaling
- June 27 (Fri) – Mudmen
- June 29 (Sun) – Kilowatt Annie
- July 16 – Level Up Band
- July 30 – Black River Remedy
- August 13 – Tommy Gresty Music
- August 27 – Double Vision
- September 10 – Dirt Country
Grand Bend Beach – Summer Sunset Sounds
📅 Sundays | 🔗 summersunsetsounds.ca
- July 6 – Holly Clausius (7pm), Ivan Rivers (8pm)
- July 13 – Janna Leduc (7pm), Gracie Jet (8pm)
- July 20 – Zinnia (7pm), Tara Kannangara (8pm)
- July 27 – Living Room for Small (7pm), Mudmen (8pm)
- August 10 – Dave Ward (7pm), Carson Janik (8pm)
- August 17 – Carly Thomas (7pm), Brothers Wilde (8pm)
- August 24 – Ness (7pm), Tyrone Traher (8pm)
Sarnia – Sounds of Summer
🎵 Live music four nights a week at rotating parks.
🗓 June (1st Tuesday) – August (2nd-last Thursday)
🔗 sarnia.ca/soundsofsummer
