Street fairs, food festivals, and more summertime fun in South Eastern Ontario
After two years of cancellations, summer festivals and events will be making their long-awaited return and we are ready to celebrate! It’s time to create your summer bucket list and begin checking off some great experiences to do in the region. Whether you’re looking to dance your heart out at an outdoor concert, explore food trucks and vendors at an outdoor festival we have you covered! Read on for our guide to the biggest summer events in South Eastern Ontario.
When: Thursday, July 7 – Sunday, July 10
Back for its 44th year, you can find plenty to do at Belleville’s annual Waterfront & Multicultural Festival, including food vendors, cultural education and fun, and plenty of shopping!
When: Thursday, July 14 – Saturday, July 16
Get ready for a weekend of rock ‘n roll this summer at Belleville’s very own Rockfest! Each night gates open at 5:30, where you can look forward to seeing great musical talent including Jenny Berggren of Ace of Base and The Glorious Sons!
When: Thursday, July 7 – Sunday July 10
If country music speaks to your soul then mark your calendar for this year’s Hollyrood Country Jamboree! The set list is composed of plenty of amazing country talent including two chart topping CCMA award winners – Don Walker and Bobby Wills!
When: Starting Sunday, June 5
Visit Springer Market Square in Downtown Kingston any Sunday this summer to get a taste of the talented Katarokwi Indigenous Art & Food Market. Celebrate our first nations together by shopping various art, jewellery and food vendors, and be amazed by the talents of local indigenous performers!
When: Thursday, August 25 – Sunday, August 28
End your summer on a high note when you attend the 2022 Limestone City Blues Festival! Located in the heart of beautiful Downtown Kingston, it’s bound to be a party for the books as you rock out to some emotionally charged melodies that will have you either singing or crying all night long!
When: July 29 & 30, August 26 & 27
If you find yourself getting lost in the stars above, you need to sign up for one of the L&A Laser-Guided Stargazing Tours this summer! Always planned near a new moon, an expert guide will help you discover more about the vast night sky than you knew was possible.
When: Thursday, August 4 – Saturday, August 6
It’s a country music weekend over in Newburgh this August, where you can stay for the day or all weekend long if you have a trailer! Whether you are camping or not, you can be sure to catch some great musicians performing all day and all night both Friday and Saturday, including Rae Palmer, The Classic Country Boyz and the Bowes Brothers.
When: Thursday, August 18 – Sunday, August 24
For a little more mystery, try your hand at Geocaching this summer in the grandest style! Caches are hidden treasures that must be found using special coordinates and clues. Whether you are a novice or expert, this MEGA event is the best place to get your adventure on!
When: Saturday, September 24
Exercise meets tourism with this unique cycling experience in Lennox & Addington. Travel 58 kilometres through the rural landscape, including scenic parks, historic sites, and stunning views of the water. You can be sure to get plenty of rest stops, learn a lot about local history and even get some sips of locally crafted beers and cider before the days end.
When: Thursday, August 4 – Sunday, August 7
Calling all carnivores! This year, Big Brothers Big Sisters is hosting the annual Brockville Ribfest. Get ready for drool-worthy, mouth-watering fall-off-the-bone ribs of all flavours, from sweet to spicy to smokey, there is something delicious for everyone.
When: Thursday, August 11 – Sunday, August 14
There is nothing as Canadian as a classic poutine! The crispy, gooey goodness that is best found in its home country is going to be better than ever this summer at the Brockville Poutine Feast! With award-winning chefs preparing their versions of the classic favourite, from lobster to pulled pork to vegan and gluten-free options, you know you’ll need to bring the stretchy pants for this event.
When: Friday, August 19 – Sunday, August 21
Fido is everyone’s favourite friend, so why not see what they are capable of? Join the Thousand Islands Kennel and Obedience Club (TIKO) for its annual dog show, where pup’s compete in various conformation and obedience competitions! You’ll see upwards of 180 different breeds of dogs performing incredible tricks all weekend long.
Can’t get enough of the canines? During this same weekend, Canine Watersports Canada (CWC) is producing a host of dock jumping competitions that shows a whole new idea of what dogs are capable of. You will be entertained all weekend long and maybe learn a thing or two about this new dog sport!
When: Thursday, July 7 – Sunday, July 10
If you enjoy history and learning about local heritage, you should definitely check out the Elgin Days event this July. Hop on a horse-drawn carriage as you journey through the town, guided by local experts, shop local vendors and take in the beautiful surroundings of this quaint little township.
