Toronto
#1 Festival & Parade
Pride Toronto seemed a bit tame in 2015 compared to last year’s WorldPride celebrations. But it remains the city’s top festival, with 1.5 million people out for the festivities. Cyndi Lauper and Pussy Riot served as the parade’s grand marshals. Next: June 2016
Calgary
#2 Festival & Parade
Billed as the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, the stampede celebrates people, animals, traditions, and values of the West. Aside from the usual chuck-wagon races and bull rides, crowds appreciated the larger Bud Light-sponsored Nashville North stage this year. Next: July 3-12, 2016
Ottawa
#3 Festival & Parade
Every year about 600,000 people—one-third of whom are out-of-towners—celebrate the snowy season in the country’s capital. Themes for 2015 were Year of Sport in Canada and the 50th anniversary of the Canadian flag. Skating on the Rideau Canal is always de rigeur. Next: January 29-February 15, 2016
Toronto
#5 Festival & Parade
The monthlong celebration of Caribbean music and culture, sponsored by Scotiabank, planned several events in 2015 to appeal to the influx of Caribbean and South American visitors in the city for the Pan Am Games. The grand parade, held August 1, drew an estimated one million spectators. Next: Summer 2016
Ottawa
#6 Festival & Parade
Parliament Hill is the place to be on Canada Day, with 350,000 Maple Leaf lovers—one-third of whom are tourists—taking in free concerts and fireworks over the Ottawa River. Sponsors include Chicken Farmers of Canada and Manulife. Next: July 1, 2016
Halifax
#7 Festival & Parade
The oldest and largest festival of its kind in Canada, the East Coast street fest will celebrate 30 years in 2016. This year’s family-friendly programming included performers from Canada, the United States, Hungary, Australia, and Germany. Next: July 27-August 1, 2016
Vancouver
#8 Festival & Parade
The longest-running offshore fireworks competition in the world celebrated 25 years in 2015 and highlighted China, Brazil, and Canada. Shorefest concerts featured Platinum Blonde, Randy Bachman, and Chilliwack. The competition was sponsored by Honda. Next: Summer 2016
Ottawa
#9 Festival & Parade (up from #11)
Growing attendance by more than 20 percent to 650,000 flower fans, the festival held four fireworks shows in 2015 and unveiled a sculpture of Holland’s Princess Margriet, born in Ottawa during World War II. Sponsors included Via Rail. Next: May 2016
Quebec City
#10 Festival & Parade
The skies over the St. Lawrence River fill with Âcolorful pyrotechnics for six nights each summer. Each show has a Âdifferent theme, complemented by Âland-based performers with magic, music, and mime. RBC and Loto Québec were presenting Âsponsors in 2015. Next: Summer 2016
Victoria
#11 Festival & Parade
About 40,000 symphony supporters come out Âannually for the free concert performed on a floating stage in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. The theme for 2015 was dance, and Thrifty Foods came on as presenting sponsor. Next: July 31, 2016
Collingwood
#12 Festival & Parade (new to the list)
The world’s largest Elvis festival attracted 30,000 people in 2014, when the King’s former wife, Priscilla Presley, attended. Four days of festivities feature more than 100 tribute artists, competitions, concerts, and a classic car parade. Ontario Lottery and Gaming is the main sponsor. Next: Summer 2016
