a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Everything you need to know about Burlington's huge, free Sound of Music Festival June 12-15
The 2025 edition of the free annual Burlington Sound of Music Festival runs June 12 to 15 in Spencer Smith Park and other locations in downtown Burlington. Here's what you need to know about this year's event, and how to learn more.
There are
56 performances scheduled on three stages over four days
, with headliners including Junkhouse, Big Wreck, David Wilcox, Steven Page, Tebey.
For full information on this year's Sound of Music Festival and related events, including the midway and a complete
schedule of performances, go to the festival website
.
The annual parade is scheduled for Saturday, June 14 starting at 11 a.m., outside the Royal Canadian Legion on Legion Road and Grahams Lane, proceeding east to Brant Street, then south on Brant, ending at the corner of Brant and Elgin Street.
For more information, including a parade route map, check the
parade page on the Sound of Music website
.
Burlington Economic Development and Tourism is increasing data collection efforts for this year's festival.
Executive director Anita Cassidy said representatives will be on site throughout Sound of Music conducting surveys to gather visitor insights and better understand spending patterns.
A summer marketing campaign includes digital advertising on GO Trains and in Toronto's Union Station encouraging visitors to take transit to the Sound of Music and other Burlington summer events.
'Tracking and reporting on the economic impact of festivals and events is a growing priority for us,' Cassidy said. 'We're working closely with the City of Burlington, festival organizers, and industry partners to develop a more comprehensive approach to measuring impact — particularly in terms of overnight stays, local spending, and business activity.'
Data on local hotel room bookings is expected after the festival.
Burlington Centre mall, First Student Canada and Sound of Music Festival
have partnered to make festival parking easier
.
Park at Burlington Centre's parking lot, in the designated area off Fairview Street in front of the vacant Hudson's Bay store.
Shuttle service will be available from Burlington Centre to Spencer Smith Park at Lakeshore Road and Elizabeth Street. Three buses are scheduled to run a continuous loop each day between downtown and the mall parking lot, during set hours.
The service is free, but donations are welcome.
Many visitors will find the free parking and shuttles particularly helpful with several road closures supporting the festival and related events, including the Grand Parade. The City of Burlington
issued a statement summarizing road closures and impacts
on parking and transit.
Parade route streets will reopen as soon as possible after the parade on June 14. Vehicles parked illegally in the event area will be tagged or towed for emergency access.
Lakeshore Road, from Elizabeth Street to Maple Avenue, will close June 13 to June 15 from 10 p.m. to midnight; and June 16 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the following streets are closed:
Brant Street from Graham Lane to Lakeshore Road
Elgin Street from Brant St to Locust Street
Temporary parking restrictions will be posted to ensure clearance for emergency vehicle access and traffic flow. All parking restrictions will be enforced.
Bus route detours in effect for Route 2 during the parade. Route 10, late-night route 50 and HSR route 11 will be on detours during the nightly closures.
For detailed stop closures and real-time bus information please visit
.
Minor delays in the downtown core should be expected on all festival dates.
Event Liaison, City of Burlington,
905-335-7777
, ext. 7704
