EVENTS CALENDAR
Ontario has a rich variety of big city and small-town festivals, fairs and events to suit every interest, passion and pastime. Below you’ll find a sample of these annual events. For a complete listing, visit ontariotravel.net.
SELECT A MONTH BELOW
JANUARY
NIAGARA ICEWINE FESTIVAL – January 13–29, 2012
The Niagara Wine Region comes alive during this celebration of Ontario’s famous Icewine. With gala dinners, outdoor ice bar, ornate ice sculptures, winery tours, tastings and carriage rides along Niagara's famed wine route, the Niagara Icewine Festival offers plenty for every taste.
www.grapeandwine.comFEBRUARY
BON SOO WINTER CARNIVAL– February 3–12, 2012
Sault Ste. Marie hosts this annual winter carnival, complete with a Winter Playground featuring snow sculptures, live entertainment, fireworks and even a winter ‘Polar Bear’ swim for the thick-skinned bather!
www.bonsoo.on.caWINTERLUDE – Weekends, February 3–24, 2012
Come to Ottawa, the nation’s capital, for Winterlude. This celebration of winter offers a wide variety of special activities, winter parks, concerts and the opportunity to skate along the Rideau Canal – the record holder for the world’s largest skating rink!
www.winterlude.caMARCH
CANADA BLOOMS – March 16–25, 2012
Canada’s largest indoor garden and flower show, held in Toronto, features a spectacular display of gardens and flowers, along with lectures, demonstrations by gardening experts and competitions to inspire gardening enthusiasts.
www.canadablooms.comCANADIAN MUSIC WEEK – March 16–25, 2012
Canadian Music Week combines conferences, award shows, a trade exposition, film festival, and Canada's biggest new music festival - Canadian Music Fest, which spans 5 nights of performances, with more than 800 bands at 60 live music venues in downtown Toronto. Canadian Music Week brings together artists, industry executives from around the world and of course the fans of Canada’s incredibly talented and diverse music scene.
www.cmw.netELMIRA MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL – March 31, 2012
A pancake breakfast kicks off the world’s largest one-day maple syrup festival. Special activities, a quilt show, wagon rides and much more make this an event for the entire family. All proceeds are given to local charities.
www.elmiramaplesyrup.comAPRIL
THE TORONTO BLUE JAYS – April to September, 2012
The 'Jays' take to the field at the Rogers Centre for all the ‘home’ baseball games.
www.bluejays.caSHAW FESTIVAL – April to November, 2012
The Shaw Festival celebrates the works of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries. Located in the idyllic and historic Niagara-on-the-Lake, the summer-long festival is the only one of its kind in the world.
www.shawfest.comSTRATFORD SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL – April to November, 2012
Christoper Plummer, Sir Alec Guinness, Julie Harris and William Shatner are just some of the famous names that have graced the stage of this renowned theatre festival in Stratford, which features the best in classic Shakespearean theatre as well as contemporary favourites.
www.stratfordfestival.ca
MAY
60th CANADIAN TULIP FESTIVAL – Weekends, May 4–21, 2012
The world’s largest tulip festival blossoms in Ottawa, commemorating the beauty of spring and symbolizing international friendship. What began as a Dutch gift of 100,000 tulip bulbs has grown into an annual event featuring some 3 million tulips across the national capital region, with sites along a 15-km Tulip Route, family entertainment and an International Pavilion. In 2012, the festival celebrate its 60th anniversary!
www.tulipfestival.ca
JUNE
LUMINATO – June 8–17, 2012
Toronto’s festival of arts and creativity puts Toronto in a whole new light. Artists working across all disciplines will come together for 10 days of unique collaborations and an incredible showcase of talent, making this festival one of the highlights of the summer events calendar.
www.luminato.com
NORTH BY NORTH EAST MUSIC FESTIVAL – June 11-17, 2012
Now in its 18th year, North by Northeast Music Festival and Conference (NXNE) has become the Canadian festival destination for new and emerging talent – unsigned bands, indie favourites, and major-label headlining artists alike. Over 625 bands playing more than 50 venues across the city make this the most anticipated summer music event in Canada.
