The City of Waterloo, Ontario, is inviting local musicians and performers to apply for paid performance slots during the 2026 summer festival season. Opportunities are available for several city-run events, including FridayLoo in Uptown Waterloo, Open Streets, and the Summer Concert Series at the Waterloo Park bandshell.
The City’s Arts & Creative Industries team — branded as Create Waterloo — is accepting expressions of interest to fill its summer events and to expand its artist roster. Eligible applicants include solo musicians, full bands, dancers, buskers and other variety performers who live or work in Waterloo Region or have an ongoing connection to the local arts sector.
Interested artists should submit an online Expression of Interest by Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Applicants are asked to provide a short biography, links to videos or audio samples of their performances, and other supporting materials as requested on the application.
According to the City of Waterloo’s Artist and Maker Resources, these open calls are intended to help local talent find paid work and gain visibility across municipal events; the artist roster is also used to help program events year-round.
Regional tourism and events organizers say the city’s summer festivals and concert series are core parts of the season, bringing live entertainment to venues across Waterloo and helping create a diverse lineup that reflects the region’s communities.
For more information and to sign up for the artist roster, visit Create Waterloo’s Artist Roster page. For questions about the call or to confirm the active application form, contact festivals@waterloo.ca.
