Stratford is the place in Ontario where you can experience three summer music festivals devoted to international musical performances in intimate heritage churches, halls and garden districts from July 11 to August 21. There are plenty of free concerts, workshops and special performances.

• The Bach Music Festival of Canada, July 11 – 17, launches its inaugural celebration of all things Bach. Critically acclaimed violinist Lara St. John, the contemporary Trio Alla Grande and Germany’s Harvestehuder Kammerchor, with the Gerald Fagan Singers.
• Stratford Summer Music, July 18 – August 21, presents 5 weeks of glorious music with the official national tribute to Canada’s great contralto Serenade for Maureen Forrester. Hear Len Cariou in cabaret; Sylvia Tyson; The National Youth Orchestra; Robert Quinney, Westminster Abbey’s organist and rising piano protégé Jan Lisiecki. Daily free outdoor concerts on the banks of the Avon River present artists from El Salvador, India, Brazil and South Africa.
• Elora Festival, July 08 – 31, celebrating 32 years offers an eclectic collection of some of Canada’s shining musical talents from Michael Burgess and Sarah Slean to the Madawaska String Quartet and the Grammy nominated Elora Festival Singers.

Download the festival schedules: