North Bay Summer Fun Guide 2025: The Complete A to Z List

From block parties to boat cruises, live tunes to lakeside lounging—this A-Z guide has everything you need for an unforgettable summer in North Bay.
A crowd watches exploding fireworks over a grassy park on a summer night in North Bay.

Make the most of your summer by checking out all that North Bay has to offer. An easy and scenic four-hour drive from Ottawa, Kitchener and Toronto, the friendly small city of North Bay on Lake Nipissing has lots of fun to discover! Here’s our complete A-Z guide to summer adventures in North Bay.

A is for Arts

100 years of north bay
Celebrate 100 Perspectives for 100 Years. // © WKP Gallery

Capitol Centre encompasses two excellent venues: the Betty Spears Theatre, which showcases live entertainment and film showings, and the WKP Kennedy, a free gallery with a range of historic and contemporary art. This summer’s centennial exhibit (running until July 31) features 100 perspectives for 100 years of North Bay, each in one square foot. On July 11, don’t miss the Downtown Gallery Hop, a free arts event downtown that celebrates creativity, art and community. August 6-10 is the On the Fringe Festival, showcasing everything from beat poetry and folk music to stand-up comedy and contemporary dance.

B is for Block Party

North Bay residents and visitors are fans of the Bay Block Party on August 23. This year, the free all-ages, all-day downtown event features plenty of good food, music and shopping, including music by The Trews as well as local vendors, artisans, musicians, breweries and family-friendly activities.

C is for Chief Commanda II

Set sail on Lake Nipissing aboard the Chief Commanda II, a 320-passenger cruise ship. Get a unique perspective of the lake and the city as you explore the Manitou Islands, Upper French River or Callander Bay. Some cruises have live local music, and a local favourite is the Canada Day Fireworks cruise. 

D is for Duchesnay Falls

Touted as one of the province’s best four-season waterfalls, Duchesnay Falls is a must for many visitors. The waterfall walk, which is considered moderate, takes about an hour. 

Chief Commanda DUCHESNAY_WESTERN BASE
Have a day on the water aboard the Chief Commanda II. // Pack a picnic and head to the trails by Duchesnay Falls.

E is for Eating

Summer is definitely the time to enjoy delicious food, and you’ve got lots of choices in North Bay. Download the Eat + Drink list to get an overview of the local cafes, restaurants, food trucks and more. Poutine Feast runs from June 12-15, and keep an eye on social media for details of Shake the Lake RibFest in July.

F is for Fishing

Lake Nipissing is right on your doorstep in North Bay, not to mention a range of other smaller lakes and rivers nearby. You can try your hand at catching any of the 44 species of fish found in the area, from walleye and pike to smallmouth bass and muskie.

G is for Golf

Take your pick of five local golf courses! You’ll be surrounded by great scenery and plenty of challenges thanks to the region’s natural terrain.

H is for Hollywood

The film and television industry is a significant part of North Bay, with an average of 20 domestic and international productions filming throughout the year. Take a self-guided tour and see if you can spot the setting of one of your favourite holiday movies!

I is for Indigenous Roots

The lands, rivers, and lakes around North Bay have been home to Indigenous peoples for untold generations. The annual Maamwi Kindaaswin Pow-Wow takes place at Lee Park on the second weekend in June, and features music, dancing and a community feast. You can also get a deeper understanding of the rich heritage and culture through Indigenous artists, teachers and entrepreneurs

Hallmark Christmas North Bay Tourism-NBIFC Powwow-24
North Bay is a Hallmark Christmas movie all year round. // Enjoy the beauty of an annual pow-wow.

J is for Just Chillin’

There are more than 40 public beach access points in North Bay, so you can live your best beach life on the shores of Lake Nipissing, Trout Lake and other area lakes. The clear waters and sandy beaches are perfect for kicking back, swimming and water sports, and many of the public beaches have playgrounds, free parking and picnic areas.

