The Wiggles are an Australian children’s music group formed in 1991. Original members were Anthony Field, Murray Cook, Greg Page, Jeff Fatt and Phillip Wilcher. Wilcher left the group after their first album and was replaced by Sam Moran in 2006 when Page retired due to illness. Page later returned to the group in 2012.
The Wiggles are best known for their popular children’s songs like “Hot Potato,” “Fruit Salad,” “Rock-a-Bye Your Bear” and “Toot Toot Chugga Chugga Big Red Car.” They have earned several multi-platinum and platinum records and have sold over 30 million DVDs and videos, 7 million CDs and 8 million books globally.
In North America, The Wiggles have performed sold-out shows throughout the United States and Canada. Their live shows are a rollicking ride of singing, dancing and entertainment perfectly tailored to the preschool set. With all their success worldwide, fans often wonder – are The Wiggles coming back to Canada for a new tour?
Wiggles Tours in Canada
The Wiggles have undertaken several concert tours in Canada over the years. Here is a look at their past tours north of the border:
1996 – The Wiggles Movie Tour
The Wiggles kicked off their first tour of Canada in 1996. The tour supported their film and album “The Wiggles Movie Soundtrack,” featuring songs like “Having Fun at the Beach” and “Quack Quack.” They played over 20 shows across the country.
2002 – Wiggly Safari Tour
In 2002, The Wiggles embarked on their Wiggly Safari tour which featured songs about Australian, African and North American animals. They performed in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.
2005 – Santa’s Rockin’ Tour
This holiday-themed tour had The Wiggles perform new songs along with yuletide favorites. They played over 25 shows in Canada in major markets.
2007 – Pop Go The Wiggles Tour
The Pop Go The Wiggles tour coincided with the launch of their new TV show in Canada. They played indoor arenas in October and November 2007 across the country.
2008 – You Make Me Feel Like Dancing Tour
This tour was based on The Wiggles’ new CD featuring international dance styles. They visited Canada for a short run of 6 shows.
2011 – Ukulele Baby Tour
In 2011, The Wiggles brought their Ukulele Baby tour to Canada which highlighted ukulele music. They played theaters in Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Ottawa.
2013 – Taking Off Tour!
The Taking Off tour featured songs all about flight and traveling. The Wiggles played over 20 shows across Canada’s major markets.
2016 – Rock & Roll Preschool Tour
This was The Wiggles’ largest tour of Canada in recent years, with over 30 shows from coast to coast. They played new tunes from their Rock & Roll Preschool album.
2018 – Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle Tour
The Wiggles hit Canada again in 2018 with their Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle tour. They played indoor arenas in Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton.
Are The Wiggles Coming to Canada in 2023?
Currently there has been no announcement of a Canadian tour for The Wiggles in 2023. Their last shows in Canada were in 2018 for the Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle tour.
The Wiggles are currently focused on domestic tours in Australia for 2023. They have announced a 20-city tour across Australia from March through June 2023.
They also recently announced a tour of New Zealand for October-November 2023.
So it appears that The Wiggles plan to focus their 2023 touring on Australia and New Zealand. They do not have any Canadian dates announced at this time.
However, fans should still keep their fingers crossed. The Wiggles could potentially add a Canadian tour later in 2023 or in 2024. They have a long history of bringing their hugely popular children’s shows to Canada every few years.
Some key factors that can influence whether The Wiggles will tour Canada in 2023:
- Demand from Canadian fans – if enough interest, could motivate a tour
- Booking appropriate venues – touring logistics can be challenging
- Timing with other tours – avoiding conflicts with domestic Australia & NZ tours
- TV exposure – having shows on Canadian networks helps promote live shows
- New music – a new album release can precipitate an international tour
So in summary – a Canadian tour from The Wiggles in 2023 seems unlikely given their current schedule. But fans should keep an eye out for any surprise tour announcements down the road. The Wiggles have developed a strong Canadian fanbase and they know Canada loves the fun of their live shows.
The Wiggles’ Connection to Canada
Although they hail from Australia, The Wiggles have developed a strong connection to Canada and Canadian fans over the years. Here are some of the key ties between The Wiggles and Canada:
TV Shows
The Wiggles have had several TV shows broadcast in Canada over the years. This has helped them build a Canadian fanbase:
- The Wiggles aired on Treehouse TV and YTV in the late 90s/early 2000s
- Wiggle and Learn aired on Sprout Canada in 2007
- New Wiggles TV series aired on Treehouse in 2021
Collaborations with Canadian Artists
The Wiggles have recorded songs and performed with notable Canadian artists:
- Raffi – children’s performer, recorded “Shake Your Sillies Out” & “Wash Your Hands” with The Wiggles
- Avril Lavigne – sang jingle for The Wiggles’ “Wiggly Waffle” video
- Michael Bublé – appeared in The Wiggles’ “It’s a Wiggly Wiggly World” video
- Celine Dion – The Wiggles have covered her song “My Heart Will Go On”
Filmed videos in Canada
The Wiggles have come to Canada to film music videos over the years:
- The “Pop Go the Wiggles” TV show was filmed in Canada in 2007
- Videos for “Rock & Roll Preschool” were filmed in Toronto in 2015
Performed with Canadian symphony orchestras
The Wiggles have collaborated with Canadian symphony orchestras for live shows:
- Toronto Symphony Orchestra – performed joint concerts in 2004 & 2008
- Vancouver Symphony Orchestra – did a duet concert in 2005
Included Canadian cities in tours
As evidenced from their long touring history in Canada, The Wiggles have made sure to perform shows in major Canadian markets like:
- Toronto
- Montreal
- Vancouver
- Calgary
- Edmonton
- Ottawa
- Winnipeg
- Halifax
They understand the importance of bringing their live shows to Canadian fans.
