Windermere History Walking Tour (Wed Aug 6)
2025-08-06 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto) | Muskoka Chautauqua, 1039 Golf Avenue, Windermere Village, ON, P0B 1P0, Canada
Uncover the unique charm of Windermere Village through this walking tour created in partnership with the Windermere Women’s Institute.

Did you know Muskoka Chautauqua started in Windermere more than 100 years ago?
Rediscover this charming historic village with us through a walking tour created in partnership with the Windermere History project, the Windermere Women’s Institute, Architectural Conservancy Ontario (Muskoka Branch) and Muskoka Chautauqua.
This small group tour will give you an overview of the early history of the village along with some interesting anecdotal stories. The guided tour is available daily from Saturday to Saturday during the festival, or you can access the tour on our app (https://windermerehistoryproject.ca/dl/d0a5f4) …and make you way around the village on a self-guided tour.
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Dining in Windermere during the Festival?
Enjoy a 10% discount on all food and non-alcoholic beverages from Windermere House Pub during the festival! Show your tickets to the staff for the discount to be applied. Enjoy!

Clay Workshop with Sharon Wagner-Chazalon
2025-08-06 13:00 - 15:00 | Muskoka Chautauqua, 1039 Golf Avenue, Windermere Village, ON, P0B 1P0, Canada
Come get your hands dirty and create something with Sharon Wagner-Chazalon.

Air Dry Clay Workshop with Sharon Wagner-Chazalon
Come exercise your creativity at a workshop with Sharon Wagner-Chazalon, multimedia artist. Primarily a potter, Sharon will guide you in using clay, plaster, and gathered natural materials to create a botanical wall hanging.
This workshop is a unique opportunity to bring the beauty of nature into your home!
Appropriate for all ages.
Materials and tools will be provided.
Dining in Windermere during the Festival?
Enjoy a 10% discount on all food and non-alcoholic beverages from Windermere House Pub during the festival! Show your tickets to the staff for the discount to be applied. Enjoy!

Windermere Community Conversation #4
2025-08-06 15:30 - 18:00 | Windermere House, 2508 Windermere Road, Windermere, ON, P0B 1M0, Canada
Join us for a collaborative community conversation with facilitator, Collin Rainey to discuss Windermere now and in the future

Join us for our fourth collaborative community conversation with facilitator, Collin Reaney to discuss the historic Windermere village and its future.
Dining in Windermere during the Festival?
Enjoy a 10% discount on all food and non-alcoholic beverages from Windermere House Pub during the festival! Show your tickets to the staff for the discount to be applied. Enjoy!

Flow Wellness Hour with Pam Hubbard
2025-08-07 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-08-08 09:30 - 10:30 | Windermere House, 2508 Windermere Road, Windermere, ON, P0B 1M0, Canada
Join Pam Hubbard as she takes you through a Flow Wellness Session.

The sessions will involve movement for participants of all levels and abilities. There will be emphasis on breath and mindful motion to bring us into alignment with our bodies, hearts, minds…. and souls!
Embark on a journey of inner balance and rejuvenation with our Flow Wellness sessions at the Muskoka Chautauqua Arts and Culture Festival.
Set your intentions for the day, move your body with gentle exercises tailored to awaken the senses, and immerse yourself in guided meditation to center your mind and spirit.
Amidst the tranquil grounds, surrounded by nature’s beauty, these sessions offer a perfect start to each day, promoting harmony and well-being in the heart of Muskoka.
Dining in Windermere during the Festival?
Enjoy a 10% discount on all food and non-alcoholic beverages from Windermere House Pub during the festival! Show your tickets to the staff for the discount to be applied. Enjoy!

Ukulele Workshop with Lady Sunshine
2025-08-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Muskoka Chautauqua: Theatre in the Woods, 1039 Golf Avenue, Windermere Village, ON, P0B 1P0, Canada
An exciting opportunity to learn from Lady Sunshine, who has hosted the Sunshine Ukulele Network monthly jam for the past 12 years!

