Canada’s Spring and Summer Events

During spring and summer in Canada, the snow and ice gives way to sun, fun and festivities. Read on for seven of the best upcoming events, from coast to coast.

1. Snowbombing Canada, Sun Peaks

This is the ultimate party on the slopes. Europe’s biggest music festival on snow is a must-attend event when it lands in the British Columbia ski resort of Sun Peaks, for anyone who loves perfect powder and epic tunes. With world-class DJs and musical acts playing for three full days from 5 – 7 April 2019, Snowbombing is the perfect blend of dance tunes and incredible skiing or snowboarding. This year’s line-up includes Illenium and Cypress Hill.

1. Bluesfest, Ottawa

In July 2019, RBC Ottawa Bluesfest celebrates its 25th anniversary. Don’t let the name fool you; the RBC Bluesfest includes acts of all genres of music, from KISS and Lady Gaga, to folk band City and Colour, to rockers the Red Hot Chili Peppers. This year, Church joins Backstreet Boys at this two-week event in the heart of summer at Ottawa’s LeBreton Flats Park on the grounds of the Canadian War Museum, from 4 – 14 July 2019.

1. Winnipeg Folk Festival, Manitoba

Australia’s own singer/song writer, Courtney Barnett headlined with Sheryl Crow last year at the hugely popular Winnipeg Folk Festival at the Birds Hill Provincial Park. Immerse yourself in Manitoba’s great outdoors and soak up the foot-tapping beats with everything from world music, indie-rock, electronic, country, and Celtic, with more than 75 artists rocking nine stages throughout the festival. Don’t forget the kids! The Chickadee Big Top and Family Arena serve up live children’s music, puppetry, face-painting and crafts. The festival takes place from 11 – 14 July 2019 and this year’s line-up to be announced on 6 March.

1. Dawson City Music Festival, Yukon Territory

Kick up your heels with like-minded, music-loving souls in the heart of Yukon’s Klondike at the Dawson City Music Festival, taking place in July 2019. Legendary for attracting the best of Canada’s finest musical talent, there’s no better setting for this eclectic festival than historical Dawson City and the spectacular northern wilderness. Yukon’s most anticipated music event on the festival calendar includes evening performances and afternoon workshops in intimate venues. 

1. Festival d’été de Québec

Is 11 days enough time to explore 300 shows and 10 stages? Find out at the Festival d’été de Québec from 4 – 14 July. As the festival takes over the historic district of Quebec City, you’ll be treated to world-class musical acts like Sting and Peter Gabriel, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fetty Wap, Selena Gomez, Duran Duran, and more. With over 40 years of history, you know that this festival has good times and even better shows down to a fine art. Don’t forget to check out the street performers and night festivities too!

1. Calgary Stampede, Alberta

Now is the time to book your ticket to the world-renowned Calgary Stampede, the place where hides are raw, hearts untamed, and the world’s toughest rodeo stock walk on two legs. From 5 – 14 July 2019 thousands of Aussies will flock to Alberta, Canada, donning cowboy/cowgirl boots and feasting on the Stampede’s infamous carnival fare. The Calgary Stampede is as much about the music as it is about rodeo. Previous line-ups included Alessia Cara, Nelly Furtado, Ben Harper, KISS, and the Dixie Chicks. This year’s line-up will be announced next month.

1. Just For Laughs, Montreal

Every summer, the largest comedy festival in the world tickles Montreal into a laughing frenzy with galas, street art, theatre productions, and stand-up performances. Hosting some 1,700 artists from 19 countries as well as over 2 million festival-goers, Just For Laughs offers 1,600 performances, including 1,200 free outdoor shows. Watch a selection of last year’s gags to get you in the laughing mood! The festival runs from 10 – 28 July 2019.

GETTING THERE

Air Canada offers daily direct flights to Vancouver from Sydney and Brisbane, with direct flights from Melbourne available three times per week. Year-round direct flights from Melbourne to Vancouver are also available, with connecting flights to the eastern provinces and northern territories. Direct flights from Sydney to Vancouver are also available on Qantas.

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