North Bay Sunset Beach
North Bay's got enough beaches to have fun all summer long.  

K is for Kate Pace Way

This paved pathway, named for local Olympic skier Kate Pace, links North Bay’s waterfront with green spaces at the south end of the city. It’s a great place to stroll or cycle.

L is for Live Music

The first-ever Boatapalooza takes place this year on July 20 and August 10, at Trout Lake. Bring your boat to enjoy live music on the water all afternoon long. Wednesday nights are for free summer concerts at the Kiwanis band shell at the North Bay Summer Concert Series while the Hot Summer Night Music Festival is August 1-2.

M is for Market

Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, the North Bay Farmers’ Market is a vibrant community hub for locally produced food, crafts and more.

A man smiles at a bag of fresh produce as he shops at an outdoor booth at the North Bay Farmers' Market.
Shop for fresh, local produce and unique finds at the North Bay Farmers' Market.

N is for North Bay History

The Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace Defense and the North Bay Museum are the perfect spots to dig deeper into the region’s rich heritage.

O is for Oh, Yum!

Sip and sample some local brews at two local microbreweries: Cecil’s Brewhouse and Kitchen and Gateway City Brewery.

P is for Paddling

Canoe, kayak or paddleboard on the city’s beautiful lakes and rivers, or use North Bay as your home base for longer paddling trips.

Q is for Quints

The Dionne Quintuplets Museum is a century-old home where the five identical sisters grew up and gained worldwide recognition.

R is for Retail Therapy

Shop at a variety of independent shops and boutiques to find just the right memento of your visit.

A black and white photograph of the Dionne Quints as small girls, identically dressed in matching dresses and sitting in a row. A shopping woman takes a bouquet of flowers out of a cooler at The Farm in North Bay.
Visit the Dionne Quintuplets Museum or find some fun shops around North Bay this summer.

S is for Self-Guided

The new Driftscape app makes it easy to discover North Bay’s natural beauty and rich heritage at your own pace, with self-guided tours, interactive maps and info on points of interest.

T is for Trails

Hike the area’s beautiful trails at local conservation areas, provincial parks and other scenic destinations.

U is for Unwind

Relax and rejuvenate at your home away from home—choose from a range of hotels, motels, and unique accommodations like the beachside The Finch Beach Resort.

V is for Vroom

Motor sports enthusiasts can go off-roading to discover rugged terrain and memorable northern landscapes. The extensive Voyageur Multi-Use Trail System is a definite draw too.

W is for Wheels

Have bike, will travel: Try the Voyageur Cycling Route if you want to head out for a longer trip. Or you can go mountain biking at Three Towers or pedal some smooth paved trails in town.

The Finch Resort; wooden beach chairs sit on a deck next to a wooden cabin on a sandy beach at sunset. a cyclist rides down a lush forested trail in the summer.
Get out and relax in nature at The Finch Beach Resort or hit the Three Towers trail network (photo credit Nadine Robinson).

X is for Xplore

Camping and day trips to provincial parks are a summer highlight for many, and fortunately there are seven parks within a short distance from North Bay. Hike, swim, boat, bird, fish and more!

Y is for Young at Heart

Visiting with kids? Don’t miss this guide to family-friendly venues, eateries and activities in North Bay.

Z is for Zoom

It’s easy to access the water from North Bay’s boat launch facilities and marinas. Whether you’re motoring or sailing, scenic waterways are close at hand.

Plan Your Summer Trip To North Bay

This summer, head to North Bay to discover quintessential northern landscapes, outdoor adventures, culinary and cultural events, and plenty of memory-making moments.

About Bonnie Schiedel

Bonnie Schiedel is the founder of www.tbaywithkids.ca, which covers fun family-friendly attractions, events and restaurants in Thunder Bay. She enjoys canoeing, hiking, snowshoeing and travel, and you can read more of her award-winning work at www.northstarwriting.ca.

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