Toronto
#1 Festival & Parade
Pride expanded to the entire month of June in 2016 and made history by having a sitting prime minister, Justin Trudeau, participate in the annual parade for the first time. Other bigwigs in attendance were Toronto Mayor John Tory and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. Next: June 2017
Calgary
#2 Festival & Parade
Sponsorship for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth was strong in 2016, with Spotify and online bed retailer Casper joining Bell and McDonald’s. But dismal weather drove attendance down to just over one million, with the city experiencing the most rain during Stampede since 1927. Next: July 7-16, 2017
Toronto
#3 Festival & Parade (up from #5)
Great weather and a favorable exchange rate for U.S. visitors helped push attendance at the Scotiabank-sponsored celebration to 1.25 million in 2016. The King and Queen contest were broadcast live to the U.S. and 22 countries in the Caribbean and South America. Next: Summer 2016
Ottawa
#5 Festival & Parade
The winter celebration, which routinely attracts about 600,000 people, added the Sub-Zero concert series in 2016, featuring Canadian artists. Warm weather meant the Rideau Canal was only open for skating two out of three weekends. CIBC and Enbridge were official sponsors. Next: February 3-20, 2017
Québec City
#6 Festival & Parade
The largest winter carnival in the world attracted about 400,000 people in 2016, 45 percent of them tourists. New this year will be a symphony in the newly built Videotron Centre. And back by popular demand: the massive snowball fight. The festival is sponsored by Loto-Québec. Next: February 2017
Québec City
#7 Festival & Parade (up from #10)
For an additional thrill, the international fireworks show moved its launching platform closer to shore this year, anchored by two tugboats, bringing spectators nearer to the action. Pre-show parties were also new in 2016, but key sponsors remained the same: RBC and Loto Québec. Next: Summer 2017
Vancouver
#8 Festival & Parade (up from #10)
About one million viewers witnessed the three-country fireworks competition, which was won by the U.S.A.’s Walt Disney Parks and Entertainment in 2016. Shorefest, the event’s free beachfront concert series, featured 20 musicians on two stages and reserved seating sold out at the Honda-sponsored event. Next: Summer 2017
Halifax
#9 Festival & Parade (up from #10)
For its 30th anniversary, the oldest festival of its kind in Canada introduced Busker Brunch, held at the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel, with private performances for V.I.P. guests. This year’s free, ungated event featured acts from Canada, the United States, and Italy, with Mazda and Bell Aliant as sponsors. Next: August 2-7, 2017
Ottawa
#10 Festival & Parade (up from #10)
The fragrant flower festival introduced a second location in 2016 at Ottawa’s newest hotspot, Lansdowne Park, with an indoor tulip and sculpture garden. National Capital Commission and the City of Ottawa were the main sponsors. Next: May 12-22, 2017
Victoria
#11 Festival & Parade (up from #10)
Beautiful weather brought out plenty of tourists this summer for a free concert on the floating stage in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, sponsored by British Columbia Lottery. Highlights for 2016 included Star Wars and Star Trek music, the 1812 Overture, and the chicken dance. Next: August 6, 2017
Collingwood
#12 Festival & Parade (up from #10)
The Blue Suede Shutes—Elvis-impersonating skydivers—landed at this year’s festival, which also featured concerts, storytelling, and head-to-head musical battles. The winning Elvis came all the way from Germany. The event is sponsored by the Province of Ontario. Next: July 27-30, 2017
