For 2026, MusicFest Canada will offer a virtual (recorded video) registration option for eligible ensembles unable to travel; for more information, click here.

To watch the performances from The Nationals 2025, click here.

54th MusicFest
MAY 11-16, 2026
Niagara Falls, ON

MusicFest Canada 54th “The Nationals” 2026, Niagara Falls, ON

331Days
11Hours
47Minutes

Install the MusicFest App Today!

The MusicFest Canada app is now available for iPhone and Android users. Install it on your phone for real time performance results, times, locations and directions.

53 Years of Music History, Education and Excellence

Entering into its 53rd celebration year, MusicFest Canada “The Nationals” brings thousands of students and educators from across the country together, over a one-week period, to celebrate excellence in musical performance. Learn more about MusicFest Canada.

Travel & Venues

Awards & Scholarships

Rules & Regulations

An invitation only event — MusicFest is an “Invitation Only” event. Outstanding ensembles are invited by attending and being awarded an Invitation from one of the Affiliated Regional Festivals or through a Festival Chairman. For more information about the Regional Festivals, visit Affiliated Regional Festivals. Workshops are available to any registered individual attending the festival and, unless otherwise indicated, workshops are for a general audience regardless of playing level. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited. Educoncerts (interactive mini-concerts) are available to anyone attending the Festival. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited. Find out more about workshops and educoncerts. Adjudicators & Clinicians are Selected by the respective Festival Chair. They evaluate, encourage, enhance and broaden the musicality of each group and every individual participating in the national festival.

National Honour Ensembles

Jack Long Honour Band (sponsored by Long & McQuade)

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York University National Youth Jazz Combo (in partnership with York University)

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Conn-Selmer Centerstage Jazz Band (sponsored by Conn-Selmer Inc.)

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Ellison Canadian Honour Choir (sponsored by Ellison Travel & Tours)

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Laurier Honour String Orchestra (sponsored by Laurier University)

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Woodshed Canadian Percussion Ensemble (sponsored by Woodshed Percussion and Dream Cymbals)

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Soho Sound Canadian Junior Honour Band

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Guest Concerts

Be part of the music, and music becomes part of your life

As part of the educational experience that is MusicFest, there are concerts in every idiom. These concerts feature professional musicians from all over North America as well as the MusicFest Canada Honour Ensembles comprised of the best young musicians in Canada. Learn More

Get Involved

There are a wide variety of ways in which volunteers can participate – information services, sound and recording technicians, on-site production and hospitality services assistance, communications centre operators, front of house services for our ticketed events and workshops, to name a few.

“The success of MusicFest is measured by the strengths of our volunteers – and I’m very proud of the team that we have built around each other”– Kim Vrieling, Production Director

For 2026, MusicFest Canada will offer a virtual (recorded video) registration option for eligible ensembles unable to travel; for more information, click here. To watch the performances from The Nationals 2025, click here.

54th MusicFest MAY 11-16, 2026 Niagara Falls, ON

MusicFest Canada 54th “The Nationals” 2026, Niagara Falls, ON

Install the MusicFest App Today!

53 Years of Music History, Education and Excellence

Travel & Venues

Awards & Scholarships

Rules & Regulations

National Honour Ensembles

Jack Long Honour Band (sponsored by Long & McQuade)

York University National Youth Jazz Combo (in partnership with York University)

Conn-Selmer Centerstage Jazz Band (sponsored by Conn-Selmer Inc.)

Ellison Canadian Honour Choir (sponsored by Ellison Travel & Tours)

Laurier Honour String Orchestra (sponsored by Laurier University)

Woodshed Canadian Percussion Ensemble (sponsored by Woodshed Percussion and Dream Cymbals)

Soho Sound Canadian Junior Honour Band

Guest Concerts

Be part of the music, and music becomes part of your life

Get Involved

Copyright © 2025 MusicFest Canada

MusicFest Sponsors

Yorkville website

Dream Cymbals and Gongs website

Sirius XM Canada website

University of Lethbridge website

Rico by D’Addario website

York University website

Stingray website

RATstands Ltd. website

Humber College website

Young Associates website

Steve’s Music Ltd. website

Ellison Travel and Tours website

Jazz Education Network website

Soho Sound website

Wilfrid Laurier University website

Conn-Selmer Inc. website

National Arts Centre/Centre National des Arts website

Musser website

Yamaha website

Cheryl & Darryl Ferguson website

Music Performance Trust Fund website

Ludwig website

Arts Nation website

Jazzworks website

Long & McQuade Musical Instruments website

Toronto Musicians’ Association website

Spiritwear website

Western University website

University of Toronto, Faculty of Music website

STUDENTS & DIRECTORS

THE FESTIVAL

ABOUT MUSICFEST

NATIONAL HONOUR ENSEMBLES

MusicFest Canada: The Nationals

For 2026, MusicFest Canada will offer a virtual (recorded video) registration option for eligible ensembles unable to travel; for more information, click here.

To watch the performances from The Nationals 2025, click here.

54th MusicFest
MAY 11-16, 2026
Niagara Falls, ON

Yorkville

Dream Cymbals and Gongs

Sirius XM Canada

University of Lethbridge

Rico by D’Addario

York University

Stingray

RATstands Ltd.

Humber College

Young Associates

Steve’s Music Ltd.

Ellison Travel and Tours

Jazz Education Network

Soho Sound

Wilfrid Laurier University

Conn-Selmer Inc.

National Arts Centre/Centre National des Arts

Musser

Yamaha

Cheryl & Darryl Ferguson

Music Performance Trust Fund

Ludwig

Arts Nation

Jazzworks

Long & McQuade Musical Instruments

Toronto Musicians’ Association

Spiritwear

Western University

University of Toronto, Faculty of Music