Top live music festivals in Ontario 2024

Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

Electric Island

Spanning eight days over four weekends, Electric Island brings the best of local and international house, techno and electronic music to Fort York and The Bentway.

When: May 18–19, June 29–30, August 9–10, August 31–September 1, 2024
Where: ‍800 Fleet Street, Toronto

Beaches Jazz Festival

Jazz takes centre stage during this lakeside Beaches community event celebrating its 36th year. Performances are held in several different outdoor venues, including streets and parks. The Main Stage at Woodbine takes place July 18-21.

When: July 5–28, 2024
Where: The Beaches 

#BollywoodMonster Mashup

The largest South Asian festival in Canada returns for its 14th year featuring free concerts with international Bollywood stars, a food festival, dance performances, a laser show and more at Mississauga Celebration Square.

When: July 24–27, 2024
Where: 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga

Vibrant Brampton

This popular South Asian arts, heritage and music festival showcases more than 150 local and international acts in Garden Square.

When: July 26–27, 2024
Where: 12 Main Street North, Brampton

VELD Music Festival

This all-ages event consistently brings out some of the best in electronic dance and hip-hop to Downsview Park.

When: August 2–4, 2024
Where: Downsview Park

Toronto Caribbean Carnival's Grand Parade

Join the revelry of North America’s largest street festival, the culmination of an exciting summer celebration of Caribbean music, food and culture.

When: August 3, 2024
Where: Exhibition Place, 100 Princes' Boulevard, Toronto

Ottawa Region

Chamberfest

This popular concert series has been engaging and inspiring audiences in Ottawa for almost four decades. Don’t miss this year’s summer event.

When: July 25–August 8, 2024
Where: Multiple venues in Ottawa

Nostalgia Music Festival

This ultimate tribute event celebrates the music you loved from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Enjoy full-service bars, food vendors and a great line-up of professional tribute shows in LeBreton Flats.

When: August 21–25, 2024
Where: 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa

CityFolk Festival

Gather on the Great Lawn at Lansdowne Park for a five-day fall celebration of great music, food and fun at CityFolk.

When: September 11–15, 2024
Where: 1525 Princess Patricia Way, Ottawa

Hamilton, Halton and Brant

Festival of Friends

Going strong since 1976, this event celebrates outdoor music, arts, crafts vendors and more in Hamilton’s Gage Park.

When: August 2–4, 2024
Where: 1000 Main Street East, Hamilton

Supercrawl

An annual arts and indie music event takes place along James Street North in downtown Hamilton in September with outdoor performances and exhibits.

When: September 13–15, 2024
Where: Downtown Hamilton

York, Durham and Headwaters

Summer of Soca Festival

Celebrate Caribbean music and culture with performances from international artists at this three-day soca festival held at Markham Fairgrounds.

When: August 2–4, 2024
Where: 10801 McCowan Road, Markham

Aurorapalooza

Aurora’s one-day outdoor music festival showcases emerging musicians. Proceeds from the festival support mental health initiatives. Shuttle bus service is available every half hour to and from Aurora GO Station to Town Park.

When: August 17, 2024
Where:  Town Park, Aurora

CONVERGENCE Music and Art Festival

CONVERGENCE brings together musicians and artists for a day of mind-bending experiences, art installations, and live music in Oshawa’s downtown. This free event hosts local vendors, street food, and even pro wrestling.

Location:  September 21, 2024
Where: Downtown Oshawa

Niagara Region

Cicada Music & Arts Festival

A dynamic celebration of music, art and culture with a diverse lineup across multiple stages, showcasing a range of genres from the best of Ontario artists, as well as food and drink vendors in the heart of Niagara.

When: October 5–6, 2024
Where: Henley Island, St. Catharines

Bruce, Grey and Simcoe

Free Concerts in the Square – Sauble Beach

Bring a lawn chair or a blanket to enjoy free outdoor music directly across from Sauble Beach. Various genres of music will be performed on Wednesday nights from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

When: July 17, 24, 31, August 14, 21, 2024
Where: 3 Lakeshore Boulevard North, Sauble Beach

Reggae On the Mountain

Experience a weekend filled with the rhythmic and soulful sounds of reggae performed by award-winning musicians.

When: July 26-July 28, 2024
Where: 156 Jozo Weider Boulevard, The Blue Mountains

Eclectic Electrics

Taking place on a farm overlooking the scenic Big Head Valley, immerse yourself an eclectic program of experimental music and sound art.

