The warm weather has finally rolled in…and that can only mean one thing for the live music-lovers: it’s finally festival season.
From fixtures on the electronic music scene to country crooners, musicians of all backgrounds will hit our home and native land this summer to grace the grounds of outdoor venues across the country.
Here are 16 Canadian music festivals that are definitely worth dropping those precious dollars on this summer.
NXNE
After a stint last year at the Port Land, NXNE will return to Yonge-Dundas Square for a street festival of music, comedy, and eats.
Where: Toronto, ON
When: June 8-17
Montebello Rock Fest
Dig out your grunge wear from times past for the Montebello Festival, where you can expect a weekend of late 90s/early 2000s rock. The festival features a lineup that includes Weezer (how’s that for a blast from the past?), Lamb of God, Jimmy Eat World, The Used, and All Time Low, to name a few.
Where: Montebello, QC
When: June 14-16
Dreams Festival
The high-energy festival formerly known as Digital Dreams returns once again to Toronto. The Bud Light Dreams Festival takes over RBC Echo Beach at Ontario Place, with a lineup that includes Armin Van Buuren, Kaskade, Galantis, among others.
Where: Toronto, ON
When: June 23-24
Sled Island Music and Arts Festival
The annual, eclectic celebration of all things arts-related, Sled Island, returns to Calgary for a jam-packed weekend of music, art, film, and comedy. This year’s music headliners include the Flaming Lips and Dirty Projectors, in addition to some 300 other acts.
Where: Calgary, AB
When: June 20 to 24
Le Festival d’été de Quebec
Downtown Quebec City will come alive with music in July, with this 11-day music festival that spans pretty much every genre. This year’s headliners include Lorde, The Weeknd, and Neil Young.
Where: Quebec City, QC
When: July 5 to 15
Ottawa Bluesfest
If you find yourself in the nation’s capital and have a thing for blues (or live music in general), Ottawa Bluesfest takes over the city for 11 days of blues, in addition to other genres, from alternative to rap.
Where: Ottawa, ON
When: July 5 to 15
Bass Coast
For the ninth year, the Bass Coast electronic music and art festival returns to BC’s stunning Nicola Valley. While the tickets are currently sold out, if there’s a will, there’s likely a way to score a pair.
Where: Merritt, BC
When: July 6-9
Winnipeg Folk Fest
Channel those chill, hippie vibes at the largest outdoor festival in the prairies this summer when Winnipeg Folk Fest once again rolls into town. This year’s headliners include Sheryl Crow, The Strumbellas, Roger Roger, Bahamas, and a Tribe Called Red.
Where: Winnipeg, MB
When: July 5 to 8
Cavendish Beach Music Festival
Prince Edward Island has its own multi-day music festival of its own – one that’s full of country music, camping gear, and east coast eats. This year’s headliners include Luke Bryan, Brett Eldredge, Chris Young, and Shawn Mendes!
Where: Cavendish, PEI
When: July 6 to 8
Evolve Music Festival
Evolve, “Canada’s Greenest Music Festival” offers a reason to road trip to Moncton, New Brunswick this July, when it returns for a four-day multi-genre music (and, likely, drinking) festival.
Where: Moncton, NB
When: July 6 to 9
Interstellar Rodeo
At Edmonton’s Interstellar Rodeo, takes over the Heritage Amphitheatre for a stimulation-filled, three-day festival of music, food, and wine. This year’s acts include names like July Talk, Feist, A Tribe Called Red, and Courtney Barnett.
Where: Edmonton, AB
When: July 20-22
Riverfront Jubilee
Nova Scotia’s Riverfront Jubilee celebrates Canadian music, with an east coast-style festival on the shores of New Glascow’s East River. This year’s acts at the non-profit event include July Talk, Matthew Good, and Jimmy Rankin.
Where: New Glasgow, NS
When: August 3 to 5
Chasing Summer Festival
The EDM fans can lose themselves in a high energy, two-day dance party at Calgary’s Chasing Summer Festival. This year’s acts include Martin Garrix, Dillon Francis, DJ Snake, Tigerlily, and Mija.
Where: Calgary, Alberta
When: August 4 to 5
Osheaga
Montreal’s famous, road trip-inspiring festival, Osheaga, returns for another jam-packed year. This year’s lineup includes Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Florence and the Machine, James Blake, St. Vincent, The National, Franz Ferdinand, and Blondie, to name a few.
Where: Montreal, QC
When: August 3 to 5
Veld Music Festival
If you didn’t get your electronic music fix at Dreams Festival, Veld will take over Downsview Park in all of its beat-pumping glory, with a lineup that includes names like Marshmello, Martin Garrix, DJ Snake, and Migos.
Where: Toronto, ON
When: August 4 and 5
Boots and Hearts
If country has your heart, rock your cowboy boots and flannel for a weekend of everything country music at Boots and Hearts. This year’s lineup will include Florida Georgia Line, Alan Jackson, and Thomas Rhett, among others.
Where: Oro-Medonte, ON
When: August 9 to 12