2026 Dunnville Mudcat Festival

For half a century, the Dunnville Mudcat Festival has been one of Haldimand County’s signature summer traditions.

What began in the 1970s as a celebration of Dunnville’s connection to the Grand River and the famous mudcat fish has grown into a four-day festival that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Along the way, generations of families have lined Queen Street for the parade, spent summer evenings listening to live music by the river, cheered on duck races and bed races, and created memories that keep them coming back year after year.

This year marks the festival’s 50th anniversary, and organizers are embracing the occasion with a “Back to the 70s” theme that pays tribute to the era when it all began.

The celebration kicks off Thursday, June 11, with the BIA Huge Sidewalk Sale and Vendor Market running throughout the day on Queen Street. In the evening, festivalgoers can enjoy a free downtown concert featuring The Black Stones and The Niagara Soul Shakers while Family Time Amusements gets the midway underway at Waterfront Park.

Friday brings family-friendly fun to Central Park with Family Movie Night, complete with popcorn and a colouring contest. A vendor market will operate throughout the afternoon, while Legion Branch 142 hosts a traditional fish fry. Later in the evening, Station 9 becomes party central as Gary Rothwell and Freedom Train headline the annual Street Dance.

Saturday is traditionally the busiest day of the festival, and the 50th anniversary celebration is no exception.

The Mudcat Parade rolls through downtown Dunnville at 10:30 a.m., bringing together community organizations, businesses, marching groups, classic vehicles, and plenty of 1970s-inspired creativity. The parade has long been one of the festival’s most anticipated events and remains a highlight for residents and visitors alike.

Across town, Lions Park becomes a hub of activity with the annual Car Show, youth tennis and volleyball tournaments, skate park activities, and a vendor market. Families can head to Central Park, where the Kids Zone features Scooby Doo appearances, bouncy castles, balloon animals, face painting, food trucks, and family entertainment.

Wingfield Park will once again host many of the festival’s most popular attractions. Music on the Grand returns from noon until 7 p.m., featuring performances by Jonesy, Public House, and the Dave Rave All-Stars. Visitors can also take a turn in the dunk tank, cheer on the Rotary Duck Races, or watch the always-entertaining Bed Races as teams compete for bragging rights.

Meanwhile, Cedar Street hosts the Strength Competition and Arm Wrestling events, where competitors test their power in front of enthusiastic crowds.

As darkness falls, thousands of spectators will gather along the riverfront for one of the festival’s most cherished traditions: the fireworks display over Wingfield Park.

The festival wraps up Sunday with a full day of family activities. Young anglers can participate in the Kids Fishing Derby, while Animal Adventures brings a petting zoo and RC demonstrations to Wingfield Park. A pet contest takes place at Central Park, vendors return for one final day, and the Slow Pitch Tournament continues at Kinsmen Park. Family Time Amusements will also offer Bracelet Day, giving families a chance to enjoy the rides before the festival comes to a close.

Fifty years after its founding, the Dunnville Mudcat Festival remains a celebration of everything that makes the community special. It brings together volunteers, service clubs, local businesses, families, and visitors for a weekend filled with fun, fundraising, entertainment, and hometown pride.

For many residents, the Mudcat Festival isn’t simply an event on the calendar. It’s a tradition that spans generations. Judging by the lineup planned for this year’s golden anniversary celebration, the next chapter looks just as bright as the first fifty years.

2026 Dunnville Mudcat Festival Schedule

Thursday, June 11

Queen Street

• 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. BIA Huge Sidewalk Sale & Vendor Market
• 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Queen St. Concert with The Black Stones and The Niagara Soul Shakers

Waterfront Park

• Family Time Amusements

Friday, June 12

Central Park

• 7:00 p.m. Family Movie Night with Popcorn & Colouring Contest
• 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Vendor Market
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Station 9

• 7:00 p.m. – Street Dance Featuring Gary Rothwell and Freedom Train

Legion 142

• 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Fish Fry

Saturday, June 13

Downtown

• 10:30 a.m. – Mudcat Parade

Lions Park

• 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Car Show

• 11:00 a.m. YIC Tennis Tournament
• 1:00 p.m. YIC Volleyball Tournament
• 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – CJ’s Skate Park Activities
• 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Vendor Market

Wingfield Park

• 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Music on the Grand with Bavarian Gardens. Live entertainment by Jonesy, Public House, Dave Rave All-Stars
• 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Dunk Tank

• 3:00 p.m.  – Rotary Duck Races

Central Park

• 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Kids Zone with Scooby Doo, Bouncy Castles, Balloon Animals, Face Painting, Food Trucks, Vendor Market

Wingfield Park

• 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Bed Races

Cedar St. 

• 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Strength Competition & Arm Wrestling

Evening

Fireworks at Dusk (Wingfield Park)

Sunday June 14

Wingfield Park

• 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Kids Fishing Derby
• 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Animal Adventures with Petting Zoo & RC Demonstrations
• 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Vendor Market

Waterfront Park

Family Time Amusements – Bracelet Day

Central Park

• 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Pet Contest

Kinsmen Park

• 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Slow Pitch Tournament