For your listening pleasure, here’s a list of amazing downtown venues and programs where you can get your groove on while enjoying Durham Region’s downtown music scene.
There’s nothing like vibrant live music to kick your day up a notch. Whether you’re looking to discover a new musician at an open mic night, catch a cover of your favourite artist over appetizers or enjoy a fresh air music experience in a park, Durham Region has a diverse and booming music scene for you to discover.
Durham Region is home to significant music industry success stories, including acts such as Shawn Mendes, Daniel Caesar, Lennon Stella, and Juno recognized artists, Dizzy, Meghan Patrick, Crown Lands, and Protest the Hero. And with impressive music industry assets like Durham College’s Music Business Management program, the Oshawa Music Awards (The OMAs) which celebrate music in Durham Region, and the School Alliance of Student Songwriters (SASS) program, you have a pretty good chance of discovering some spectacular shows and new favourite artists.
For your listening pleasure, here’s a list of amazing downtown venues and programs where you can get your groove on while enjoying Durham Region’s downtown music scene.
Pickering Nautical Village
Memphis and Cafcae playing OpenStudio Art Café, Pickering
Source: OpenStudio Art Café
OpenStudio Art Café
617 Liverpool Road, Pickering
The OpenStudio Art Café features both outdoor live music events on their porch during summer season, and indoor ticketed live performances and open mic nights. View their website for upcoming events.
Downtown Newcastle
Clarington’s Concerts in the Park
Newcastle Community Hall Parkette, Newcastle
Spend a warm summer evening outside listening to live music at Clarington’s Concerts in the Park. From June to September, four different communities in Clarington host the Outdoor Concert Series. All concerts are free and take place rain or shine. Bring a picnic blanket or some lawn chairs and relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of summer in Clarington. Visit the Newcastle Community Hall Parkette every Tuesday at 7 p.m., from June to the beginning of September for great music.
Walsh’s Snug
28 King Avenue East, Newcastle
Enjoy delicious pub fare and live music at Walsh’s Snug in Newcastle. Featuring open stage every Thursday, a Celtic session every Friday and bluegrass every Sunday, there’s always live music to enjoy at The Snug.
Downtown Bowmanville
Concerts in the Park, Bowmanville
Source: Discover Clarington
Clarington’s Concerts in the Park
As part of Clarington’s Concerts in the Park series, Bowmanville hosts concerts every Thursday at 7 p.m., from the mid-June to the end of August at Rotary Park.
99 King
99 King Street West, Bowmanville
Featuring open mic nights, karaoke and live music, there’s always something to see and do at 99 King in Bowmanville. Check out their events calendar for details.
Copperworks Brew Pub
7 Division Street, Bowmanville
Offering live music sets every Friday and Saturday night, join Copperworks Brew Pub in Bowmanville every weekend for local favourites as well as some new faces. Visit their website for details.
Downtown Brooklin
Music in the Park
Grass Park, Brooklin
Music in the Park will be returning in 2022 so you can listen live to great music from local musicians. Check out their website for a list of performers. Concerts occur Thursdays at 7 p.m., in Grass Park in Brooklin.
Brooklin Pub
15 Baldwin Street, Brooklin
For great food and fun, visit the Brooklin Pub to enjoy their live music events. View the calendar to see their ever-changing event lineup..
Pickering Village
Ayden Jacobs and Friends playing Drums N Flats, Pickering Village
Source: Drums N Flats
Drums N Flats
60 Randall Drive, Pickering Village
With a never-ending live music lineup, you’ll definitely want to check out Drums N Flats in Pickering Village. Check their website to see show times and purchase tickets.
Downtown Ajax
Music in the Square
Pat Bayly Square, Ajax
If you’re looking for some summer fun, enjoy free outdoor music at Music in the Square in Ajax! Running every other Wednesday evening until August 31, Pat Bayly Square is your free entertainment destination. Music in the Square features professional entertainment for all ages with genres ranging from classic rock to pop. Each week, make sure you bring a chair and arrive early. Delicious food from a vendor and beverages from a local Durham Region brewery are available for purchase.
Hunt Street Tap & Grill
44 Hunt Street, Ajax
Meet your friends at the Hunt Street Tap & Grill in Ajax to enjoy their entertainment lineup: Thursday featuring a DJ and karaoke, Friday karaoke, and Saturday Open Jam and DJ night. Check out their website for event details.
The Edge Lounge
250 Bayly Street West, Ajax
A stylish and buzzing venue for billiards, live music and dancing. Enjoy a cocktail while catching an entertainment line-up that includes local talent, live bands, DJ sets and more. Check out their website for details.
Downtown Beaverton
Beaverton Town Hall Players
397 Simcoe Street, Beaverton
The Beaverton Town Hall Players perform a variety of shows throughout the year including musicals, mysteries and comedies. Learn more about upcoming productions and get tickets today.
Downtown Oshawa
L.A. The 2nd playing the Biltmore Theatre, Oshawa
Source: The Troubadour Concert Series
Summer in the City
Enjoy a beautiful evening outdoors this summer with a series of outdoor concerts and entertainment at Oshawa’s historic Memorial Park bandshell or Lakeview Park during Oshawa’s Summer in the City series. The 2022 dates and locations are available on their website.