Ukulele Workshop with Lady Sunshine!
Here’s an exciting opportunity to embark on a musical journey with Lady Sunshine, who has hosted the Sunshine Ukulele Network monthly jam for the past 12 years in Orillia! Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to expand your skills, these ukulele workshops promise something for everyone. Beginners will learn their first few chords and the New York Strum which will allow them to actively participate in any ukulele jam. More seasoned players can expect to learn new chords and techniques to enhance their playing. Throughout the workshops, Lady Sunshine will share her expertise and passion for the ukulele, providing personalized guidance to help you improve and grow as a musician.
We encourage participants who own a G, C, E, A – tuned ukulele to bring their instrument along to ensure you can fully participate and practice during the session.
While we do have a limited number of ukuleles available to lend, having your own will enhance your learning experience and allow you to apply what you learn right away.
Bring your smiles and join us for this fun workshop and discover the joy of playing the ukulele under Lady Sunshine’s expert instruction!
Thank you to Long & McQuade, Gravenhurst for sponsoring this workshop!
Dining in Windermere during the Festival?
Enjoy a 10% discount on all food and non-alcoholic beverages from Windermere House Pub during the festival! Show your tickets to the staff for the discount to be applied. Enjoy!

Gallery in The Woods: "The Muse, the Maker & the Creative Flow"
2025-08-07 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-08-08 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-08-09 10:00 - 16:00 | Muskoka Chautauqua: Gallery in the Woods, 1039 Golf Avenue, Windermere Village, ON, P0B 1P0, Canada
Come visit our art gallery, filled with art from our festival workshop leaders, open at 10 AM August 2-9.

*A ticket is not required for entry to the Gallery in the Woods
Visit the Gallery in the Woods each day from August 2nd-9th starting at 10 AM at our Festival Site! See below for the Exhibition Statement for this body of featured work:
The Muse, The Maker, and the Creative Flow is an exploration of artistic inspiration, craftsmanship, and the dynamic energy that connects them. We delve into the relationship between the visionary spark, the act of creation, and the fluid movement of ideas that shape our work.
Artists and creators are guided by a muse, driven by a maker’s hand, and carried by the creative flow that transforms raw material into expression. Whether through paint, sculpture, mixed media, writing or making music, our works embody the tension and harmony between idea and execution, chaos and structure, intuition and intention.
Like a river that bends and reshapes its course, creativity is ever-moving, influenced by unseen currents and inner dialogues. We invite viewers to step into that stream—to witness the push and pull between inspiration and craft, to feel the rhythm that fuels artistic practice, and to reflect on their own place within the cycle of creation.
Visit the Gallery in the Woods to view beautiful works from the following artists:

Toller Cranston
Miranda Britton
Gayle Dempsey
Greg Hindle
Susan Hindle
Audrey Jolly
Karen Lang
Linda Montgomery
Bonnie Newell
Lisa Skelding
Sharon Wagner-Chazalon

Dining in Windermere during the Festival?
Enjoy a 10% discount on all food and non-alcoholic beverages from Windermere House Pub during the festival! Show your tickets to the staff for the discount to be applied. Enjoy!

Pop up Book Shop - "The Muse, the Maker & the Creative Flow"
2025-08-07 10:30 - 15:30, 2025-08-08 10:30 - 15:30 | 2496 Windermere Rd, 2496 Windermere Road, Windermere, ON, P0B 1P0, Canada
Our Book Shop is open throughout the festival, August 2-9, every day, 10:00am-4pm. Come browse and purchase books from our literary guests!

*A ticket is not required for entry into the bookstore
The Book Shop is our unofficial welcome centre for the Festival as well as a host of beautiful works including books by some of our Chautauqua Festival line up as well as other local authors.
This year, we are thrilled to welcome the Alcuin Society Award-Winning Books for Excellence in Book Design back to the festival! Don’t miss the opportunity to see the 2024 winners on display.
Dining in Windermere during the Festival?
Enjoy a 10% discount on all food and non-alcoholic beverages from Windermere House during the festival! Show your tickets to the staff for the discount to be applied. Enjoy!
*Excluding alcoholic beverages
Please note that outside alcohol is prohibited

Windermere History Walking Tour (Thu Aug 7)
2025-08-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Muskoka Chautauqua, 1039 Golf Avenue, Windermere Village, ON, P0B 1P0, Canada

Toronto All-Star Big Band Concert
2025-08-07 19:30 - 21:00 | Muskoka Chautauqua: Theatre in the Woods, 1039 Golf Avenue, Windermere Village, ON, P0B 1P0, Canada
One of the most exciting bands around, the Toronto All-Star Big Band revives the spirit style and sound of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.

