Summer Festivals & Events

The days are getting longer, the temperature is rising, and you can finally lose the sweaters. Summer is around the corner! Summer is perfect for hosting a BBQ, spending more time outdoors, taking vacations and it is a great time to get out and enjoy the variety of festivals and events happening across Ontario.

Festivals have become a big part of summer. If you are planning to do any traveling throughout this beautiful province of ours, whether you stay local, take a day trip or a have a weekend getaway, there are so many different events and festivals to explore during the summer months.
From strawberries to music— here is a list of must see events this summer.

Street Festivals:

1. Mississauga Waterfront Festival: June 12-14 at Port Credit Memorial Park. Mississauga waterfront is the host to a variety of performances, artisans and food vendors.
2. Canal Days Marine Heritage Festival: July 31-August 3rd in various locations in Port Colborne. This festival celebrates the tall ships that set sail off the shores of southern Ontario. In addition to the tall ships, other attractions include a crafts show, a classic car show, live jazz concerts, and kid friendly play areas. The festival wraps up with a large fireworks display.

Sports & Recreation:

1. Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games: August 7th – 9th in Fergus, ON. In addition to Highland Games favourites like the caber toss (when guys in kilts chuck tree trunks), there is sheep shearing, hand quilting, tinsmithing, and other traditions from Scotland.
2. Kingston Sheepdog Trials: August 7th – 9th at Grass Creek Park in Kingston, ON. A total of 650 sheep are herded by local and international handlers. Other events include the Crafts & Artisans’ Fair, Sheep Shearing and a ton of animal events, like the Kingston Police K-9 Demonstrations, petting zoo, pony rides and even a camel ride.

Food Festivals:

1. Strawberry Festival: June 26th -28th at Memorial Park in Stouffville, ON. Other than celebrating the delicious strawberry, some of the highlights include a street market with over 250 vendors, a BMX & skateboard stunt show, and live musical performances.
2. The World’s Greatest Carrot Festival – Carrot Fest: August 14th – 15th in downtown Bradford, ON. The festival has transformed into a carrot bonanza complete with magicians, music and buskers. Carrots are on hand in just about every shape and form, including a Carrot Cake contest.

Arts & Cultural Festivals:

1. Cobourg Sandcastle Festival: August 1st at Cobourg Beach in Cobourg, ON. This is an art exhibition of many impressive sculptures made of sand at Cobourg Beach. From castles to the dragons that might scorch them, sand is used to create a number of different sights.
2. St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival: July 18 – August 22 at Kinsmen Amphitheatre in Prescott, ON. See classic plays performed in front of the beautiful St. Lawrence River. This year’s productions are Romeo & Juliet and Comedy of Errors.

Music Festivals:

1. Kitchener Blues Fest: August 6th – 9th in various location in Kitchener. The largest music festival in the Waterloo Region.
2. Collingwood Elvis Festival: July 23rd – 26th in various locations in Collingwood. Shake your hips to the hundreds of international Elvis Tribute Artists who perform at the festival. An old fashioned carnival will also be part of the festivities, with rides, food, and games.

For a complete listing of events and festivals happening this summer in Ontario check the Festivals & Events Ontario website.