What’s So Canadian About Sudbury, Ontario?

Ask a hundred Canadians to name a quintessential Canadian city, and you’ll likely get a dozen different answers, but we’re betting Sudbury is right up there! The largest city in Northern Ontario and an easy drive from Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and upstate New York, Sudbury is home to a lot of quality Canadian touchstones—hockey, butter tarts, canoeing and more—plus has a lot of its own fun and quirky hallmarks. And so, we present What’s So Canadian: Sudbury Edition, to help you discover why Sudbury has its own particular vibe.

Classic Canadiana, Sudbury Style

Hockey Culture Runs Deep in Sudbury

Sudbury is definitely known as a hockey town, with more than 65 former or current NHL players calling the city and surrounding area home. Players include Todd Bertuzzi, Eddie Giacomin, Eddie Shack, Ron Duguay, Andrew Desjardin, Mike Foligno and sons Marcus and Nick and George Armstrong. The city’s love of the game shows up everywhere from local outdoor rinks to action-packed games and tourneys, including the AAA Big Nickel Hockey Tournament and Pond Hockey Festival on the Rock (played outdoors when possible). The Sudbury Wolves are the local OHL team.

Sudbury's Butter Tarts and Sweet Traditions

There is no official butter tart tour in Sudbury, but you can certainly create your own list of stops to try this iconic Canadian sweet treat, no matter if you’re Team Raisins or Team Definitely No Raisins. La Baguette Magique is a popular butter tart destination at the local farmers market, and so are the tarts (how about coconut walnut?) at Cara’s Convenience, a gem of a local diner which also has a great selection of fresh soups, salads, pastas and sandwiches.

A cozy downtown café called Tea & Bloom steps up the butter tart game with flavours that include lemon, chocolate and raspberry coconut in addition to the classic styles of plain, raisin and pecan, and they feature more than 70 varieties of premium loose-leaf tea as well.

Smith’s Market is a local independent grocery that’s a Sudbury staple, and they offer housemade butter tarts as well. Looking for gluten-free butter tarts? Check in with Amici, a local gluten-free bakery and specialty grocer, to see if they have any ready for you. Pinchman’s Café and Artisan Bakery is known for its quality ingredients, which elevate the simple butter tart to legendary status.

Canoe Central: Canoeing and Paddling Around Sudbury

For centuries, canoes have been a part of the rivers, lakes and waterways in and around Sudbury. A striking example of Indigenous ingenuity, canoes are a simple, beautiful Canadian icon that also played an essential role in Canada’s historic fur trade. Today, canoeing is an ideal way to get outdoors. Bring your own or rent one locally to quietly explore the region, glimpse wildlife, and get a deeper understanding of why people who love canoes love them a lot. 

Living the Northern Ontario Outdoor Lifestyle

Whether you’re headed to Kivi Park, an outdoor rec oasis at the south end of the city, or are venturing further afield, what's more Canadian than enjoying the Canadian outdoors? There are endless opportunities around Sudbury to discover the natural beauty of this part of the world. Hike, bike, fish, ice fish, golf, ski, kayak, sup, snowmobile or simply get creatively inspired with your paintbrush or camera in hand. Check out these resources for ideas, and if you need some boots or handsome plaid to wear while you're out there, Sudbury's got that, too. 

• Explore Sudbury by Bike

• 5 Ways to Maximize Fall in Sudbury

• Where to Canoe, Kayak, and SUP in Sudbury

• Fishing Greater Sudbury: Ask a Local

• Snowmobiling in Sudbury

• Sudbury Ice Fishing

• Outdoor Adventures in Sudbury

Sudbury’s Signature Traditions

Porketta Bingo and Sudbury’s Italian Heritage

Porketta is Sudbury’s version of porchetta, a dish of juicy roast pork that’s flavoured with lots of garlic, dill and pepper. It’s part of the region’s Italian immigrant heritage, thanks to the many Italian families that arrived after WWII to work in the mines. You can buy porketta (or the fixings to make your own) at local butchers and specialty shops, or you can win it at bingo. That’s right, porketta bingo is a super-popular fundraiser that takes place in a variety of local venues like bars, restaurants and social clubs. Score a bingo, yell “porketta!” and pick up your very own serving to enjoy.

Sudbury’s Unofficial Anthem and Music Legacy

Sudbury has its own unofficial song. Stompin’ Tom Conners wrote a lot of iconic Canadian tunes, and one of the best is “Sudbury Saturday Night,” which is a bit of a love letter to bingo, the miners and the whole community. Be sure to check out the life-size bronze statue of Stompin’ Tom outside the Sudbury Community Arena downtown, too.

The Shoresy Connection: Shoresy Filming Locations and Hockey Fandom in Sudbury

If you were introduced to Sudbury through Shoresy, there’s no better way to be a fan than by coming to see where the cult show is filmed. Here are 11 places you can visit to enjoy a Pitter Patter Panini or take in a game at the Sudbury Community Arena. Keep an eye on the Wolves’ social media for info on Shoresy nights, where the OHL team actually dons Blueberry Bulldog jerseys (that are later auctioned off for charity).

Sudbury’s Culture Shines Through Its Festivals

For the best possible mix of food, music and culture, you can’t beat a festival in a small city or town. In Sudbury, there’s the internationally recognized Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival, the hip Up Here (an emerging music festival which also celebrates colourful public art), the Northern Lights Festival Boréal (Canada’s longest-running outdoor music festival), the annual N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre’s National Indigenous Peoples Day Pow Wow, and Sudbury Pride, which has a variety of fun events for 2SLGBTQI+ folks and allies.

For delicious eats, check out food festivals that celebrate Sudbury’s multicultural influences, like the Blueberry Festival (pie eating contests!), the Italian Festival (bocce, local porketta and foods representing various regions), the Greek Festival (authentic traditional dancing), Poutine Fest (live music and food trucks) and Ribfest (tribute bands, artisan vendors and talented ribbers). Festival time is always a good time to check out the local craft breweries, too. 

Plan Your Trip to Sudbury, Ontario

There’s a lot happening in Sudbury, and it’s easy to see why people are proud of it. From outdoor adventure to food and festivals, the city offers a diverse experience that feels relaxed, welcoming and full of personality.

Start planning your Sudbury trip—it’s the perfect way to celebrate a unique Canadian city!

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