Not only is St. Catharines the largest city in Niagara, it has the most happening music scene and 2024 is already shaping up to be a big year with some of the top music festivals in the province hitting the stage in the Garden City.
It’s only February and we’ve seen concerts by The Glorious Sons, The Trews and Kandace Springs and we have Ice Cube, Barenaked Ladies coming soon. Not to mention the huge Born and Raised music festival with Alexisonfire, City in Colour and more to look forward to.
St. Catharines music scene rocks with artists including Elton John, Bryan Adams, the Tragically Hip, John Mellencamp, The Blue Note Quintet among others performing at the Meridian Centre, the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and other venues in the city. Some amazing acts have also performed at the many festivals and events that take place in St. Catharines throughout the year , including the former S.C.E.N.E Music festival, the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival and the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games.
2024 is promising to be an exciting year for music festival lovers with some new events and returning favourites, featuring a range of genres paired with food, beer, wine and more. Here are some of the top music festivals you don’t want to miss:
No Man’s Land Music Festival
May 25-26
The No Man’s Land Music Festival is a new alternative music festival taking place this spring in Downtown St. Catharines. No Man’s Land celebrates the Canadian punk, hardcore and alternative music scene with 14 artists over two days. No Man’s Land will feature some of the country’s most celebrated alt music exports, such as Protest the Hero, Moneen, Cancer Bats, the Flatliners and others.
Produced by IndoorShoes Music – the creative minds behind Warehouse Concert Hall – who have helped create Cicada Music and Arts Festival, Quench Craft Beer Festival and other events across St. Catharines, so you know this is going to be good! Tickets are on sale now.
Born and Raised Concert Series
July 5-6
Alexisonfire, City and Colour, Dine Alone Records and Live Nation Canada have announced the Born and Raised Concert Series will return to St. Catharines this summer. Back for its second year, the two-day event will feature a City and Colour concert Friday, July 5 and an Alexisonfire concert Saturday, July 6 at Montebello Park in St. Catharines along with a stacked lineup of bands to rock Downtown St. Catharines: Metric, Sloan, Dooms Children, The Used, Counterparts and Ekkstacy.
Born and Raised is a celebration and homecoming for Alexisonfire and serves as a tribute to the hometown that witnessed the humble origins of Alexisonfire, City and Colour, Dine Alone Records, and Bedlam Management. The inaugural Born and Raised in 2022 featured four electric nights of music, food, and drink, attracting tens of thousands of fervent fans to Montebello Park. The music festival included memorable performances from Sam Roberts Band, Broken Social Scene, Billy Talent, NOBRO, Moneen, PUP, and more.
Tickets on sale now.
TD Niagara Jazz Festival
Summer
The TD Niagara Jazz Festival is a cutting-edge celebration of all types of jazz, performed in intimate indoor and outdoor venues in the heart of Niagara’s stunning wine country. The TD Niagara Jazz Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023 and presents the finest Canadian and internationally-acclaimed jazz musicians by way of spectacular concerts, wine, craft beer, and culinary packages, and free performances throughout Niagara.
The main music festival is usually during the summer and features performances from a wide range of up-and-coming artists and local talents alongside established names, including Dan Fortin, Sammy Jackson, Laila Biali and others.
The TD Niagara Jazz Festival also holds additional performances, including its Twilight Music Series at smaller venues across Niagara throughout the year. Planning is currently underway for the 2024 jazz festival.
Cicada Music and Arts Festival
October 5-6, 2024
Much more than a music festival, the Cicada Music and Arts Festival is St. Catharines’ premier indie music festival and an opportunity for all to experience and celebrate live music, arts and culture, craft beer, fine wine, and good food. The festival’s aim is to create an all-inclusive, accessible and welcoming environment with musicians and artists of local and national acclaim gracing the stages at Henley Island in Port Dalhousie, St. Catharines.
Whether you prefer folk, indie, roots or singer-songwriter there is something for every ear. Musicians and artists of local and national acclaim have graced the stages at Cicada Festival. Whether you prefer folk, indie, roots or singer-songwriter there is something for every ear. Past music festival featured performances by the Sheepdogs, jj wilde, Sloan, July Talk Band, The Dirty Nil, Dan Mangan, Said the Whale, Terra Lightfoot, The Strumbellas, Tokyo Police Club and many more.
Planning is underway for this year’s music festival, which as set for Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6..
