Ontario Festivals

Delight in the dazzling array of festivals, events and fairs from world-renowned to unique and local. You'll discover year-round in Ontario. Bundle up for a winter carnival and be entranced by beautifully intricate ice sculptures. Witness the drama of history unfolding during authentic battle re-enactments. Attend the theatre and experience the excitement of a Broadway musical or enjoy the intimacy of an avant-garde fringe festival. Pay homage to the "King" at an annual Elvis Festival. Come harvest time, the land is filled with fall fairs where you can lose yourself in a corn maze and watch world records tumble at a monster pumpkinfest. In Ontario, you'll find over 3,000 festivals and fairs for every season and every reason.

Celebrate the Seasons

For every season there is a celebration in communities across Ontario.

Winter

When the mercury dips below freezing get out and enjoy winter carnivals that warm you up with fun events and activities. Skate the Rideau Canal and admire the sparkling ice of Iceculture at Ottawa's Winterlude festival. Watch brave souls take a chilly 'polar bear dip' at Sault Ste. Marie's Bon Soo Carnival. See a dog sled race or the modern version - a snowmobile rally. Drive to Orillia for their winter carnival and take part in the 'winter olympics'.

Savour the warm winter comfort foods of Toronto's Wintercity after admiring the spectacular sights and holiday fun of Toronto's annual Santa Claus Parade.

Don't miss out on the small-town excitement of Ontario's many other events. Transport yourself back in time to Upper Canada Village as you celebrate Alight at Night during the 19th century. Celebrate the season at Dorset's Snowball Winter Carnival, Waterloo's Doon by Lantern, Peterborough's Heritage Christmas and Windsor's Bright Nights Light Festival.

Spring

Then, as the soil awakens and the sap flows, sample sweet maple treats at the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, the Elmvale Maple Syrup Festival, the Bronte Creek Maple Syrup Festival or at Prince Edward County's Maple in the County. Turn your eyes skyward and witness the return of the tundra swans to Grand Bend.

Delight in the vibrant palette of colours at the renowned Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa, at the Gardening Festival - "Catch Spring Fever" in Brantford or at the Lilac Festival at the Royal Botanical Garden in Burlington.

Summer

Get caught up in the Canada Day festivities and fireworks that greet the summer on July 1st. Sink your teeth into fresh corn at a cornfest or savour the succulent nectar at a strawberry festival. Bask in the fun and sun of many waterfront festivals and regattas, outdoor fairs and concerts throughout the summer months. Celebrate all things involving canoeing, kayaking and the great outdoors at Canoefest Atikokan. Or take in the history and excitement of Ontario's Bush Plane Days in the Sault Ste Marie, home of the Canadian Bushplane Museum.

Ontario is a favourite destination of festival-goers thanks to the wide range of events and celebrations that reflect its great cultural breadth and diversity. Whether you're a fan of the arts, sports, history or just plain having fun, Ontario has a special event to find your favour this summer.

Join the Six Nations of the Grand River at Ohsweken near Brantford as they gather to celebrate their vibrant culture through song, dance and drumming at the Grand River Champion of Champions Pow Wow. Everyone is invited to share the experience on the last weekend of July. Come sample traditional Aboriginal foods, discover colourful crafts and watch the best Aboriginal dancers from across North America participate in a championship competition.

Parry Sound Festival of the Sound presents three weeks of classical musical and contemporary jazz in July and August set on picturesque Georgian Bay and there's nothing like it anywhere in the world. Watch Michael Andretti, Paul Tracy and their fellow CART superstars match wits and machines in one of auto racing's premier events, in early-July at the Molson Indy.

Fall

Rural Ontario marks harvest time with fall fairs that invite you to share in this rich bounty. Visit Port Elgin's Pumpkinfest and check out an underwater pumpkin-carving contest. Scoop up delicious berries at the Bala Cranberry Festival.

Celebrate the hop and the grape at Kitchener-Waterloo's Oktoberfest and at the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival. Say goodbye to monarch butterflies and hundreds of bird species as they make their way down south through Point Pelee National Park and Presqu'ile Provincial Park. Fairs and festivals are always in season in every corner of Ontario.