London, Ontario holds a distinctive place in Canada’s cultural landscape as the country’s first UNESCO City of Music. The city’s musical identity is shaped by generations of artists, educators and culture-builders who continue to influence its direction today.
London’s story begins with the land itself. The city honours its place on the traditional territories of the Attawandaron, Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Lunaapeewak peoples, acknowledging the deep artistic and cultural traditions of the First Nations communities who have long called the region home. This acknowledgement also reflects London’s commitment to inclusion, cultural understanding and respect; values that are central to its identity as a UNESCO City of Music.
A hub for education, production and artistic excellence, London is home to three globally recognised post-secondary institutions – Western University, Fanshawe College and the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology (OIART). Together, these institutions train more than 1,000 post-secondary music students each year, developing world-class performers, composers, songwriters, audio engineers and producers. The city’s ecosystem ensures that music education begins early: local organisations reduce barriers to participation by offering free or low-cost lessons, mentorship programs, instrument-lending libraries, recording access and bursaries that support young people in pursuing their musical ambitions.
London is also one of Canada’s great event cities. It has hosted the Canadian Country Music Awards twice, in 2016 and 2021, and welcomed the JUNOS in 2019, drawing national attention and highlighting its capacity to deliver large-scale, culturally significant events. Each year, hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors experience London’s vibrant festival calendar, concert scene and community music offerings. Local partners amplify London’s global presence through international collaborations, artist exchanges and innovative programming that position the city as a welcoming landing pad for musicians from around the world.
At the heart of London’s development is its Music Strategy, established in 2014 through extensive consultation with a 25-member Music Task Force. This strategy led to the creation of a dedicated Music Office responsible for advancing the city’s goals across key areas: nurturing emerging artists, strengthening inclusion, deepening ties between music and film, expanding international exchange within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, and bolstering the media arts sector.
As a UNESCO City of Music, London stands as a dynamic, collaborative and forward-looking cultural leader – one that champions music as a vital force for community wellbeing, creative growth and international connection.
London, Canada’s UNESCO City of Music