Huron Waves bringing candlelight concerts to Exeter

Huron Waves Music Festival and Fever are bringing a pair of candlelight concerts to Exeter’s Trivitt Memorial Church on June 12 and 13. The popular concert format has been brought to communities throughout the world and will feature the music of The Beatles and Taylor Swift.

By Dan Rolph

The popular and picturesque setting of a concert lit by thousands of candles is coming to Exeter with a pair of shows presented by Fever and the Huron Waves Music Festival.

The concerts, which will take place on June 12 and 13 at Trivitt Memorial Church in Exeter, will feature the hit music of The Beatles and Taylor Swift performed by a string quartet.

Huron Waves president Paul Ciufo described the candlelight setting as “enchanting.”

“It creates this really special atmosphere,” said Ciufo. “They’re really popular”

Candlelight concerts have become a global phenomenon, and Fever has presented the concerts with a romantic setting in some of the world’s most recognizable venues. They are usually brought to spaces that boast beautiful architecture, such as older churches, and those venues are filled with thousands of candles.

In Exeter, Ciufo said Trivitt provides exactly the kind of setting they need.

“It’s a gorgeous, interesting space,” he said. “They have been so supportive over the years of the festival, allowing us to present concerts there.”

Ciufo said he first attended a candlelight concert after having conversations about them with former Huron Waves artistic director John Miller, who retired from his position with the festival after the 2025 season.

“John had a couple of times during his tenure talked to me about candlelight concerts and how they were quite a sensation around the world,” he said. “I was really taken by them. I got to understand why people really love them.

“It creates this really special atmosphere.”

With the two Exeter concerts featuring the music of The Beatles and Taylor Swift in a one-hour program, Ciufo said it is a unique opportunity for music lovers who may not usually consider attending a performance of classical music to experience something both new and familiar at the same time.

“I’ve realized that when you hear music that is so well known, so recognizable and so beloved, there is just something really magical about it,” he said. “There’s a refinement to it, but it’s this fun music that you love.

“We think people will really respond and be excited to hear the music of the biggest band of all time and the biggest musical act of today.”

With Miller’s retirement, as well as the retirement of Huron Waves general manager Carolyn Young, Ciufo said Huron Waves is in a transitional period and that the team behind the festival is deciding how it will take shape the coming years.

When Bach Music Festival co-founders Gerald Fagan and Friedhelm Hoffman stepped away from the festival, Miller was brought into the fold with his history of spearheading the Stratford Summer Music Festival.

Since rebranding to Huron Waves in 2019, the annual festival has brought attractions to the region such as the touring installation GAIA, as well as recognizable names including Susan Aglukark, Tomson Highway and William Prince.

“Under John’s leadership we did some amazing things,” said Ciufo.

The doors will open for both concerts at 8 p.m., and the performances will begin at 8:30 p.m.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit huronwaves.ca.