Cowapolooza
Cowapolooza is returning to Southside Park for Woodstock's favourite summer festival!
Friday, August 14, 2026 from 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
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Kick up your boots for Cowapolooza Country. Enjoy free live music on the main stage.
Saturday, August 15, 2026 from 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Cowapolooza Kids: 2 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. join us for action packed free family friendly activities.
- Enjoy main stage music throughout the day. At 8:30 p.m., an iconic Canadian rock band will hit the stage!
Staff are currently planning the 2026 celebration, check back for updates.
Volunteer Opportunities
Our events, attracting thousands annually, rely on volunteers. As a volunteer, have fun, meet new friends, earn hours, and make a community impact.
Food, Beverage and Marketplace Vendors
Grab a bite to eat or shop in the marketplace from one the many on-site vendors. You can also take a seat in our beverage garden with a main stage view!
An ATM is available on-site and vendors may accept debit or credit. You can pay with cash, debit or credit at the beverage garden.
| Food Vendors |
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Food Vendor applications are now closed. |
| Beverage Garden |
| Brought to you by the Woodstock Lion's Club, the beverage garden will offer thirst quenching favourites, while you enjoy live music with a main stage view. |
| Marketplace Vendors |
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Marketplace Vendor Application
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Know Before You Go
Plan your trip to Southside Park and help make Cowapolooza safe and fun for everyone.
| Shuttle Bus and Transit Service |
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Free Shuttle Bus: Friday, Aug. 14 from 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. Park for free at the Civic Centre Arena, located at 895 Nellis St., and hop on the free shuttle bus to Southside Park. Buses will depart on Nellis Street at :00, :15, :30, :45. The shuttle will also stop at the Transit Terminal (behind the Route 7 stop) and on Peel Street at Metcalf Street for those looking to park in a downtown parking lot. While there, please visit the shops and restaurants in Downtown Woodstock! There are four stops near the park: The bus stop on South Street, the iron gate on Parkinson Road, Finkle Street at Southside Pool, Finkle Street at Argyle Street. Extended Transit Service: Transit and para-transit service will be extended from 10 p.m. until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. |
| Parking |
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Free parking locations:
No parking: In effect Friday, Aug. 14 at 8 a.m. to Saturday, Aug. 15 at 11 p.m. No parking signs will be located on both sides of the street.
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| Road Closures |
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Southside Park will be closed to vehicles past the dry bridge for event set-up from Aug. 12 – 16. Road closures: Friday, Aug. 14 from 5 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 15 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
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| Zero Tolerance: Smoking, Vaping, Cannabis and Alcohol |
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Smoking, vaping and cannabis are not permitted in city parks and can result in a $250 fine. No alcoholic beverages of any kind are permitted on site, except in the beverage garden. Security, Police, Auxiliary Unit and City-bylaw will be monitoring the area. Please be considerate so that everyone can enjoy the weekend's festivities! |
Sustainability Initiatives
Join us in creating a greener event!
| Green Team |
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Volunteers will be at Waste Stations to help attendees sort recyclables and waste, reducing our environmental footprint. |
| More Ways to be Eco-Friendly |
Together we can reduce waste, minimize single-use plastics and make Cowapolooza even more eco-friendly!
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| Other Sustainability Initiatives at Cowapolooza |
| Cans Returned for Recycling: In partnership with the Woodstock Lions Club, we ensure that all empty cans from the beverage garden are returned for recycling.
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Frequently Asked Questions
| Is this a free concert? |
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Yes, Cowapolooza is a free event. There is no tickets or admission needed to enjoy the music or activities. Vendors will also be on-site with food and merchandise available to purchase. |
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Can I bring my own lawn chair |
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Yes, you are welcome to bring a lawn chair. |
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Is the venue pet friendly? |
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Yes, you can bring your furry friends, as long as the animal is on a leash. However, the event is very popular and the live music can be loud so consider your pet's comfort in those environments. |
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Is this event all ages? |
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Yes, all ages are welcome to enjoy everything Cowapolooza has to offer! Families won't want to miss Cowapolooza Kids on Saturday afternoon. |
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Is there a beverage garden? |
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Yes, there is a beverage garden area on-site. Cash, debit and credit will be accepted. This will be the only location alcohol is permitted. |
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Can I bring my own alcohol? |
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No, please do not bring any alcoholic drinks with you on-site. There will be security, police, auxiliary and staff monitoring the event space. |
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What if there is inclement weather? |
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We carefully monitor the weather leading up to each event. Cancellation announcements will be posted on this webpage, as well as on all City of Woodstock social media outlets. |
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Where can I park? |
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Parking options and shuttle details will be posted later this spring. |
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I have dietary requirements, can you accommodate me? |
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There are always a variety of food vendors on-site. Please check each vendor's menu to see if they offer items that fit your needs. You can also bring your own food to the venue. |
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Where can I find an event schedule? |
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All up-to-date event information can be found on this webpage. |
2025 Event Recap
Relive all the fun from Cowapolooza 2025!
Video by Blackmore Media
Thank you to our 2026 sponsors!
Diamond Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Oxford Sponsors
Friendly City Sponsors
Dairy Capital Sponsors
In-Kind Donations











