The city of Sudbury, Ontario is known for its incredible array of summer festivals. From live jazz to theatre, from dynamic art exhibitions to Greek cuisine—there's a festival here for everyone. Whether you come for a weekend or are visiting to explore the city's connection to Canada's Group of Seven, the festival scene in Sudbury is not to be missed!
Here’s a list of festivals in the Sudbury area. Plan your summer now!
This annual celebration of graphic novels, comic books, independent zines, and other print mediums has featured guests such as Ryan North (Dinosaur Comics), visiting artists from Marvel and DC comics, as well as incredible cosplayers and more. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates.
Festival passes are available now for Canada’s longest consecutively running music festival (except in 2020 and 2021). The Northern Lights Festival Boreal enters this season with a stellar line-up including Jully Black, DJ Shrub, Boogát, Mattmac, Housewife, Edouard Landry and many, many more! The festival also has a range of volunteer opportunities with perks like free admission!
Entering its 52nd year, this annual summer festival is hosted by Sudbury’s Caruso Club, focusing on—what else?—food! With dozens of vendors, ticketed dinner events, and cook-offs, it makes for a weekend of live entertainment and family fun. Check their website as the festival approaches, for more details.
YES Theatre has a stellar lineup planned this summer, beginning June 12 - July 5 at the YES Theatre Refettorio with Here Comes the Sun: The Music Of the Beatles. Next comes Chicago, running July 9th - August 3rd at the Sudbury Theatre Centre, Peter Pan, running August 8th - August 31st at the YES Theatre Refettorio, and Every Brilliant Thing, running September 11th - September 22nd at the YES Theatre Refettorio. Visit their website for more information and tickets.
The main purpose of this volunteer-run, annual festival is the sharing of Greek heritage through food and celebration. In past years, this has included traditional dancing, church tours, live music, giveaways, and a Greek Market in addition to a smorgasbord of authentic Greek food, from gyros to souvlaki, and roast lamb to saganaki (which is, by the way, cheese on fire!) Take a look at this year's schedule and don't miss the fun.
Get ready to rock in 2024! This annual event is Northern Ontario's largest gem, mineral, rock, and fossil show and sale, held by the Sudbury Rock and Lapidary Society, at Carmichael Arena.
It’s an excellent event for rare gem and fossil collectors, as well as youngsters who may have a budding interest in geology or archaeology, as it features demonstrations, kid’s activities, mineral and gemstone identification, door prizes and more!
The Japan Festival began in 2019 as a way for Sudbury's small Japanese community to share their culture with fellow Sudburians. Held at the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre in Bell Park, there will be professional Taiko drumming, Japanese dancers, music, vendors and fun free activities for families to experience Japanese culture and food vendors.
Sudbury’s premiere arts festival, Up Here is the brainchild of We Live Up Here, a non-profit organization with the mandate of building a better community through art. The multimedia festival features musicians, visual artists, and muralists, whose work can be seen year-round in and around Sudbury. Learn more about this year's festival which features more than 50 artists!
Afrofest Sudbury is a free outdoor community festival, first held in 2018 at the Grace Amphitheatre in Bell Park. The festival aims to celebrate Afro culture through music, food, dance, fashion and art. Highlights include a parade celebrating African fashion, fabric, textiles and patterns, a tribal face painting booth, retail, service and food vendors, and live entertainment.
This Labour Day weekend festival is a mouth-watering celebration of slow-cooked, fall-off-the-bone goodness, as pitmasters compete to earn the title of Sudbury’s best ribs. Taking place at the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre, the weekend will also be full of artisan vendors, live entertainment and activities for the whole family.
Celebrating jazz musicians from Sudbury and beyond, with mainstage performances at Place des Arts. The festival features intimate workshop-style performances at venues like Steve's Encore Lounge (STC), and 84 Station. Watch the Jazz Sudbury Facebook page for more announcements, confirmed dates and the full lineup.
This year marks the 36th for this international film fest that has hosted panel discussions with luminaries such as Oscar-nominated Canadian director Philippe Falardeau and Hollywood star Viggo Mortensen, in addition to screening the best films from across the country and around the world.
Wordstock Sudbury is Northern Ontario’s premier literary festival for readers, writers, and lovers of words, occurring annually on the first weekend of November. This year marks the 11th edition, taking place at the Holiday Inn Sudbury. Early programming will be announced in mid-June, and writers in the past have included: Becky Blake, Ian Williams, Jael Richardson, Jen Sookfong Lee, Michelle Good and Waubgeshig Rice.
Have an update or a new Sudbury festival listing? Email us at info@northernontario.travel
