A new celebration of classic rock is coming to Ontario this summer as Rockstalgia Music Festival launches its inaugural two-day event on July 11-12, 2026, at the Orono Fairgrounds in Orono, Ontario. Featuring 24 bands across two stages, the festival will celebrate the biggest rock anthems of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s while blending legendary performers, acclaimed tribute acts, and emerging local talent into one family-friendly weekend.
Headlining the festival is JUNO-recognized Canadian rock duo Wide Mouth Mason, with general admission tickets priced at $69.95 CAD for Saturday and $39.95 CAD for Sunday, inclusive of taxes and fees.
To make travel easier for attendees, Rockstalgia has partnered with Town Trolley to offer round-trip transportation packages for $99 CAD, which include festival admission. Shuttle pickups will be available throughout Durham Region, Port Perry, Peterborough, Cobourg, and Belleville.
Wide Mouth Mason Headlines Saturday
Saturday’s main stage belongs to Wide Mouth Mason, one of Canada’s most respected rock acts. Formed in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in 1995 by Shaun Verreault and Safwan Javed, the duo has built a career blending alternative rock, blues, and improvisational jam-band influences into a sound all their own.
Their 1997 self-titled debut earned Gold certification in Canada and a JUNO Award nomination for Best New Group. Over the years, they have toured alongside iconic acts including The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, and ZZ Top, while also performing twice at the renowned Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Their latest album, Late Night Walking, continues a career spanning more than three decades of musical evolution.
Classic Rock Comes Alive Through Tribute Performances
Rockstalgia’s main stage also features an extensive lineup of tribute artists celebrating some of rock’s biggest legends.
Saturday’s performances include:
- Supernauts performing the music of Black Sabbath
- Permanent Waves honoring Rush
- Led By Zeppelin paying tribute to Led Zeppelin
- DESTROYER Canada recreating the spectacle of 1970s-era KISS
Sunday’s lineup continues with:
- Practically Petty celebrating Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- Fleetwood Nicks honoring Fleetwood Mac
- Pearl Jamming performing the music of Pearl Jam
- From The Hip celebrating The Tragically Hip
- The AC/DC Show Canada delivering the iconic sound of AC/DC
Local and Loud Stage Spotlights Emerging Talent
Running alongside the main stage is the Local and Loud Stage, designed to showcase regional artists while giving them the same audience experience as the festival’s headliners.
Saturday is led by Luscious, fronted by vocalist Brielle Leblanc, whose band has shared stages with Def Leppard, I Mother Earth, and Tom Morello.
Sunday’s featured act is Two For The Show, a veteran Durham Region duo known for performing decades of classic rock favorites after years of touring alongside artists such as April Wine, The Tragically Hip, and Our Lady Peace.
The stage will also host the Main Stage Challenge, where original bands Oddsfiche, Elektrodriver, Burning Bridges, PsyChlo, and Life of Exile will compete for the title of Rockstalgia 2026 Local Legends. The winning act will earn an opening slot on the festival’s main stage along with $1,500 CAD in prizes.
A Festival Built Around Music and Community
Founded by Festival Director Angela Baltkois, whose daughter Katie Layne is an emerging artist, Rockstalgia was created to celebrate rock music while providing opportunities for established performers and rising musicians alike.
The festival also partners with several charitable organizations, including the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation, Bethesda House, and Wounded Warriors Canada, incorporating community support into its mission. Throughout the year, Rockstalgia also hosts additional music events across Durham Region, including its Backstage Local songwriter showcase.
Beyond the music, attendees can enjoy food trucks, local vendors, a beer garden, and the Little Rockers Kids Zone, making the event an accessible destination for music fans of all ages.
With two stages, 24 bands, and a lineup spanning decades of rock history, Rockstalgia Music Festival is poised to become one of Ontario’s newest summer music traditions. Guided by its motto—“Rock Through the Decades, Feel It All Again”—the inaugural festival promises a weekend dedicated to timeless music, local talent, and community celebration.
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