Big Shiny Tunes weekend is always a highlight of the year. Even with the wealth of talent that is tapped to perform as part of Rankin MacInnis’ Winter Warmers seasons, Big Shiny Tunes continues to be a standout. You take a lineup stacked with some of the best performers that the province (and the Maritimes) has to offer, with a playlist of iconic music from the ’90s and early 00’s, and a venue packed with patrons who are ready to sweat, smile, and sing their hearts out, and it’s pure bliss. 2026 marked the 5th volume in the annual series, and it continues to capture the magic of those songs, and you can see that tangible joy etched across the faces of each and every one of these performers.

The fact that the performers make it look effortless and loose goes to show how much effort and pride go into these performances behind the scenes. The house band, which provides the backbone to the entire evening, is unreal, with parts of Walrus, The Brood, The Jenny Wren and The Mellowtones; it is an all-star affair.  Then you get to sit back and let the performers, such as Carmen Townsend, Christina  Martin, Mike Lloyd, and the occasional guest performer (Adam Baldwin), dazzle the room. These weekends always hit the mark, and you can bet that 2027 is already circled on the calendar.

Enjoy this gallery of shots from Night 1.