When: Thursday, July 21 – Sunday, July 24
Take a step back in time at the annual Delta Fair. As one of Ontario’s oldest agricultural fairs, having been established back in the early 1800s, the Delta Fair has had years to perfect this one-of-a-kind fair, which includes exciting activities including chainsaw carving, horse shows and plenty more.
When: Thursday, July 21 – Sunday, July 24
After missing two years of live music, this year the Kemptville Live Music Festival is back with a vengeance! You can camp out all weekend and expect to get four full days of fantastic music, shopping, food and drinks! This year’s musical guests include Tom Cochran, Andy Kim, and Glass Tiger just to name a few!
When: Friday, July 29 – Sunday, July 31
One excellent way to move into August is by attending the Lombardy Fair! Family and friends of all ages can enjoy one of their many activities, contests and entertainment including the annual strength contest, lawn & garden tractor pull and monster truck madness.
When: July 29th – August 1st
If you are interested in finding something new and unique for yourself or even as a gift for someone else, you have to check out the Prescott Pop-Ups this summer! Local entrepreneurs and businesses will have set up their own kiosk to show off their products while you are enjoying the sunshine and beautiful downtown.
When: Friday, August 19 – Sunday, August 21
Showmobiles in the summer! You read that right, we said snowmobiles – in the summer! This unique event is hosted by Dillabough Sales & Services LTD as a part of The SnowStuds ProStock Championship Series, where hundreds of competitors compete in a 500 metre snowmobile drag race.
When: Every Thursday from 4:00PM-7:00PM
Fresh is always best, especially when you know you are supporting local farmers! Shop locally grown meats, veggies, cheese, eggs, flowers and much more this summer by heading over the Town Hall park in Gananoque every Thursday.
When: Now – September 24 from 10:00AM-4:00PM
If you like to support local artists and find unique pieces of art and jewellery then you must visit Crafts on the River located at the Pedestrian Bridge in Gananoque! This annual event highlights the talented artists that reside in and around Gananoque, and is the perfect place to find that unique piece you have been missing.
When: Friday, July 8 – Monday, July 11
What is better than a hot summer day by the water? A 1000 Islands Poker Run on a hot summer day by the water! Join guests from around the globe and enjoy the spectacle of performance boats in their element, demonstrating both their speed and power on the water.
When: Friday, July 15 – Sunday, July 17
Your summer can be “fair-ly” awesome if you attend the Lansdowne Fair in July! There will be a lot of great events including an antique car show, a demolition derby, horse shows, and even fair royalty!
When: Friday, July 22 – Sunday July 24
The perfect date for the perfect music festival! This year Gananoque is transforming their local Ramada by Wyndham Provincial Inn into a festival to remember! The line up includes Quebec’s Eric Sandmark & His Rumblers, the Ichi-Bons, The Reverb Syndicates and many more, including four very talented DJs to get the vibe pumping!
When: Friday, September 9 – Sunday, September 11
Once September comes it can feel like the summer is over, but Gananoque is ramping up for some late summer fun! Bring the whole family to Joel Stone Park to enjoy live music, magic shows and kids theatre. There is so much to do and plenty of food to enjoy, so mark your calendar!
When: July 9th, August 13th, September 10th,
If you are looking for some extra fun thai summer without breaking the bank then Winchester’s very own Music in the Park series is perfect for you. Grab the family and head down to Sweet Corner Park on select dates all summer long to enjoy live music from bands like The Ken Workman Band and The Barrow Gang!
When: Friday, July 29 – Saturday, July 30
Get a taste of Scotland without the travel when you attend this year’s Glengarry Highland Games! Enjoy the show of highland dancers, fiddlers, and broadsword demonstrations, and then try your hand at some Scottish games while enjoying live music from a variety of talented celtic musicians!
When: Friday, August 5 – Sunday, August 7
Known locally as “Canada’s Oldest Annual Fair”, Williamstown has had time to perfect the art of a summer fair! You can watch horse and cattle shows, compete in games and sport competitions, shop local vendors, snack on delicious foods and beverages and listen to live music all weekend long.
When: July 21st – July 24th
Ribfest is Cornwall’s traditional summer festival that draws thousands to the city’s waterfront each year. Enjoy delicious food along with live concerts, a midway, children’s activities and much more!
When: July 15th – July 16th
Sample hundreds of local and Ontario breweries, ciders and small batch producers and celebrate the art of CRAFT beers!
