The City of Waterloo, Ontario, is looking for local musicians and performers to take the stage at several major public events this coming summer. Interested artists must submit their applications to the city’s arts and creative industries team, Create Waterloo, by February 26, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Selected performers will play at local celebrations including the Summer Lights Festival, Open Streets, and the July 1 Community Picnic. According to Create Waterloo, the city is prioritizing talent that lives within the Waterloo area to fill these paid performance spots.
On April 1, 2026, the City of Waterloo will implement its updated living wage rate of $22.70 per hour. While this rate applies to all full-time, part-time, and seasonal contract staff hired for the summer season, musicians and performers are typically paid per-event fees for festival slots.
Musicians can also participate in the Trail Mix program, which provides recorded music for people to listen to while using city trails. To stay informed about future opportunities, artists are encouraged to join the Artist Roster managed by the city.
The City of Waterloo website has the full details and resources for those wishing to apply before the late February deadline. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to make sure community festivals feature local talent.
