Live arts lovers looking for a summer road trip destination with a fantastic range of music, theatre, and comedy will discover plenty to love in Niagara. With incredible concerts, live music festival fun, stand-up shows, and world-renowned theatre performances, showtime in Niagara lasts all summer long. Here are some of our favourite ways to get in on the act!
The Shaw Festival’s 2025 season is a delightful collection of familiar classics given fresh energy, mixed with less-familiar plays that are sure to leave a lasting impression! From the beloved musical Anything Goes, to an exciting new spin on the family classic The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the nail-biting thriller, Wait Until Dark, the hilarious Tons of Money, the Shaw masterpiece Major Barbara, and the whodunit Murder-on-the-Lake, there really is something for everyone. There are also eclectic Studio shows, fun options for interactive Beyond The Shaw experiences, and more.
Don’t let the small number of seats at Niagara Falls’ OLG Stage fool you. This intimate 5,000-seat venue attracts some big-name acts, and guests have the added bonus of never being more than 150 feet away from the action!. This summer’s concert lineup includes Dustin Lynch, Randy Houser, 98 Degrees, Charlotte Cardin, The Black Crowes, The Killers, Train, Babyface, Cole Swindell, Kool & The Gang, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Steve Winwood.
See for yourself why catching a concert at the Jackson-Triggs Amphitheatre has become a cherished summer tradition for so many. This year’s Jackson-Triggs Summer Concert Series lineup includes Canadian favourites like Stars, Chantal Kreviazuk, Matt Anderson, The Trews, Donovan Woods, Jim Cuddy and Dwayne Gretzky. On the other side of Niagara wine country, Redstone Estate Winery is also hosting some standout performances in a concert series that includes Joel Plaskett, Ron Sexsmith, Pretzel Logic, and John Neudorf.
Top comedians continue to show their love for Niagara Falls right through summer 2025. Between OLG Stage and the Avalon Theatre, this season’s standup roster includes Jerry Seinfeld, America’s Got Talent winner Terry Fator, Jeff Dunham, and Jo Koy. Interested in catching comedy’s next breakout star before they’ve made it big? Head to amateur night at Yuk Yuk’s in Niagara Falls. St. Catharines’ FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre also has some fun comedy shows on tap, including Howie Mandel and an all-new Golden Girls show.
Last summer’s Born and Raised Festival landed Niagara on the radar of music festival fans, and this year is delivering even more fantastic concert collabs. The all-new Misty City Music Festival will bring together a collection of amazing country and rock artists, including Kaleo, Stephen Sanchez, Riley Green, and The Reklaws. There will also be lots of local food and craft beverage vendors serving up a fun festival vibe on the Fallsview Event Grounds in Niagara Falls. September’s Grape & Wine Festival will kick off its Montebello Park festivities with a double-bill concert featuring Lowest of the Low and The Watchmen. Cicada Music and Arts Festival returns to Port Dalhousie’s Henley Island for two days of shows from bands including Sam Roberts Band, Broken Social Scene, 54-40, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Hollerado, and more.
Niagara’s event organizers know that music makes everything better and inject community events and festivals with lots of free, live performances. Weekly summer Supper Markets in Port Dalhousie, Thorold, Pelham, Welland, and Crystal Beach invite guests to snack on food truck fare and sip beverages from local craft producers to a soundtrack of live local music. Port Colborne’s Community Concert Series fills the city’s waterfront with live music from talented tribute bands on several nights throughout the summer. Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival treats guests to free concerts at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park in Port Colborne throughout the August long weekend. Local craft breweries, including Niagara Brewing Company, Merchant Ale House, Decew Falls Brewing Company, Taps Brewhouse, Oast House Brewers, and Newark Brewing, regularly offer live music.
Niagara’s live theatre options don’t stop at The Shaw Festival. Each summer, The Foster Festival, inspired by the work of Canadian playwright Steven Foster, showcases the heart and humour of his writing in a series of productions across Niagara. Port Colborne’s historic Roselawn Theatre, a partner site of the Lighthouse Festival, is also hosting four comedic productions over the course of the summer.
An afternoon or evening concert or theatre performance offers arts enthusiasts an ideal opportunity to spend a few hours before or after the show taking in Niagara’s many other cultural attractions, including heritage sites and museums, galleries, studios, and arts centres. Strolling Niagara’s signature shopping districts, like Jordan Village, Ridgeway, Port Colborne, and Niagara-on-the-Lake, to browse at local shops is a fun way to discover the work of local artisans and craftspeople.
Find your way to your ideal live arts escape in Niagara by browsing our Restaurants, Arts and Entertainment, History and Heritage, Wineries, Craft Beer pages and @visit_niagara on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for trip inspiration and to learn about upcoming events. Then, browse through accommodations and dining options to discover even more delightful places to add to your trip.
#myniagara