Arts and Culture in Kenora, Ontario: From Music to Murals and More

With a population of 15,000 people, arts and culture in Kenora, Ontario, is a massive part of the community. From painters to musicians and attractions such as the Heritage Townscape Murals, the Lake of the Woods Museum, the Douglas Family Arts Centre, and the Trylight Theatre Company, the local arts and culture scene belies the city's small size. 

Small City, Big Creativity: Experience Kenora’s Arts and Culture

Located on the north shore of the incredible Lake of the Woods and two hours east of Winnipeg, Kenora has long been a nature and outdoor destination, renowned for its cottage country, boating, and diverse outdoor activities. Over the last few decades, tourism has evolved into a diverse mix of traditional outdoor activities, combined with a strong focus on the arts, culture, festivals, and events. Tourism in Kenora is now an eclectic mix of the old and the new.

Kenora’s Harbourfront Pavilion and Matiowski Farmers Market

Kenora's beautiful harbourfront, once dominated by log booms and warehouses, is now a gathering place where arts and cultural experiences are celebrated in a big way. The Jarnel Contracting Pavilion now anchors the Harbourfront experience, hosting artists, sculptors and crafters at the weekly Matiowski's Farmer's Market and even a few big-name bands under the pavilion. The pavilion also hosts performances by many local artists. The Pavilion is a focal point for arts and culture in Kenora.

Music in Kenora: Lake of the Woods and Kenora Concert Series

Music fills Kenora with energy, thanks to the Lake of the Woods Concert Series and the Kenora Concert Series. Each year, the LOTW Concert Series brings an exciting lineup of music and theatre to town, while the Kenora Concert Series showcases the incredible talent of local musicians. All performances take place under the Jarnel Contracting Pavilion, where the lakeside setting creates the perfect backdrop. Whether you’re drawn to the sound of a symphony or the rhythms of homegrown talent, you’ll find Kenora’s music scene impossible to resist.

The Muse: Lake of the Woods Museum & Douglas Family Arts Centre

No visit to Kenora is complete without exploring “The Muse”—the Lake of the Woods Museum and the Douglas Family Arts Centre. Together, they form the cultural heart of the city.

At the Lake of the Woods Museum, history and art converge in exhibits that bring Kenora’s story to life. Explore the extensive archives to trace the region’s cultural journey, from Indigenous artists and storytellers to the rise of the non-Indigenous arts community. Be sure to linger over the extraordinary Carl G. Linde photo collection, which captures everyday life in early 20th-century Kenora with remarkable detail.

Just steps away, the Douglas Family Arts Centre invites you to immerse yourself in the world of visual art. Opened in 2019, the Centre showcases a dazzling range of work, anchored by the celebrated watercolours of Walter J. Phillips. Join locals during Open Studio Days to create your own art, or browse the charming Art Library—a cozy nook brimming with books for anyone curious about the artistic world. With its inspiring exhibitions and hands-on opportunities, the Douglas Family Arts Centre makes creativity feel accessible to all.

If you want to learn about the arts and culture scene in Kenora, the Lake of the Woods Museum and the Douglas Family Arts Centre are excellent places to start.

Heritage Townscape Murals: Public Art Across Kenora, Ontario

As you walk or drive through the streets of Kenora, you'll notice a significant number of art murals on the sides of buildings across the city. The city's Heritage Townscape Murals were the brainchild of a committee chaired by Pippi Johnson, a local artist with a vision. The committee garnered community support for the idea as far back as 1994. Today, there are 18 murals on the walls of buildings across the city. The first Heritage Townscape Mural in Kenora, "Anishinaabe Aki," was painted by the artist Ogemah. This mural is unique in Kenora's public art for depicting Indigenous themes, as the artist used it to highlight Indigenous presence within the community. 

Tourism Kenora offers a map you can take with you on a walking tour. It can be picked up at the Lake of the Woods Discovery Centre located on Highway 17. 

Live Theatre in Kenora: Trylight Theatre Company

For over 30 years, the Trylight Theatre Company has filled Kenora’s stages with the excitement of live theatre. Often casting from local talent, the company brings both beloved musicals and original stories of Kenora to life. Past productions include Annie, A Christmas Carol, and It’s a Wonderful Life. Fueled by community fundraising and corporate sponsors, Trylight keeps the theatre thriving in the city. If your visit coincides with a show, don’t miss the chance to experience a night of live theatre—you can find the latest updates on their Facebook page.

