Canada’s Largest Music Festivals: A Feast For The Senses And The Soul

By Author: Miles James
Total Articles: 24
Comment this article

Canada's vast music scene encompasses a number of popular festivals that draw musicians and fans from all over the world. From indie hootenannies at pretty locations to sprawling urban events, these fests cover all sorts of music while also letting you in on a bit of Canadian culture and are a significant part of the country's entertainment roster. Here is a guide to some of the biggest and most important music festivals in Canada.
Osheaga music and arts festival, Montreal, Quebec, if you're looking for the destination on St-Catherine street this weekend, forget it.
The festival, one of Canada’s largest, takes place each summer at Parc Jean Drapeau in Montreal. With a heavy dose of eclecticism, the Osheaga programming spans everything from indie rock and hip-hop to electronic and pop. The festival is an artful affair, luring tens of thousands of fans every summer with art installations that complement the beach and boardwalk.
Montreal International Jazz Festival: Montreal, Quebec
Listed in the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest jazz festival, you can’t ...
... let this one go if you are a music fan! Organized each summer, it is home to over 500 concerts, featuring the old greats of jazz and music as well as young talents. The festival takes over downtown Montreal with live music, packing the place with free and paid shows.
Boots and hearts: Oro Medonte, Ontario. The GTA's biggest country music festival has been around for a few years now, and after expanding to four days not too long ago, it's clear that Boots and Hearts has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.
Those who enjoy country music likely know of Boots and Hearts as Canada's largest country music festival. Held at Burl's Creek Event grounds, the multi-day festival draws country stars from around the world, including Luke Bryan, Kacey Musgraves, and Florida Georgia Line. A music-driven cross between summer camp and an outdoor music festival, with on-site camping and a party-hardy atmosphere, Boots and Hearts fuses music and a good-time summer getaway feel together.
Vancouver folk music festival: Vancouver, B.C. is tentatively deploying more than 40 staff members year-round and over 1,400 volunteers on the festive weekend. Vancouver Folk Music is the squiggly pulse from which all roots music in Canada collects.
Since 1978, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival has provided Canadian citizens with great tunes. The scenic Jericho Beach Park hosts this festival of folk, roots, and global music, which presents all-star artists alongside new discoveries. Its casual atmosphere and family-friendly nature make it a favorite for those looking for a little less of a festival ordeal.
North by Northeast Toronto, Ontario
Frequently described as Canada’s answer to Austin’s SXSW, NXNE is a hotspot for emerging artists across music, gaming, and digital arts. Hosted in multiple Toronto venues, the festival showcases emerging talent and facilitates industry connections. It’s one of the hot spots for finding the next big thing, musically, and partying as only the city that never sleeps can.
Shambhala music festival: Salmo, B.C.
The 23-year-old festival is a bit of a rite of passage for anyone who fancies themselves an electronic music or dance fan. Nestled in the beautiful Kootenay Mountains, it combines top-tier DJs with spectacular visuals and outstanding sound quality, all in a safe, inviting aesthetic. With an emphasis on sustainability and creativity, it is a truly eclectic experience for festival fans.
Canada’s music festivals run the gamut from raucous urban affairs breathing life into city streets to relaxed folk gatherings on beaches or in fields, up through to the celebration of Canada's many cultures and the sounds from around the world. Jazz? Country? Indie? Electronic beats? There's a Canadian festival ready to give it to you.
This article’s author is Miles James. For additional information regarding biggest canadian music festivals please continue browsing our website at rifflandia.com.