Wednesday Night Concerts - A Summer Time Tradition

With the mighty Sleeping Giant and a gorgeous view of Lake Superior, concerts offer a true Northwestern cultural experience.

Crowd in lawnchairs watching performance

By Chelsea Cameron-Fikis Chelsea Cameron-Fikis is a nature and outdoors enthusiast who is working towards her first novel.

October 28, 2024

Summer in Thunder Bay like most towns and cities across Northern Ontario is a much anticipated time for events! And with that comes the popular “Live on the Waterfront” concerts down at Marina Park on the Lake Superior shore.

Weekly Wednesday Concerts

Live on the Waterfront continues to be a popular draw for locals and visitors to the city, with the concert series running 6 to 9 pm on eight consecutive Wednesdays through the summer.

The weekly event put on by the City of Thunder Bay's Culture and Recreation Division showcases the best local talent alongside some of Canada’s finest artists and are presented entirely free of charge. From country to jazz, blues to swing, celtic folk rock to 50s dance, Live from the Waterfront has something to offer all types of music lovers!

A Thunder Bay Tradition

These concerts formerly called "Summer in the Parks" have been a vital part of our city’s cultural background since 1904. The Wednesday night shows have become one of the most prominent community events through the summer that the whole family can enjoy.

This summer concerts are part of a series of diverse lineup of free events put on by the City of Thunder Bay’s Recreation and Culture Division throughout year. The shows are popular attracting up to 1,000 people or more to festival stage at Marina Park and the downtown Waterfront District.

Live on the Waterfront is much more than live music. In addition, the event feature exciting activities for children, free draws, an assortment of on-site concessions and an artisan’s market selling and displaying local art.

Waterfront Is the Place To Be

There is no doubt that a Wednesday evening spent at Prince Arthur's Landing (Marina Park) will be well worth the walk down! If you’re new to how this works, guests are expected to come with a fold up lawn chair and are expected to leave having had a delightful music experience. The park is a hub of activity on Wednesdays as the weekly sailing races also take place out in the harbour.

After the concert guests can grab a bite to eat at the many restaurants located in Waterfront District or take a walk along the waterfront to enjoy the recently developed marina and Spirit Garden at Prince Arthur's Landing. With the mighty Sleeping Giant as the backdrop and a gorgeous view of Lake Superior in the peripheral, concerts offer a true Northwestern cultural experience.