Indigenous Arts and Culture in Kenora and Treaty #3 Territory

Indigenous peoples have long inhabited the land on which the City of Kenora stands, and during your visit, you can explore various ways to appreciate Indigenous arts and culture. You can attend numerous powwows each year, with nine First Nations communities in the immediate area, all part of the larger Treaty #3 territory in Northwestern Ontario. Grand Council Treaty #3 publishes a list of powwows. Anishinaabe artists also contribute crafts and paintings to Kenora's vibrant arts scene, and you can view samples of them at the Lake of the Woods Ojibway Cultural Centre or the Ne-Chee Friendship Centre.

Kenora’s Community Arts Hub and Family Programs

The Community Arts Hub on Second Street welcomes individuals with special needs in the community, providing them with a space to gather and enjoy the arts in a relaxed, non-pressured environment. In short, the Arts Hub offers inclusive and accessible arts-related activities and workshops. 

Kenora District Festival of the Arts: A Tradition Since the 1930s

The Kenora District Festival of the Arts (KDFA) has been inspiring creativity for generations. Founded in the 1930s by the Women’s Institute as a music festival, the KDFA was renamed in 1962 and now celebrates every imaginable art form. From music and singing to dance, drama, painting, and sculpture, performances and displays showcase talent across all ages—from children just starting out to seasoned adult artists. Every April, volunteers bring the city alive with adjudicated performances that draw participants from across Northwestern Ontario, including Dryden and Red Lake. Don’t miss the chance to see this community-driven celebration of artistic spirit.

Sunday Smiles: Children’s Concerts and Family Arts in Kenora

Children are introduced to the arts and culture scene at an early age through the Sunday Smiles program. Established in 1987 as the Kenora Children's Concert series, the objective of this small non-profit organization is to bring in entertaining performers from in and outside Kenora. Families with children are the beneficiaries. The performances typically take place from the beginning of fall through to the spring, often under the pavilion or at a local school auditorium. 

Major Live Music Events in Kenora and Lake of the Woods

In addition to what has already been listed, Kenora hosts several larger live music events each year that are definitely worth mentioning.

• Shake the Lake: Held every August long weekend, Shake the Lake brings major performers to Kenora for a night of live music under the Jarnel Contracting Pavilion. 
• Coney Island "Maybe Annual" Music Festival: Held on the Sunday before the August long weekend, this all-day event brings a diverse mix of local and outside performers to beautiful Coney Island, Lake of the Woods. Visit their website at coneyfest.ca
• Lakeside Live: Billed as "Kenora’s Premier Modern Music Festival", Lakeside Live brings an eclectic mix of performers to Kenora on the Saturday before the August long weekend. Bundle your visit and attend ConeyFest the next day. Visit the Lakeside Live website for more info.
• Dufresne Island's Tiny Deck: 2025 marked the 5th Annual Dufresne Island Tiny Deck—a celebration of music, all set on the water. Held each August in Palmerston Channel on Lake of the Woods, you can view performances from a boat. That's a pretty unique way to attend a live music performance!
• Minaki Bargefest: Held in August in the small community of Minaki, this unique music festival is performed entirely on the water—the Winnipeg River to be exact. People can watch the performances from their boats or along the shoreline as performers jam from a barge. 

To keep up with everything live music in Kenora, you can join the Live Music in Kenora Facebook group.

Arts, Culture, and Festivals: Experience Kenora’s Creative Spirit 

From museum galleries and live theatre to powwows, concerts, and community festivals, Kenora’s arts and culture scene brims with energy and authenticity. Whether you’re drawn to the timeless stories of the Lake of the Woods Museum, the creativity of the Douglas Family Arts Centre, the rhythms under the Pavilion, or the community spirit of the KDFA, you’ll find experiences that celebrate both tradition and innovation. Every performance, exhibit, and gathering reflects the passion of the people who call Kenora home—making it the perfect destination to connect with art, history, and culture in a truly unforgettable way.

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