Summer Festival and Event Calendar Sunset Country 2024

Pow Wows, the Walleye Cup, dog shows, markets, and more!

By Alyssa Lloyd Outdoors photojournalist based out of Ontario, Canada.

April 25, 2024

The people of Ontario’s Sunset Country sure know how to take advantage of the short summer season. This year our event calendar is packed full of events ranging from Pow Wows to agricultural fairs to music and food festivals! You won’t want to miss out on the famous fishing tournament weigh-ins like the Kenora Bass International and the Lund Bronzeback Classic. Food trucks and pop-up shops are also abundant—be sure to check out these local events wherever you’re headed!

Did we miss any events? Let us know! info@visitsunsetcountry.com

We've broken the list of events by type, including General Events, Farmers Markets, Fishing Tournaments, Music Festivals and Pow Wows, and by month.

General Events

JUNE

Kenora & District Dog Club Show: June 14-16, 2024

Lake of the Woods Speedway: List of Events June-September

JULY

Lake of the Woods Speedway: List of Events June-September

Thunder Bay’s Teddy Bear Picnic: July 9, 2024

Railroad Daze in Rainy River: July 20-21, 2024

Norseman Festival Red Lake: July 13-14, 2024

Festival of India Thunder Bay: July 20, 2024

AUGUST

Sioux Narrows Arts Festival: August 3-4, 2024

Sioux Lookout Blueberry Festival: August 2-11, 2024
All family fun at this week-long annual blueberry festival. Not just an event but a celebration! Join in on some activities, purchase blueberries and enjoy over 100 events!

Emo Fall Fair: August 15-17, 2024

Kenora Agricultural Fair: August 22-24, 2024

Dryden Fall Fair: Dryden Fair Grounds - August 22-24, 2024
Annual fair dedicated to celebrating the Dryden area's agricultural history and contributions to the community.

Lake of the Woods Speedway: List of Events June-September

SEPTEMBER

Dryden We Run this City 10K: TBD

FARMERS MARKETS

Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls Farmer’s Market: Starts June 18, 2024 (check link for recurring dates)

Northwest Farmers Market: Every two weeks you can visit this Friday market in Sioux Lookout, Ontario! Runs June until end of September 2024

Matiowski Farmers Market: Every Wednesday June-October from 8:30 am - 2:00 pm at the Jarnel Contracting Pavilion on the Kenora harbourfront.

FISHING TOURNAMENTS

The open water season may be slightly shorter than other regions in Ontario, but arguably, Ontario’s Sunset Country has the best fishing in Ontario. Tournaments in Sunset Country gave anglers like 2023 Bassmaster Classic Champion, Jeff Gustafson his start. If you’ve ever wanted to expand your tournament list, add Ontario’s Sunset Country to your bucket list for competitive or recreational fishing. Here’s a list of some fishing tournaments available in the area to register or cheer on your favourite team.

SEPTEMBER

Red Lake Fall Classic: August 30-September 1, 2024

Bassin' for Bucks: Sioux Narrows September 6-8, 2024

MUSIC FESTIVALS

Some music festivals last three days in Ontario’s Sunset Country! Bring a tent or trailer, or set up accommodations in a nearby lodge! You won’t want to miss out on these fun festivals complete with vendors, food, late-night jams, and amazing entertainment.

JULY

Coney Island ‘Maybe’ Annual Festival: July 28, 2024

AUGUST

Shake the Lake: August 3, 2024

Trout Forest Music Festival: August 9-11, 2024
Held at Ear Falls Waterfront Park, just one hour north of Vermillion Bay on Highway 105. Camping on the shores of the English River, part of the Historic Red Lake Gold Rush Trail, and the late-night jam sessions around the bonfires make for a memorable experience of Music in the Woods.

Moose N' Fiddle: August 23-24, 2024, Caliper Lake Provincial Park
This "cool little festival at the lake" returns to Nestor Falls. It all happens along the water's edge and under a canopy of tall pines.

A LIST OF NOT-TO-BE-MISSED POW WOWS

Ontario’s Sunset Country sprawls across three Treaty boundaries: Treaty Three, Five, and Nine. This historic and enriching cultural area is teeming with events, ceremonies, and celebrations of the First Nations and their communities. Why not take the time to learn more and make a pow wow part of your trip in northwestern Ontario? You can visit the event links below to find out more. Also, check out this Pow Wow etiquette guide. Dates are updated weekly! Check back again soon.

JUNE

Red Lake Traditional Pow Wow: June 7-8, 2024

Rainy River First Nation’ Pow Wow: June 15-16, 2024

Couchiching First Nation Pow Wow: June 21-23, 2024

Lac Des Mille Lacs Pow Wow: June 22-23, 2024

Fort William Traditional Pow Wow: June 28-30, 2024

Onigaming First Nation Pow Wow: June 28-30, 2024

JULY

Naotkamegwanning First Nation Pow Wow: July 5-7, 2024

Opwaaganisining First Nation (Lake Helen Reserve) Annual Pow Wow July

Seine River Pow Wow: July

Wauzhushk Onigum (Rat Portage) First Nation Pow Wow: July

Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Dalles First Nation Pow Wow: July

Ogimaawabiitong Annual Healing Your Spirit Pow Wow Wauzhushk Onigum: July

Naicatchewenin Northwest Bay First Nation Pow Wow: July

AUGUST

Iskatewizaagegan First Nation Shoal Lake 39 Pow Wow: August

Mishkosiminiziibiing (Big Grassy River) First Nation Pow Wow: August

Anishinaabeg Naongashiing Big Island First Nation Pow Wow: August

Lac La Croix First Nation Pow Wow: August

Wabeseemong White Dog First Nation Pow Wow: August

SEPTEMBER

Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation Pow Wow: September

Did we miss any events? Feel free to let us know at info@visitsunsetcountry.com with the subject line: Events 2024!

Order your free Sunset Country Travel Guide & Map for more vacation ideas.

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About Alyssa Lloyd

Alyssa Lloyd is a photojournalist based out of Kenora working with Ontario's Sunset Country. The outdoors has been the center of her work and personal life for as long as she can remember. As an angler, Alyssa spends most of her time time chasing multiple species on both conventional and fly gear.