Who doesn’t love Canadian Festivals? One of the best things about travelling to other cities is taking in the culture of a new province, and knowing each location has something unique and wonderful to see. Attending a festival helps you discover the best in each city. I live in Saskatoon, and I love to encourage visitors to attend some of my favourite summer festivals. Everybody enjoys different things, and sometimes festivals have something for every member of the family. Festivals in other provinces or other countries sometimes hold the most memorable moments. My dream would be to travel across our beautiful country and take in all the local festivals. I haven’t done it yet, but this list will help me plan my future travels. Thanks to our Family Fun team in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Toronto, and Halifax, I’ve got a good start to my fun.
Canadian Festivals Coast to Coast
Vancouver Folk Music Festival
This festival is known for its laid-back, counterculture vibe, and showcases some of the biggest names in folk, roots and world music over three days.
Dates: July
Location: Jericho Beach Park, Discovery St, Vancouver
Website: thefestival.bc.ca
PNE Fair
Celebrate the end of summer at the PNE Fair. Find entertainment including the SuperDogs, Chinese acrobats, High Dive Show, dueling pianos, agriculture displays, drag shows, and the return of Summer Night Concerts!
Dates: August
Location: PNE Fairgrounds
Website: www.pne.ca/fair-faq
Richmond Maritime Festival
Maritime Festival visitors will be entertained by live music, roving performers, visual artists, stiltwalkers, puppets, storytellers and dancers.
Dates: August
Location: Britannia Shipyards, Richmond
Website: richmondmaritimefestival.ca
Edmonton International Street Performers Festival
Every July the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival transforms Churchill Square into an outdoor 3 ring circus!
Dates: July
Location: Sir Winston Churchill Square
Website: edmontonstreetfest.com
Edmonton Heritage Festival
Celebrate Edmonton’s multiculturalism as the Edmonton Heritage Festival returns to Borden Park on August long weekend.
Dates: August
Location: Edmonton Exhibition Lands & Borden Park
Website: www.heritagefest.ca
Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival
The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival returns to the heart of Old Strathcona this August for 10 days of all-new live theatre and improv adventures.
Dates: August
Location: Old Strathcona | Fringe Theatre Arts Barns/Westbury Theatre
Website: www.fringetheatre.ca/festival
Calgary Stampede
Visitors from the world over, together with the plaid- and Stetson-clad locals, take in exhibitions, concerts, competitions, the midway, and all manner of special events highlighting the ranching and farming roots of the Alberta Prairies.
Dates: July
Location: Stampede Park
Website: www.calgarystampede.com
Calgary Folk Music Festival
The Calgary Folk Music Festival has been delighting Calgarians every summer since 1980. On Prince’s Island, nestled near downtown along the Bow River, you’ll find a multicultural, diverse blend of music, entertainment, food trucks, and a market.
Dates: July
Location: Prince’s Island Park
Website: calgaryfolkfest.com
GlobalFest
This celebration of Calgary’s multicultural communities features pavilions, performances, international food, children’s activities, and fireworks that you just won’t want to miss.
Dates: August
Location: Elliston Park, Calgary, AB
Website: globalfest.ca
YXE Urban Games
This festival is new to Saskatoon and already loved by so many. You will find a blend of competitive sports and cultural exhibitions. There will be something for everybody to enjoy.
Dates: July
Location: Victoria Park, Saskatoon
Website: www.discoversaskatoon.com/yxe-urban-games
Saskatoon Fringe Festival
Celebrate everything weird and wonderful whether you’re sampling a delicious new flavour from an on-site food truck, watching a street performer or perusing the wares of a trendy vendor.
Dates: August
Location: W. E. Graham Park (behind Ecole Victoria) and on 11th Street East, Saskatoon
Website: 25thstreettheatre.org
Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan
Get ready to shake it up on the banks of the South Saskatchewan at Saskatoon’s most theatrical festival! Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan is set to warm up your summer with fantastic theatre. Each year, they have amazing shows.
Dates: July and August
Location: Meewasin Trail between the 25th Street Bridge and the Prairie Lily Riverboat dock
Website: shakespearesask.com
Toronto Fringe Festival & KidsFest
Introduce your little ones to the magic of live theatre with Toronto Fringe Festival and their KidsFest, with shows for kids ages 4-12 featuring storytelling, puppetry, dance and song.
Dates: July
Location: Soulpepper Theatre’s Kevin & Roger Garland Cabaret
Website: fringetoronto.com/fringe/kidsfest/about
Toronto Chinatown Festival
Your family will love the free cultural performances, as well as traditional and multicultural street eats, family activities, Dragon & Lion Dance performances, and more!
Dates: August
Location: Chinatown Area
Website: chinatownbia.com
FAN EXPO Canada
The largest comics, sci-fi, anime and gaming event in the country, the four-day pop culture convention FAN EXPO Canada celebrates all things fandom, including the fun Family Zone, where you can enjoy kid-friendly games, hands-on experiences, crafts and more.
Dates: August
Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Website: fanexpohq.com/fanexpocanada
Dartmouth Festival Series
You can catch the fun every weekend! The Dartmouth Ferry Terminal Park offers live entertainment all summer long.
Dates: July and August
Location: Dartmouth Ferry Terminal Park
Website: www.halifax.ca/parks-recreation/events/dartmouth-festival-series
The Halifax Mural Festival
See artists from near and far add splashes of colour and bring life to blank walls.
Dates: July
Location: Quinpool Road & around Downtown Halifax
Website: www.familyfuncanada.com/halifax/halifax-mural-festival
Northern Lights Lantern Festival
At the Northern Lights Lantern Festiva, you’ll find live music, bouncy castles, face painting, free community BBQ, lantern making and a fireworks finale,
Dates: August
Location: Merv Sullivan Memorial Park
Website: nllf.org
If you’re travelling across Canada, and find any of these amazing festivals, I hope you have a great time. Do you want to keep your kids busy during the summer? Make sure to check out our list of the coolest summer camps across Canada.
