One of Guelph’s longest running events, the Hillside Festival, will be holding its 41st edition this year, highlighting music and local culture.
There will be four stages of musical performances, headlined by artists like Lucius, Femi Kuti & The Positive Force, and Tim Baker. In addition to concerts by individual artists and groups, there will be jam sessions where multiple artists can collaborate and improvise on stage together. Artists will also lead workshops for aspiring musicians young and old. Other workshops will focus on active living, creative expression, and do-it-yourself arts and crafts. There will also be an Indigenous Circle area with events based on traditional culture.
For family visitors there will be a children’s area, with kid-oriented performers like Mr. J and the Groovy Gang and Senor Banana, as well as workshops on simple crafts and musical skills. For many, the main appeal of the weekend will be camping on Guelph Lake Island, with dedicated camping areas in the island’s green space. Refreshments will be provided at a dedicated Food Pavilion, and there will be a 50/50 draw and raffle to help raise funds for future editions of the festival. Festivals like this often use websites and brochure printing to provide a fuller idea of their schedule.
The 2025 Hillside Festival will take place between July 18 and 20 at Guelph Lake Island.
