If you truly want to feel the real essence of Canada, Canadian festivals are a must. It doesnโt matter when you visit there. something festive is always happening there. Be it Canadaโs legendary live music festivals, film festivals, or food festivals, itโs always a majestic experience.
Therefore, I suggest you schedule your trip to have time to enjoy the festive vibes there.
1. Calgary Stampede
Whatโs better to start the list than the greatest outdoor show on Earth? Throughout 10 days and a staggering number of about 1200 events, the Calgary Stampede is a show filled with the essence of the cowboy city it is based on, and in terms of a summer festival, it doesnโt get more bustling and colourful than this. Fulfil all your wishes about the rodeo, as all through the ten-day fest, in the rodeo ring, six major events are played out every day. Be it bull riding, bareback horse riding, or barrel riding, intense performances by the world champions will keep you on the edge of your seat.
TransAlta grandstand show and a marvellous display of fireworks all over the 23,000 acres of this ranch will surely be a memory to remember the Calgary Stampede. Also, you must know that the Calgary stampede isnโt all about the Cowboys. In its beautiful ENMAX parks, add a whopping three hundred country music singers in the fray, and Calgary Stampede becomes truly one of the best music festivals you must not miss out on!
2. Montreal International Jazz Festival
This Canadian festival holds the Guinness book record for the worldโs largest jazz festival. Widely famous and participated, theย Montreal International Jazz Festivalย is all jazz. If you are a music lover, you couldnโt ask for more given the variety of things happening all at once! An international festival of almost 800 concerts, this ten-day musical heaven attracts over two million attendees each year. One can imagine the hype there as about three thousand of the biggest international artists from all over the world participate in them. Itโs Exciting! Isnโt it?
Some tips and tricks from my personal experience that will be useful on your trip are:
- There will be tons of people, and all the bags will be checked. So, to save time for yourself and others behind you, consider not carrying any.
- You will need passes for anyone 11 and above. Kids under 11 can get an entry for free, but only if their accompanying guardian has a pass.
- It is not allowed to carry items such as firecrackers, large camping backpacks, animals, alcohol, audio recorders, and accessories such as camera stands and selfie sticks. Keep that in mind while visiting.
3. Quebec City Summer Festival
Now talking about my favourite, Quebec City Summer Festival is one of those music festivals where if you go once, you just keep going back. And you should as well, as this musical madness has everything you could ask for, famous musicians worldwide with rock, classical, country, jazz, hip-hop, and so much more.
This 11-day packed international festival with over 300 events attracts millions of tourists worldwide each year.
So, 11 days, 10 fully packed venues, and 300 amazing shows make Festival dโรฉtรฉ de Quรฉbec one of Canadaโs most popular music festivals. Enjoy live music, various local performances on the street, and the charming Toronto summer, you canโt go wrong at this music festival!
4. Toronto International Film Festival
I just love films and almost everything about them. So, there is no chance of missing the TIFF if I am in Toronto during that time.
For your information, let me tell you, that it is one of the best filmย festivals held in Torontoย in September. TIFF kicks off just after Canadaโs Labour Day. And frankly speaking, everyone should attend at least once, whether you are a movie-lover or not.
Some of the biggest names around the world are present at this 10-day-long festival. So, there is a chance of you catching up with any celebrity. The festival screens about 300-400 movies each year. Especially famous for promoting new films, this festival has introduced us to some absolute masterpieces over the years. TIFF also focuses on the Canadian Film Industry and filmmakers.
You will come across tons of film resources, visual arts galleries, and of course, absolutely amazing movies at this festival.
5. Shambhala Music Festival
Shambala Music Festivalย started its journey in 1998 and has since become the biggest and craziest electronic music festival in Canada. Lasting for 4 days and 3 nights, it is an emotion you can truly understand once you visit it. This is a family-run non sponsored event with amazing talents, beautiful lights, and even more amazing sounds(duh).
You wonโt believe that it is organized on a 500-acre Salmo River Ranch farm, inย British Columbia. The festival is so grand that there are numerous outdoor stages. You can also vibe with some world-class DJs, or enjoy the fantastic visual arts exhibited nearby. Before attending the festival, people often meet up at the local Boston Pizza in Kamloops Bc as itโs on the way to the venue, this spot is a really good hitchhiking location.
6. Canadian Music Week
Next on my list is the Canadian Music Week. Iโll tell you the reason behind it. This is one of Canadaโs biggest and most influential media and music conferences, attracting famous performers and musicians from worldwide.