When: August 2-4, 2024
Where: 202 Scotch Mountain Road, Meaford

Kempenfest

One of Barrie’s signature summer events, Kempenfest is celebrating 52 years of amazing live music along with great food, arts and crafts on the waterfront.

When: August 2–5, 2024
Where: Barrie waterfront

Boots & Hearts

Held at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds, Canada’s largest annual camping country music mash-up is open to all ages. Canada’s largest annual camping country music mash-up is open to all ages. This year’s lineup includes popular musicians Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett and Cody Johnson.

When: August 8–11, 2024
Where: 240 8 Line South, Oro Station

Lucknow’s Music in the Fields

A “large-scale festival with a small-town feel”, Lucknow's Music in the Fields is an annual non-profit music festival that supports the local community.

When: August 22–24, 2024
Where: 557 Walter Street, Lucknow

All Your Friends Fest

Fall Out Boy, Billy Talent, Jimmy Eat World, The All-American Rejects and more of your favourite emo and alt-rock artists will perform at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds.

When: August 23–24, 2024
Where: 240 8 Line South, Oro Station

Stonebridge Wasaga Beach Blues

Enjoy a three-day outdoor music festival on two stages featuring a vendor's village and Liquid Lounge.

When: September 13–15, 2024
Where: 219 Main Street, Wasaga Beach

Gussapolooza Music Festival

Gussapolooza is a one-of-a-kind music festival dedicated to supporting independent, local emerging artists and talent at Georgian Bay Steam Show Grounds.

When: September 13–15, 2024
Where: 4635 15 Line, Cookstown

Live Music at Blue Mountain

From classical to hard rock, the music at Blue Mountain isn’t just background noise. Immerse yourself in the diverse live music performances all summer long. Check the calendar of events for more exciting concerts.

When: Summer 2024, check listings for concert dates
Where: 156 Jozo Weider Boulevard, The Blue Mountains

Southwestern Ontario

Bluewater BorderFest

Sarnia-Lambton's biggest concert of the year boasts three nights of star-studded American and Canadian musical talent at Centennial Park.

When: June 20–22, 2024
Where: 430 Front Street North, Sarnia

Sunfest

Food, art, culture and music from around the world make this Victoria Park event a summer highlight.

When: July 4–7, 2024
Where: 580 Clarence Street, London

Rock The Park

This annual live music event in London’s Harris Park features four days of big-name bands and artists, including Nickelback, Tyler Childers, The Strumbellas and more.

When: July 10–13, 2024
Where: 531 Ridout Street North, London

Hagersville Rocks Music Festival

This annual live music event in London’s Harris Park features four days of big-name bands and artists, including Nickelback, Tyler Childers, The Strumbellas and more at Heaslip Ford Amphitheatre in Grant Kett Memorial Park.

When: July 2024
Where: 38 Sherring Street North, Hagersville

Revelree Music Festival

Sarnia’s Canatara Park will be rocking with established and up-and-coming artists at this all-ages summer event.

When: July 19–20, 2024
Where: 1200 Lake Chipican Drive, Sarnia

Kingsville Music Festival

Experience small-town charm on the shore of Lake Erie and discover world-class music from across Canada at the 10th annual Kingsville Music Festival at Mettawas Park.

When: August 9–11, 2024
Where: 85 Park Street, Kingsville

Middle River Music Fest

Eco-friendly music festival on Common Ground Farm for the entire family. Enjoy live performances, food trucks, a farm tour, kids activities and an after-party DJ. Tickets are on sale until August 23, 2024.

When: August 24, 2024
Where: 6986 Middle River Road St. Thomas

VENUExVENUE Music Festival

Over the course of this three-day music festival, view more than 50 artists at six venues in London, Canada’s first UNESCO designated “City of Music.”

When: November 14–16, 2024
Where: Various venues in London

Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington

The Guelph Jazz Festival

Since 1994, the award-winning Guelph Jazz Festival has hosted local to international jazz musicians. In addition to paid performances, music lovers can enjoy free shows in Market Square, artist talks and workshops.

When: September 13-15, 2024
Where: Multiple venues in Guelph

Goderich Celtic Roots Festival

Held on the shores of Lake Huron at Lions Harbour Park, this is the ultimate Celtic experience in Ontario celebrating traditional Celtic music and crafts.

When: August 9–11, 2024
Where: Harbour Street, Goderich

Kitchener Blues Fest

Don’t miss one of the largest and most vibrant arts and music events in the Waterloo Region this summer.

When: August 8–11, 2024
Where: Downtown Kitchener

Riverfest Elora

One of Ontario’s most beautiful villages hosts one of the province’s most popular live music festivals, along with camping, craft beer, food trucks and cool merch in Bissell Park.