One of the most exciting bands around, the Toronto All-Star Big Band revives the spirit style and sound of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s – that golden age of the big bands.
Armed with brilliant programming, choreography and engaging cultural nostalgia, this vibrant cast of awesome young talent has earned its position at the top of list of presenters throughout Ontario and in the USA.
Toronto All-Star Big Band join Muskoka Chautauqua for the 22nd consecutive year, back by popular demand!
Don’t miss this big band sound under the stars!
Sponsored by Mawer Investment.
Dining out in Windermere?
Enjoy a 10% discount on all food and beverage from Windermere House Pub during the festival! Show your tickets to the staff for the discount to be applied. Enjoy!

Acrylic Explorations with Linda Montgomery
2025-08-08 10:00 - 15:00 | Muskoka Chautauqua, 1039 Golf Avenue, Windermere Village, ON, P0B 1P0, Canada
Enjoy a day of painting using acrylics to abstract the Muskoka Landscape.

Acrylic Explorations: Abstracting the Muskoka Landscape Friday, August 8 | 10 AM – 12 PM / 1 – 3 PM (Level: Advanced Beginner +)
Join us for an exciting 4-hour journey into abstracting the serene Muskoka landscape using the versatility of acrylics! In this dynamic workshop, you’ll explore composition, visual language, and techniques to simplify and transform the beauty of Muskoka into expressive, abstract artwork.
Morning Session (10 AM – 12 PM)
We’ll kick off with a fun exploration of abstracting the Muskoka landscape —think simplified forms, creating color studies and exciting mark-making with acrylic materials. After a brief review of visual elements and principles, Linda will guide you through the process, sharing examples of abstract landscapes, including her own work.
Lunch Break (12 PM – 1 PM)
Afternoon Session (1 PM – 3 PM)
In the second half, Linda will demonstrate how to transform your morning sketches into abstract acrylic paintings. You’ll experiment with various acrylic products, including soft body, heavy body, acrylic ink, and fluid acrylics, plus mediums and effects to customize your work. Bonus: Every participant will receive a FREE sample of Liquitex bio-based heavy acrylics and try this new paint.
The final part of the day will be hands-on painting time, where you’ll dive into your own creations, supported by Linda’s guidance and the new techniques you’ve learned.
What’s Included:
• All materials: brushes, acrylic paints, mediums, water containers, and more
• A fun, supportive atmosphere for creative exploration
• NEW Liquitex bio-based acrylic sample and paint for each participant
Get ready for a day of creativity, discovery, and a fresh approach to abstracting the Muskoka Landscape through acrylics. Space is limited to 12 participants—don’t miss out!
BIO: Linda MONTGOMERY
Linda Montgomery is a French-born Canadian artist, painter, illustrator, and educator, recognized for her award-winning work that explores the fragility and interconnectedness of ecosystems. With an Honours Fine Art degree from OCAD University, Linda taught Colour Theory, Drawing, and Painting and earned a Non-Tenured Faculty Teaching Award nomination. She has led over 250 workshops for Liquitex Artist Acrylics and Winsor & Newton, sharing her expertise as an art material specialist and educator. Her paintings and pastel drawings, published internationally and collected by major corporate and private collections, reflect the complex relationships that define the natural world. Linda now lives and works in Mulmur, Ontario, continuing to create and inspire through her art.
Dining in Windermere during the Festival?
Enjoy a 10% discount on all food and non-alcoholic beverages from Windermere House Pub during the festival! Show your tickets to the staff for the discount to be applied. Enjoy!

