The Norfolk Musical Arts Festival is preparing to celebrate a major milestone in 2026, marking its 40th year of promoting the performing arts in the community.
The annual festival runs from March 2 to 6, 2026, at various venues in Simcoe, but organizers are reminding participants that registration closes this Monday, January 12, at 11:59 p.m.
Vicky Lachine the festival’s secretary says the week-long event features competitions across a wide range of disciplines, including school and community bands, church choirs, English and French speech arts, drama, piano, guitar, strings, percussion, ukulele, voice, musical theatre, and classical performance. Students from French immersion and French-language schools also take part.
A senior competition will be held during the week, with top performers competing for four awards valued at $1,000 each, along with many additional scholarships and trophies.
To mark the 40th anniversary, organizers are planning a special kickoff concert.
The festival will conclude with an awards ceremony and reception on March 10.
Lachine explains that performance locations are still being decided, since registration numbers will influence the choice of venues.
The festival’s success is rooted in collaboration and community support, Lachine said, which has helped sustain it for 40 years.
Once registration closes this Monday, a final event schedule will be posted on the festival’s website. All events are open to the public, with admission by donation.
Written by Jeremy Hall
