Leamington Celebrates the Official Opening of the Waterfront Market Plaza

The Municipality of Leamington is excited to announce the official opening of the Waterfront Market Plaza, the latest addition to our evolving waterfront which is part of the broader Waterfront Destination Master Plan, a 15-year roadmap for enhancing the social, economic, recreational, cultural, and environmental value of one of Leamington’s greatest assets.

Waterfront Market Plaza

Residents and visitors are invited to explore the newly completed plaza, which features expanded parking, public washroom facilities, a playground and green space, public seating, food and beverage vendors, and a new stage for live entertainment on the waterfront. The Waterfront Market Plaza will feature curated food and beverage vendors and a variety of community-focused programming, including live music, small markets, and other public activities.

Live music will be taking place on the new waterfront stage every Wednesday and Friday for the remainder of the summer, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (excluding Friday, August 14, due to the Mill Street Market). The live music will start this Wednesday, August 12, with the Ashley Lynn Experience performing. To view the full music schedule, visit leamington.ca/events.

“The Waterfront Market Plaza represents an exciting step forward in our vision for Leamington’s waterfront,” said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. “This new space gives residents and visitors even more reasons to spend time at our waterfront while creating opportunities for local businesses and performers. We invite everyone to come down, experience the plaza and vendors, and enjoy our incredible waterfront as a gathering place.”

Brew on the 42

Serving as the operational anchor of the Waterfront Market Plaza is Brew on the 42 coffee shop, a new municipally operated pilot project designed to bring consistent activity to the waterfront while helping shape the plaza’s future. In early 2026, the Municipality secured approximately $50,000 in provincial grant funding toward the start-up costs associated with Brew on the 42.

Brew on the 42 is intended to increase waterfront visitation, encourage longer stays, and enhance the visitor experience beyond special events. It will also help demonstrate the site’s potential and create opportunities for future private-sector participation.

Since opening, Brew on the 42 has received a warm welcome from the community. Brew has served a variety of beverages to residents and visitors while creating a welcoming place to gather and enjoy Leamington’s waterfront. Its early success demonstrates the community’s enthusiasm for new amenities and experiences along the water.

Leamington’s Long-Term Waterfront Vision

The Waterfront Market Plaza is part of the Municipality’s broader Waterfront Destination Master Plan which guides improvements intended to strengthen the waterfront as both a vibrant community gathering place and a tourism destination. Through the Waterfront Market Plaza and Brew on the 42, the Municipality is demonstrating leadership while setting the stage for continued investment and growth along Leamington’s waterfront.

Ribbon Cutting

The official ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, August 12, in front of the stage. Following the ribbon cutting, the first night of live music at the Waterfront Market Plaza stage will take place with the Ashely Lynn Experience. The community is invited to visit the newly completed Waterfront Market Plaza and enjoy the live music, new amenities, food and beverage offerings, green space, and waterfront setting.

Additional events, vendors, and programming will be announced throughout the season.

For updates, visit leamington.ca/WMP and follow the Municipality of Leamington on social media.