Picture this: musicians performing within arm’s reach, music filling the air, surrounded by community and sweet summer jams. Rideau Lakes is the rural home of live music every summer with festivals, concert series and artist performances ready to add some new tunes to your summer playlist.

Get your toes tapping at these summer shows in Rideau Lakes!

Elgin Days

July 12 to 13, 2025
Elgin Days is an annual community-wide celebration featuring loads of yard sales, family activities and much more! Look for a book sale, chicken dinner, epic sales, comedy night, bake sales, car wash, bouncy castles, touch a truck, petting zoo, barbecues, bingo, a parade and so much more! From 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 12 there will be live music on Main Street
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. – Rock Dunder Rebels
9:30 to 10:00 a.m. – LIne Dancing and Clogging at Vendor’s Square
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Evan and Ron
11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – The Wildflower Trio
12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. - Wright & Lowe

Pat Johnson and Billy MacInnis will also perform at The Tipped Ship from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 12. Rumour has it that Stoodley’s will also be hosting live music on their patio on Friday evening!

New this year is the Elgin Days Social at the Lions Hall with live music by the Rock Dunder Rebels on Saturday, July 12 from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

  Photo: Elgin Municipal Complex

Photo: Chaffey's Locks Community Hall

Bastard Coffee House

This cozy and vibrant coffee house does more than keep folks in Rideau Lakes caffeinated. Not only are the breakfasts hearty, goodies delicious and the beverages top notch, but it’s also home to a flourishing live music scene. Musicians perform regularly at the stunning heritage coffee house in Delta and an open mic night is a favourite of locals and visitors alike. Enjoy beautiful music in an inspiring setting.   

Photo: Bastard Coffee House Facebook Page

Turpins Trail 

July 20, 2025
Free summer performance with Turpin’s Trail! With a dozen instruments and a wealth of great original and traditional songs and tunes, Turpin’s Trail is a Kingston-based quartet that is a must-see. Catch them live at the annual summer concert at beautiful Shillington Park in North Crosby, starting at 1 p.m. Admission is free! Find the park at 875 Concession Road 8, Westport.

Photo: Turpins Trail Facebook Page

Bach on the Beverley

August 23 and 24, 2025
Think Chamber Music is hard to understand or boring? Come out to this musical event and experience active listening to the chamber music of Johann Sebastian Bach. A brief explanation of each selection is given with some listening suggestions for musical ideas that will make the music easy for first time listeners to follow. Add in some background on each piece and then hear what Bach wanted each of us to experience during the performances of his music. This will be a fun and informal time put on by the Lower Beverley Lake Association. The event is free, although donations are accepted with all proceeds going to local organizations. The 2025 event on August 23 is at Furnace Falls Farm near Lyndhurst from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., while the event on August 24 is taking place at the Red Brick School in Elgin from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

 Photo: Red Brick School by Diane Haskins