If you are looking for unique and engaging ways to experience arts and culture this summer there’s a kaleidoscope of world class art and culture festivals lying in wait right here in Ontario. Revelries ranging from performing arts to fine arts, visual arts and everything in between. We’d like to draw your attention to this year’s 12 must-attend award-winning art and culture festivals and events.
2017 Arts and Culture Festival and Event Highlights include:
Stratford Festival April 15 – October 29 (Stratford) stratfordfestival.ca Awarded Level of Distinction by FEO, North America’s leading classical theatre presenting a seven month season of a dozen plays in the four venue along with a Forum of events to enrich the play going experience.
Carrousel of Nations 2017 June 10 – 11 (Windsor) carrouselofnations.ca Carrousel of Nations 2017 – is a three weekend Award Winning Cultural Festival celebrating world music, dance, art, and cuisine.
Luminato Festival June 14 – 25 (Toronto) luminatofestival.com Awarded Level of Distinction by FEO, Luminato Festival is Toronto’s international multi-arts festival for people open to having art change their outlook on the world. Also awarded a FEO Achievement Award for “Best New Single Sponsorship with Absolut (Corby Spirit and Wine).
Salsa at Blue Mountain June 23 – 25 (Blue Mountains) bluemountainvillage.ca Muy Caliente! The 9th annual very hot Ontario Salsa tour returns to Blue Mountain. A FREE family street party transforms the entire Village into a showcase of Latin life with pulsating music.
TD Salsa in Toronto Festival July 3 – 23 (Toronto) salsaintoronto.com TD Salsa in Toronto, Canada’s largest Latino-themed celebration features music, dance, food and culture! A sizzling lineup of events across the GTA culminates in the TD Salsa on St. Clair Street Festival.
Belleville Waterfront & Ethnic Festival July 6 – 9 (Belleville) bellevillewaterfrontfestival.com One of Ontario’s Top 100 festivals – includes musical and multi-cultural acts, children’s village, Ethnic food, midway, vendors expo, dragon boat races and other water attractions on the Bay of Quinte!
TD Sunfest ’17: Canada’s Premier Celebration of World Cultures July 6 – 9 (London) sunfest.on.ca TD Sunfest is Canada’s Premier Celebration of World Cultures, featuring over 35 top world music & jazz headliners from around the globe, complemented by 225+ unique food, craft and visual art exhibitors.
Toronto Caribbean Carnival July 11 – August 6 (Toronto) torontocaribbeancarnival.com Awarded Level of Distinction by FEO, it began as an expression of the aspirations of the Caribbean community in Toronto. Great food, arts and crafts, entertainment and fun. Come visit the largest cultural festival in North America.
Big on Bloor Festival of Arts and Culture July 22 – 23 (Toronto) bigonbloorfestival.com A unique community and city-building festival featuring hundreds of events, activities and exhibitions, celebrating business, community, arts and culture, Bloordale, Bloor from Dufferin to Lansdowne.
Buckhorn Fine Art Festival August 18 – 20 (Buckhorn) buckhornfineart.com 2017 marks the 40th Anniversary of the Festival. A Top 100 FEO event, the Buckhorn Fine Art Festival continues to showcase world class art, fine local cuisine, craft breweries and musical talent.
Toronto International Film Festival September 7 – 17 (Toronto) tiff.net Awarded Level of Distinction by FEO, the Toronto International Film Festival is the leading public film festival in the world, screening more than 300 films from 60+ countries every September.
Supercrawl September 8 – 10 (Hamilton) supercrawl.ca Supercrawl is a free, three-day arts and music festival. Road closures along James Street North allow for music stages, art installations, family area, street vendors and food trucks. Also awarded a FEO Achievement Award for “Best Community Partner Outreach Program” with Wesley Urban Ministries.
There’s always something to celebrate in Ontario! Visit www.festivalsandeventsontario.ca to find a complete listing of festivals including this year’s Award-Winning and Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario.
