A Season of Sound and Soul: Huntsville Festival of the Arts' Big Summer of 2025

Sunday, 25 May 2025 00:05

It's a line up that blends big names, comedy icons and community involvement

The Huntsville Festival of the Arts (HFA) is preparing for another landmark summer. For over three decades, this festival has brought together nationally recognized talent and grassroots creativity, building a cultural calendar that continues to grow in both ambition and local impact. As the summer of 2025 approaches, the HFA returns with a carefully curated season that aims to entertain, reflect, and connect the community.

According to festival director Dan Watson, the focus isn’t solely on booking performances, but on fostering a sense of connection and inclusion through the arts, where everyone feels they’re part of something meaningful.

The 2025 program continues HFA’s tradition of pairing headline performances with community-driven arts initiatives. Among the marquee names this season is Serena Ryder, whose emotionally raw songwriting and genre-blending sound have earned her national acclaim. Her return to Huntsville is expected to draw a large and diverse audience, and it’s easy to understand why. Known for her powerful live shows and thoughtful lyrics, Ryder is a natural fit for a festival that values emotional authenticity as much as musical excellence.

Matt Andersen, another heavyweight of the Canadian music scene, is also set to bring his acclaimed blues and soul-infused style to the stage. With a voice that fills every corner of a room and a presence that commands attention without pretension, Andersen is likely to be one of the summer’s standout performers. His inclusion in the lineup reflects the festival’s ongoing commitment to showcasing artists who bring both technical skill and emotional weight to their craft.

Adding a layer of nostalgia and musical history to the season is Lighthouse, the legendary Canadian rock band known for its fusion of jazz, rock, and classical influences. With decades of experience and a legacy that helped shape the national music landscape, Lighthouse’s appearance is expected to resonate with longtime fans and new listeners alike.

Meanwhile, Jim Cuddy—of Blue Rodeo fame—will return with his own ensemble, The Jim Cuddy Band. Cuddy’s solo work maintains the reflective, roots-based storytelling that fans have come to expect, but also allows space for new collaborators and interpretations. His set promises to be one of the more intimate, story-driven highlights of the festival.

HFA 2025 also brings a different kind of stagecraft to the forefront with a live performance by comedy legend Howie Mandel. Known equally for his stand-up roots and his television presence, Mandel’s visit offers a rare chance for local audiences to see a high-profile comic in an up-close setting. His show is expected to be a major draw, expanding the festival’s reach beyond music and into the broader performing arts.

For those looking for laughs in a more casual setting, Yuk Yuk’s returns to the festival with its signature rotating lineup of stand-up comedians. The format has become a favorite among locals and visitors, offering a relaxed, club-style atmosphere in the middle of cottage country.

What ties these performances together is more than just scheduling. It’s a belief in the role of the arts to build community identity. HFA’s programming includes free and pay-what-you-can events, visual art installations, and youth outreach efforts, including music, drama and dance camps. These efforts ensure the festival remains rooted in accessibility, even as its national profile continues to rise.

In a year when rising costs are forcing many cultural events across Ontario to scale back, the Huntsville Festival of the Arts has chosen to double down on its founding mission: to present high-quality, inclusive programming that speaks to—and for—the Muskoka region.

Watson emphasizes that art belongs here in Muskoka, not just in big cities or major venues, but right here.

With a lineup that blends musical legends, comedy icons, and community participation, HFA 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic editions yet—one that honors the past while embracing the future of what a small-town arts festival can achieve.

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