Photo curtesy of TimminsToday.com
Northeastern Ontario is gearing up for a busy summer! The region is packed with events, concerts, and all kinds of fun festivals with something for everyone. We have crafted up our list of the best festivals happening all throughout the region and hope you get the chance to experience it with us!
NORTH BAY
Ribfest at The Boat July 14 – 17
North Bay Ribfest is almost here! Visit their new location at The Boat, North Bay and enjoy delicious ribs, great views and lots of music!
River & Sky July 21 – 24
This family-friendly music & camping festival takes place in Field, just a 45 minute drive north/west of North Bay. River & Sky brings together a community of arts and nature lovers. In addition to great live music on their main stage and unique beach stage, you’ll find great food and featured artists throughout the campground.
Mattawa Voyageur Days July 22 – 24
The 23rd Annual Mattawa Voyageur Days! The festival attracts tourists from across the province to Northeastern Ontario. With free daytime activities for young and old to enjoy and a Canadian music line-up for the evenings make Voyageur Days an awesome festival for the whole family!
On The Edge Fringe Festival Aug 9 – 13
If you’ve never been before, On The Edge Fringe Festival is a gathering for professional and emerging alternative theatre and performance in North Bay, Ontario. This unique festival provides a diverse cultural and entertainment experience for North Bay’s community and proudly supports and promotes theatre talent within the Northeastern Ontario region and abroad. Live events for everyone to enjoy!
Bay Block Party Aug 27
North Bay Real Estate Board is happy to be back together to present the Bay Block Party. The free, all day and all ages event is headlining Dwayne Gretzky and lots of great local talent. The event not only brings great talent but also craft breweries, distilleries, FoodFest and lots of fun!
Bluesfest at the Capital Centre Sept 1 – 4
Clash of the Canvas: Blues Edition. This four day North Bay festival takes place at The Capital Centre downtown North Bay. For more information and events visit their website here.
North Bay Pride Sept 14 – 18
The Pride of Northern Ontario is back! This four day North Bay festival takes place at various locations around North Bay. For more information and events visit their Facebook here.
SUDBURY
Northern Lights Festival Boréal July 7 – 10
The Northern Lights Festival Boreal is back for its 50th edition this summer! The 2022 festival features St.Paul & The Broken Bones, The Weather Station, Born Ruffians and Judy Collins among other talent.
Italian Festival (Tentatively set for July 8 – 10)
Dates have not been officially announced for the 2022 edition however this annual summer festival is back and focused on everything food! Dozens of vendors, ticketed dinner events and cook offs paired with live entertainment and lots of family fun.
Japan Festival July 16 from 12:00pm – 6:00pm
The Japan Festival began in 2019 as a way for Sudbury’s small Japanese community to share their culture with fellow Sudburians. Held at the Grace Hartman Amphitheater, there will be performances, free activities for families to experience Japanese culture, and food vendors. The event is supported by various local sponsors and the Japanese consulate.
– The Wizard of OZ: In Concert July 14 – 17
– Ride The Cyclone July 29 – Aug 14
– Into The Woods Sept 16 – Oct 9
Founded in 2010, a cultural hub for musical productions in Northern Ontario, in 2022 the live festival will feature young artist productions.
Up Here Aug 19 – 21
“Up Here” is the brainchild of We Live Up Here, a non-profit organization with the mandate of building a better community through art. The 2022 festival spotlight is on Indigenous art, First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists, showcasing the theme, On Time.
Sudbury Ribfest Sept 2 – 4
Ribfest is back for fall 2022 at its new location Grace Hartman Amphitheatre! Live music, vendors, activities and of course ribs make Sudbury Ribfest the perfect way to spend your long weekend!
Cinéfest International Film Festival Sept 17 – 25
The 34th edition runs from September 17-25, 2022. Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival continues to seek out and showcase high-calibre film programming, to passionate and enthusiastic audiences, over there 9-day festival. If you wish to submit a film, you can do so here. Tickets can be purchased online at cinefest.com, at the Cinefest Sudbury Box Office (40 Larch Street, Unit 103), or at SilverCity Sudbury during the week of the Festival.
