After more than 40 years working together, the Rotary Music Festival and Medicine Hat College are no longer partnering showcase the annual festival. The 2026 festival in March will be hosted mainly at two downtown churches.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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The city’s next Rotary Music Festival will not be held at Medicine Hat College, ending more than 40 years of partnership.
The festival, which traditionally takes over the Cultural Centre building on the college campus, will be hosted mainly downtown at two churches in 2026.
“We’re moving the entire festival to the downtown location, which is definitely a change from 40 years of history, but we are actually really excited about the opportunity to work with downtown partners,” Delynne Lorentzen, executive director of the festival, told the News on Thursday. “I think it’s going to be very fun.”
Festival events will be split between St. Barnabas Anglican Church on Fourth Street SE and St. John’s Presbyterian Church on Second Street SE. The two churches are only two blocks apart.
The Rose Bowl will remain at the college theatre. It will take place Mar. 20.
Lorentzen says the festival was relocated due to financial pressures.
“Historically, we’ve operated under a certain arrangement, and that is no longer the case,” she said. “We’re doing what we have to to make it work for us.”
“While we understand the festival has chosen a new venue this year due to financial considerations, we respect their decision and wish them continued success,” reads a statement issued by Medicine Hat College regarding the relocation.
The college also indicated that discussions are ongoing with the Rotary Music Festival.
The 2026 festival will be held Mar. 12 through Mar. 20.