When: August 16–18, 2024
Where: 127 East Mill Street, Elora

Southeastern Ontario

Kemptville Live Music Festival

One of Eastern Ontario's largest music festivals celebrates a range of music genres including country, rock, rhythm and blues, folk and roots at the Kemptville Campus.

When: July 18–21, 2024
Where: 40 Campus Drive, Kemptville

Kawarthas and Northumberland

Westben Performing Arts Theatre

The Westben Performing Arts Theatre showcases a mix of musical and stage performances in a magnificent open-air, timber-frame barn with views over the rolling farm hills outside Campbellford.

When: June 14–August 4, 2024
Where: 6698 County Road 30, Campbellford

Peterborough Musicfest

Canada's longest-running free-admission festival offers eight weeks of concerts that showcase renowned musicians on the shores of picturesque Little Lake at Del Crary Park every Wednesday and Saturday.

When: June 29–August 17, 2024
Where: 100 George Street North, Peterborough

Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley

The Festival of Small Halls

Enjoy “big music in a little place” with intimate performances by exceptional artists held in various cherished venues and spaces across Eastern Ontario.

When: Fall 2024
Where: Eastern Ontario

Algonquin Park, Muskoka and Parry Sound

Tall Pines Music & Arts

Celebrate the beauty of nature, art, and music in Muskoka. The all-Canadian music performance lineup includes City and Colour, July Talk, Dan Mangan, JJ Wilde, and more.

When: July 19-20, 2024
Where: Gull Lake Park, Muskoka

Festival of the Sound

Since 1979 Festival of the Sound and Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts have brought some of the great chamber and classical music musicians and artists from Canada and around the world to the shores of Georgian Bay in scenic Parry Sound.

When: July 19–August 3, 2024
Where: 2 Bay Street, Parry Sound

Elvis & Co Music Festival

Elvis & Co is a three-day festival that highlights the music and culture that influenced Elvis and his influence on the music that came after. Held at Deerhurst Resort, it also features an Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest.

When: November 1–3, 2024

Where: 1235 Deerhurst Drive, Huntsville

Northern Ontario

Northern Lights Festival Boréal

The tradition continues and evolves at this signature annual event at Bell Park. Watch amazing acts, including emerging talent and highly acclaimed artists.

When: July 4–7, 2024
Where: Paris Street, Greater Sudbury

Go North Music Festival

This family-friendly, outdoor, camping festival features a variety of musical genres including new music, folk, roots, bluegrass, rock and pop. Browse through a wide array of food vendors, locally made beer, local art and activities for kids.

When: July 25–27, 2024
Where: Richards Landing

River and Sky

Combine camping, hiking, swimming, arts and crafts, family-friendly activities and amazing music at this multi-day music festival at Fishers’ Paradise.

When: July 17–21, 2024
Where: 3636 ON-539, Field

Rock on the River

Rock on the River is one of Timmins’ greatest annual music festivals, featuring a strong lineup of performers each year at Hollinger Park.

When: July 18–20, 2024
Where: 565 Algonquin Boulevard East, Timmins

Mattawa Voyageur Days

Enjoy free activities for all ages and a legendary line-up of Canadian country, rock and folk music.

When: July 26–28, 2024
Where: Explorer’s Point, Mattawa

Shake the Lake Kenora

With Kenora’s biggest concert event, classic car shows, a cup pong tournament and much more, get ready to shake the lake this summer.

When: August 2–4, 2024
Where: Kenora

Live From the Rock Folk Festival

This annual, grassroots gathering attracts over 2,000 music lovers to Lake Superior’s North Shore with world-class music, campfire jams, acoustic song circles and more.

When: August 9–11, 2024
Where: 42 Salls Street, Red Rock

Trout Forest Music Festival

Enjoy late-night jam sessions around the bonfires, making for a memorable experience of Music in the Woods at Ear Falls Park. The “Trout” features workshops, creative arts selection, great food and the best in Northern hospitality

When: August 9–11, 2024
Where: Ear Falls

Northern Vibe Festival

Experience the joy of camping and live concerts in the backwoods near Sault Ste. Marie. Dance to the music from talented Canadian artists that will keep you moving to the beat.

When: August 23–25, 2024
Where: G78G+3Q, Poplar Dale

Wake the Giant

A celebration of cultures and inclusivity, Marina Park’s music festival focuses on Indigenous artists and musicians.

When: September 14, 2024
Where: Marina Park Drive, Thunder Bay