This past August 14–17, 2025, the block in front of the historic Burton Cummings Theatre in downtown Winnipeg transformed into a spirited festival ground, as the fifth annual Burt Block Party returned to the Exchange District. For four nights, thousands of eager fans per evening gathered beneath the city’s skyline to experience a dynamic mix of talent spanning country, pop-rock, veteran performers, and homegrown favourites.

Opening night carried a distinctly country-infused warmth, with a lineup that included Dean Brody, Owen Reigling, Hailey Benedict, and Brandi Vezina. Brody brought his seasoned charisma, his presence commanding the crowd from the start. Owen Reigling offered a newer but equally compelling energy – bright, infectious, and eager to connect. Hailey Benedict’s performance added a touch of emotional depth, giving the evening a heartfelt pulse, while Brandi Vezina rounded things out with vibrant authenticity. Together, they set a welcoming, communal tone that felt like a gathering of friends old and new.

Friday’s turn brought a nostalgic wave laced with modern flair: Marianas Trench, Down with Webster, Fefe Dobson and locals Show Pony. Marianas Trench’s energy carried a confident swagger, while Down with Webster added a playful, crowd-rousing vibe. Fefe Dobson delivered an unapologetic punch of charisma and stage presence. It was a night that blended youthful momentum with polished showmanship, each act feeding off the electric crowd energy.

Saturday’s slate was a commanding one, with The Glorious Sons, Everclear, JJ Wilde, and local rockers The Ripperz. The Glorious Sons brought a powerful rock spirit, grounded and full of conviction. Everclear injected a veteran intensity, palpable and nostalgic without veering into reverie. JJ Wilde rounded out the lineup with bold confidence and sharp dynamism. That night felt like an electric thread tied through rock generations—a set of performances that spoke to both memory and the present.

Sunday’s finale leaned into classic rock sensibilities, with Kim Mitchell, Chilliwack, Harlequin, and local blues/roots legend Romi Mayes anchoring the evening. Mitchell delivered seasoned flair and authority, and Chilliwack resonated with timeless energy. Harlequin, with their deep roots in Manitoba’s music scene, delivered a performance rich in community spirit. It felt like a musical handshake between eras—legendary voices reminding us why live music feels eternal.

Framed by the stately façade and distinctive architecture of the Burton Cummings Theatre, the setting added extra weight to the festivities. Outside of the theatre, the street pulsed with excitement: food trucks lined the perimeter, festival vendors offered local flair, and the vibe was unapologetically communal. The mix of music, city at dusk, and urban heritage made each night feel rooted in place and alive in moment. Adding to the experience, thoughtful production pulled everything together—sound carried clean and balanced, lighting shifted moodfully between acts, and the open-air layout allowed spontaneous dancing in the crowd’s front. The organizers smartly paced each evening: transitions were smooth, the crowd never cooled off, and there was a natural progression that built from the early acts toward more high-octane closers.

Crowds varied night by night, but the response remained consistently warm—friendly chatter, spontaneous dance circles, cheers that turned into collective hum when a voice rose above, and faces lit up by more than stage lights. If you weren’t there, imagine this: four consecutive August nights where the beat of the stage was the beat of the block; where the city’s architectural legacy backed live performances from artists new and seasoned; where local and touring bands mingled in the same frame, each weaving their story into Winnipeg’s summer tapestry.

The 2025 Burt Block Party wasn’t just a series of concerts—it was a multi-night conversation between crowd and artist, city and heritage, nostalgia and now. It was the kind of event where people didn’t just attend—they arrived together, shared laughter and rhythm, and left with stories only live music outside can tell. For its fifth year, the party didn’t just return—it grounded itself deeper into the summer experience of Winnipeg.