Windermere History Walking Tour (Fri Aug 8)
2025-08-08 12:00 - 13:00 | Muskoka Chautauqua, 1039 Golf Avenue, Windermere Village, ON, P0B 1P0, Canada
Uncover the unique charm of Windermere Village through this walking tour created in partnership with the Windermere Women’s Institute.

Did you know Muskoka Chautauqua started in Windermere more than 100 years ago?
Rediscover this charming historic village with us through a walking tour created in partnership with the Windermere History project, the Windermere Women’s Institute, Architectural Conservancy Ontario (Muskoka Branch) and Muskoka Chautauqua.
This small group tour will give you an overview of the early history of the village along with some interesting anecdotal stories. The guided tour is available daily from Saturday to Saturday during the festival, or you can access the tour on our app (https://windermerehistoryproject.ca/dl/d0a5f4)…and make you way around the village on a self-guided tour.
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Dining in Windermere during the Festival?
Enjoy a 10% discount on all food and non-alcoholic beverages from Windermere House Pub during the festival! Show your tickets to the staff for the discount to be applied. Enjoy!

Toller Cranston, Athlete, Artist, Man
2025-08-08 16:00 - 17:30 | Muskoka Chautauqua: Theatre in the Woods, 1039 Golf Avenue, Windermere Village, ON, P0B 1P0, Canada
Join Phillippa Cranston-Baran for a literary talk that offers a unique glimpse into the life and creative legacy of Toller Cranston.

Toller is a 2-time Olympian, 6 time national Figure Skating Champion, renowned International artist, Order of Canada and an outrageous, over-the-top human being. He was an inspiration to many other artists and performers including Leonard Cohen, Joni MItchell, and brilliant contemporary ceramic artist Natalia Laluq. The stories are colourful and carry powerful messages about commitment and authenticity. Most of all, he was always and forever a proud Canadian.
BIO:
Phillippa is the author of Toller Cranston, Ice Paint, Passion, the 2024 best seller about her late brother, Toller Cranston, 2-time Olympian and distinguished international artist. She is a former university film professor (BA, Queens University; MA Film, UCLA), award-winning writer/producer, and for several years, a dairy goat farmer. These journeys each have their own colourful and outrageous stories, but the combination of success, challenge, and craziness equipped her to write about her iconic brother. In the process of writing this book, Phillippa had to deal with corruption, extortion, and threats by gun-toting thugs. Like her famous brother, she is not a quitter. She is a competitive Duplicate Bridge player and holds the rank of Ruby Life Master. She lives in the historic family cottage on the Ottawa River near Arnprior, Canada.
Dining in Windermere during the Festival?
Enjoy a 10% discount on all food and non-alcoholic beverages from Windermere House Pub during the festival! Show your tickets to the staff for the discount to be applied. Enjoy!

Artist Meet & Greet with Linda Montgomery
2025-08-08 16:00 - 17:30 | Windermere House, 2508 Windermere Road, Windermere, ON, P0B 1M0, Canada
Stop by the Windermere House Pub to grab a bite or a drink and mingle with Linda Montgomery.

Meet & Greet
Connect with the creative minds behind the festival! This informal gathering is a chance to meet festival contributors, ask questions about their work, and enjoy casual conversation in a relaxed setting. Bring your curiosity, grab a snack or drink at the Windermere House Pub, and soak up the inspiring atmosphere.
Dining in Windermere during the Festival?
Enjoy a 10% discount on all food and non-alcoholic beverages from Windermere House Pub during the festival! Show your tickets to the staff for the discount to be applied. Enjoy!

Her Romance: Concert Under the Stars
2025-08-08 19:30 - 21:00 | Muskoka Chautauqua: Theatre in the Woods, 1039 Golf Avenue, Windermere Village, ON, P0B 1P0, Canada
Enjoy an evening of dream-pop with the amazing all-female trio, Her Romance, under the stars at the Theatre in the Woods.

