Many festivals in Canada are celebrated with joy, excitement, and happiness. People will enjoy music, dance, colors, comedy shows, and outdoor sports at these festivals. This festival brings joy, happiness, and brotherhood to our lives.

Many workshops, concerts, and discussions occur during these festivals so that the people who want to learn new things can get a chance to learn.

The celebrated Canadian festivals are the Quebec City attractions Summer Festival, Film Festival, Canada Day, Awards Season, Calgary Stampede Festival, Celtic Colours Festival, and many more.

These festivals are celebrated in different cities of Canada, like Vancouver, Canadian Rockies, near Lake Ontario, and Alberta. These festivals help us retrieve information about the culture of the country, folk music, dance, art, and sculptures.

List of 10 Most Celebrated Festivals in Canada

Here, we will discuss the list of the most celebrated festivals in Canada. Along with the month they are celebrated, they are the main highlighted events of the festivals.

1. Toronto International Film Festival

Toronto International Film Festival is an award function for many films releasing their premiere in Toronto. Many films have released their premiere during this auspicious moment. Those films are Hotel Rwanda, The Big Chill, and American Beauty.

Those films were nominated for the Oscar and the Golden Globe Awards at the Toronto International Film Festival. Numerous outdoor stages are located, and people enjoy the festival very much.

This festival provides a chance for the young generation and sensations to meet the filmmakers and participate in the screenings, workshops, and discussions related to the films. Many industry professionals join this festival.

It is celebrated in downtown Toronto. It starts in early September from the night after Labor Day and lasts eleven days. People enjoy this festival a lot, and they learn a lot of things here.

2. Edmonton Folk Music Festival

Edmonton Folk Music Festival is celebrated in Alberta. It was first celebrated in 1980 with the help of 300 volunteers and only one staff member, and now it is a leading music festival in the world. More than 2700 volunteers work hard to celebrate this festival.

It is a huge celebration dedicated to folk music artists from all over Canada and the world. The emerging national talent offers stage shows here. They show Gaelic singing.

North America’s singers and music groups also participate in this music festival. Performers from Mongolia, Brazil, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Cuba, India, Mexico, and the United Kingdom also participate in this festival.

The Edmonton Folk Festival is celebrated for fun and to teach the new generation about folk music. So, there is no profit from the tickets. So the ticket prices are reasonable.

Many food stalls are on the festival grounds, and people visit here with their entire family to see this unique celebration.

3. Celebration of Light

The Celebration of Light festival is celebrated in Vancouver. It is celebrated every summer season. It is one of the most popular light festivals, or we can say it is the most popular light festival in the world.

This is also a part of food festivals celebrated in the country in which many food trucks and stalls are prepared to get great food. It is one of the most famous Canadian festivals, a part of their culture.

The busiest and most popular point is English Bay Beach because it is the best place to watch the fireworks and the festival lights.

You can also see various cruises on this site. You have to reach early to get a good spot from where you can enjoy the festival. The music is also played alongside. You can also enjoy the visual arts, different designs, and synchronicity of music at this festival.

4. Celtic Colours International Festival

Celtic Colours Festival lasts for nine days, and it is celebrated in October. Many visitors from all over the world come here to be a part of this festival. Artists from countries like England, Spain, Britain, Denmark, Cuba, Sweden, and the United States reach here.

There are various concerts and programs which go on during these nine days. These programs include Gaelic singing, traditional dance performances, Cape Breton fiddling, and world-class bagpiping.

During the nighttime, many workshops, exhibitions, and club parties are done to make the festival more memorable. 

At the end of the festival, the vibrant colors make the backdrop a beautiful and scenic view. It is done with the help of various colors like yellow, orange, and red.

5. Quebec Winter Carnival

The Quebec Winter Carnival is the biggest winter carnival celebrated in Canada and worldwide. This festival was first celebrated by New France’s inhabitants (now Quebec City).

This festival was first celebrated in 1894, and since that year, it has been celebrated every year in Canada in late January or early February. This festival is the rowdy tradition that everyone gathers before Lent to drink, eat, or be merry.

