This should be a helpful article to anyone who is planning on taking a trip to Canada this year or anytime in the near future. I have found 10 of the most famous festivals Canada has to offer at different times of the year. I have only written about 1 festival per province but there are many more in each province, these are merely just the most popular ones.
Celebration of Light, Vancouver, BC
The HSBC Celebration of Light fireworks competition has been called “One of the world's most prestigious events of its kind”. Since 1990 Vancouver has been the home of the celebration (Originally known as Symphony of Fire). It starts July 23rd and there are 4 days of shows. Each show is 25 minutes long and each show is a competitor (Country) showing off their newest creations and fireworks. So if you ever decided to visit or you are in Vancouver around the end of July, then it's highly recommended you go attend this fireworks festival because it's fun for the whole family.
Calgary Stampede, Calgary, Alberta
This famous rodeo festival which is held I mid July is 10 days long and is consider by many people as “The Greatest Outdoor Show” on Earth. It is one of Canada's biggest annual events. The festival first got it start in 1886 but didn't become an official annual event until 1923. The rodeo park also contains amusement rides, concession stands, games, and races more then enough to keep a family busy for days.
Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Fest, Saskatchewan
If you like Jazz then this festival in Saskatchewan might be for you. People come from all over the world to participate in this 9 day festival. While at the festival you will probably encounter all different kinds of music from talented people all over Canada. In 2006, this Jazz festival was the second biggest in western Canada. It's now been 22 years the festival has been operating and its showing no signs of stopping anytime soon.
Icelandic Festival, Gimli, Manitoba
This festival which is held in Gimli, Manitoba is a 3 day event which starts August 3 rd and goes till the 6 th . The festival is considered to be the second oldest continuous ethnic festival in North America since it started in 1890. Events held at the festival include paintball tournaments, family fun run, Midway rides, parades, arts shows and much more. There is literally something for everyone at this festival and definitely is worth checking out if you're ever in the area.
Winterlude, Ottawa, Ontario
This is a world famous Canadian festival which I have been to many times through out my life. I use to live in downtown Ottawa and my mom would take me and my sister here every year. Winterlude is held on the Rideau Canal claimed to be the world's biggest skating rink. This festival features concerts, skating, games and food as well as amazing ice sculptures in which you can climb and so on. At night the ice sculptures and lit up making a beautiful site at night when skating. This is one of Canada's biggest tourist attractions which are held from Feb 6 th to Feb 22.
Quebec Winter Carnival, Quebec City
This is a picture of the Opening Ceremonies at the world's biggest winter carnival in Quebec. Quebec's Winter Carnival usually starts the last Friday of January or the first Friday of February and is 17 days long. The carnival origins date back to 1894 but it's been held every year since 1955. There is every possible attraction here or what's called “Something for everyone”. This is a great traditional carnival that one should visit if ever in the Quebec area.
Festival Acadian De Clare, Nova Scotia
This Canadian festival in Nova Scotia is a famous festival because it's known as the oldest Acadian Festival in Canada which started over 53 years ago. The festival has many attractions to offer and lots to do with outdoor concerts, parades, Deep-sea fishing tournaments there's enough here to keep the whole family busy for the day.
Shediac Lobster Fest, Shediac, New Brunswick
New Brunswick claims to be the home of the best lobster you can find on the planet and home of the biggest lobster but it's also the home of the famous Lobster Fest festival. The festival started in 1949 and is a 4 day long event held in July which is New Brunswick's top yearly festival. It has all the usual festival attractions like games, food, beer and eating contest. There are also outdoor concerts all over the town. This is a definite festival for any lobster lover.
Festival of Flight, Gander, Newfoundland
Newfoundland is a smaller province but that still doesn't stop them from holding a great festival. One of Newfoundland's more popular annual festivals is the “Festival of Flight” which has been a yearly thing for 22 years. There are many attractions at this event, from live music to air shows and crash up derby's as well as the usual food stands and games. Newfoundlander's are proud of this festival and another must see if you're ever visiting Newfoundland. This festival starts July 30 th and finishes on August 3 with a spectacular fireworks show.
International Shellfish Festival, Prince Edward Island
This festival started in 1996 and has grown into one of Canada's largest festivals. The festival attracts seafood chefs from all over Canada to cook off against each other and is known as the “Big Kitchen Party”. I'm not a fan of seafood but if you love it then this is the festival you must visit.
So there it is my list of 10 Famous Canadian Festivals across Canada.
