June 21 – August 28, 2025
Harbourfront Centre
Summer Music in the Garden 2025: A Season of Global Sounds and Community Spirit
Harbourfront Centre’s beloved Summer Music in the Garden returns for its 23rd season, offering a vibrant array of free concerts at the picturesque Toronto Music Garden from June 21 to August 28, 2025. Curated by Dora Award-winning music director Gregory Oh and Associate Curator Rebecca Cuddy, this year’s lineup celebrates a rich tapestry of musical traditions, reflecting Toronto’s diverse cultural landscape.
The 2025 season features 18 performances spanning genres such as gospel, flamenco, classical, jazz, and world music. Highlights include gospel stylings by Melissa Davis and Friends, flamenco artistry from Mariana Collado, and performances by JUNO and Prix OPUS-winning violinist Mark Fewer.
Featured Performances
- Matriarchs and Melodies (June 21, 7 PM): An opening night celebration of Indigenous music blending classical and contemporary opera.
- A Journey through Soul and Jazz (June 26, 7 PM): An evening exploring the rich traditions of jazz and classic soul.
- Songs of Faith, Hope and Love (June 29, 4 PM): An uplifting gospel performance by Melissa Davis and Friends.
- Sounds of Stories (July 3, 7 PM): A fusion of Indian classical music, jazz, and spoken word poetry.
- Take Me to the Dance? (July 6, 4 PM): A journey through the nightclubs of Buenos Aires and the cabarets of Montmartre with a classical/folk duo.
- Songs of Birds and Love (July 10, 7 PM): Music from the English and French Renaissance eras.
- Wild Strings and Tuning Things (July 13, 4 PM): A cross-cultural exploration of Iranian, Turkish, and Arabic musical traditions.
- Baroque-Middle-Eastern-Cyberpunk (July 24, 7 PM): Palestinian-Canadian pianist John Kameel Farah blends baroque, Middle Eastern, and electronic music.
- Stolen Dances (July 27, 4 PM): A unique blend of poetry, melody, and flamenco rhythms.
- Voice is the Original Instrument (July 31, 7 PM): An evening of playful rounds, yodeling, and medieval choral music.
- Journey (August 3, 4 PM): The Ngoma Ensemble presents drumming and dance from the Pan-African diaspora.
- The String’s The Thing (August 7, 7 PM): Violinist Mark Fewer performs works from Bach to Brazil and Brubeck.
- Celtic and Canadian (August 10, 4 PM): A blend of Celtic tunes and new Canadian music.
- Memories Through Song (August 14, 7 PM): Featuring Filipino classics, original songs, and alternative pop.
- What Is Time For? (August 17, 4 PM): A performance of indie pop and experimental works by two of Canada’s striking creative musicians.
- Ensemble Jeng Yi by the Willow Tree (August 21, 7 PM): Energetic Korean traditional music.
- A Little Afternoon Music (August 24, 4 PM): Opera and musical theatre favorites from Puccini to Barber.
- The Joining of Light (August 28, 7 PM): Cellist Arlen Hlusko concludes the season with a performance centered on hope and community.
Plan Your Visit
All concerts are held at the Toronto Music Garden, 479 Queens Quay West, and are free to the public. Performances take place on Thursdays at 7 PM and Sundays at 4 PM. The venue is wheelchair accessible, with reserved spots available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For the full schedule and more information, visit the Harbourfront Centre’s Summer Music in the Garden page.
Experience the Harmony
Summer Music in the Garden 2025 invites audiences to immerse themselves in a season of musical diversity and community celebration. Whether you’re a longtime attendee or a first-time visitor, the series offers a unique opportunity to experience the rich cultural tapestry of Toronto through the universal language of music.
About Harbourfront Centre
Harbourfront Centre is an international centre for contemporary arts, culture and ideas, and a registered, charitable not-for-profit cultural organization operating a 10-acre campus on Toronto’s central waterfront. Harbourfront Centre provides year-round programming 52 weeks a year, seven days a week, supporting a wide range of artists and communities.