www.nxne.com
TD OTTAWA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL – June 21 to July 1, 2012
From the avant-garde to big band and swing, this annual festival offers musical styles to suit any jazz aficionado.
www.ottawajazzfestival.com
PRIDE WEEK – June 22 to July 1, 2012
Toronto’s Pride Week celebrates the city’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans communities. Week-long festivities culminate in the glittering Pride Parade, a joyful sensory assault for over 750,000 spectators, making it one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world.
www.pridetoronto.com
TD TORONTO JAZZ FESTIVAL – June 22 to July 1, 2012
Over 2,000 international artists perform every style of jazz from standards to acid jazz in various venues across Toronto.
www.torontojazz.com
CHANGING THE GUARD – late June to late August 2012
Witness the ceremonial majesty of the changing of the guard on Parliament Hill, in the nation’s capital.
www.parl.gc.ca/vis
JULY
CANADA DAY– July 1, 2012
Canadians show their national pride on July 1st – Canada Day. Canada’s “birthday” celebrates the anniversary of the enactment of the British North American Act (today called the Constitution Act) on July 1st, 1867. Events take place nationwide, but all eyes are on the nation’s capital, Ottawa, where large crowds gather for concerts, fireworks and more.
www.canadascapital.gc.ca
CISCO OTTAWA BLUESFEST – July 3–15, 2012
Canada's largest blues festival, second only to Chicago's in the world, celebrates 15 years of world-class blues performers. Past guests have included Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, KC and the Sunshine Band, Blue Rodeo, BB King, John Lee Hooker, the Blues Brothers and more.
www.ottawabluesfest.ca
MOSAIKA - SOUND & LIGHT SHOW – July 6 to September 3, 2012
The accomplishments and experiences of Canadians are presented in a dramatic sound and light show using the Parliament Buildings as a backdrop.
www.mosaika-sl.ca
HONDA INDY TORONTO – July 6–8, 2012
This premier race car event roars through Toronto, as celebrity race car drivers and thousands of fans come along for the ride.
www.hondaindytoronto.com
THE GREAT RENDEZVOUS FESTIVAL – July 8–11, 2012
This annual event at Fort William Historical Park, the world’s largest reconstructed fur trade post, celebrates the anniversary of the first Great Rendezvous, depicting the days of the voyageurs and the fur trade with costumed historic interpreters.
www.fwhp.ca
SCOTIABANK CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL TORONTO – July 10 to August 6, 2012
North America’s largest Caribbean festival is held right in the heart of downtown Toronto. Lakeshore Boulevard shines with sequined splendour as costumed revellers dance to calypso, soca, steel pan and the sounds of the Caribbean!
www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com
BEACHES INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL – July 20–29, 2012
Enjoy great jazz in Toronto’s Beach neighbourhood, on the shores of Lake Ontario.
www.beachesjazz.com
COLLINGWOOD ELVIS FESTIVAL – July 26–29, 2012
Over 70,000 visitors come to Collingwood, on beautiful Georgian Bay, to pay tribute to Elvis Presley, and watch talented impersonators from around the world honour the King of Rock ’n Roll.
www.collingwoodelvisfestival.com
AUGUST
WIKWEMIKONG ANNUAL CULTURAL FESTIVAL – August 4–6, 2012
Witness the beauty of First Nation Canadian song, dance, hand-made art and cultural philosophies on Manitoulin Island.
www.wikwemikongheritage.ca
FERGUS SCOTTISH FESTIVAL & HIGHLAND GAMES – August 10–12, 2012
North America’s largest Scottish Festival is right here in Ontario.
www.fergusscottishfestival.com
TASTE OF THE DANFORTH – August 10–12, 2012
During the annual ‘Taste of the Danforth’, the shops and restaurants of Toronto’s vibrant Greek neighbourhood spill onto the streets for thousands to enjoy outdoor food tasting, music and live performances.
www.tasteofthedanforth.com
CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION – August 17 to September 3, 2012
Held in Toronto, the ‘CNE’ is one of Canada’s longest running annual exhibitions. It’s a carnival and cultural celebration rolled into one. Experience the thrill of the midway, taste international food and delight in a variety of performers and entertainers.
