What: Arts for Peace Orillia
Where: Rotary Aqua Theatre, 140 Canice Street, Orillia
When: Sunday June 7 from 12-5pm
Cost: FREE! A4P T-shirts will be for sale ($25 cash or e transfer) to help cover event costs
This June, a beloved community tradition returns to Orillia’s waterfront with a simple but powerful message: peace begins with connection.
Arts for Peace will take place on Sunday, June 7, from 1–5 p.m. at the Rotary Aqua Theatre in Couchiching Beach Park. The free, family-friendly festival invites residents of all ages to gather for an afternoon of music, visual art, movement, storytelling, workshops, and activities centered around creativity, wellness, and belonging.
First founded in 1984, Arts for Peace has long held a unique place in Orillia’s cultural landscape. Unlike many summer festivals focused primarily on entertainment or shopping, this event encourages participation. Visitors are invited not only to watch performances, but to make art, try something new, connect with neighbours, and experience the ways creativity can bring people together.
Festival organizers say that accessibility remains one of the event’s core values. Because the festival is completely free, anyone can attend regardless of age, income, or background. Only Arts for Peace T-shirts are available to be purchased at the event ($25 cash or e-transfer), with proceeds going to cover festival costs.
“We wanted to create a gathering where everyone feels welcome,” says Kara Sears, one of the organizing volunteers. “Whether you come to listen to music, lie in the grass under the trees, make crafts with your kids or grandkids, participate in a scheduled wellness workshop, or simply spend time in a positive community atmosphere, there’s a place for you at Arts for Peace”.
This year’s festival will feature local performers, storytellers, visual artists, and various community organizations hosting various crafts at their tables. Interactive wellness workshops throughout the day will offer opportunities to engage in activities such as yoga, sound bowls, Tai Chi, or participating in a guided meditation.
A major strength of Arts for Peace is its grassroots spirit. The festival is organized entirely by volunteers, including local youth who help with planning, hosting activities, and event-day coordination. Many of the current organizers and participants attended the festival themselves as children and are now helping to shape its next chapter.
The event also highlights the important role the arts play in individual and community wellbeing. Art has always been a way for people to understand themselves and others. It can help people process and communicate their emotions and experiences that may be difficult to navigate or express otherwise. And, at a time when many people feel increasingly isolated or divided, festivals like Arts for Peace create opportunities for face-to-face connection, intergenerational interaction, and shared experiences. It offers a space where creativity becomes a bridge between individuals and across generations.
For families looking for a meaningful afternoon activity, seniors seeking community connection, youth wanting to get involved, or anyone simply hoping to enjoy local talent in a welcoming environment, Arts for Peace is an event you won’t want to miss.
Interviews can be arranged through artsforpeaceorillia@gmail.com or 705-238-0799