This week-long festival attracts around 3000 music industry professionals every year, making it as action-packed as it gets. Artists show their performances from popular bars to numerous outdoor stages located there. It is also a paradise for music fans to discover various emerging artists and their music. For a tightly packed musical experience during your stay in Canada, Canadian Music Week is your destination.
7. Edmonton Folk Music Festival
Edmonton Folk Festivalย is another festival I would like to mention here. Held in the beginning days of August, theย Edmonton Folk Music Festivalย or EFMF is a four-day-long outdoor music show. If I had to separate the Edmonton Folk Festival from the rest, it would be because of its diversity in artists and genres. This festival presents a huge variety of genres to its audience, such as Celtic, Bluegrass, Gospel, Rotts, and Folk.
You can spot artists from all six continents at this music festival, including Kenya, Mongolia, and Cuba. Apart from music events, you can be a part of daytime workshops. And the cherry on the cake- grab the best food there. You get choices ranging from carnival fast food from food trucks to sophisticated cuisine along with a huge beer garden.
8. Honda Celebration of Light
Another amazing addition to this list, the Honda Celebration of Light, is the flagship event of British Columbia, the biggest offshore fireworks contest worldwide.
One of Vancouverโs most loved and famous events, the Celebration of Light, demonstrates the city and its culture on the world stage. Located by the breathtaking English Bay, countries clash against each other in a fantastic display of fireworks and music on its three fireworks nights. Honda Celebration of Light also arranges a whole day for live music, workshops, and food until the fireworks display in the evening. Get ready to dive into an immersive lighting experience.
9. Celtic Colours International Festival
Celtic Colours International Festivalย is a nine-day show of Cape Breton Island and its living, breathing culture. Through hundreds of events throughout the island, this huge celebration of rich history and fine culture has made Celtic Colours one of the best music festivals.
I am excited to tell you about this one. You can join hundreds of events and see world-famous artists performing with the local rising stars of Brenton Island. The venue of these events ranges from churches to modern schools and theatres.
In the season when Cape Brenton Island is in the full bloom of its natural beauty, visiting Celtic Colours may just help you understand why this festival is only getting more and more popular ever since it started in 1997.
10. Winnipeg Folk Festival
Theย Winnipeg Folk Festivalย is an annual summer folk festival held by a non-profit organization near Winnipeg. So if you are travelling to Winnipeg, you must join it. The reason I am telling you is this music festival has a variety of music genres, such as Americana, pop, country music, bluegrass, Celtic, and much more. With over 70 artists and several childrenโs performers each year, the Winnipeg Festival is one of the most enjoyable events in Canada.
11. Cavendish Beach Music Festival
Cavendish Beach Music Festivalย is held in early to mid-July in Prince Edward Island. This festival started in 2009 and is currently one of the most colourful, lively, and exciting events you can find in the area.ย The Cavendish Festival packs a solid punch of beach vibes and epic music, making it a favourite on our list.
So, spend your summer in the chilling vibes of this unique festival along with witnessing the natural beauty of the island. It surely packs a solid punch of beach vibes and epic music, making it a favourite on our list.
12. Quebec Winter Carnival
Quebec Winter Carnival is one of those festivals that you visit for its atmosphere and uniqueness. This one is a huge celebration dedicated to Winter; in fact, this is the largest winter festival in the Western Hemisphere. I strongly recommend you attend this festival at least once and trust you wonโt regret it.
The festivalโs heart would be the day and night parades throughout the city, with dreamy lights and chirpy music; it almost feels like a fairy tale when you take part in it. Tons of parties and get-togethers are held all over the city during this time, a number of them even in the freezing temperatures.
Activities you can take part in include masquerade balls organized in Chateau Frontenac, the opening and closing of the event in the Ice Palace, outdoor sports events, free-for-all outdoor banquets, and even ice sculptures competitions by various local, Canadian and international artists.
Can You Feel the Festive Vibes?
I am sure that after knowing about these exciting festivals, you are now in a party mood. Canadian festivals bring with them breathtaking fireworks, amazing music, delicious food, and most importantly, precious memories. So, whenever you visit Canada try to join at least a few of these.
Last Updated on April 10, 2024 by Pragya Chakrapani
I really wanna enjoy_The Dreams Festival of Canada, I’ve heard a lot about this festival and also summer is on the way,so definitely gonna plan to join this festival with my friends! Thank you for sharing such insightful content!