KILLARNEY
3rd Annual Killarney Music Festival Aug 26-27
Located on the docks and in front from the Sportsman’s Inn Resort and Marina, the Killarney Music Festival is back with a solid roster of great Northern Ontario Bands. The two day event is headlining Hillbilly Martini Friday the 26th and Johnson’s Creek Saturday the 27th. Get your tickets here.
TIMMINS
Summer Concert Series Various dates
A summer full of concerts! For more information and specific dates visit Summer Concert Serious here.
Wild Exodus Various dates
Book a stay with Wild Exodus for a unique camping experience while enjoying the Wawaitin Musicfest. For more information and availability visit their website here.
Poutine Feast July 14 – 17
Timmins Poutine Feast 2022! They added to their list of vendors and types of entertainment to make the festivals more fun for family and friends.
Porquis Music Festival July 15 – 17
Porquis Music Festival features a diverse collection of artists and musicians every Summer in Porquis Junction, Iroquois Falls in Northeastern Ontario. Headlining this year is Rosewood Ave and Taw Connors! Porquis Music Festival 2022 is the perfect place to experience awesome concerts, great food, market vendors and merch! Safe and secured RV and tent camping. Purchase your tickets here.
Rock on the River July 22 & 23
All ages welcome! Exception for VIP area which is 19+. ROTR will be held at the Hollinger park, Timmins, Ontario. Gates will open Friday at 5:00 pm and Saturday at 5:00 pm and shut down around 1:30am. Get ready to rock the night away!
Pride Festival Sept 6 – 10
Mark your calendars! The week begins with a flag-raising ceremony and ends with a rally, parade and drag show on the Saturday. For more information on Timmins Pride Week visit their Facebook page here.
TEMISKAMING SHORES
The Great Ontario Road Show July 16 – 17
This summer adventure awaits in your own backyard! Treat the family to an exciting day of food, music, art and science at the Great Northern Ontario Roadshow in Temiskaming Shores.
The Shores LIVE @ The Horne Granite Aug 13
Friday, August 13, 2022 at the Horne Granite in conjunction with the Dodge Ram Rodeo Tour.
Must be of legal drinking age in the province of Ontario to attend the concert (19+) Tickets are $10 online here, and $12 at the door. Doors open @ 6pm!
La Foire Gourmande de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue et du Nord-Est Ontarien Aug 12 – 14
20th Anniversary! There is no doubt that the ATNEO Gourmet Fair is one of the region’s major events. This free event provides visitors with a unique culinary experience and combines tasting of regional products, entertainment, music, shows (art and cooking), crafts, and games for children. An event perfect for the whole family!
MANITOULIN ISLAND
Manitoulin Ribfest June 30 – July 3
26th Annual Manitoulin Art Tour July 15 – 17
Celebrate The 26th Annual Manitoulin Art Tour! Take a scenic drive and meet the many talented artists of Manitoulin Island, Ontario. For more information visit their Facebook page here.
Wikwemkoong 60th Annual Cultural Festival July 30 – Aug 1
Wikwemikong Tourism hosts authentic, memorable and engaging experiences at the Cultural Pavilion. The authentic experiences reflect their history, cultural lifestyles and traditions of the Anishaabek people of the Three Fires Confederacy-Ojibwe, Odawa and Pottawatomi peoples. There are daily events for the whole family and weekend passes are also available here.
RTR Rockin’ The Rock Aug 5 – 6
Rockin’ the Rock is Manitoulin Island’s FIRST outdoor Rock Music Festival! Headlining Honeymoon Suite, Sweet, Nick Gilder and Sweeney Todd, and Streetheart! Get your tickets here and kick off the weekend with a cruise performance by Toe Jam Tequila on Thursday, August 4th before you rock the weekend away.
Manitoulin Country Festival Aug 11 – Aug 13
Calling all country fans! Northern Ontario’s premier country music festival is back featuring Tennille Townes, Johnny Reid, Tim & The Glory Boys & more! This weekend event is jam packed with big talent you won’t want to miss this summer. For ticket information and lineup details visit here.
