Orillia Business and Culture

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Welcome to the Orillia Economic Development Office, dedicated to assisting businesses, increasing employment and marketing the City of Orillia as a tourism destination. The goal of the Economic Development Department is to promote and encourage tourism, industrial, commercial and residential development in the City of Orillia. Staff encourage this development by establishing and maintaining on-going relationships with local businesses and community organizations.

As the second season of Lakeside Live comes to a close, we want to recognize the community sponsors who helped make it p...
08/25/2026

As the second season of Lakeside Live comes to a close, we want to recognize the community sponsors who helped make it possible: Casino Rama Resort, Orillia & Lake Country Tourism, Lakehead University Orillia Campus, North Simcoe Life and Mid Ontario Disposal. Your support brought free, live music to the Rotary Aqua Theatre all summer long.

A special thank you to Lakeside Live's presenting sponsor, the Rotary Club of Orillia. Beyond the series, the club helped bring the Aqua Theatre to life back in 1958, giving our community this beautiful waterfront venue, and continues to support other community-oriented initiatives.

We'd also like to thank the Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario for their grant support. As Ontario's primary funder of artistic activity, OAC's mission is to foster the creation and production of art for the benefit of all Ontarians, and their support helped us bring that vision to life here in Orillia.

At its heart, Lakeside Live is about bringing our community together in a shared, welcoming space, keeping arts and culture free and accessible to everyone.

Despite some tough weather this summer, we're grateful for the evenings we did get to share great music with all of you. Thank you as well to everyone who came out and contributed along the way.

Keep an eye out for a highlight recap of Lakeside Live 2026, and a short feedback survey from Orillia Business and Culture as we start planning for 2027. We want to hear from you! Lakeside Live Concert Series

Thank you for supporting local arts and culture in Orillia.

📢Concert CancelledWith a special weather statement in effect for Orillia this evening and continued rain in the forecast...
08/23/2026

📢Concert Cancelled

With a special weather statement in effect for Orillia this evening and continued rain in the forecast, tonight's Sunday Evening Band Concert has been cancelled for the safety of the band, staff, and attendees.

This means our Historic Tour of Sound series has wrapped for the season. Thank you to everyone who journeyed through the eras with us this summer, our attendees, bands, and the Champlain Seniors Services Club.

We hope to see you next year!

City of Orillia - Municipality
Visit Orillia

Due to the forecasted risk of thunderstorms, tomorrow's Lakeside Live finale featuring Sleepy Jan & Nate Mills and the C...
08/21/2026

Due to the forecasted risk of thunderstorms, tomorrow's Lakeside Live finale featuring Sleepy Jan & Nate Mills and the Consenting Adults has been cancelled.

We're incredibly disappointed that we won't be able to celebrate the finale of this year's series together, but we'd like to sincerely thank everyone who joined us throughout the summer. Whether you attended one concert or every performance, your support helped make another fantastic season of live music on the waterfront.

We'll see you back for Lakeside Live 2027. Thank you for an incredible summer! ☀️🎶

City of Orillia - Municipality
Visit Orillia

Lakeside Live Concert Series

08/19/2026

🚨 ONLY 2 DAYS LEFT! 🚨

The clock is ticking! Don’t miss your chance to win a $1,000 honorarium and have your artwork featured on one of Orillia’s most iconic buildings.

🎨 Deadline: August 21 at noon

Get your submission in before it’s too late!

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1D76aaN6x8/

08/19/2026

⭐ MUSICIAN SPOTLIGHT: NATE MILLS

Catch Nate Mills and the Consenting Adults LIVE at the Rotary Aqua Theatre for Lakeside Live's Indie & Folk Night.

Since that warm June morning when Nate Mills was hatched at Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital and Gift Shop, it has been his lifelong dream to grace the stage of Orillia’s oldest and most haunted outdoor venue: the Rotary Aqua Theatre. The stage has been graced by music legends like Chris Henry, Steve Henry, and the guy who wrote the Orillia Song (the good one), Steve Van Kessel. And now Nate Mills will follow, unleashing his tender and introspective, roots-leaning side on the Lakeside Live 2026 audience. Come tap lightly along to original songs marinated in midlife and saturated with heartfelt existentialism from his new vinyl EP, Amigo Drive.

This is a set you’ll want to catch live!

Visit Orillia
Lakeside Live Concert Series

08/18/2026

⭐ MUSICIAN SPOTLIGHT: SLEEPY JAN

Lakeside Live is excited to introduce Sleepy Jan who will be kicking off our Indie & Folk evening this Saturday, August 22 at 6:30 p.m.

Sleepy Jan is the sound of friendship. A place to rest your weary head. Washed out, mesmeric lullabies for the ever-sleepy.

Sleepy Jan is Karlie Cole, Alison Ford, Matt Waring and Dylan Court.

See you at the Aqua Theatre!

Visit Orillia
Lakeside Live Concert Series

🎶Lakeside Live's Indie & Folk Night this Saturday, August 22! Sleepy Jan kicks off the evening at 6:30, followed by Nat...
08/17/2026

🎶Lakeside Live's Indie & Folk Night this Saturday, August 22!

Sleepy Jan kicks off the evening at 6:30, followed by Nate Mills and the Consenting Adults. Two fantastic bands you won't want to miss!

🆓FREE admission

🗓️Saturday, August 22 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

📍Rotary Aqua Theatre (140 Canice St., Orillia)

🎲Lawn games available, including co****le, spikeball, ring toss and more!

🍌Delicious dessert and cold brew offerings by Kong & Co, open 6:00-8:30 p.m.

💵Donations are always appreciated and help support the continuation of this free community event.

Be sure to mark yourself as "Going" on the Lakeside Live Concert Series event page to receive reminders, the latest updates, and any weather-related announcements.

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, the Rotary Club of Orillia and to the Ontario Arts Council - Conseil des arts de l'Ontario for their tremendous support of this year's concert series.

Visit Orillia
Lakeside Live Concert Series

📢Due to the weather, the concert scheduled for this evening, Sunday, August 16, has been cancelled. We appreciate your u...
08/16/2026

📢Due to the weather, the concert scheduled for this evening, Sunday, August 16, has been cancelled.

We appreciate your understanding and hope to see you at the next Sunday Evening Band Concert on August 23, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Rotary Aqua Theatre.

City of Orillia - Municipality
Visit Orillia

Address

50 Andrew Street South
Orillia, ON
L3V7T5

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+17053254900

Website

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