www.TheEx.com
SEPTEMBER
TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL – September 6–16, 2012
One of the world’s largest and most important film festivals, the Toronto International Film Festival features over 300 films from over 60 countries. For ten days, Toronto buzzes with public screenings, parties and celebrities, making the festival a favourite among fans, filmmakers and critics alike.
www.tiff.net/
NIAGARA WINE FESTIVAL – September 21–30, 2012
Ontario’s wine region is in for a delicious feast offering an array of wine tastings, vineyard tours, concerts and a street parade. A tribute to Niagara’s 6,500 hectares/16,000 acres of vineyards, the festival takes place during the annual Niagara grape harvest.
www.grapeandwine.com
SCOTIABANK NUIT BLANCHE – September 29, 2012
Toronto’s arts community and its culture craving citizens take to the streets for an art-filled all-nighter. From sunset to sunrise, Torontonians will encounter the city in a unique way and rediscover Toronto through public art commissions, all-night exhibitions, live performances and creative programs featured throughout the city. This cultural rendezvous also opens the doors to some of the cities best museums and galleries, usually closed after dark.
www.scotiabanknuitblanche.com
OCTOBER
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS – October 2012 to April 2013
The Leafs take to the ice for some exciting National Hockey League games, with home games played at the Air Canada Centre.
www.mapleleafs.com
TORONTO RAPTORS – October 2012 to April 2013
The Raptors NBA basketball team take centre court at the Air Canada Centre.
www.nba.com/raptors
OKTOBERFEST – October 5–13, 2012
This is the second largest Oktoberfest outside of Munich, featuring events and activities throughout the twin cities of Kitchener-Waterloo.
www.oktoberfest.ca
BALA CRANBERRY FESTIVAL – October 12–14, 2012
Celebrate the cranberry harvest in Bala, the Cranberry Capital of Ontario, in the province’s beautiful cottage country. Taking place the weekend after Thanksgiving, the festival is one the whole family will enjoy and includes visits to the cranberry bogs, entertainment, arts and crafts, and lots of cranberry related products.
www.balacranberryfestival.on.ca
NOVEMBER
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL WINTER FAIR – November 2–11, 2012
Held on the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto, the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair has “brought the country to the city” since 1922 and has grown into the world’s largest indoor agricultural fair.
www.royalfair.org
WINTER FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS – November 3, 2012 to January 31, 2013
Niagara Falls shines with nearly two million lights and over 100 animated light displays during the Winter Festival of Lights. During this two-month festival, you’ll witness the spectacular illumination of the Falls themselves – along with illuminated night parades, fireworks, children’s shows, the popular Disney parade and Canada’s largest New Year’s Eve party.
www.wfol.com
CANADIAN ABORIGINAL FESTIVAL – November 22–25, 2012
First Nation communities from across North America gather during this annual festival presenting a variety of traditional and contemporary arts and culture programs. Don’t miss the Pow Wow ceremonies where nearly 1000 Native dancers and drum singing groups from across the continent join together in a celebration of First Nation culture.
www.canab.com
CALVALCADE OF LIGHTS – November 2012 (TBD)
This annual celebration kicks off the holiday season at Nathan Phillips Square with the lighting of Toronto’s official Christmas tree. Concerts by musical guests are followed by a spectacular fireworks display and a skating party to get you in the festive spirit.
www.toronto.ca/special_events/cavalcade_lights
ONE-OF-A-KIND CHRISTMAS SHOW – November 22 to December 2, 2012
Complete your holiday shopping at one of Toronto’s most popular shopping expos. You’ll find unique gift ideas from over 750 Canadian designers and artisans specializing in fashion, art, crafts and interior decorations.
www.oneofakindshow.com
DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT – December 8–9, 2012
Get into the spirit of the season with a traditional Pioneer Christmas, featuring horse and sleigh rides, carollers, demonstrations, festive foods and a visit from Father Christmas.
www.langpioneervillage.ca