The Town of Collingwood has posted an event page announcing Sidelaunch Days will take place on Saturday, August 8, and Sunday, August 9, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Collingwood Harbour waterfront. The early announcement gives residents, businesses and visitors a head start on planning for the free waterfront festival that celebrates local heritage and supports downtown tourism.
Sidelaunch Days celebrates Collingwood’s maritime history with activities in, on and around the water at the Shipyards Amphitheatre and the Waterfront Promenade/Millennium Park. The festival is free to attend and is organized by the Town of Collingwood’s Parks, Recreation & Culture Department under the direction of Karen Cubitt. More details on programming and schedules are not yet available but will appear on the official Sidelaunch Days 2026 event page.
Local businesses and community groups are encouraged to watch the event page for vendor and volunteer registration details; the town has not yet published a registration form. Past partners, including Side Launch Brewing Company and FRAM + Slokker, have supported the festival by sponsoring beverage gardens and the amphitheatre concert series. Anyone with questions about vendor or volunteer opportunities can contact Karen Cubitt at kcubitt@collingwood.ca or through the Town office for updates.
Significant changes may come to the harbourfront by August 2026 as the Collingwood Grain Terminals redevelopment project approaches its expected planning-approval window. Construction fencing or altered access near the Shipyards Amphitheatre could affect festival layouts and shoreline routes. The ongoing Waterfront Master Plan may also introduce new pathways or traffic patterns around North Maple Street.
Residents should prepare for possible traffic detours and limited shoreline parking during the festival weekend. Programming could include stand-up paddleboard demonstrations, historical exhibits from the Collingwood Museum and high-tech drone shows in the evening — all elements consistent with recent editions of Sidelaunch Days. Town staff say full details on schedules, vendor spots and traffic plans will be shared closer to the event dates.