So while The Wiggles are rooted in Australia, they have taken steps over the last 30 years to establish a genuine connection with Canada and make their mark on Canadian pop culture. This has helped them build a strong multi-generational fanbase.
How Canadians Can See The Wiggles in 2023
If The Wiggles do not announce a full Canadian tour for 2023, fans still have a couple options to see the group live:
Book a trip to Australia
The most straightforward path would be to book a trip to Australia during The Wiggles’ tour there in early 2023. Their shows run from March through June in cities across the country like Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.
This would provide Canadian families a chance to see The Wiggles live while also enjoying a vacation Down Under. Air Canada and WestJet offer direct flights from major Canadian cities to multiple destinations in Australia.
Attend a show in nearby US cities
Fans could also check The Wiggles’ website and social media to see if they add any US shows near the Canadian border in 2023. Cities like Seattle, Detroit, Buffalo or Minneapolis could potentially be close enough for a short trip.
This would provide an easier option than flying across the world. Tour schedules aren’t yet announced but fans should watch for any US shows within driving distance.
Catch a live stream
If The Wiggles offer any virtual concerts or live streams in 2023, Canadians could easily tune in from home. The group live streamed some of their Sydney shows during COVID lockdowns.
Virtual shows could provide great access for fans in Canada. Nothing beats an in-person show but a live stream lets you participate from your living room.
So while The Wiggles aren’t yet slated for a Canadian tour in 2023, resourceful fans do have some options to get their Wiggles fix. With a little effort Canadians can still experience the fun and joy of a live Wiggles show.
The Wiggles’ Continued Popularity with Canadian Kids
The Wiggles have remained hugely popular with young kids in Canada ever since their rise to fame in the 1990s. Here’s a look at why today’s generation of Canadian children are still drawn to The Wiggles phenomenon:
Catchy, repetitive songs stick in kids’ minds
The Wiggles songs have very basic melodies that are easy for little ones to remember. The repetitive lyrics hammer the words in kids’ brains. Canadian children find themselves singing Wiggles hits like “Fruit Salad” or “Hot Potato” constantly.
Fun characters and mascots
Kids are taken with The Wiggles’ colorful cast of characters – Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, dancing Dorothy the Dinosaur and more. These silly mascots show up in videos and live shows, delighting young audiences.
Cute dances and movements
The Wiggles teach simple choreography for children to follow along with. From finger-snapping to jumping up and down, kids gleefully mimic their dance moves. This keeps them engaged.
Bright and colorful aesthetics
The Wiggles use vivid, saturated colors in their set designs. This eye-catching visual style appeals strongly to toddlers and preschoolers. The colorful outfits and backdrops keep kids’ attention.
Upbeat attitudes and humor
Anthony, Murray, Simon and Lachlan have cheerful, playful personalities on stage. Their good-natured humor, gentle voices and fun spirit appeal to young audiences.
Shows tailored perfectly for young ages
The Wiggles know exactly how to captivate 2-6 year olds. Their concerts offer short bursts of simple songs, interactive games, dancing, skits and more, tailored for their short attention spans and youthful interests.
By sticking to a proven formula that clicks with preschoolers, The Wiggles continue to win over each new wave of Canadian kids. Their continued success proves the appeal of their particular brand of colorful, active entertainment for little ones.
Conclusion
The Wiggles hold a special place with multiple generations of Canadian children and parents. Their infectious, high-energy shows introduce the joy and fun of music to young audiences in a way that clicks with preschool-aged kids.
While they do not currently have a Canadian tour planned for 2023, The Wiggles have a long history of bringing their beloved live shows to Canadian fans from coast to coast. There is a still chance they add dates in Canada for 2023 or announce plans for a future tour.
For now, Canadian Wiggles lovers will need to be patient and hope this Aussie sensation makes its way back to Canada sometime soon. Given their enduring popularity spanning over 30 years, the call of “Are The Wiggles coming to Canada?” will likely ring out again before too long.
The Wiggles 2023 Tour Schedule
Date | City | Venue |
---|---|---|
March 1 | Sydney | Qudos Bank Arena |
March 5 | Melbourne | Rod Laver Arena |
March 8 | Adelaide | Adelaide Entertainment Centre |
March 12 | Perth | RAC Arena |
March 15 | Brisbane | Brisbane Entertainment Centre |
March 19 | Newcastle | Newcastle Entertainment Centre |
March 23 | Wollongong | WIN Entertainment Centre |
March 26 | Canberra | Canberra Theatre Centre |
April 1 | Hobart | Derwent Entertainment Centre |
April 5 | Cairns | Cairns Convention Centre |
April 9 | Townsville | Townsville Entertainment Convention Centre |
April 12 | Darwin | Darwin Amphitheatre |
April 16 | Auckland | Sparks Arena |
April 19 | Wellington | TSB Arena |
April 23 | Christchurch | Horncastle Arena |
April 26 | Dunedin | Edgar Centre |