Unit 1

Just the Facts

Alberta Education Outcome

Lesson 3: Festivals

"People discover you at festivals. They come to see Coldplay or whoever, and then wander over and catch your act. Festivals make a lot of sense to me." ~ Tinie Tempah

Canadians almost always manage to find a reason to celebrate and party at all times of the year. Perhaps that is why Canadians have embraced festivals as a regular way to celebrate local commonality while sharing it with the world. Sometimes lively festivals take place during the frigid winters in an attempt to wake people from their hibernation. However, summer remains Canada's busiest festival season, when millions of spectators take to the streets. The list of festivals throughout Canada is extremely long so you might have your own favourite to add to this list. 
Click each coloured tab to view information about a few of the legendary festivals throughout Canada.

Winter Festivals

Quebec Winter Carnival

(Carnaval de Québec)

No winter carnival on Earth can match the size of this Quebec City event, which begins during the first day of Lent in late February. It typically lasts for two-and-a-half weeks in the middle of Quebec's cold winter. From snow sculpture contests to dog-sled rides, horse-drawn sleigh rides to the world-famous Le Bonhomme Carnaval snowman mascot, this carnival is truly a celebration of snow and ice.

Winterlude


Gliding along the world's longest ice skating rink, the Rideau Canal, is just one fun winter activity visitors can enjoy during Ottawa's annual winter celebration. Most events take place during February's first three weekends. Other unique Winterlude events include an igloo building workshop, the world's biggest ice playground, and illuminated ice sculptures.  

Snowking's Winter Festival


Head up to Yellowknife, NWT to the famous Snowking's Winter Festival annually in March. Now in its 22nd year, the event's star attraction is the huge ice castle that evokes an unparalleled sense of magic. There is also art, music, dance, and a children's winter play area.

Arts & Theatre Festivals

Toronto International Film Festival


Dedicated to presenting the best of international and Canadian cinema, Toronto International Film Festival is one of the leading film festivals in the world, ranking closely with Cannes and Sundance. As Canada's premiere home of cinema, Toronto International Film Festival, held in September, offers screenings, lectures, discussions, workshops, professional development and opportunities to meet, hear and learn from filmmakers from Canada and around the world.

Montreal Just for Laughs Comedy Festival


Since 1983, the Montreal's Just For Laughs has been inviting people to get together just for fun, just for entertainment, and of course, just for laughs. The festival, held every July, has grown in popularity and reputation and today features many of the world's greatest comedians and it has also spawned a television show that is broadcast internationally.

Stratford Festival


Four theatres stage contemporary and period dramas, opera, and of course, works by William Shakespeare, over a monster season lasting from April to November. Aside from the plays, there is a schedule of interesting programs, post-performance discussions, backstage tours, lectures, concerts, and readings. By showtime, nearly every performance is sold out so book ahead.

               

Multi-Cultural Festivals

Grand River Pow Wow


During the last weekend of July, the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve host one of Canada's largest First Nations festivals east of Brantford, Ontario. Nearly all of North America's First Nations groups are represented among the Pow Wow Dance Competition's more than 400 costumed dancers. Over 100 stalls sell handmade crafts and homemade food representing various global fare.

Toronto Caribbean Carnival


The lively Toronto festival long known as Caribana is North American's biggest street fest continuing to attract up to two million party-goers each summer. Starting in 1967, during the first weekend of August, a huge parade filled with dancers in colorful costumes dancing to lively Caribbean music marches along Toronto's main streets.

Celtic Colours International Festival


Cape Breton Island hosts the world's biggest Celtic festival, which lasts nine days beneath the island's beautiful fall foliage each October. Music concerts, international concert performers, visual art exhibits, and workshops entertain the crowds.

Kitchener Waterloo Oktoberfest


Visitors can enjoy a taste of Germany in the heart of southwestern Ontario during North America's biggest Oktoberfest celebration. Like its Munich, Germany counterpart, Oktoberfest is filled with beer, bratwurst, polka performances, and visitors dressed in traditional German garb.

Edmonton's Heritage Festival


During the August long weekend, Edmonton hosts an annual celebration of Canadian multiculturalism. This three-day event allows patrons to enjoy the tastes, smells, sights and sounds from 100 countries and cultures at 71 pavilions. Free entertainment can be found on more than 25 stages through Hawrelak Park.


               

Culinary Festivals

Shediac Lobster Festival


Although not ranked in the top 10 for attendance among Canadian festivals, this has to be one of the tastiest. Celebrating close to 70 years, the Shediac Lobster Festival is more than ingesting these succulent crustaceans. It showcases the area's history and Acadian culture, features local musicians and artists, and is a summer highlight. 

PEI Fall Flavours Culinary Festival


Your culinary journey will take you across the Island to enjoy incredible food, delightful venues, entertaining hosts and one-of-a-kind experiences. Fall Flavours is a month-long food festival with over 60 culinary events highlighting authentic Island tastes and traditions. They promise that your taste buds will thank you.

               

Music Festivals

Edmonton Folk Festival


From its humble beginning in 1980, the Edmonton Folk Festival has grown to be one of the world's premier folk festivals. Held each August, the festival's lineup is always outstanding and the ticket prices stay reasonable. 

Montreal Jazz Festival


Every June / July, the Montreal International Jazz Festival offers around 500 concerts and hosts about 2000 musicians from over 20 countries. Two million music lovers arrive annually for the international jazz rendezvous and new talent launching pad.  

Craven Country Jamboree


Every July, Craven Country Jamboree is the longest running multi-day music festival in Canada attracting the hottest stars and the best new talent that country music has to offer.

               

Family Festivals

Calgary Stampede


A 10-day annual celebration and rodeo, the Calgary Stampede has been running since 1912, starting as a small agricultural fair. City buildings are decorated in a cowboy theme and cowboy hats adorn the heads of visitors and locals alike as they enjoy the Stampede's sprawling outdoor market, amusement park midway, rodeo, and the kick-off morning parade. 

Parksville Beach Fest


This festival is all about surf, seas, and sand. The festival kicks off with 4 days of sand sculpture competition and continues for another month of free outdoor summer concerts, an arts-and-crafts market, and of course, fun on the beach, playground, and splash park. Every Saturday night during this mid-summer festival winds up with a fireworks show.