Music on the Barge
The largest outdoor concert series north of Toronto plays from its floating bandstand on Gull Lake. Bring a lawn chair and settle in as the season gets under way.
Local Life · Muskoka, Ontario
This weekend in Muskoka
Week of Friday, July 3, 2026
The first full weekend after Canada Day eases Muskoka into high summer. Gravenhurst leads the way with the return of Music on the Barge, the steamship is sailing, and the markets are in full swing across cottage country.
Forecast
Classic early-July Muskoka: warm, mostly sunny days and cool lake-country nights, with just a passing chance of a Sunday shower.
Fri27° / 15°Sunny and warm
Sat28° / 16°Mainly sunny, light breeze off the lake
Sun25° / 14°Sun and cloud, 40% chance of an afternoon shower
Weekend events
Steamship sightseeing cruise aboard the Wenonah II
With the historic RMS Segwun in for restoration, the Wenonah II is running an expanded schedule of 1- and 2-hour sightseeing tours out of the Wharf, including the famous Millionaire's Row cruise.
Bracebridge Farmers' Market
Produce, baked goods, and Muskoka makers in the heart of downtown Bracebridge — an easy Saturday-morning stop a short drive north of Gravenhurst.
Bethune Memorial House National Historic Site
The restored 1890 manse where Dr. Norman Bethune was born, with guided tours and exhibits on his remarkable life — a shady, air-conditioned outing on a warm afternoon.
Cottage country this week
Muskoka Pioneer Power Show is coming up
Muskoka's rural-heritage show returns July 10–12 with antique tractors, steam engines, live demonstrations and family fun — worth planning ahead for next weekend.
Tall Pines Music & Arts Festival — plan ahead
The two-day festival lands at the Muskoka Wharf on July 17–18 with a lineup led by The Tea Party, Hawksley Workman, Odds and Paul Langlois of The Tragically Hip. Tickets are moving.
Beaches and trails are open
Gull Lake Rotary Park beach in Gravenhurst and trails across the district are open for the season — a good weekend to swim, paddle, and hike before the peak-summer crowds arrive.
Library & kids
- TD Summer Reading Club — sign upAll summer — free to joinKids & families
- Preschool StorytimeWeekly — check the branch calendarAges 2–5
- Gravenhurst Public Library — events calendarBrowse by dateAll ages
Civic brief
District of Muskoka — council & committee meetings
Agendas, minutes and livestreams for upcoming District of Muskoka council and committee meetings are posted in advance on the District site.
Town of Gravenhurst — council
Meeting schedules, agendas and ways to have your say on local decisions are available through the Town of Gravenhurst council pages.
Muskoka fire danger rating is HIGH
The district's fire danger rating has been raised to HIGH. Check for any open-air burning restrictions before lighting a campfire, and confirm conditions with your municipality.
Notable news this week
RMS Segwun begins the biggest restoration in its history
North America's oldest operating steamship is undergoing a $2.2M-plus overhaul and is expected back in service Sept 1, 2026. The Wenonah II is covering an expanded schedule in the meantime.
Gravenhurst reveals its 2026 Music on the Barge lineup
The Town has announced this summer's slate of Sunday-night concerts on Gull Lake, running through Labour Day weekend with tribute acts and the Battle for the Barge winner.
Music on the Barge concert series returns to Gravenhurst
The beloved series is back for another season on the shores of Gull Lake, drawing thousands of seasonal and year-round residents each Sunday evening.
Good to know
- Steamship cruisesThe Wenonah II sails daily from Muskoka Wharf; the RMS Segwun returns from restoration Sept 1.
- Farmers' marketGravenhurst Farmers' Market runs Wednesdays 9am–2pm at Gull Lake Rotary Park through Oct 7.
- Music on the BargeFree Sunday-night concerts on Gull Lake, 7:30pm, through Sept 6.
- Bethune HouseDr. Norman Bethune's birthplace, a National Historic Site, is open for the season in Gravenhurst.