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20 Best Festivals in Canada That Will Unleash Your Party Spirit!

Clever Canadian Written By: March 2025

It’s no secret that Canadians love festivals—rain, shine, or snow, we’re there! No matter which province you go to, you’ll most likely find a cool festival that will tickle your fancy.

We even host festivals in the middle of winter—it goes to show you how dedicated we are to these events. What’s not to love? You get the best festival food, the hottest hits, the wildest festivities, and the coolest crowds!

If you aren’t sure which festival in Canada you should go to, we have our top recommendations below. We’ve got something for everyone, from wild to family-friendly events, so read on!

Music Festivals

Montreal International Jazz Festival

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Where: Quartier des Spectacles, Montreal, Quebec
When: Late June – early July
Contact: 514-492-1775, [email protected]
Website
Tickets

It’s safe to say that the Montreal International Jazz Festival is one of the best music festivals in Canada. Just imagine an epic annual event that attracts 2 million people from all over the world to watch an incredible lineup of musicians—that’s jazz-tastic!

Jazz icons and up-and-coming artists fly to Montreal to perform their biggest songs, classic hits, and new albums. The 2025 lineup includes living legend Wynton Marsalis, Quebec indie band Men I Trust, and Grammy award winner Samara Joy.

There are approximately 500 performances at this music fest—an average of 150 indoor and 350 outdoor shows for everyone to enjoy! The only thing you need tickets for is the indoor concerts.

To purchase tickets, go to the program page and click the “paid” option. Then, click the artist you want to watch.

Pro Tip:

Bring a credit or debit card for the vendors because the festival doesn’t accept cash.

Ottawa Bluesfest

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Where: LeBreton Flats Ottawa, Ontario
When: July
Contact: 613-247-1188
Website
Tickets

Every summer, Canada’s capital city makes way for international and local musicians belting out their best songs that make the crowds go wild! Ottawa Bluesfest does exactly that, and it’s one of the largest outdoor music festivals in the country!

This live music event started off as a blues festival but has now incorporated other genres and mainstream music, such as pop, hip-hop, R&B, and EDM—there are still blues-heavy artists.

Local and international musicians join the lineup. Previous performers include rapper Nas, country singer Tyler Childers, and Canadian indie rock group Mother Mother.

Pro Tips:

This is a cashless event, so bring your credit/debit card. You can also use Interac, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

Research the artists if you’re bringing your children. Not all will have kid-friendly lyrics.

Osheaga

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Where: Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal, Quebec
When: August
Contact: Online form
Website
Year-round Event Tickets

Montreal summers are the hottest with Osheaga, an annual music and arts festival in Canada that features indie and international artists. It’s held at Parc Jean-Drapeau, which has two islands (Sainte-Hélène and Notre-Dame) and is close to downtown.

All ages are welcome to vibe along a wide variety of music genres, such as indie, pop, and electronic. Over 100 mind-blowing performances will take place in this multi-day festival, which includes local, international, and emerging artists.

The 2024 lineup included really famous singers, such as Green Day, SZA, Noah Kahan, Chappell Roan, Hozier, and Tyla.

Pro Tip:

Montreal is hot in the summer! Make sure you’re hydrated and protected—wear breathable clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, and drink water!

Shambhala Music Festival

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Where: 7790 BC-3, Salmo River Ranch, Salmo, BC
When: Last week of July
Contact: [email protected]
Website
Tickets

If you want to go to an electrifying festival where you can camp on-site, fly to BC! The Shambhala Music Festival is the largest independent electronic music festival in the country, and every year, it hits the mark!

This four-day wild event brings together over 200 artists on a farm between the Salmo River and the gorgeous BC mountains, where a diverse range of experiences are available for everyone that’s all about fun and inclusivity.

Support the local community here! Check out the food and artisan markets, support the unofficial attendee events, admire and purchase artwork at the gallery, and learn new skills by joining the workshops.

Shambhala’s pride parades are not to be missed—a place to show and embrace your authentic self! You can even get hitched at the festival because there’s a wedding chapel!

Pro Tip:

2025 tickets are already sold out—yes, that’s how in-demand this is. Join the waitlist for ticket and lodging availability!

