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: Saturday, June 25
Details are still in the works, so keep an eye out for an update on Belleville’s first annual Caribbean Festival! The city promises this event to be full of culture, music, dance and food to celebrate everything Caribbean.
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: 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: June 10 – June 19
With plenty of fun activities going on all week, there is no better time to celebrate inclusion and love of all kinds! Enjoy local shopping, pride displays, LGBTQ2SIA+ art shows, and plenty of pride in and around Downtown Kingston.
When: Saturday, June 11
It isn’t a proper summer in Kingston without the annual Waterfront Beer Festival! Enjoy the ancient vibes at the stunning Fort Henry, while sipping on crisp craft beer from local vendors, plenty of delicious snacks and live music all day long!
When: June 24 & 25, 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 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: Friday, May 27 – Sunday, July 3
Grab your family and friends and get ready for a blimey good time at this new and exciting escape room. With stolen jewels, a vengeful captain and a kidnapping, can you and your gang escape in time?
When: Friday, June 24 – Sunday, June 26
Join all your matey’s for a joyful fest at this year’s fourth annual Brockville Tall Ships Festival! Head on over to Blockhouse Island where you can grab a festival passport to board the ships for deck tours as well as the festival grounds all weekend long! There will be more than enough fun to be had including a theatrical pirate troupe and local vendors.
When: Friday, July 1 – Sunday, July 3
Another exciting event at Blockhouse Island to add to your calendar this year! The first weekend of July will host this fantastic boat racing event. Bring the kids along for some extra fun in the kids zone which includes face painting and classic kids games.
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: Canada Day and Civic Holiday long weekend.
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: Saturday, June 11 at 11:00AM (Curry Park) and Sunday, June 12 at 1:00PM (Kemptville Campus
Start your weekend off right by meeting at Curry Park for the first ever North Grenville Pride Flotilla on Kemptville Creek, where you can decorate your kayak or canoe before taking off down the creek. Then, spend your Sunday afternoon enjoying pride festivities including the parade, drag performances, and a delicious BBQ!
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: 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: TBD
While the date has yet to be determined, you’ll want to keep an eye out for this year’s RiverWalk Promenade. Local vendors will be set up alongside Riverwalk Park, which stretches alongside the stunning St. Lawrence River, ensuring a relaxing day full of fun in the sun..
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: June 4 – 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: Thursday, June 30 – Sunday, July 3
In Canada, there aren’t many weekends quite as fun as Canada Day weekend. You may ask yourself, how can I make my Canada Day any better? The Rotary Club and Lions Club of Gananoque has got it covered. Join your friends and celebrate Canada’s birthday at the 1000 Islands Ribfest! Enjoy melt-in-your-mouth ribs and refreshments all day long as well as live music, beer and plenty of shopping.
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, 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: Friday, June 17 – Sunday, June 19
There is so much fun to go around at this year’s Maxville Fair! Ask a friend to join you to compete in their Amazing Race Challenge, where you can win up to $1,000! Pick a team and get ready for a game of beach volleyball, and then sit ringside and enjoy the English Horse Show. With plenty of activities, food, and entertainment it’s fun for the entire family.
When: Saturday, June 18 – Sunday, June 19
Perfect for the history buffs in your family, join blacksmiths from all across Canada and the US to view their special demonstrations of blacksmithing of the early 19th century! Don’t worry this isn’t just for the historians, there are a great deal of fun children’s activities, craft vendors and food to enjoy!
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!
Looking for more fun this summer? Check out upcoming summer music festivals happening this summer.
