Friday, May 06, 2016

The Best New and Undiscovered Festivals in Ontario





Festival season is around the corner and we have your go to list of the best new and upcoming festivals North of Toronto for 2016.   From the much beloved Butter Tart to the treasured kayak, there are endless opportunities that will get you out discovering the best of Ontario's cottage country and beyond.











Ontario’s Best Buttertart Festival

Midland
June 10, 2017
Are you ready for the sweetest showdown of the year?  Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival and Contest is the province’s premier event celebrating everyone’s favourite ooey-gooey pastry—the butter tart! 
Learn more

See more at Midland Tourism | Downtown Midland





















Salsa at Blue

Blue Mountains
June 17-19, 2016
Muy Caliente!   Latino fever hits Blue Mountain with the return of the much anticpated 8th annual Salsa at Blue Mountain.  A FREE family street party transforming the entire Village into a fiesta of fun with mucho music and dancing capped off with FIREWORKS! 
See more at Blue Mountain Village




SantaFest - Summer Edition

Bracebridge
July 9, 2016
Lying on the 45th parallel, Bracebridge is halfway between the equator and the North Pole. SantaFest – Summer Edition is a “Christmas in July” event celebrating Bracebridge as Santa’s Summer Home! There will be live music, a Town Crier competition, vendors, games and activities for all ages, and a parade featuring Santa Claus himself!  Celebrate Santa, family, fun and summertime!
Learn more
See more at Muskoka Tourism
















Festival du loup

Lafontaine
July 14-17, 2016
French Canadian Heritage and Cultural Festival celebrating the roots and the "alive and well" French community. It is a family event with music blending professionals and locals. A taste of the past and present through music, exhibits, arts, food and laughter! The theme of the Festival originates from the legend of the wolf of Lafontaine.















Cupcake Festival

Penetanguishene
July 22-23, 2016
Cupcakes galore! Street vendors, live music, cupcake contest, charily silent auction, sidewalk sales, fabulous restaurant offerings. Come be a part of Ontario’s first and only Cupcake Festival!

















Mattawa Voyageur Days

Mattawa Voyageur CountyJuly 21-24, 2016Mattawa’s population triples when it hosts its fun filled four day festival the last full weekend of July annually with events and activities for all. Professional concerts are held each evening at beautiful Explorer’s Point. The Mattawa River Canoe Race starts in North Bay with the finishing line in Mattawa. Come experience the Timbersport competition. Children can join in the Mattawa Lions kids fishing derby. Youth day events are held on Mattawa Island. This year’s performers include Chad Brownlee, Doc Walker, Vince Neil, Alan Doyle and more!Learn more

See more at Mattawa Voyageur County



Summer in the Park Festival

North Bay
July 29-31, 2016
Civic long weekend is going to rock with headliners Hedley, Tim Hicks, and Cory Marquardt. Plus more artists to be added soon.  
Learn more


















Steampunk Festival
Coldwater 
August 6, 2016
Steampunk Festival Theme:Circus Sideshow. Vintage Car Show on August 4.  Artists Flea Market on August 5. Heritage Performers, Artisan market, Costume Contest and more August 6.
Learn more







Famarama
Blue Mountain Village
August 6-7, 2016
Celebrating families with entertainment to delight all ages including Mega Magic Show, Isabella Hoops, The Tom Show, Hands on Exotic animals, The Balloon Tree theatrical performance, Groove Dancing, guided family hikes and live music by The Next Generation Leahy.
Learn more

See more at Blue Mountain Village



















Get Outdoors Festival

Wye Marsh, Midland
August 6 & 7, 2016
Explore one of Ontario’s largest wetlands by foot, boat or bike. There are over 25km of forested trails, floating boardwalks and canoe channels that let you escape into the Marsh. Experience hummingbird banding and monarch tagging demonstrations. See birds of prey soar and learn how to i.d. turtles and snakes in a live demo.
Learn more














Rama First Nation Pow Wow

Rama
August 20-21, 2016
The 30th annual Rama First Nation Pow Wow!  Competition powwow featuring some of Turtle Island\’s best singers and dancers.  Dozens of food, arts, craft, and educational vendors onsite.
Learn more


See more at Ontario's Lake Country
















The Great Canadian Kayak Challenge & Festival

Timmins
August 26-28, 2016
A showcase of kayak & stand up paddleboard challenges, seminars & workshops, arts & culture exhibitors & vendors, live performing arts which include free admission to live concerts both Friday & Saturday night, an interactive  Aboriginal village, fireworks, and children’s activities.


Learn more




Hike Haliburton Festival

September 22-25, 2016
Canada's largest hiking festival.  The Hike Haliburton Festival welcomes over 1,500 people participate in 75 guided hikes throughout the beautiful Haliburton Highlands. Hikers of all ages and abilities come from all over Ontario - and beyond - to take in the wonder of our the Haliburton Highlands. The Festival goes beyond just ‘traditional hiking‘; heavily integrating the arts, culture, heritage and foodie experiences to truly showcase the area.




Pumpkinferno
Discovery Harbour, Penetanguishene
October 1-2, 6-9, 13-16, 20-23 & 27-30, 2016
On a cold rainy night in October of 1815, a ship from ports far away glided effortlessly into the Penetanguishene Naval Establishment blown by an eerie wind from the East. Little did the people of Penetanguishene know but this ship was bringing with it a curse that would haunt these lands… forever!
Learn more










First Light

Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, Midland
November 24-26, December 1-3 & 8-10, 2016
“First Light” is a must-see event with a great line-up of family activities and performers, all amidst the spectacular glow of over 5,000 candles.
Learn more












Buckhorn Maplefest

MacLean Berry Farm, Buckhorn
March 18-19 & 25-26, 2017
At Maplefest, there are a tons of fun activities for the entire family. Whether it’s going for a wagon ride, eating pancakes with fresh maple syrup or seeing how the sweet stuff is made, there is something to do for everyone! Whatever it is you’re looking for this spring, McLean’s Maplefest is a great way for everyone to shake off a long winter and enjoy the celebration of springs arrival.
Learn more