Saturday, July 11 @ 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Rain or shine | Free of charge
Join us for a day of art, music, and creativity in the park with our community partners Toronto Pearson and Great Lakes Brewery.
Looking for a fun way to spend a summer afternoon? The Neilson Park Creative Festival is filled with art, music, hands-on activities, and creative discoveries around every corner. Here are five things you won’t want to miss!
Top 5 Things to See at the Neilson Park Creative Festival
1. Shop the Artist Marketplace
Discover a vibrant outdoor marketplace filled with talented artists and makers. Browse paintings, drawings, quilts, rug hooking, calligraphy, woven textiles, jewellery, stained glass, pottery, wood carvings, soaps, clothing, and more. Every item is handmade, making it the perfect place to find a unique piece while supporting local artists.
2. Live Music in the Park
Relax under the summer sky and enjoy live performances throughout the afternoon. Music from The Music Studio’s Jazz and Rock Bands begin at 11:30 a.m. and will be followed by co-headliners Lydia Persaud at 2:30 p.m. and Shanty Sweets at 3:45 p.m. Bring a chair or grab a seat and enjoy the festival atmosphere.
3. Plein-Air Painting Competition
Watch artists bring the park to life through the creative process! Throughout the day, painters will be working outdoors capturing the beauty of the surroundings in real time. Finished works will be displayed later in the day, with an awards ceremony at 4:30 p.m. inside the Centre. Artists interested in participating in the competition click here.
4. The IMPACT Juried Art Exhibition
Step inside the Centre to see the 33rd annual IMPACT exhibition, one of NPCC’s most anticipated shows. Held in the Art Space Connect Gallery, this juried exhibition brings together artists working across a wide range of media and styles, showcasing some of the best contemporary and traditional artwork in the community.
5. Art Activities for Kids and Live Studio Demonstrations
Families are warmly welcome! Kids can enjoy free hands-on art activities throughout the day in our craft tents. At the same time, NPCC’s Resident Groups will be demonstrating their skills in our studios. Watch members of the Calligraphic Art Guild of Toronto, Etobicoke Art Group, Etobicoke Rugcrafters, Etobicoke Quilters’ Guild, Etobicoke Handweavers and Spinners, and Humber Valley Art Club as they demonstrate and share their creative skills.
NPCC has free on-site or street parking and is a fully accessible facility with washrooms available inside the building. There will be seating provided in the music area and other locations throughout the park. Inside the Centre food, drinks and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. For special accommodations, we invite you to email info@neilsonparkcreativecentre.com. This event is free of charge and open to the public.
Check out our music lineup
The Music Studio presents student rock and jazz bands
11:30 am – 2:15 pm
Lydia Persaud
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Shanty Sweets and the 1806 Band
3:45 – 4:45 pm
The Music Studio
Instagram: @themusicstudioetobicoke
Facebook: The Music Studio
Website: www.themusicstudio.ca
Listen: https://drive.google.com/file/d/185YUZSJ8tp6yMLfwSZ4xl5jcAuvMxlL-/view?ts=67cf74e3
Get ready to turn up the volume as The Music Studio’s adult and kids’ rock bands, and adult jazz band take the stage at our Creative Festival! These talented performers will bring energy, passion, and crowd-favourite hits to life, showcasing the skills they’ve developed through collaboration and creativity. From classic rock anthems to modern favourites, their performances promise to entertain audiences of all ages and celebrate the joy of making music together in a vibrant, supportive community.
Lydia Persaud
Instagram: @the_lydster
Facebook: Lydia Persaud Music
Website: www.lydiapersaud.com
Listen: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VeXSNN9zhswMyoHjI-ZlZO8xajH9CbQP/view
A fixture of Toronto’s music community, Lydia Persaud’s voice combines Jazz, R&B and Folk to create soul music in its most literal sense. Lydia’s colourful decade as a collaborator has featured her work in; folk trio ‘The O’Pears’, rock tribute ‘Dwanye Gretzky’, storytelling in ‘The Queer Songbook Orchestra’, and 90’s Country anthems with ‘Shania Twink’.
Her last album “Moody31” comes described as,”Roberta Flack sitting in with Bill Withers’ band at a folk festival”. Lydia has opened for many artists including; Jann Arden and Martha Wainwright, as well as accomplished opening tours for STARS and Serena Ryder.
Shanty Sweets and the Top Ranking Band
Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist Shanty Sweets is an eclectic singer, writer and composer, whose sound is a rich tapestry serving a bridge between generations and eras of Roots-Reggae, Ska and Jazz, influenced by the timeless poise of Phyllis Dillon, the neo-soul depths of Erykah Badu and the haunting phrasing of Billie Holiday.
Shanty takes the stage alongside her sophisticated band, the Top Ranking, delivering high-energy sets that blend her original music with creative reggae renditions. A staple on major festival stages, Shanty remains a vital architect of Canada’s Caribbean-Jazz and Reggae landscape.
Instagram: @shantysweetsmusic
Facebook: Shanty Sweets Music
Listen: https://linktr.ee/shantysweets
Watch the recap of Neilson Park Creative Festival 2025!