Here’s What’s Happening This Summer in Canada!
Already well-known for its art and culture, Montréal puts its urban creativity on display during MURAL Festival. An international public art festival, Montréal’s Main street, Saint-Laurent Boulevard, is transformed into an open-air museum where visual artists unite to show off their talents. Both visitors and locals alike can roam freely and enjoy the diverse street art, fun activities, live music and more. Going into its fifth year, this year’s event will take place June 9-19, 2016 in the heart of the city.
If you’ve already experienced SXSW down south in Austin, Texas, head up north to Canada for the next big tastemaker festival with NXNE (North by Northeast Music Festival and Conference) in Toronto, Ontario. The most anticipated summer music event in Canada, NXNE gathers emerging artists and major-label headliners and is an essential festival for artists, industry professionals and fans alike. With additional conferences designated for filmmakers, digital innovators, artists, comedians and more, the global event offers something for everyone. Going into its 22nd year, NXNE will take place June 15-19, 2016, with more details on the can’t-miss music line-up and additional conference happenings to be announced soon.
Combine a world-class historic city with world-class music this summer during a visit to Québec City, Québec to experience Festival d’été de Québec. Canada’s largest outdoor music festival, Festival d’été attracts over a million visitors each year with concerts by international stars and top new talent, all taking place in the heart of the enchanting and celebrated Canadian city. For 2016, the event will open with a unique, once-in-a-lifetime concert by Sting and Peter Gabriel, with other artists including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Brad Paisley, Duran Duran, The Lumineers, Selena Gomez and more expected to perform. Taking place July 7-17, 2016 for its 49th year, visitors can experience up to 11 days of music and nearly 300 shows. Who can beat that?
For those looking to combine their love for art and music, experience Ottawa, Ontario’s Chamberfest, the world’s largest chamber music festival. Hosting more than 100 events across the city, visitors can enjoy a wide array of beautiful music while basking in historic churches, public spaces and national museums across the city. This year’s event will take place July 21 to August 3, 2016.
While fireworks shows are known to gather local communities together, none compare to the scale and spectacle of what is offered by Vancouver, British Columbia each summer during the Celebration of Light. Gathering an international audience, this event is the longest running offshore fireworks competition in the world, and is sure to be a memorable and spectacular event for visitors. For its 26th year, the largest public event in British Columbia will be hosted on the evenings ofJuly 23, 27 and 30, 2016 on the shores of English Bay. Although the fireworks are synchronized to music, arrive early for even more great tunes as Vancouver hosts SHOREFEST, the largest free community concert series on the beaches of the English Bay to get audiences excited for the evening ahead. Visitors will be anxious for the sun to go down so the sky can light up!
Craft beer lovers, unite! One of the top summer festivals in Halifax, Nova Scotia is Beerfest – the largest gathering of craft breweries in all of Atlantic Canada. With over 110 breweries present, visitors can sample nearly 300 unique craft beers, imports and ciders while basking in the beauty of the Halifax Waterfront. Nicknamed “Beer on the Pier,” Halifax Seaport Beerfest, a refreshing and buzzworthy festival, will celebrate its 10th year in 2016 on August 5 and 6.
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