It's Time to Festival!
Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) has announced the 2016 Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario. This list also includes Festivals and Events of Distinction, a select group that represents some of the most well-known and respected celebrations in the province. If your travelers have festivals on the brain, a trip to Ontario, Canada, may be in order!
A Sampling of Festivals and Events Clinching a Spot on This Distinguished List
Eat & Drink Norfolk is a three-day festival, running April 7 to April 9, featuring local wineries, breweries, restaurants and food producers. Live musical entertainment is also showcased.
Now in its fifth year, SING! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival celebrates the best of a cappella music from around the world. May 4 to May 15, visitors can listen to industry headliners, learn from industry experts, and attend workshops and other free events.
The weekend of June 11 and 12, the city of Oshawa holds its 12th annual Peony Festival. This no-charge family-friendly event displays 300 types of peonies and also showcases artisans, live music, food, gardening seminars, community displays and more!
Celebrating its 20th year, the Mississauga Waterfront Festival, from June 17 to June 19 brings your travelers live entertainment, a carnival, sports and games, arts and crafts, and plenty of food.
The Toronto Fringe Festival began in 1989 and typically features 150+ shows in 30+ venues—and a total of more than 1,100 performances. This "theater" festival, also featuring dance, visual art, buskers, site-specific performances and more, takes place June 29 to July 10.
On July 1, the town of Richmond presents its Canada Day Celebration. The day will feature live entertainment, a Bavarian beer garden, children's village and teen zone, a marketplace, an artist exhibit, and one of the largest municipal fireworks displays in the region.
The largest Elvis tribute of its kind, the Collingwood Elvis Festival will provide plenty of Elvis-related entertainment, July 20 to July 24.
July 29 to August 1, the Newmarket jazz + Festival celebrates arts and culture. This festival is fun for adults and children, alike.
If your travelers like all things hot and spicy, tell them about the Jerk Food Festival, held August 6 and 7. There will be a jerk chicken grilling competition, a hot and spicy jerk chicken eating competition, and a full schedule of live entertainment.
The Buckhorn Fine Art Festival boasts "acres of art for sale." You'll find special interest displays and presentations, interactive art for the whole family, culinary delights and performances by local musicians. This artsy festival takes place August 13 and 14.
Canada's Only Guitar Trail™ is hiking with a musical twist. On September 10, travelers could hike up, down and around the Village Mountain in pursuit of a musical scavenger hunt. After the hike is completed, a free concert is held.
October's Pumpkin Inferno at Upper Canada Village invites your travelers to stroll through a hauntingly beautiful display of thousands of uniquely hand-carved pumpkins.
October 8 to October 10, travelers can enjoy the area's beautiful fall colors while enjoying free activities, live music, street performers, hiking, biking, gallery tours and more at the Blue Mountains Apple Harvest Festival.
The Amherstburg River Lights Winter Festival, November 19 to December 31, includes horse tours, a holiday village, a super Santa run, a gingerbread house contest, carriage rides and other holiday activities.
There are so many fun-filled festival options for your group travelers to enjoy in Ontario, Canada!
Click here to review FEO's 2016 Top 100 Festivals & Events in Ontario list in its entirety.
Written by Lisa Stickler, staff writer for Groups Today magazine.
