National
#1 Music Event
The weeklong party moves to Cowtown in 2016, where the 45th annual awards will be presented in the Scotiabank Saddledome. Highlights include the hockey game between N.H.L. greats and Canadian rockers and the gala dinner. The event is sponsored by TD Bank Group. Next: March 28-April 3, 2016, Calgary
Montreal
#2 Music Event (up from #3)
Sponsored by TD Bank and RioTintoAlcan, the 11-day festival routinely draws two million spectators from Montreal and other locales. New this year: Club Jazz Casino de Montréal, including free entry and concerts every night. Next: June 30-July 9, 2016
Toronto
#3 Music Event (up from #4)
Celebrating its 29th anniversary, the TD Bank-sponsored jazz festival returned to its roots to feature solid jazz this year and paid tribute to the late Oscar Peterson, a Canadian jazz giant. New sponsors included Toyota and Weber. Next: June 24-July 3, 2016
Montreal
#4 Music Event (up from #6)
The festival, presented by Virgin Mobile, turned 10 this year and celebrated by hosting 116 artists—including 21 Canadian bands—on six stages, including the world’s biggest mobile stage. A faithful faction of the 135,000 fans arrived on a dedicated Via Rail train from Toronto. Next: July 29-31, 2016
Toronto
#5 Music Event (new to the list)
Free concerts at Yonge-Dundas Square were expected to increase attendance even though the festival was scaled back to five days following its 20th anniversary bash in 2014. Airbnb was a new sponsor, while Budweiser and Vans returned. Next: June 15-19, 2016
Toronto
#6 Music Event (new to the list)
Attendance grew to 180,000 in 2015 as programming doubled to 10 days. More than 1,000 artists performed at 60 venues, while 600 music journalists reviewed and interviewed bands. Jim Beam came on board as the official whiskey sponsor. Next: May 4-14, 2016
Toronto
#7 Music Event
Prize money for Canada’s album of the year—based solely on artistic merit—grows to $50,000 from $30,000 this year, the award’s 10th anniversary. The award gala takes place at the Carlu again in 2015, with music-streaming service Spotify as a main sponsor. Next: September 21, 2015
Toronto
#8 Music Event
Growing again in 2015, the Queen Street show featured 10 performers and 17 presenters and was co-hosted by singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. Major sponsors include Bud Light Lime-A-Rita, Coca-Cola, and Virgin Mobile. Next: June 19, 2016
Winnipeg
#9 Music Event
The four-day fest returned to Birds Hill Provincial Park in 2015 where Arlo Guthrie performed the iconic monologue “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree” for its 50th anniversary. Always popular are workshops, camping, and yoga for the 13,000 daily visitors. Next: July 7-10, 2016
Montreal
#10 Music Event
Attendance at the electronic music festival dropped by 10 percent in 2015 due to record cold temperatures. But the 12 outdoor dance parties still drew 74,000 ravers over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. The Old Port of Montreal and Sapporo were sponsors. Next: January 14-February 6, 2016
Calgary
#11 Music Event
The family-friendly fest features a full week of blues, culminating in four days and nights of music at Shaw Millennium Park followed by nightly Twilight Blues dance parties. About 15,000 people attended the event in 2015, and Village Brewery was a new sponsor. Next: July 26-August 1, 2016
Dawson City
#13 Music Event
Known as “Canada’s tiny, perfect festival,” the northern event draws 1,200 concertgoers plus volunteers and performers of rock, blues, jazz, and children’s music. Sponsors include Big Rock Brewery, Air North, and Yukon Brewing. Next: July 22-24, 2016
