BIGLAKE Festival 2026: CLASSICS
A week-long celebration of masterpieces in Prince Edward County
Dates
Aug 21–29
Cost
Ticketed
Where
Wellington, ON
Format
Classical
Ten classical concerts across nine days featuring world-class international artists performing timeless masterpieces. Experience Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, and more in the intimate elegance of Wellington Music Hall in Prince Edward County.
🎻 Kerson Leong
🎼 Berlin Quartet
🎹 Piano Recitals
🎵 Chamber Music
✨ Why This Festival Matters
BIGLAKE is North America’s premier destination for intimate classical music experiences, and 2026 marks another extraordinary summer in Prince Edward County. Founded by internationally renowned conductors Elissa Lee and Johannes Debus, the festival transforms Wellington Music Hall into a concert venue of world-class calibre — a space where the world’s finest musicians gather to perform works that have endured centuries.
The 2026 theme, CLASSICS, invites you to experience the absolute masterpieces of the classical repertoire: Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, Schumann and Brahms. The festival brings together virtuoso soloists and ensemble artists from around the globe. Violinist Kerson Leong makes his festival debut opening the festival, while the Philharmonisches Streichquartett Berlin performs their Canadian debut. Pianists Ilya Poletaev and Philip Chiu return, and all of these world-class artists collaborate and cross-perform throughout the nine days, creating dynamic and unexpected musical encounters.
Beyond the concerts, Wellington is a charming heritage community in the heart of Prince Edward County — an area renowned for wine, farm-to-table dining, galleries, and arts venues. You can combine nine days of classical music with wine country exploration, accommodations ranging from boutique inns to farm stays, and the kind of summer escape you’ll be thinking about for years.
📅 Festival Schedule
Ten concerts and events across nine consecutive days. Each evening features a different artist or ensemble, with collaborative performances creating surprise musical encounters throughout the week.
Friday, August 21
7:30 PM — Kerson Leong | Opening Night
Violinist Kerson Leong makes his festival debut with an opening recital to launch the 2026 CLASSICS series.
Violinist Kerson Leong makes his festival debut with an opening recital to launch the 2026 CLASSICS series.
Saturday, August 22
7:30 PM — Philip Chiu | Up Close
Pianist Philip Chiu returns with an intimate recital in the classical repertoire.
Pianist Philip Chiu returns with an intimate recital in the classical repertoire.
Sunday, August 23
5:30 PM — The Goldberg Variations | Bach Then and Now
Ilya Poletaev explores Bach’s Goldberg Variations in a classical piano recital.
Ilya Poletaev explores Bach’s Goldberg Variations in a classical piano recital.
Monday, August 24
6:30 PM — Philharmonisches Streichquartett Berlin | Canadian Debut
The prestigious Berlin Philharmonic String Quartet makes its Canadian debut at BIGLAKE.
The prestigious Berlin Philharmonic String Quartet makes its Canadian debut at BIGLAKE.
Tuesday, August 25
7:30 PM — A Musical Friendship | Schumann and Brahms
Chamber collaboration featuring the musical dialogue between Schumann and Brahms.
Chamber collaboration featuring the musical dialogue between Schumann and Brahms.
Wednesday, August 26
4:00 PM — Kaffeekuchen | Haydn and the Viennese Court
An afternoon concert exploring Haydn’s music and the elegance of the Viennese classical period.
An afternoon concert exploring Haydn’s music and the elegance of the Viennese classical period.
Thursday, August 27
7:30 PM — Candlelight Concert | Beethoven Then and Now
An intimate evening by candlelight celebrating Beethoven’s transcendent masterpieces.
An intimate evening by candlelight celebrating Beethoven’s transcendent masterpieces.
Friday, August 28
7:30 PM — Kerson Leong & Philip Chiu | Dorman and Chausson
A collaborative performance between violinist Kerson Leong and pianist Philip Chiu.
A collaborative performance between violinist Kerson Leong and pianist Philip Chiu.
Saturday, August 29
11:00 AM — Medieval Songs | IMPACT concert
A morning celebration of medieval and early classical music traditions.
A morning celebration of medieval and early classical music traditions.
Saturday, August 29
7:30 PM — Festival Finale | Vivaldi and Bach
The grand finale celebrating two of classical music’s most beloved composers.
The grand finale celebrating two of classical music’s most beloved composers.
Saturday, August 29
7:30 PM — Festival Finale | Vivaldi and Bach
The grand finale celebrating two of classical music’s most beloved composers.
The grand finale celebrating two of classical music’s most beloved composers.
🎼 Featured Artists
BIGLAKE 2026 brings together virtuoso soloists and ensemble artists from across the globe. Each performer brings decades of experience from the world’s premier concert halls.
Kerson Leong
Internationally acclaimed violinist making his festival debut. Opens the festival and collaborates throughout the week.
Berlin Philharmonic Quartet
Philharmonisches Streichquartett Berlin performs their Canadian debut with chamber music masterpieces.
Ilya Poletaev
Pianist returning to BIGLAKE with solo recitals exploring Bach, Chopin, and the classical canon.
Philip Chiu
Award-winning pianist performing intimate recitals and collaborative chamber works.
Ensemble Made In Canada
Canada’s own classical ensemble delivering collaborative performances throughout the festival.
💡 Each artist performs individual recitals and collaborates with others to create playful and dynamic musical experiences across the nine days.
ℹ️ Festival Essentials
Venue
Wellington Music Hall, 42 West Street, Wellington, ON. Intimate concert hall setting.
Tickets
Ticketed. Individual concert tickets and festival passes available at biglakearts.tickit.ca
Parking
On-street parking available in downtown Wellington. Limited spaces. Arrive early.
Accommodation
Prince Edward County offers boutique inns, farm stays and B&Bs. Book early for festival week.
Food & Wine
Wellington and Prince Edward County feature farm-to-table restaurants, wineries, and cafés.
Best For
Classical music enthusiasts · chamber music lovers · wine and heritage tourism · intimate concerts
🚗 Getting There & Parking
Wellington is located in the heart of Prince Edward County, approximately 2 hours from Toronto, 1.5 hours from Ottawa, and 1.5 hours from Kingston. The venue is nestled in a charming historic downtown area.
By car: Wellington is accessible via Prince Edward County roads from the 401. On-street parking is available downtown on a first-come basis. Arrive early for evening concerts.
Road trip: The drive through Prince Edward County wine country is scenic and enjoyable. Consider staying in Wellington or nearby Picton for a full weekend arts and wine escape.
📍 Get Directions to Wellington Music Hall
💡 Tips for Your Visit
🎫 Plan your concert visits early. With 10 concerts across 9 days, you can attend several or make it an entire week. Decide which performances align with your classical music interests.
🏨 Book accommodation in advance. Festival week draws visitors from across the region. Prince Edward County lodging ranges from luxury wine-country inns to charming B&Bs. Book early to secure your preferred option.
🍷 Explore Prince Edward County’s wine and culinary scene. Wellington is a perfect base for exploring County wineries, galleries, restaurants and farm-to-table venues. Many wineries and restaurants are within walking distance or a short drive.
👔 Dress comfortably for the concert hall. Smart casual or dressy attire is appropriate for classical concerts. The hall is intimate and cool, so consider a light layer or shawl.
🎵 Check the festival website for program notes. Classical concerts are often enriched by program notes explaining the composers and works. BIGLAKE provides these to help you fully appreciate each performance.
❓ Common Questions
Details may change — always confirm on the official BIGLAKE Arts website before heading out.
Location
Get DirectionsWellington Music Hall, 42 West Street, Wellington, ON, K0K 3L0
