Orillia’s Annual Lightfoot Days Set for October, 2026
— by Dennis Rizzo
The Lightfoot Festival is Orillia’s annual celebration of the extraordinary musical career of hometown hero Gordon Lightfoot. The excitement returns for 2026 with a dynamic lineup of events Thursday, October 29 through Saturday, October 31.
The festival features live performances, workshops, film screenings, and community activities that honor Gordon’s enduring legacy. As a special treat for die-hard fans, original members of his band will perform at the Orillia Opera House and participate in several event activities.
Classic Rock History notes “Gordon Lightfoot carried Orillia, Ontario into songs that traveled far beyond Canada, building a career around plainspoken detail, melodic discipline, and the kind of storytelling that made trains, highways, shipwrecks, rivers, and broken relationships feel like lived history. He was born Gordon Meredith Lightfoot, Jr. on November 17, 1938, in Orillia, Ontario.”
If there is still anyone in this region who does not know about Gordon Lightfoot, let us provide some background.
From young choir member at St. Paul’s United Church in Orillia to international folk music icon, Gordon had the ability to take commonplace human events and transform them into poetic masterpieces. In case you were unaware, his list of songs include:
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Early Morning Rain Canadian Railroad Trilogy Carefree Highway If You Could Read My Mind |
Rainy Day People Song for a Winter’s Night The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald |
And over 200 more.
As a youth, Gord worked delivering linens from Wagg’s Cleaners to area resorts and often took walks in the woods, following the old, well-trodden pathways. He canoed the local rivers and rested on the Canadian Shield watching the wind blow fields of lake grass into rhythmic dances. He put emotions into words, expressing reactions many of us have had in this pristine region, and made songs for all time.
Lightfoot Festival founder, Karen Hilfman Millson, held several interviews with Gordon. In one interview, Gord noted, “They all sang with lots of music at all the family get-togethers. The four sisters sang as a quartet together, my mother, and my three aunts: Aunt Lola, Aunt Babe, Aunt Laura and my Mother Jessica. The four of them had some really good renditions. It was a wonderful time.”
In another interview, Karen notes: “The lyrics of the song Pussywillows Cat-Tails takes us to a favourite childhood biking destination of the Marchmont Mill.”
Pussywillows, cat-tails, soft winds and roses
Rainpools in the woodland, water to my knees
Shivering, quivering, the warm breath of spring
Pussywillows, cat-tails, soft winds and roses
Catbirds and cornfields, daydreams together
Riding on the roadside, the dust gets in your eyes
Reveling, disheveling, the summer nights can bring
Pussywillows, cat-tails, soft winds and roses.
And… “In later years Gordon became a regular contributor to Mariposa Folk Festival. Sometimes he was a headliner, sometimes a participant wandering through the crowds sharing a few songs when invited, and sometimes a proud dad watching his sixth child Meredith share her songs on stage during the Festival.”
The Lightfoot Band are the original musicians who recorded many memorable hits with Gordon and toured internationally with him across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and beyond.
The band includes veterans Rick Haynes on bass, Barry Keane on drums and percussion, Mike Heffernan on keyboards, and Bill Bell on lead guitars. The band is proud to introduce Andy Mauck as their lead vocalist. Andy has been a student of Gordon’s craft as well as his personal friend for almost 50 years. The band will be an integral part of the weekend’s activities, starting with a concert at the Orillia Opera House on Thursday, October 29.
Young Singers Welcome
In 2026 the Lightfoot Festival is proud to host its very first Youth Singing Competition. It is one way to acknowledge that Gordon started as a young chorus member and local performer. Young musicians up to age 18 will take the stage at Creative Nomad Studios on Friday afternoon, October 30, to perform a Gordon Lightfoot song of their choosing before a panel of judges. No experience is needed.
There are two groupings – Junior (up to and including grade 8); and Senior (up to and including grade 12). The top five contestants in each age group will be judged by members of the Lightfoot Band and participate with them in an informal chat session. Top three winners will receive prizes and be invited to perform again for the full festival crowd on Saturday at Quayle’s Brewery. See details at Youth Competition.
Want to Get Involved?
Choir Revolution: Interactive singing for all. As a group, participants will learn, practise, and record one or more of Gordon’s songs under the tutelage of seasoned musician Brett Caswell. Friday evening at Creative Nomad Studios.
The festival runs on the passion and dedication of volunteers. If you’d like to help bring Gordon’s music to more people, we’d love to hear from you. CONTACT US
South-Central Ontario’s Fall colours and beautiful lakes make the journey twice as nice. Visiting Orillia and North Simcoe in October is worth the time and travel. And you get to be a part of the 2026 Lightfoot celebration as well. A win-win.
Tickets for the Creative Nomad Studios and Quayle’s Brewery events are very limited because of venue capacities. Order yours today and be first in line.
For more information, schedule, and tickets visit the website, Lightfoot Days Festival.
