The Canadian ExplorerDiscover Canada · Explore Beyond

Curated collection

Best Summer Festivals

Canada's marquee summer festivals — music, culture, and outdoor celebration coast to coast.

11 events

Calgary, ab

Calgary Stampede

The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth — rodeo, chuckwagons, and a city in Stetsons.

Early July · 10 daysSummer

Montréal, qc

Montreal International Jazz Festival

The largest jazz festival on Earth — 3,000 artists, hundreds of free outdoor shows.

Late June – early July · 10 daysSummer

Vancouver, bc

Celebration of Light

The world's longest offshore fireworks competition lights up English Bay.

Late July – early August · 3 nightsSummer

Edmonton, ab

Edmonton Folk Music Festival

Four days of folk, roots and global sound in the Gallagher Park amphitheatre.

Early August · 4 daysSummer

Montréal, qc

Osheaga Music & Arts Festival

Canada's marquee indie/alt/hip-hop festival on Île Sainte-Hélène.

Late July / early August · 3 daysSummer

Oro-Medonte, on

Boots & Hearts Music Festival

Canada's biggest country-music camping festival.

Early August · 4 daysSummer

Ottawa, on

RBC Ottawa Bluesfest

One of North America's largest outdoor music festivals — blues, rock, hip-hop, pop.

Early – mid July · 10 daysSummer

Halifax, ns

Halifax Tall Ships Festival

Majestic sailing vessels line the Halifax waterfront in a rare and spectacular gathering.

Late July / early August (select years) · 4 daysSummer

Stratford, on

Stratford Festival

North America's largest classical repertory theatre — a six-month Shakespeare season.

April – OctoberSummer

Niagara-on-the-Lake, on

Shaw Festival

Repertory theatre celebrating George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries in Ontario wine country.

April – DecemberSummer

Toronto, on

Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana)

North America's largest Caribbean festival — 1.3M revellers along the Lakeshore.

Late July – early August · 3 weeksSummer

More collections

Keep exploring by theme

Best Winter Festivals Best Food & Drink Festivals Best Music Festivals Best Family Events Best Indigenous Events Best Wildlife Events Best Holiday Events Hidden Gem Events Bucket List Events Best Photography Events Best Outdoor Events