Summer Music Festivals on the Trail
From June through August, dozens of music festivals are taking place on or near the Trans Canada Trail, from coast to coast to coast. Check out our list of music festivals, in every province and territory, below. Summer fun awaits!
Piknic Électronik
Piknic Electronic Montreal Trail: @piknicmtl
Running from May through October, Piknic Électronik is Montreal’s premiere outdoor electronic music fest. Dance the day away at Parc Jean-Drapeau, which is also home to a section of the Trans Canada Trail! Parc Jean-Drapeau is the site of several popular music festivals throughout the summer, including Osheaga, Île Soniq and more.
Edmonton Folk Music Festival
The Edmonton Folk Music Festival takes place August 8 to 11 in Gallagher Park, right off the Amisk Wacîw Mêskanaw — City of Edmonton Trail. Folk fests can be found across the country, including Calgary, Vancouver, Fort Langley and Winnipeg, which takes place in Birds Hill Park, near a section of the Trail – and more.
Summer Music in the Garden
Summer Music in the Garden: @harbourfrontcentre
From late June to late August, enjoy 18 free performances from musicians hailing from across Canada. This music series takes place at Harbourfront Centre, in Toronto, along the Martin Goodman Trail – Waterfront Trail.
Buskers Music Festival
Bringing together exceptional street musicians and artists from around the world, Buskers takes place in Halifax and Dartmouth from July 31 to August 5, right along the Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk and Dartmouth Harbourfront Trail.
Guelph Jazz Festival
Jazz fests can be found across the country, from Vancouver to Saskatoon to Winnipeg to Halifax. The Guelph Jazz Festival is one of the later ones of the summer, running from September 13 to 15. Find it near the City of Guelph Trail.
Alianait Festival
Long days – more time to celebrate! Running from July 6 to 9, the Alianait Festival in Iqaluit, Nunavut, focuses on Inuit and other circumpolar artists, and features musicians, dancers, storytellers and more. It takes place near the City of Iqaluit Trail.
Acadie Rock
Acadie Rock Music Festival: @acadierock
From August 13 to 18, Moncton hosts the festival Acadie Rock, including music, art, dance and more, right along the Riverfront Trail. Bonus: August 15 is the Fête Nationale de l’Acadie!
Riverfest Elora
Founded in 2009, this lively music fest takes place in Bissell Park, Elora, ON, just a block from the Cottontail Road Trail. This year’s headliners include Violent Femmes, Fleet Foxes and more.
Cloggeroo Festival
Not only is the Cloggeroo Festival delightfully named, it’s also chock-full of talented artists and great vibes. It runs from August 9 to 11 in Georgetown, PEI, on the southeast end of the island – along the Confederation Trail!
Wapiti Music Festival
Wapiti Music Festival: @wapitimusicfest
Immerse yourself in mountain air and excellent music at the Wapiti Music Festival in Fernie, BC, right on the City of Fernie Trail! The festival bills itself as a “summer sonic celebration” — sounds great, right? For a different vibe in the West Kootenays, Shambhala offers a weekend of electronic music, art and nonstop dance vibes in Salmo, BC.
Fransaskois Festival
From July 5 to 7, the Fransaskois Festival welcomes guests to Pike Lake Provincial Park, Saskatchewan, right next to the Chief Whitecap Waterway! Enjoy performances from over 20 artists and immerse yourself in Saskatchewan’s Francophone culture.
George Street Festival
Head to St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, for the George Street Festival, for a celebration of live music right in the heart of downtown St. John’s. The festival runs from August 1 to 7, and can be found near the East Coast Trail.
Folk on the Rocks
At Folk on the Rocks, folk music comes to Long Lake, Yellowknife, from July 19 to 21. Enjoy six stages, a kids’ area, tons of live music and even a beer garden. Find it along the Mackenzie Highway Trail.
Festival d’été de Québec
Festival d’été de Québec: @festivaleteqc
This 11-day festival takes place on the Plains of Abraham in the heart of Quebec City in early July. Take in the music, then head over to the nearby Corridor du Littoral!
Laketown Shakedown
Laketown Shakedown: Laketown Ranch
From June 28 to 30, music comes to Laketown Ranch, in Cowichan, BC, on the unceded traditional territory of Ts’uuubaa-asatx people. With big names like headliner Gwen Stefani gracing 2024’s edition, this festival is not to be missed – and it’s near the Cowichan Valley Trail!
Sakihiwe Festival
From June 28 to 30, Winnipeg’s core and north end areas will be the site of block parties with music, art, fashion and more, as the sakihiwe festival celebrates and promotes Indigenous culture, in Indigenous neighbourhoods in the city, near the City of Winnipeg Trail.
Dawson City Music Festival
Time to head north for the Dawson City Music Festival, running from July 19 to 21 and featuring tons of live music in the land of the midnight sun. Find it near Dawson City Trails.
Check out our list of arts and culture festivals here!