Enjoy an evening of dream-pop with Her Romance at the Theatre in the Woods, sponsored by Mawer Investment Management.
In 2023, female driven dream-pop band, Her Romance, hit the Toronto scene enchanting audiences with their electric energy and sublime harmonies.
The band’s dynamic set of originals lights up a room and offers a powerful experience for people seeking to discover unique and exciting music.
ARTISTS:
Katherine Wilson – Lead Vocalist, Chimes & Percussion
Shannon Chapman – Keys, Vocals & Flute
Leigh Anne Barlow – Drums, Percussion, Rhythm Guitar & Melodica
HER ROMANCE BIOS:
Katherine Wilson:
Katherine Wilson is a Toronto-based independent singer-songwriter, whose soulful voice and pop-rock influences evoke the music of legends Annie Lennox, Fleetwood Mac, and Amy Winehouse. After several years honing her skills in diverse bands such as Blue Copper (crystal-folk-rock), Controlled Demolition (underground jazz) and Bad Breed (with whom she released two hard rock & soul albums in 2020), Katherine now steps to the forefront of her own original synth-pop project, Her Romance.
Having grown up in British Columbia, her connection to the beauty of its landscape inspired many of the romantic lyrics of Her Romance’s new music. The sound is drenched in mystical layers with a tasty touch of synth pop of the 80’s and 90’s. Her Romance explore‘s the dichotomy of desire to claim independence and personal truth in conflict with a passionate, “insatiable thirst” for connection.
NOTABLE COLLABORATIONS
Joel Schwartz (Mixer) – Fountain (Single, 2023)
Kraig Waye (Producer) – The Wounded Queen (Single, 2024), Fountain (Single, 2024)
Ron Skinner (Mastering) – Fountain (Single, 2023)
Michael Dilauro (Producer) – Drinkin (Single, 2020) The Bad Breed In Ferocious Love (LP, 2020), The Bad Breed Plays Execution Music (EP, 2020)
Connect with Katherine!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katherinemmwilsonmusic
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/KatherineMMWilson

Dining in Windermere during the Festival?
Enjoy a 10% discount on all food and non-alcoholic beverages from Windermere House Pub during the festival! Show your tickets to the staff for the discount to be applied. Enjoy!

En Plein Air Oil Painting with Harvey Walker
2025-08-09 10:00 - 15:00 | Muskoka Chautauqua, 1039 Golf Avenue, Windermere Village, ON, P0B 1P0, Canada
Enjoy a day of plein-air oil painting with Harvey Walker as you capture the stunning beauty of the Muskoka landscape.

This is a 4 hour workshop with a 1 hour break from 12-1 to explore the village.
We all have a desire to make a mark, to connect, to communicate, and how to do it efficiently is a positive challenge that can last a lifetime.In this en plein air workshop we will walk through the steps taken to efficiently capture an outdoor scene with oil paints. Recreational painting is a great way to increase our ability to see the world around us.
BIO:
Harvey Walker is an enthusiastic four season fan of en plein air painting. When in the studio, he works from sketches and photos, focusing on shapes and values.Running regular weekly classes at his studio in Carnarvon, as well as workshops keeps him busy when not out road or riverside with his paints.
A Google search will connect to a short video, produced by the Haliburton County Tourism Dept that lays out his core philosophy.
Dining in Windermere during the Festival?
Enjoy a 10% discount on all food and non-alcoholic beverages from Windermere House Pub during the festival! Show your tickets to the staff for the discount to be applied. Enjoy!

Pop-Up Book Shop
2025-08-09 10:00 - 16:00 | 2496 Windermere Rd, 2496 Windermere Road, Windermere, ON, P0B 1P0, Canada
Our Book Shop is open throughout the festival, August 2-9, every day, 10am-4pm. Come browse and purchase books from our literary guests!

*A ticket is not required for entry into the bookstore
The muse, the maker, and the creative flow.
The Book Shop is our unofficial welcome centre for the Festival as well as a host of beautiful works including books by some of our Chautauqua Festival line up as well as other local authors.
This year, we are thrilled to welcome the Alcuin Society Award-Winning Books for Excellence in Book Design back to the festival! Don’t miss the opportunity to see the 2024 winners on display.
Dining in Windermere during the Festival?
Enjoy a 10% discount on all food and non-alcoholic beverages from Windermere House Pub during the festival! Show your tickets to the staff for the discount to be applied. Enjoy!

