One thing is for sure, Ontarians love their street festivals, and when the weather warms up, the first thing we do is take to Google in search of fun festivals to check out over the weekend.
From beer and jazz to delicious food and cacti, there's a festival for nearly every passion.
And, if festivals are your jam, look no further than this guide to the top festivals to check out in Ontario all summer long.
JUNE
Ottawa International Jazz Festival - Ottawa | June 23-June 30, 2023
The Ottawa International Jazz Festival is one of the largest jazz festivals in the world, attracting over 300,000 visitors each year. This 7-day celebration of music boasts multiple sound stages and this year’s musical lineup goes far beyond traditional jazz with artists like Lord Huron, Feist, and Little Animal! If you’re an aspiring artist, there are workshops and masterclasses to take in too. The festival takes place in the heart of downtown Ottawa, making it easy to explore the city's many attractions while enjoying the music.
JULY
Northern Lights Festival Boréal - Sudbury | July 6-9, 2023
The Northern Lights Festival Boréal is one of Canada's oldest music festivals set in Bell Park in Sudbury. The festival features live music centered around the genres of folk, roots, and world music and is beautifully located right on Ramsey Lake.
Toronto’s Festival of Beer - Toronto | July 28-30, 2023
Toronto’s Festival of Beer takes place at the Bandshell Park at the Exhibition Place in Toronto and celebrates all things—you guessed it!—beer. Take in the city’s vibrant beer scene with tastings from countless breweries and sample a wide variety of foods while taking in live music.
AUGUST
Taste of the Danforth - Toronto | August 11-13, 2023
Back for the first time since 2019, the Taste of the Danforth is one of Toronto's most popular food festivals. This three-day food-lovers fest features endless vendors serving up delicious Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, as well as sound stages blasting live music and other attractions such as a rage room, dance lessons, and a full-blown midway.
The Waterfront Night Market - Toronto | August 11-13, 2023
Taste and celebrate Asian street food and culture at The Waterfront Night Market in Toronto this August! This three-day festival features food vendors serving up delicious dishes from across Asia, as well as live music and entertainment.
Cactus Festival - Dundas | August 19-21, 2023
The Cactus Festival in Dundas is a unique celebration of the town's history and culture. This three-day festival features live music, food vendors, and a parade—and in case you’re wondering what all of this has to do with cacti, Dundas is internationally known as the Cactus Capital of Canada thanks to the late famed cacti producer Ben Velduis, so it's only natural that the festival has its cactus-growing competition. This fun street fest is a great way to experience the charm of this small town while enjoying some local entertainment and food.
SEPTEMBER
The Redpath Waterfront Festival - Toronto | September 16-17, 2023
The Redpath Waterfront Festival in Toronto is basically one big party on the waterfront and festival-goers will be thrilled to know that this year, the quack is back! That’s right. the World’s Largest Rubber Duck, Mama Duck, towering six stories tall and weighing 30,000 pounds will make her appearance in Lake Ontario where the festival takes place for the first time since pre-Covid. This two-day festival also features live music and food vendors—but let’s be honest—we’re going for the duck.
