Rock the Park: How London’s Biggest Festival Was Born and Still Rocks On
Every July, the quiet flow of the Thames River in downtown London, Ontario, gives way to thundering bass, massive crowds, and one of Canada’s most beloved music festivals: Rock the Park.
Why Rock the Park Was Invented
Back in 2004, Brad and Greg Jones of Jones Entertainment Group had a vision: bring a world-class outdoor rock show to Harris Park—and raise money while doing it. What started as “Hawk Rocks the Park,” named after local station 103.9 The Hawk, was a charity event benefiting Bethany’s Hope Foundation. That first year raised over $110,000, setting the tone for a community-first concert that only got louder and better.
Over time, Rock the Park evolved—welcoming everything from classic rock and country to pop, hip-hop, and alternative. It’s now sponsored by RBC and supports groups like Make-A-Wish, Children’s Health Foundation, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Where It All Happens
Since day one, the festival has lived at Harris Park—right in the heart of London, Ontario. With the river behind the stage and the skyline peeking through the trees, it’s one of the most iconic outdoor venues in the province.
Notable Bands Through the Years
Here’s a quick timeline of some of the biggest acts to hit the Rock the Park stage:
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2004 – Alice Cooper, Randy Bachman, Blood, Sweat & Tears
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2005 – ZZ Top, Randy Bachman, Trooper
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2006 – Peter Frampton, Styx, Alice Cooper
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2010 – April Wine, Alice Cooper, Peter Frampton
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2013 – The Tragically Hip, Toto, Styx
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2015 – Train, Billy Talent, Arkells, Mother Mother
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2017 – The Offspring, Sublime with Rome, Wiz Khalifa
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2018 – Boyz II Men, A Flock of Seagulls, Coolio
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2022 – TLC, Nelly, Aqua, Dierks Bentley
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2023 – Alexisonfire, Billy Talent, Cypress Hill
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2025 – Hozier, Bad Omens, Kygo, Lee Brice, The Reklaws, Lonestar
Fun Stories from the Pit and Beyond
Rain? Fans don’t care. In 2023, over 12,000 people got soaked in a thunderstorm just to see Cypress Hill tear it down with a cover of “Jump Around.” That same year, organizers raffled off a custom Harley-Davidson to raise money for local kids’ charities.
One die-hard fan called the Billy Talent / Rise Against / Killswitch Engage combo the best lineup ever. It’s not just a concert—it’s a proving ground for diehards.
What’s wild is how the fest has shifted genres while keeping its identity. From hair metal to hip-hop, from honky-tonk to house music—there’s always something for every kind of fan.
The 2025 Lineup
This year’s Rock the Park brought in one of its most diverse lineups ever:
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July 8 – Hozier, Marianas Trench, Dear Rouge
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July 9 – The Red Clay Strays, Wyatt Flores, Sam Barber
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July 10 – Kygo, Two Friends, Sam Feldt
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July 11 – Bad Omens, Underoath, Dayseeker, Cancer Bats
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July 12 – Lee Brice, The Reklaws, Lonestar, Owen Riegling
Tens of thousands came out again in 2025, proving this festival just keeps leveling up.
Rock the Park is more than a show. It’s a summer ritual, a local legacy, and a full-on celebration of sound in the heart of the city.
Stick around—there’s always another story waiting by the river.
I was outside the gates 2025 Johnny’s Backyard Just Got Personal Johnny vs The Bark Knight #BackyardBattle – YouTube