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Northeastern Ontario's Top 5 Festivals & Events

With BIG names like Keith Urban & Mariannas Trench performing, these festivals are sure to be a summer highlight!

By The Seven—Northeastern Ontario Welcome to The Seven, starting three hours north of Toronto and stretching as far as your imagination. We’re the memories you’ve made—and are yet to make—with the people you love. Ready? Let’s go. We’re outside.

April 12, 2023

While these are be no means the only festivals and events worth checking out this summer in Northeastern Ontario, these BIG five are sure to delight, entertain and surprise you! From Manitoulin Island to Timmins and beyond, northerners know how to put on a good show.

Festival-goers can anticipate eight nights of international fireworks displays.

Stars & Thunder – International Fireworks Competition and Music Festival

Timmins: June 24 – July 1

“The City With the Heart of Gold” is celebrating Canada’s 150^th birthday in a BIG way with BIG entertainers and BIG fireworks. The celebrations start Saturday, June 24 on Saint-Jean Baptiste Day, an annual celebration of Francophone culture, with a concert featuring Francophone recording artists and Team France kicking off the international Festival of Fireworks.

For the next seven days, residents of Timmins and those visiting for the Festival will be amazing by the international headliners performing in the Concert Series. Each night will see a different country – eight in total – compete in the Festival of Fireworks. Festival-goers can enjoy many free activities as well!

July 1 promises to be a spectacular night featuring Grammy-award-winning artist Keith Urban and Johnny Reid, Male Artist of the Year at the 2008 and 2009 CCMA Awards. Don’t miss the fireworks extravaganza presented by Team Canada!

Don’t miss the BIG stars and the BIG fireworks at the International Fireworks Competition and Music Festival June 24 to July 1 in Timmins.

Visit the Stars & Thunder website HERE.

Summer in the Park

North Bay: August 4 – 6

Extending across all of North Bay’s Community Waterfront Park, Summer in the Park is one family event you really won’t want to miss!

North Bay’s largest festival is all about community and it shows. With events for the family during the day, including the World’s Finest Shows Midway, food vendors, inflatables and attractions galore, this festival draws you in.

That commitment to community doesn’t end once the sun goes down as local and big name talent spanning multiple musical genres keep the crowds entertained. Big names attending the festival this year include Mariannas Trench and Magic!

Summer in the Park is fully committed to its “Something for Everyone” philosophy.

Visit Summer in the Park's website HERE.

Wikwemikong Cultural Festival

Wikwemikong, Manitoulin Island: August 5 – 7

Discover traditional indigenous foods, colourful displays, music and dancing at the annual Wikwemikong Cultural Festival, held every Civic Holiday weekend.

As eastern Canada’s longest running pow-wow, the annual Wikwemikong Cultural Festival has no competition – aside from the drumming and dancing competitions, of course! This three-day festival on spectacular Manitoulin Island is packed full of things to do and see.

You’ll be dazzled by the twirl and flash of the dancers’ regalia as they showcase traditional dances. You will feel the heartbeat of the event as the drum circles bring the festival to life, and you will learn first-hand about the many customs and traditions of dancers, drummers, and singers from across North America.

Visit the Wikwemikong Cultural Festival Facebook page HERE.

Great Canadian Kayak Challenge

Timmins: August 25 – 27

From the 32-km elite paddle for the not-so-faint of heart to the less challenging (but no less exciting!) activities, the three-day Great Canadian Kayak Challenge is the perfect festival for the outdoor enthusiast.

With prize money to be won, live musical entertainment, vendors and even a rubber duck race, this northern festival will surprise you, and make you want to come back for more!

Visit the Great Canadian Kayak Challenge website HERE.

Cinéfest Sudbury – International Film Festival

Sudbury: September 16 – 24

Tens of thousands of cinema buffs flock to this annual festival that features the very best of Canadian and world film.

Occasionally overshadowed by the BIG wilderness that surrounds it, urban Sudbury is proud of its dynamic arts and culture offerings, and Cinéfest is a shining example.

Screening approximately 135 films over the course of nine days, Cinéfest is renowned for being thought provoking, entertaining, and engaging. If you love film – Canadian, international, full-length features, shorts, documentaries, animation, children’s fare, workshops, Gala Presentations, and après-film cocktail receptions, too – Cinéfest is the festival for you!

Visit the Cinéfest Sudbury website HERE.

Find more BIG events to check out

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About The Seven—Northeastern Ontario

Starting three hours north of Toronto and stretching as far as your imagination.

Welcome to The Seven: To the loon call at dawn and sand in your toes. Bug bites, sunburns, and marshmallows charred just right. The stars you forgot existed, and that cozy cabin glow after a midnight swim. We’re festivals, family, and unforgettable moments—rain or shine. We’re the memories you’ve made—and are yet to make—with the people you love. Ready? Let’s go. We’re outside.