Vancouver
#1 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
“The Wine World Celebrates Canada” is the theme for 2017, when 25,000 attendees can try wines from British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and 15 countries. Located in the Vancouver Convention Centre, the festival is sponsored by Acura and Delta. Next: February 11-19, 2017
St. Catharines
#2 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event (up from #4)
Ontario’s fall bacchanalia grew to more than 140,000 attendees in 2015, up from 116,000 in 2014. Forty wineries were expected in 2016 and new additions to the festival included kids’ cooking demonstrations and pre-parade fun zones. Grape Growers of Ontario and RBC are sponsors. Next: September 2017
Montreal
#3 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event (up from #4)
Organizers had great success when they moved this festival to Québec’s school break week in 2016, and plan to replicate that in 2017 when 50 restaurants will participate and Shenzhen, China, will be the featured city. Bell and RBC return as the main sponsors. Next: February 23-March 12, 2017
Toronto
#4 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event (new to the list)
About 45,000 guests are expected to sample more than 1,500 wines, beers, spirits, and gourmet fare at the four-day food frenzy. Mott’s hosts the Best Caesar in Town contest when the event returns to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre’s North Building this year. Next: November 17-20, 2016
Toronto
#5 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
Once known as the Good Food & Drink Festival, the three-day licensed show turns 25 next year and moves to the Toronto Congress Centre. Highlights from 2016 include the Canadian Cheese Counter, sponsored by Dairy Farmers of Canada, and Food Truck Alley. Next: March 31-April 2, 2017
Toronto
#6 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
More than 30,000 suds sippers gathered at the Exhibition Place’s Band Shell for the festival in 2016. Headline musicians included House of Pain and Big Sugar, and Club House joined as a sponsor. Next year Canada will be the featured country. Next: July 28-30, 2017
Toronto
#7 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
The industry event at the Enercare Centre grew to more than 14,000 chefs, owners, managers, and buyers in 2016, with 1,000 exhibits and 150 presentations. Sponsors included Faema and Ciroc. The 2017 show will celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday with the theme “Hospitality Unleashed.” Next: February 26-28, 2017
Montreal
#8 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event (new to the list)
Attendance at the urban maple sugar festival grew by nearly 38 percent in 2016, to 55,000. Set in the pedestrian zone of Promenade Wellington, the traditional celebration features food, folk music, and lots of maple syrup. Sponsors included Metro and Desjardins. Next: March 23-26, 2017
Charlottetown
#9 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event (new to the list)
Attendance rose 13 percent at the 2016 edition of the festival to more than 10,000 people. Also notable: the festival broke the record for the world’s longest lobster roll with one measuring 120 feet. Festivalgoers could help stuff the lobster roll and later try a sample. Next: September 14-17, 2017
Kelowna
#10 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
Last year marked the 10th anniversary celebration of what’s also known as the Gold Medal Plates finale, bringing 11 winning chefs from across Canada to cook for guests and compete to win gold. Deloitte and BMW are sponsors, and proceeds go to the Canadian Olympic Foundation. Next: February 2-7, 2017
Okanagan Valley
#11 Food, Wine & Hospitality Event
With the festival coinciding with Canadian Thanksgiving this year, a two-day harvest celebration is scheduled to take place in the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, along with 100 events in the region. West Jet and Valley First credit union return as sponsors. Next: September 29-October 9, 2016
