Orillia, Ont. — Arts Orillia has unveiled plans for the 2025 Orillia Jazz Festival, promising audiences two distinctive experiences that highlight both emerging local talent and the enduring legacy of Canadian jazz legend Oscar Peterson.
The festival, running October 17–18, is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated cultural events in the region, blending intimate community performances with internationally acclaimed artistry.
A Journey Through Sound and Shadow
The festival opens on October 17 with Neo Noir, described as a one-night Jazz Crawl and “journey of sound and shadow.” The program, offered at $30 for two events, begins at 7 p.m. in the Library Courtyard, where a beer garden will set the stage for rising Orillia musicians Lincoln Baragar and Liam Finney.
As the evening progresses, the audience will be treated to the sounds of the Wide Arches, a group known for their critically praised music often described as “simple beauty.” Performing under the open sky, the ensemble is expected to bring a reflective yet captivating energy to the evening’s first half.
After sundown, the festivities will shift indoors to the Gordon Lightfoot Auditorium at the historic Orillia Opera House. There, guests will find themselves immersed in masked and costumed revelry at a 1920s-inspired Speakeasy Party. Organizers are encouraging attendees to embrace the era with outfits featuring feather boas and other jazz-age flair.
The auditorium stage will transform into a dance floor as DJ Accomplice, also known as DJ Jamieson Bruce, provides a late-night set. The combination of costumes, music, and theatre ambiance is designed to keep “the Neo Noir Jazz mystery moving, well into the darkness,” according to Arts Orillia.
Celebrating a Canadian Icon
On October 18, the spotlight shifts to an international stage with the Oscar Peterson Centennial Quartet (OPCQ). Beginning at 7:30 p.m., the performance celebrates the seven-decade career of Peterson, widely regarded as one of the most important musical figures in Canadian history.
The quartet includes JUNO Award-winning pianist Robi Botos, bassist Mike Downes, and drummer Jim Doxas, alongside Ulf Wakenius, a guitarist who spent a decade as a member of Peterson’s own quartet. Together, the ensemble is expected to deliver a powerful and faithful presentation of Peterson’s repertoire while infusing their own artistry into the performance.
Adding to the evening’s depth, Peterson’s youngest daughter, Céline Peterson, will join the group to share personal stories and insights into her father’s life and career. Her presence is anticipated to provide audiences with a rare, anecdotal glimpse behind the music of a Canadian cultural icon.
Economic and Cultural Impact
The Orillia Jazz Festival has long been a highlight of the city’s cultural calendar, drawing visitors from across Ontario. This year’s program not only emphasizes local talent but also underscores Orillia’s ability to attract top-tier musicians with international credentials.
Events of this nature contribute to both the arts economy and local tourism, filling restaurants, hotels, and shops during festival weekends. The programming reflects a broader strategy by Arts Orillia to position the city as a cultural hub in central Ontario, where community engagement intersects with world-class performances.
By including accessible ticket pricing for opening-night events and a marquee headline performance honouring Oscar Peterson, the festival is designed to appeal to a wide audience. Organizers say this year’s program will ensure “extraordinary experiences for everyone.”
Ticketing and Access
Tickets for both nights of the festival are now available through the Arts Orillia website. Festival organizers encourage early purchases given the anticipated demand for the Oscar Peterson Centennial Quartet concert, which is expected to draw significant regional interest.
For media inquiries, Arts Orillia is directing journalists to contact Artistic Director Kate Hilliard at (416) 455-3657. Press images are also available to support coverage of the event.
Looking Ahead
With its combination of community-based performances, immersive cultural experiences, and a celebration of one of Canada’s greatest musicians, the 2025 Orillia Jazz Festival is expected to solidify its reputation as a premier arts event in Ontario.
By offering programming that appeals to both jazz enthusiasts and the broader public, the festival underscores the role of arts and culture in driving community vitality and economic growth. For Orillia, October’s festival represents not only a weekend of entertainment but an opportunity to showcase its identity as a city where music, history, and community converge.
