Toronto, ON – Music fans across the country will gather next month for the second edition of Music Day in Canada, a one-night celebration uniting 11 cities in a showcase of live performance and local talent.
The event, set for Saturday, September 27, 2025, marks the expansion of a grassroots initiative that aims to strengthen Canada’s live music ecosystem while spotlighting emerging and established artists. Venues from St. John’s to Vancouver will host performances, creating what organizers call a “united moment” for audiences coast to coast.
Building a National Stage
Organized by The Lemmon Foundation, Music Day in Canada is supported by a network of industry and community partners including One Dream At A Time, Lemmon Stage, Stingray, Symphonic, Long & McQuade, Showpass, and The Trenches. The collaboration reflects an effort to combine resources and expertise in order to deliver accessible, high-quality live music experiences across the country.
“At its core, Music Day in Canada is about connection,” said Michael Scriven, Co-Founder of The Lemmon Foundation. “It’s a chance to share stories, celebrate creativity, and showcase the incredible talent that defines Canadian music, while giving artists across the country the opportunity to shine.”
Organizers say the event is not just a series of concerts, but a platform to foster artist development, drive audience engagement, and reinforce the cultural and economic role of live music in Canadian communities.
Cities and Venues Confirmed
This year’s participating cities represent a cross-section of Canada’s music hubs, ranging from major urban centres to smaller communities. Confirmed venues include:
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Antigonish – Candid Brewing
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Barrie – The Rec Room Park Place
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Calgary – Venue TBA
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Edmonton – Blakbar Tavern
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Mississauga – The Rec Room Square One
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New Glasgow – Wranglers Lounge
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Oshawa – The Biltmore Theatre
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Saskatoon – Amigos Cantina
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St. John’s – The Ship Pub
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Vancouver – Hollywood Theatre
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Winnipeg – The Royal Albert (BreakOut West Showcase)
From intimate taverns to landmark theatres, the venues highlight the diversity of Canada’s live music infrastructure and the adaptability of local communities to host performances that reflect their own character.
Strengthening the Music Economy
While the focus is on live performance, the event also supports the long-term growth of Canada’s music industry. Proceeds from ticket sales will fund The Lemmon Foundation’s programs aimed at building sustainable careers for Canadian artists. The Foundation operates initiatives such as Lemmon Stage and national workforce advocacy efforts, with the goal of supporting artists, crew, and cultural professionals across the country.
For Scriven and his team, ensuring artists can build viable careers is central to the mission. By directing revenue back into development initiatives, Music Day in Canada creates a reinvestment loop that organizers believe can help stabilize an industry often challenged by shifting market conditions and uneven support.
A United Cultural Moment
Fans attending the event can expect performances that highlight the resilience and creativity of Canada’s music community. While full lineups are set to be announced city by city, organizers promise a mix of genres and a platform for both rising and recognized talent.
The effort to create a shared cultural moment has parallels to other nationwide celebrations in sport and the arts, but organizers stress that music’s unique role as both a creative and economic driver makes Music Day in Canada distinct.
“Music has the power to unite people across distances and differences,” Scriven said. “By bringing communities together around live performance, we’re not only celebrating creativity but also investing in the future of Canada’s cultural economy.”
Looking Ahead
As Canada continues to recover from years of uncertainty in the live events sector, initiatives like Music Day in Canada are being closely watched by industry stakeholders. If successful, the model could be scaled further in future editions, potentially adding more cities and integrating cross-border collaborations.
For now, the focus is on September 27, when audiences in 11 cities will participate in what organizers hope will become an annual tradition. Tickets and lineup details are available at musicdayincanada.ca.
