⚡ Big festival shakeup: 2 major events move to Harris Park

I’ve loved family history research for more than 25 years, starting with interviewing older family members and, before everything went digital, even hiring a pair of B.C. researchers called The Snoop Sisters. This summer I picked it back up. This time focused less on building a family tree and more on building the stories that the next generation won’t otherwise know.

One of the best local resources is the London Room at the London Public Library, and the team there recommended a cool site: Canadiana.ca - a remarkable archive of Canadian newspapers and historical records.

My favourite find so far? In 1920s London, local newspapers published students’ mid-term and final grades, along with whether they passed into the next grade. Can you imagine that today? Different times.

I did notice that they are asking for London yearbook donations.  If you have something, click here to see the criteria.

The Gist: Jones Entertainment Group announced September 4 that Rock the Runway and electronic-music festival BCKYRD Fest are moving from London International Airport to Harris Park. Organizers said they were unable to finalize a workable traffic plan for the airport site. The dates remain unchanged, with the festivals taking place September 17 and 18.

Why It Matters: Harris Park is the longtime home of Rock the Park, giving concertgoers a familiar and more central festival location. Rock the Runway brings Limp Bizkit, Cypress Hill, JJ Wilde and The Dirty Nil to the park on September 17. BCKYRD Fest follows September 18 with Disco Lines, BUNT. and Western University alumni Loud Luxury among the performers.

The Gist: Punk Rock Flea Market London is celebrating its 10th birthday with a three-day downtown takeover from September 24 to 26. What began as a small DIY market at Call the Office in 2016 has grown into a free, all-ages celebration packed with live music, independent makers, art, skateboarding and more than 80 vendors.

Why It Matters: The festival gives local musicians, artists and independent creators a place to be seen. This year’s highlights include hometown teen rock trio Thunder Queens performing September 25, one day after releasing its new album, Deep Below. The festivities kick off September 24 at TAP Centre for Creativity with live music and an exhibition featuring more than 40 posters from the market’s first decade.

Fellini Koolini’s opened just off Richmond Street in 1990 and has been serving London for more than 35 years. Spread across two inviting floors, the restaurant has the warm, eclectic feel of a charming Italian home.

Pasta takes centre stage, with choices ranging from Ravioli Florentine in vodka blush sauce to Asiago Chicken Penne with pancetta cream sauce. Start with arancini or crispy smoked mozzarella, or share one of the restaurant’s pizzas before dinner. Pair your meal with an Aperol Spritz or house-made sangria while enjoying the last of patio season. It’s an inviting choice for date night or a cosy autumn dinner.

Back-to-school season pairs naturally with tabletop fun at L.A. Mood Comics & Games in Old East Village's Kellogg factory. Lifelong comic fans Gord Mood and Carol Vandenberg have curated fresh reads, board games, and singles since 1991.

Beyond weekly Magic and Pokémon nights, their graphic novel group gathers next on September 12, and a D&D Mix & Mingle lands at Anderson Craft Ales on October 10. Open seven days a week.

🎡 Western Fair Opening Weekend | Western Fair District | opens 09/11 | More
A giant midway, pig races, circus acts and barns full of animals.

🚚 Friday Night Food Truck Night | Meadowgate Park | 09/11 | More
Delicious local food truck favourites, sweet treats, and a lawn gathering.

🎭 Beetlejuice The Musical | Canada Life Place | 09/11-09/13 | More
A hilariously demented Broadway show filled with irreverent supernatural magic.

🏮 Lucky Lion Night Market | Victoria Park | 09/11–09/13 | More
Street food, marketplace vendors, live performances and nightly lion dances.

🌮 Arepa Festival | Market Square | 09/12 | More
Arepas, Latin flavours, live music and dancing take over Market Square.

🎤 ExtravaBandza | Dundas Place | 09/12 | More
Tyler Shaw headlines a day of local bands, art, vendors and karaoke.

🐕 Top Dock Diving Competition | Doggo Den | 09/13 | More
Cheer on dogs launching off the dock all weekend.

🎸 Stompfest '26 | Various Venues | 09/09-09/12 | More
Four nights of gritty indie rock, alt-punk bands, and local vendors.

❤️‍🔥 Grand Opening Celebration | Cowboys London | 09/11 | More
Country anthems, energetic line dancing, and cold drinks on tap.

🦅 Take It To The Limit: Eagles Tribute | Centennial Hall | 09/11 | More
Classic 70s country-rock anthems featuring rich vocal harmonies.

🎉 London Frosh Night 2026 | Club TBA | 09/11 | More
Energetic hip-hop beats and late-night dance party vibes.

🤠 Boots N’ Beats | London Music Hall | 09/12 | More
A mashup blending live country acoustic hits with driving electronic beats.

🎶 Remigio & Vox Inaudito | Wolf Performance Hall | 09/16 | More
Operatic fire fusing classical grandeur, flamenco flourishes, and more.

🎸 Rock the Runway | Harris Park | 09/17 | More
Alternative rock, heavy hip-hop beats, and massive park festival energy.

Thanks for reading! We’ll have more updates for you next week!

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