Cultural Festivals

Caribana Toronto

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Where: Exhibition Place and Lakeshore Boulevard – 15 Saskatchewan Road, Toronto, Ontario
When: July (three weeks of celebration)
Contact: [email protected]
Website
Tickets

The exciting and vibrant Caribana is the largest Caribbean carnival in North America. It celebrates culture, heritage, traditions, and freedom and has attracted visitors from all over the world.

Watch the launch ceremony at Nathan Phillips Square for cool performances and costumes. Families can join various activities, too, like the carnival run and family day, where kids can show off their bright costumes and celebrate their culture. 

This festival isn’t complete without the King and Queen Show, where contestants will show off their elaborate costumes to the crowd and judges. For the adults, the Caribana nightlife events will keep you dancing and partying to cool beats all night long!

Pro Tip:

Check out the hotel packages to save money–you get tickets and accommodation. This is ideal for attendees who don’t live in or near the GTA.

Celebration of Light

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Where: Over English Bay, Vancouver, BC
When: July
Contact: Links for contacts
Website
Tickets

Vancouver’s Celebration of Light is not your typical cultural festival—it’s a multicultural celebration! This is actually a fireworks display over the English Bay, but it does bring together people of different nationalities and cultures.

Various countries will show off their fireworks display, bringing pride and togetherness. Then, the winner with the most scores wins!

There’s an option for reserved seating if you want to watch the fireworks without obstructions. But you can still watch it for free from many areas in downtown Vancouver.

Pro Tip:

The best place to watch is at English Bay Beach, but expect it to be crowded. Other spots are Sunset Beach and Vanier Park.

Festival du Voyageur

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Where: Whittier Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba
When: February
Contact: (204) 237-7692, [email protected]
Website
Tickets

Wrap yourself in winter gear in Manitoba for Festival du Voyageur! This 10-day winter festival celebrates the French culture and language in the province and is also the largest Francophone event in Western Canada!

Everything about this Canadian festival is cold winter fun! Enjoy cool performances from talented local artists, admire the incredible snow sculptures, and enjoy winter activities, such as snowshoeing and skiing.

You can also show off your skills by joining the fiddling and jigging contest. Then, watch historical interpretations or buy handcrafted souvenirs and support Canadian-made products!

Pro Tip:

Dress in layers because you’ll be spending most of your time outside in the middle of February!

Food and Drink Festivals

Toronto Food and Drink Fest

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Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre – 255 Front St W, Toronto, Ontario
When: April
Contact: (905) 477-2677, [email protected]
Website
Tickets

Toronto is a foodie city, which is probably why its Food and Drink Fest always hits the right spots! If you want to taste the best the city has to offer, this culinary festival is one way to experience it all in one place!

For the ultimate Canadian food experience, swing by the food and drink exhibitors and sample their products—it’s like going on a culinary world adventure without needing your passport!

You’ll also get to watch cooking and mixology demonstrations, which is like a free class for the best food and drink pairing.

Ontario is also home to some of the best wineries, which you can see here for wine tasting! Then, head over to the Delicious Vibe Lounge for live music.

Pro Tip:

Book your ticket as soon as you can because these are limited per day. Also, bring your debit or credit card for contactless payment, and expect to pay around $4 to $6 per dish.

Vancouver International Wine Festival

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Where: Vancouver Convention Centre and various locations across the city
When: February
Contact: (604) 873-3311, 1 (877) 321-3121, [email protected]
Website
Tickets

It’s wine o’clock at the Vancouver International Wine Festival, a place that features over 100 wineries from various countries. It’s an informative and engaging event where you can mingle with winemakers and learn about their delicious drinks!

This Canadian festival holds several events, like tasting lounges and luncheons. These will take you on a culinary journey, where you can munch on the best dishes perfectly paired with a glass of wine.

Pro Tip:

Drink responsibly. Make sure you have a designated driver or book a hotel near the venue.

Poutine Feast

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Where: Cities across Canada
When: Schedules vary
Contact: Online form
Website

Poutine is a Canadian classic, a plate of crispy yet soft fries drenched in rich gravy and topped with squeaky cheese curds—what’s not to love?! And this time, you can enjoy it via Poutine Feast, a travelling festival!

