7 awesome Canadian summer events

June 18th, 2017 | Travel

This summer, instead of travelling abroad or going camping, why not attend one of Canada’s many summer events? With every city vying for those tourist dollars, there’s an event for Canadians of all ages. Here are seven awesome Canadian summer events happening this year.

Calgary Stampede

For over 100 years, people have travelled to Canada to attend the world famous Calgary Stampede. The event, held over ten days in July, is a rodeo, exhibition and festival. Tickets to the rodeo are not required to visit the Stampede grounds where rides and food trucks abound. Visitors to Calgary are also treated to a kick-off parade and free pancake breakfast almost every day throughout Stampede week.

Just for Laughs Festival

The Just for Laughs festival gathers the world’s top comedians in Montreal in July. The shows are mostly paid events, but the cost is not onerous and multi-show passes are available. If you like to laugh, this is your chance to see your favourite comedians and visit one of Canada’s most beautiful cities at the same time.

Bluesfest Ottawa

Also in July, and only a short trip from Montreal, is Ottawa’s annual Bluesfest. This ten-day music festival does not only include blues artists. This year, Pink and 50 Cent will be performing, among other well-known artists.

Canadian National Exhibition

At the end of August in Toronto, the city goes wild for the Canadian National Exhibition. CNE is one of the best Canadian summer events in part because of its massive size. The exhibition welcomes more than one million people annually and is the largest fair in Canada. Visitors can sample new beers, ride carnival rides, taste new foods, go shopping and watch events like an air show, talent show or parade.

Montreal International Jazz Festival

Similar to Bluesfest Ottawa, the Montreal Jazz Fest does not only feature jazz artists. Performers of all sorts hold shows at these Canadian summer events, both in English and French. What’s more, many Jazz Fest artists will conduct performances – for free – in downtown Montreal!

Bard on the Beach

Held annually in Vancouver, Bard on the Beach is the largest professional Shakespearian festival in Western Canada. The festival runs throughout the summer and has been holding performances since 1990.

Canada Day

Canada Day is a big deal for most Canadian cities. In Ottawa, the celebration is biggest of all, with a light show on Parliament Hill, fireworks and a live concert broadcast to millions nationwide. In 2017, the event promises to be even more spectacular. In celebration of the 150^th anniversary of Confederation, this year’s event will feature an air show, live entertainment, a performance by Cirque du Soleil, face painting and rides for children. To cap off the evening, Ottawa Tourism promises “the largest Canada Day pyrotechnic show ever” and says that fireworks will be launched from five points in the Ottawa region to create a 360-degree show for spectators.

From family-friendly festivals, to more adult shows and events, there are Canadian summer events for everyone this summer. With a weak Canadian dollar and new domestic airline, the time is right for Canadians to explore their own country in summer 2017. Before you travel though, make sure to look into travel insurance possibilities.