At the start and closing of the festival, opening and closing ceremonies are held at Ice Palace. The mayor of Quebec City will be present for the ceremonies.

In this winter carnival, the main highlights that gain people’s attention are snow sculptures, a crazy canoe race in which the racers must cross the Saint Lawrence River, night parades, ice sculptures, and ice skating. The music is also played alongside.

6. Montreal International Jazz Festival

The Montreal International Jazz Festival is the world’s largest jazz festival and is mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records. The biggest international artists from many countries reach here to be a part of this music festival.

At this event, musicians come from 20 countries to be part of this festival. Every year, 3000 musicians are accompanied by more than two million music lovers.

There are more than 500 concerts which are going live during this festival. There are many of the most significant outdoor stages for live music concerts and many indoor concert halls.

It is one of the most popular festivals, and there is no entry fee for the people. Music lovers can enjoy this festival without any charges. Some former artists of this festival are Norah Jones, Aretha Franklin, and Diana Krall.

7. The Calgary Stampede

Calgary Stampede was first celebrated in July 1886. It is a ten-day festival, and in these ten days, many events take place, like midway stage shows, chuckwagon racing, rodeo racing, parades, agriculture competitions, and concerts.

During the Calgary Stampede festival, more than one million people and their cowboy hats joined this festival as competitors. All the people wear the same attire: blue jeans and belt buckles.

Thousands of volunteers organize these events, and civic leaders support these volunteers. This festival’s main center of attractions are the Rodeo race and the Chuckwagon race.

8. Winterlude Festival

Ottawa is the capital of Canada, and Winterlude Festival is celebrated as the first Ottawa. This festival was created by the National Capital Commission(NCC) and is celebrated by all Canadians.

For almost 40 years, this festival has been celebrated in the first three weeks of February.

There is a live music festival or program at outdoor and indoor venues. But the highlight of this festival is the Rideau Canal Skateway. This festival is celebrated all over the city with great joy and pleasure.

Every winter, the Rideau Canal Skateway becomes the center of attraction due to the largest skating rink, which is around 5 miles long. In other words, it has the world’s largest skating rink.

The frozen road is used for transportation and recreation. The American Express snowball pathway is used as an outdoor concert venue hosting and for other entertainment. 

9. Canada Day

Canada Day is the biggest and most famous festival celebrated and reserved for July. Canada Day is celebrated every year on the 1st of July. Canada Day is celebrated as the birth of the country.

On Canada Day, people all over the country dress in red and white attire. On this day, they proudly wave the leaf flags and enjoy fireworks. 

On Canada Day, people all over the country celebrate this day with great pleasure and joy. They eat delicious food and try different cuisines along with Canadian beer. The vast and great function Of Canada Day is celebrated in the country’s capital, Ottawa.

The best time to visit the country of Canada is in July. If you visit Canada on this day, you will find Canada in different colors, filling your heart with joy. Trust Me.

10. Montreal Comedy Festival

The Montreal Comedy Festival is also known as the Just For Laughs Festival. This festival is celebrated once a year. This event is among the most popular events in Canada and has been celebrated for the last 1983 years. 

This festival also comes under the most famous and best comedy programs. Different programs are conducted at this festival, including famous ice carving competitions and other competitions.

Mr. Bean, the most famous silent comedian, was tested on the Montreal crowds in 1989. So many acts are also included in this festival, like Kevin Hart and Jimmy Carry.

Final Note

The festivals celebrated in Canada are worldwide famous. These festivals are related to their traditions and culture, and people will come closer to their folk music, dance, sculpture, and many more.

Artists worldwide come to attend these festivals in different cities and show their talents to people through concerts and exhibitions.

These festivals last a week or more; people enjoy the light, music, film festivals, award shows, and more.

You can collect information about the correct timings and dates of these festivals through a valid email to the websites of these festival coordinators and the volunteers.

During these festivals in Canada, many outdoor games take place. People enjoy these festivals with their families. The festivals will bring us closer to our family and friends as we get some time to spend with them and enjoy them.

Last Updated on February 27, 2024 by Sanjana