It hosts various vendors, bringing their food trucks to your city! You can try the classic poutine or dip your fork into unique flavour combinations, where different cultures put a spin on this popular Canadian dish—and yes, there are non-meat variations!

Other delicious options are also available, like mini donuts and refreshing drinks. This family and pet-friendly event has free admission, so everyone’s welcome to dig in!

Pro Tip:

Bring water to down those fries! And if you want to discover new flavours, check out all the food trucks first before buying your poutine!

Winter Festivals

Winterlude

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Where: Ottawa and Gatineau area
When: Three weekends in February
Website

Winterlude is one of the ultimate winter celebrations in Canada. This winter festival runs for three weekends and transforms the Ottawa-Gatineau region into a frozen wonderland where kids and adults can join in on fun, chilly activities!

There’s a huge variety of free and paid events, including exhibits and snow activities. The snow-covered parks transform into huge winter playgrounds where you can go snow tubing, and Rideau Canal is a long ice skating rink!

You can warm up indoors. Some events are held in various places in Ottawa and Gatineau. You can join in educational experiences, cultural exhibitions, drink services, and craft activities.

Ready to experience this frosty festival? Here’s our Winterlude guide!

Pro Tip:

Check the website to see the full list of events. There are going to be so many! We recommend listing the things you want to do to avoid missing out!

World Ski and Snowboard Festival

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Where: Various venues in Whistler, BC
When: April
Website
Tickets

The World Ski and Snowboard Festival is for the mountain lovers. This Canadian winter festival celebrates snow sports, like skiing and snowboarding—but showing off your cool snow moves is not what it’s all about!

Aside from non-stop action, you can listen to the coolest music performed by the hottest artists! You can even show off your talents and join the filmmaking and photography competitions!

Pro Tip:

Look for accommodation from the website. There’s a promo code you can use to save money!

Carnaval de Québec

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Where: Various places in Quebec City, Quebec
When: mid-February
Contact: (418) 626-3716, [email protected]
Website
Tickets

Quebec knows how to do winter! The annual Carnaval de Quebec is a snowy dream come true that actually gives its residents a reason to go out of the house during chilly temperatures!

Check out intricate ice sculptures, watch the ice canoe race, jam along with the music, see the ice palace, dive into the snow bath, and taste incredible Quebecois food! This winter festival offers a tonne more, like workshops and 18+ events!

Pro Tip:

Look for Vidéotron Shuttles to conveniently travel from one place to another since the festival will have venues around the city.

Regional and Unique Festivals

Edmonton International Film Festival

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Where: Various cinemas in Edmonton
When: Fall season
Contact: +1 (780) 423-0844, [email protected]
Website
Tickets

Cinephiles rejoice! The Edmonton International Film Festival (EIFF) is exactly the kind of event you need to go to. This annual event is a visual spectacle of over 150 high-quality local and international films!

This is a must-visit for film buffs. There’s a wide variety of genres for everyone, such as comedy, drama, animation, and documentary.

Pro Tip:

Reserve your tickets as soon as you can. Not all films will have more than two showings and you can’t buy tickets at the door.

The Calgary Stampede

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Where: 1410 Stampede Trl SE, Calgary, Alberta
When: July
Contact: Online form
Website
Tickets

Calgarians love the iconic Calgary Stampede, a 10-day rodeo festival that pretty much takes over the city. It attracts over 1 million attendees from all across Canada and all over the world.

Wear your best cowboy boots to watch the rodeo, where competitors and their animals show their determination and next-level skills! The rodeo will feature unstoppable events, like barrel racing, tie-down roping, and bull riding.

Buckle up for the evening show because The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth wraps up the night with a beautiful fireworks display! And yes, this is every night for the whole festival!

Pro Tip:

On days you’re not going to the Stampede but want to watch the fireworks, Scotsman’s Hill is a popular place to watch it.

Elmira Maple Syrup Festival

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Where: Downtown and various venues in Elmira, Ontario
When: April
Contact: (519) 669-6000, [email protected]
Website

It’s no secret that Canadians love maple syrup—we have many regional festivals that celebrate this sweet sap! In Ontario, the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival shows our love affair with this golden delight while supporting local communities!