Windermere History Walking Tour (Sat Aug 9)
2025-08-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Muskoka Chautauqua, 1039 Golf Avenue, Windermere Village, ON, P0B 1P0, Canada

Cannes Festival Winners 'Sultans of String' in Concert
2025-08-09 19:30 - 21:00 | Muskoka Chautauqua: Theatre in the Woods, 1039 Golf Avenue, Windermere Village, ON, P0B 1P0, Canada
Join Sultans of String for an outstanding musical performance at the Theatre in the Woods! Sponsored by Mawer Investment Management.

Three time Juno nominees and SiriusXM winners Sultans of String create, “Energetic and exciting music from a band with talent to burn!” (Maverick Magazine UK). Thrilling their audiences with their genre-hopping passport of Celtic reels, flamenco, Django-jazz, Arabic, Cuban, and South Asian rhythms, Sultans of String celebrate musical fusion and human creativity with warmth and virtuosity. Fiery violin dances with rumba-flamenco guitar, while bass and percussion lay down unstoppable grooves. Acoustic strings meet with electronic wizardry to create layers and depth of sound, while world rhythms excite audiences to their feet with the irresistible need to dance.
Their documentary film about working with Indigenous artists just won Best Musical Film and Best Soundtrack at the Cannes Film Festival.
“They’re an eclectic band, amazing musicians, and we are so fortunate to have them here.” -Gary Froude
Dining in Windermere during the Festival?
Enjoy a 10% discount on all food and non-alcoholic beverages from Windermere House Pub during the festival! Show your tickets to the staff for the discount to be applied. Enjoy!

Windermere Family Fun Day!
2025-08-10 11:00 - 16:00 | Windermere Wharf, 2510 Windermere Road, Windermere Village, ON, P0B 1P0, Canada
Fun for the whole family at the Wharf in Windermere Village! Face painting, arts & crafts, canoe races and more! Don’t miss it!

Windermere Family Fun Day promises an exciting day filled with activities for the whole family from 11am to 4pm at the Windermere Wharf.Kids can interact with the internationally renowned Sultans of String, who will be performing up front to kick off the festivities, and enjoy watersports provided by Windermere House.Families can explore the TD Bank Family Fun Booth, complete with GIANT colouring on the Monster Mural, indulge in treats from the Women’s Institute Bake Sale, and savour delicious offerings from the Lion’s Club BBQ.Creative activities include face painting by Mallory Tingey, arts and crafts with Mike Benton, paddle making with Jim, and painting Muskoka postcards with Sarah Grigorescu—sure to inspire young artists. The Fire Department’s Fire Truck Spray Down and children’s beach games promise outdoor excitement.Additionally, the Rosseau Golf Pitch by Windermere Golf and Country Club offers a chance for some fun golfing activities – sink a hole-in-one to a boat anchored in the lake!Family canoe races will be in full swing along with the second annual Windermere Business Canoe Race! Come and cheer on your favourite community team!This event is sure to be a memorable day of fun, creativity, and community spirit!
Chris McKhool’s Fiddlefire! Kids ShowHailed as “Canada’s greatest eco-troubadour for young people,” Chris McKhool has inspired over 1 million children with his upbeat, interactive concerts. Fiddlefire! gets kids singing, dancing, and playing rare instruments from around the world while exploring musical styles like jazz, blues, flamenco, funk, and East Coast fiddling. Chris and his Sultans of String bandmates lead kids in rhythm, melody, improvisation—and plenty of fun! With multiple Parents’ Choice Awards, a Canadian Folk Music Award, and a JUNO nomination, Chris is also known for his commitment to the environment and social change through music.
Dining in Windermere?
Enjoy a 10% discount on all food and beverage from Windermere House Pub during the festival! Show your tickets to the staff for the discount to be applied. Enjoy!