The Atria Bar & Grill
59 King Street East, Oshawa
For more than 30 years, The Atria Bar & Grill has been a live entertainment venue hosting different bands and performers from all over Canada. View their events calendar for upcoming performances.
Cork & Bean
8 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa
Meet friends for a drink and a bite at Oshawa’s Cork & Bean. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m., sip and savour while enjoying live acoustic music. Check their website for more details.
Crazy Jack Bar and Grill
19 King Street West, Oshawa
From karaoke to band-backed open mic nights, the Crazy Jack Bar and Grill has a variety of live music options.
General Pub & Grill
21 Celina Street, Oshawa
With open mic nights, live bands and karaoke, there are lots of opportunities to discover new artists at the General Pub & Grill in Oshawa. Check out their Facebook page for event schedules.
Regent Theatre
50 King Street East, Oshawa
Live music lovers unite at Oshawa’s beautiful and historic Regent Theatre where there’s an endless schedule of amazing live performances. Visit their events calendar for an upcoming schedule and tickets.
Robert McLaughlin Gallery
72 Queens Street, Oshawa
Enjoy a free concert at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery’s RMG Fridays. Featuring live local performances, it’s a wonderful event series for the whole family.
Tribute Communities Centre
99 Athol Street East, Oshawa
The Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa is a great spot for live entertainment. If you want to catch a big-name act, keep an eye on their events calendar for upcoming performances.
Stage 44
44 Bond Street East, Oshawa
Located on the lower level of The Music Hall building, Stage 44 is a 500-personcapacity music venue and event space. The venue is currently under renovations, so be sure to check out their website for tickets to upcoming performances.
Stag’s Head Bar & Grill
22 Bond Street East, Oshawa
If you want to be part of the live music action, drop by Stag’s Head Bar & Grill to sing some karaoke from Tuesday to Saturday.
Biltmore Theatre
39 King Street East, Oshawa
The beautifully renovated Biltmore Theatre in Oshawa features live music events and concerts. Check out their website for upcoming events.
Kops Records – Upstairs
156 Simcoe Street South, Oshawa
A small room dedicated to live music can be found upstairs Kops Records Oshawa. Shows are often free and present a range of local and touring acts. Follow Kops Oshawa on Facebook for the latest in events information.
Downtown Port Perry
JJ Thompson playing at the Old Flame Brewery, Port Perry
Source: Old Flame Brewery
Old Flame Brewing Co.
135 Perry Street, Port Perry
The Old Flame Brewing Co., in Port Perry is a great spot for live music. Keep an eye on their events calendar for upcoming performances and ticket sales.
Town Hall Theatre
302 Queen Street, Port Perry
Since reopening as a theatre in the 1970s, the stage at Town Hall Theatre has been the première spot to enjoy award-winning plays, musicals, live jazz, blues and classic rock. Visit their website for upcoming performances.
Concerts in the Park
Palmer Park, Port Perry
Bring a lawn chair and head down to Palmer Park in Port Perry for an evening of music and fun with free admission to . Concerts take place on Wednesdays, June through September, plus additional Thursdays in July from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. View their event listing for more information.
Downtown Uxbridge
Tanya Joy playing Banjo Cider, Uxbridge
Source: Banjo Cider
Banjo Cider
614 Sanford Road, Uxbridge
If you like live music, pair it with some cider! Head over to Banjo Cider to enjoy live music every Sunday from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Check out their events page for upcoming performances.
Slabtown Cider
4559 Concession Road 6, Uxbridge
Enjoy dinner or a crisp cider on the patio at Slabtown Cider while enjoying their weekly live music. View their website events page for details.
The Corner House Pub & Grill
104 Brock Street West, Uxbridge
If your idea of live music involves active participation, visit the Corner House Pub & Grill for karaoke every Friday night at 9 p.m.
Uxbridge Music Hall
16 Main Street South, Uxbridge
Known for its superior acoustics, the historic Uxbridge Music Hall features original opera chairs and a balcony.
Downtown Whitby
Tim Zerf playing The Thirsty Jester Public House, Whitby
Source: The Thirsty Jester Public House
Thirsty Jester Public House
112 Colborne Street East, Whitby
If you like live music, you’ll definitely want to visit the Thirsty Jester Public House in Whitby. They’re Durham Region Eats famous for their fishbowl drinks, but their live music lineup is also kind of a big deal.
Music in the Park
Rotary Centennial Park, Whitby
Music in the Park will be returning in 2022 so you can listen live to great music from local musicians. Check out their website for a list of performers. Concerts occur Wednesdays at 7 p.m., at Rotary Centennial Park in Whitby.
Nice Bistro
117 Brock Street North, Whitby
Enjoy some Mediterranean-French cuisine while listening to live music at Nice Bistro’s live music nights. Check out their Facebook page for upcoming performances.
The Gryphon Pub
114 Dundas Street East, Whitby
For fantastic pub fare and a lineup of live music, visit the Gryphon Pub in downtown Whitby. From open mic nights, to karaoke and live music, there’s always something to see and do.
The Pearson Pub
101 Mary Street West, Whitby
The Pearson Pub in Whitby features a beautiful patio, great food and lots of live entertainment from Friday to Sunday. Check out their Facebook page for more details on performers.
The Tap & Tankard
224 Brock Street South, Whitby
The Tap & Tankard in downtown Whitby is a great place to enjoy live music. From live DJs to live music performances, the Tap is a one-stop shop for a great night out.