It’s a given you can purchase bottles of fresh maple syrup and maple-infused treats, but one thing you cannot miss is the pancakes generously drizzled with sweet syrup goodness!

This kid-friendly festival has something for everyone. There are activities, local vendors, live music, a family fun area, and a sugar bush tour for a glimpse of how real maple syrup is produced—talk about a Canadian experience!

Pro Tip:

Visit the website for ticket updates.

LGBTQ+ and Pride Festivals

Pride Toronto

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Where: Church Wellesley Village and other venues in Toronto, Ontario
When: June
Contact: (416) 927-7433, [email protected]
Website

Pride Toronto is one of the largest pride festivals in the world, attracting millions of people from all over the world. It’s mainly held in the Church Wellesley Village, but it takes over other places in the city.

This month-long queer celebration is full of fun, acceptance, and love. It’s a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community to completely show who they are and who they love regardless of what they identify as.

Brace yourself because you’ll be screaming your lungs out once the drag show starts—contestants from Drag Race strut the stage to entertain everyone. The parades are not to be missed, as well as the delicious food and community events!

If you need a guide for Pride Toronto from people who’ve been there, check this out.

Pro Tip:

Pride Toronto is held in the summer, so drink water and wear sunscreen! This is also a huge event, so have a contingency plan in case you get separated from your group.

Vancouver Pride

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Where: Various areas in Vancouver
When: Around late July – early August
Contact: [email protected]
Website

Another LGBTQ+ festival in Canada you cannot miss is held in Vancouver. The Vancouver Pride is an annual event by the Vancouver Pride Society that attracts over 100,000 attendees.

The parade is worth seeing, with unique talents showing off their skills and colourful outfits. There’s also a bunch of events that celebrate being queer, such as live performances, drag shows, drag brunches, and comedy shows!

Pro Tip:

Know where you want to go. The streets are going to be crowded, and getting from one place to another will be tough if you don’t have a plan.

Reel Pride Film Festival

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Where: Gas Station Arts Centre- 445 River Ave, Unit 1, Winnipeg, Manitoba
When: September
Contact: [email protected]
Website

Winnipeg’s Reel Pride showcases queer filmmakers and talents. It’s the oldest 2SLGBTQ+ film festival in Canada, highlighting queer media and the community’s contributions to cinema.

This multi-day festival will bring films from all over the world, with titles not shown in theatres near you. There are different genres and film ratings which allow kids to watch powerful queer media.

Pro Tip:

Check the film ratings on the website if you’re bringing kids.

Outdoor and Nature Festivals

Canadian Tulip Festival

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Where: Commissioners Park – Queen Elizabeth Driveway, Ottawa, Ontario
When: May
Contact: +1 (800) 668-8547, [email protected]
Website

The Canadian Tulip Festival is where beauty meets nature. For 11 days, watch as over 300,000 of these gorgeous flowers turn the grounds of Commissioners Park into a vibrant and stunning massive garden bed.

This nature festival will also host various events for all ages, such as workshops, guided tours, art spaces, markets, and a play zone for the kiddos. Join the Flower Fun Run, where you’ll run on a stunning route surrounded by vibrant tulips!

Pro Tip:

Wear your most comfortable shoes because you’ll be walking around a lot.

Meadowlark Nature Festival

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Where: Various places in Penticton, BC
When: May
Contact: 1 (250) 492 5275, [email protected]
Website
Tickets

Be one with nature at the Meadowlark Nature Festival, where you can discover the beauty of the desert of the Okanagan Similkameen. The cool thing about this outdoor event is the many activities catered for different interests.

Take part in a guided hike and see the unique diversity of the place or go backcountry horseback riding and enjoy the scenery. You can also watch film screenings, learn about Aboriginal culture, and join geological tours.

Pro Tip:

Look at the level of difficulty for each tour to ensure you can handle the experience. Remember that this is an outdoor event where it’s hot and sunny—bring lots of water, apply sunscreen, sport your sun hat, and wear proper footwear.

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