National
#1 Music Event
Next year, Hamilton will host the weeklong Juno party and the televised award ceremony and concert, which will be broadcast on CTV from the FirstOntario Centre. Annual highlights of the week include the Juno Cup hockey game between N.H.L. greats and Canadian rockers, the JunoFest concerts, and the Songwriters’ Circle. TD Bank and the province of Ontario are sponsors for 2015. Next: March 9-15, 2015
Toronto
#2 Music Event
The action on hip Queen Street West starts days before the event itself, as eager teens camp out for wristbands to get access to the show and its musical performers. The event, sponsored by H&M, Diet Coke, and Olay, took place on the largest stage ever this year and was simulcast for the first time on CTV for the show’s 25th anniversary. As always, a red carpet was rolled out right on the street, and an outdoor, two-stage show rocked the parking lot at iconic 299 Queen Street West, home to the MuchMusic studios. Lorde, Imagine Dragons, Hedley, and the Sam Roberts Band were among the homegrown and international music stars at the awards. Next: June 21, 2015
Montreal
#3 Music Event
Sponsored by TD Bank and Rio Tinto Alcan, the 11-day festival hosts all types of jazz in ticketed and free venues throughout Montreal. Big names this year included Michael Bublé, returning 10 years after his festival debut, and Diana Ross. Among the most popular free shows, drawing 100,000 spectators, was Diana Krall with husband Elvis Costello. Next: June 26-July 5, 2015
Toronto
#4 Music Event
The festival is centered on Nathan Phillips Square, which boasts a licensed 1,200-seat outdoor stage for free and ticketed concerts. The theme for this year’s TD Bank-sponsored, 10-day event was Legends in Music, featuring Chaka Khan and Earth, Wind & Fire. More than 500,000 jazz aficionados attended. Next: June 18-27, 2015
Toronto
#5 Music Event (new to the list)
Awarded for Canadian album of the year, judged on artistic merit not record sales, the prize has become one of the top awards in Canadian music since its inception in 2006. The $30,000 winner will be announced at a gala at the Carlu hosted by actor Jay Baruchel. Expect some shortlist nominees to perform, such as Arcade Fire, Basia Bulat, or Drake. Next: September 2015
Montreal
#6 Music Event (new to the list)
Sold out for the third year in a row, the growing three-day festival this year welcomed singer-songwriter Lorde to Montreal for the first time, as well as Jack White and Outkast. Virgin Mobile sponsored the affair, and more than 135,000 music lovers attended, using R.F.I.D. bracelets as “tickets” and for on-site activations. Next: July 31-August 2, 2015
Winnipeg
#7 Music Event
Bad weather didn’t deter nearly 50,000 folkies from attending the famous festival in 2014. Revised entry procedures and camping rules made for easier and quicker access to the site at Birds Hill Provincial Park, and new a water bottle-free policy helped reduce waste. Bonnie Raitt was the opening-night headliner, and the Artistic Achievement Award went to Ani DiFranco. Next: July 8-12, 2015
Montreal
#8 Music Event
The cold winter nights got hotter in 2014 when the festival drew a record 85,000 electronic music fans to 12 outdoor dance parties in Montreal’s Old Port. New this year: an additional outdoor stage, bringing the total to two, and sponsorship by Vidéotron Mobile, as well as returning sponsors Jägermeister and Sapporo. Next: January 15-February 7, 2015
Calgary
#10 Music Event
The weeklong, volunteer-driven festival culminates in four days and four nights of world-class blues at Shaw Millennium Park amid beer tents and dance parties. The 2013 event drew a strong crowd of 15,000 despite an earlier freak summer storm that flooded and damaged the city. Next: Summer 2015
Dawson City
#11 Music Event
Dubbed “Canada’s tiny, perfect festival,” the three-day event has a reputation for intimate venues, unique performances, and great hospitality. Genres include rock, blues, world, jazz, and children’s music, all played under the midnight sun. Sponsors in 2014 included Air North and Big Rock Brewery. Next: July 2015
Halifax
#12 Music Event
Known as HPX, the former grunge festival has come of age as an international five-day music event and conference that draws more than 22,000 fans to 20 venues for hip-hop, punk, folk, and indie rock. This year’s festival runs concurrently with Collide Creative Technology Conference (formerly HPX Digital) for interactive and digital creators. Next: October 21-25, 2014
