By Natalie Monday, May 15, 2023

Summer is the season of music festivals in Ontario, and 2023 promises to be an exciting year for music lovers. From rock to country, indie to electronic and jazz, there is something for everyone in the diverse lineup of festivals happening throughout the province. Here are some of the must-see summer music festivals happening in Ontario in 2023.

GTA REGION

Starting with Toronto Caribbean Carnival, July 1st to August 7t, this festival is a spectacular display of costumes, music, dance, and culture, celebrating the freedom and emancipation from slavery. Be part of Toronto’s biggest jazz music celebration & street party of the year at Beaches International Jazz Festival – July 6-30! Canada’s largest free festival showcases jazz, latin, big band, pop, reggae, hip-hop, rhythm & blues and more at many venues across the Beaches & Leslieville Riverside area. Also, the World of Jazz Festival Sept 9-10 is a-free festival, performing jazz, blues, funk, bebop, swing, Latin jazz & more! Enjoy multiple outdoor stages, restaurant performances, kids zone, food vendors, & a late night jazz jam. Canadian Music Week kicks off June 5-10th with Canada’s largest and leading multi-day celebration of music, media and entertainment with in-person and virtual events. Toronto’s cherished Electric Island also returns to Hanlan’s Point on Toronto Island this summer, featuring three distinct stages of international house and techno artists. Enjoy 2 days of dancing under the sun every long weekend in the summer starting May 19^th.

SOUTHWESTERN REGION

First up, London ON will be host to the highly anticipated outdoor, 4 day music festival, Rock the Park – July 13-16^th showcasing big-name bands and artists including Mumford & Sons, Bahamas, Alexisonfire, Ja Rule and more. Also the same weekend is 3 days of  Canada’s best roots, traditional and indie folk acts at the Home County Music & Art Festival – July 14-16^th. For the Jazz fans, London’s TD Sunfest – July 6-9 is celebrating its 29th year with 40+ top global music and jazz acts, and 250+ culturally diverse exhibitors with free Admission! In Kitchener, TD Kitchener Blues Festival – Aug. 10 -13th promises to showcase great international & Canadian Blues & Roots artists on multiple stages with after-shows in clubs and restaurants. Also, in Kitchener, the Belmont Village Bestival -Sept. 15-16, will be a 2 day live music and arts festival. In Hamilton FrancoFEST Hamilton – June 16-18th, is one of the largest celebrations of francophone arts and culture in Ontario.  It combines music concerts, circus shows, family activities and artistic workshops for all.

OTTAWA REGION

Thirty minutes from downtown Ottawa, Kemptville Live Music Festival – July 20-23^rd, is four days of award-winning live music, camping, food trucks & cold drinks. Headliners include, Melissa Etheridge, Blue Rodeo, Colin James, Harlequin, Toronto, Valdy, Pretty Archie & more! RBC Bluesfest – July 6-16^th, will feature big names like Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Foo Fighters, Pitpull, Weezer, and Shania Twain on the three outdoor stages. Explore music from all corners of the globe at Ottawa Jazz Festival – June 23-30th. Enjoy both paid and free performances by the world’s most renowned and up-and-coming artists. On August 23-27^th, Nostalgia Music Festival will be the ultimate tribute event celebrating the music we all loved from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s! At Lansdowne Park, CityFolk Festival – September 14-17^th,  is a four-day, fall celebration of great music, food and fun. Hozier is scheduled to perform on September 17th with more artist announcements coming. Lastly, don’t miss Escapade Music Festival, the annual electronic dance event with superstar DJs and up-and-coming local talent booming in Canada’s capital – June 23-25^th.

CENTRAL REGION

Add Boots and Hearts Music Festival – Aug 10-13, Canada’s largest camping and music festival to your bucket list this summer! Performances by over 40 artists ft. Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Nickelback, HARDY and more. In Orillia, Mariposa Folk Festival – July 7-9, is host to world-class folk, roots, blues, gospel, acoustic and world music traditions since 1961, this year’s line-up includes Tegan and Sara, Rufus Wainwright, Feist and more. In Parry Sound, Festival Of The Sound – July 19- Aug 5, is Canada’s finest Classical, Jazz and Folk Summer Music Festival. Experience world-class music combined with the beautiful landscape of Georgian Bay with over 50 fabulous concerts, cruises, films and interactive talks. In Cambellford, 2 hrs. E. of Toronto, WESTBEN – Music in Nature presents over 30 performances of classical, Broadway, jazz, country, fiddle & folk music in 3 venues on a 50-acre farm including The Barn, Willow Hill Amphitheatre and the Campfire.

EASTERN & NIAGARA REGION

TD Niagara Jazz Festival – May-Oct, combines live jazz and world music with all that is uniquely Niagara–wine, culinary, culture and natural wonders. Hosted at various venues throughout Niagara’s beautiful wine country, enjoy exquisite performances featuring high caliber artists. In Niagara-on-the-Lake, Music Niagara Festival – June 18 – Aug. 23^rd, will showcase 15 concerts featuring great Canadian & International performers in historic and unique venues throughout Niagara-on-the-Lake. Prince Edward County Jazz Festival kicks off Aug 15-20^th, at various PEC locations, featuring national guests and emerging stars. Lastly MUSICwestport – Aug 19^th is a free outdoor music festival that the whole family can enjoy with a kidzone, vendors market and wagon rides.

NORTHERN ON REGION

In Red Rock Live From the Rock Folk Festival – August 10-13^th,  is an annual, grassroots gathering of over 2,000 music lovers on Lake Superior’s North Shore with world-class music on four daytime workshop-style stages, as well as an evening festival concert stage. Go North Music Festival – July 7-8^th, on St. Joseph Island, is a family-friendly, outdoor, camping festival featuring a variety of musical genres including new music, folk, roots, bluegrass, rock and pop, as well as food vendors, locally made beer, local art and activities for kids. Check out Harbourfest – August 4-5th, Northwestern Ontario’s biggest summer party for two nights of epic performances on the shores of Lake of the Woods. In Thunder Bay, Wake the Giant – September 16^th, is a music festival that focuses on Indigenous artists and musicians and a celebration of cultures and inclusivity.