The party's on in North Bay this summer.

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North Bay Summer Festivals 2025

Ontario's Gateway to the North offers music festivals, rib and poutine fests, Pride, and more! All just a short drive from the GTA.

By Northern Ontario Welcome to Northern Ontario, Canada!

June 19, 2025

Located within about a 4-hour drive of Toronto, Ottawa, and Kitchener, the waterfront city of North Bay makes for a relaxing Ontario summer getaway. With festivals lined up most weekends throughout the summer, it’s the perfect excuse to visit!

From pow wows to poutine, here are the must-do North Bay's 2025 festivals.

January

January 7-9 2025

Winter Bluesfest at the Capital Centre

The Capital Centre's three-day Bluesfest is a great way to celebrate blues, music, and the arts this January. Kicking off with a party and live music at Gateway City Brewery on the 9th, the festival's Main Stage Concert on the 11th features the North By Entertainers Hall of Recognition Band, David Laronde Band, Whiskey River Blues Band, Spencer Mackenzie, and Ottawa's MonkeyJunk.

June

Maamwi Kindaaswin Pow-Wow

June 2025

pairs of participants in beautiful traditional pow wow clothing delicately balance potatoes between their's and their partner's foreheads as they dance the potato dance. The partners have their hands clasped behind their backs and are smiling at each other and seem to be having a lot of fun. — Photo credit Tourism North Bay

The North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre celebrates its 50th year and presents its 16th annual pow wow this year. The weekend at Lee Park will include Indigenous craft vendors, food, dancing and drumming.

North Bay Poutine Feast

June 2025

The travelling poutine festival rolls into Lee Park in June, for a weekend of cheesy, gravy-drenched deliciousness. The event promises activities for attendees young and old, including a curd pong tournament. Check their site for updates.

Holi Fest

June 29

a crowd of people waving their hands above their heads as they throw a rainbow of multicoloured clouds of powdered pigments into the air at Holi Fest. — Photo credit Holi Fest North Bay

All are invited to StudyBuddy Canada's family-friendly celebration of the colours at the Kiwanis Bandstand from 1-6 pm. The day will involve traditional colour throwing, food, dance, and performances.

July

River & Sky

July 2025

Two performers at night on stage singing.

This epic family-and-dog-friendly music and camping festival takes place at Fishers’ Paradise Campground, around an hour northwest of North Bay. Live music is spread across four stages —including one on the beach—and as installations throughout the campground, bringing together a community of art and nature lovers over several days.

Shake the Lake Ribfest

July 2025

Eat ribs and feel good doing it this July 17 to 20 —this Gen7 fuel-organized event is in support of the North Bay food bank. The weekend promises a medley of music and ribs on the shores of Lake Nipissing.

Canoe Day La Vase Portages

July 2025

Red canoes paddling down a green waterway. — Canoeing La Vase.

Canoe Day offers a chance to experience the La Vase Portages and connect with like-minded canoeists for the same type of unforgettable paddling experienced by those who had travelled the portages centuries ago. Shuttling, guiding, and lunch are provided. This years Canoe Day will be on July 26.

Boatapalooza

July 2025

This year's first Boatapalooza event takes place on July 19 at Average Joe's on Trout Lake, North Bay, with a second date on August 10. Bring your boat, canoe, kayak or any watercraft and enjoy live bands from 12 pm-4 pm while delicious food is brought right to your boat (or feel free to book a table at the restaurant and enjoy the show from there).

Mattawa Voyageur Days

July 25-27 2025

The countdown is on to the 26th annual Mattawa Voyageur Days. The popular festival takes place less than an hour east of North Bay and offers daytime entertainment for all ages, including inflatablesas well as Science North demonstrations. Musical performances across all three day of the festival include Fefe Dobsen, the Reklaws, Tim and the Glory Boys, and a Bon Jovi tribute band.

August

Hot Summer Night Music Festival

August 2025

Ease into the long weekend on Friday August 1st and take in some outdoor performances at the Kiwanis Bandstand. Check out the live music that plays the City Hot Summer Night Music Festival—past years have included performances by North of Quiet, Yer Blues, and The Unknown. The free outdoor festival is put on by the city, with support from local businesses.

Summer Cruise Series

August 2025

Together the Capitol Centre and the Chief Commanda II are bringing back the Summer Cruise Series this Summer. The Classic Rock Cruise featuring Blue Screw will be on Friday July 25, the Country Cruise featuring The County is on Friday August 8th and the Blues Cruise featuring The Jesse Thomas Band is on Friday August 29th. Don't miss out on this exciting way to enjoy summer on the lake.

On The Edge Fringe Festival

August 6-10 2025

On The Edge Fringe Festival has brought professional and emerging theatre artists alike to North Bay, since 2014. The festival programs up to 12 local, regional and international artists each year, selected by lottery. Performances in a variety of genres (such as contemporary dance, sketch comedy, and traditional theatre) take place across four venues.

Bay Block Party

August 2025

This free, family-friendly event is a celebration of community and local businesses in downtown North Bay. The Capitol Centre has announced that The Trews are headlining the event this year on August 23 so expect a day filled with local talent, food vendors, artists and fun at the Bay Block Party.

North Bay Pride

September 2025

Be sure to watch the North Bay Pride website for announcements about this year’s celebration on the 11th to 13th. Last year featured a packed schedule of free events across multiple venues, including raising the pride flag, a talent show, a drag contest, a trans march, a pride parade, and a concert in the park.

Always On in North Bay

North Bay has some events that run on regular dates all summer long. Check out these ongoing summer events and mark your calendar so you can catch the fun:

North Bay Summers Farmers' Market
—every Wednesday and Saturday, and includes a Strawberry Festival and Corn Festival.

A man in a hat shopping at the North Bay farmer's market. — North Bay Farmers' Market

North Bay Summer Concert Series
—Summer Concert Series is a free outdoor concert series at the North Bay Waterfront Kiwanis Bandshell every Wednesday from July 3 to August 28th.

North Bay Arts & Culture Series —free arts and culture activities every Tuesday evening from July 2 to August 27 at the North Bay Waterfront Kiwanis Bandshell.

An artist performing in a clear geodome against a purple sunset. — La Bulle performing at the North Bay Waterfront as part of the free Arts & Culture Series. Photo credit Paul Ritter

If you’re visiting from out of town, check out these great places to stay in North Bay, and round out your visit with a scenic trail walk, a visit to one of the local-approved beaches, or a meal at one of these foodie destinations.

For more ideas about the best things to see and do in the city, visit Tourism North Bay or check out their events calendar directly.

Find more things to do and places to stay in North Bay!

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About Northern Ontario

Welcome to Northern Ontario, Canada! Bigger than Texas, wilder than the west, more welcoming than a campfire in October, Northern Ontario is like no place else. Sunset Country is famous for its spectacular fishing lakes, Superior Country has friendly towns and a superior coastline, Algoma Country has bucket list drives and epic outdoor adventure, and the Northeast provides excellent vacation destinations close to Toronto and other large urban centres in Southern Ontario.