Toronto
#1 Music Event (up from #5)
The 10-day jazz fest returned to posh Yorkville in 2018, drawing about 500,000 jazz fans to 165 free concerts and other ticketed events. Highlights of the TD-sponsored festival included the opening-night party at the Royal Ontario Museum and performances by Macy Gray, Herbie Hancock, and Alison Krauss. Next: June 21-30, 2019
Toronto
#2 Music Event
Rainy weather on the last two weekends of this free, 24-day jazz festival reduced crowds to 750,000 this year. New for 2018: the weekend-long Sounds of Leslieville and Riverside Block party. Ontario Lottery and Gaming returned in 2018 as a mainstage sponsor, with Mill Street Brewery and Delta Airlines also supporting the festival. Next: July 5-28, 2019
Montreal
#3 Music Event
TD remained as the official sponsor of the Montreal jazz festival in 2018, when crowds shrank to one million due to a heat wave that kept many people indoors. Hendricks Gin sponsored a hot air balloon that flew above the festival, which had crowds buzzing. Jaïn, Jessie Reyez, and the Urban Science Brass Band were among the performers. Next: June 27-July 7, 2019
Toronto
#4 Music Event (new to the list)
The electronic, dance, and hip-hop festival, presented by Ink Entertainment and Live Nation, returned to Downsview Park for the seventh year this summer, with more than 70,000 in attendance. Headliners included DJ Snake, Marshmello, and Migos. Hennessy, Bud Light, and Uber were sponsors. Next: Summer 2019
National
#5 Music Event
Juno week moves to London, Ontario, in 2019, and the awards will be broadcast from Budweiser Gardens. The 2018 festivities in Vancouver drew 34,000 Canadian music fans who witnessed the rebranding of the Junos logo by J. Walter Thompson. CBC Music returned as the official broadcast and content partner after 16 years. Next: March 2019
Winnipeg
#6 Music Event
This summer folk music festival is held annually in Birds Hill Park, just north of Winnipeg. More indigenous programming was added this year as Bahamas, A Tribe Called Red, Strumbellas, and Sheryl Crow entertained the crowd. Big Rock Brewery and Fairmont Winnipeg were top-line sponsors. Next: July 11-14, 2019
Montreal
#7 Music Event
The Arctic Monkeys, Florence and the Machine, Post Malone, and the National were among the 120 acts that performed for 135,000 people over three days at Parc Jean-Drapeau’s Île Notre-Dame. The festival was presented by Bell Alt TV in collaboration with Coors Light. Next: August 2-4, 2019
Oro-Medonte, Ontario
#8 Music Event (new to the list)
The country music festival grew again in 2018, with 40,000 people on site for each of the event’s four days. Festival fun included an LED Ferris wheel, a 100-foot swing ride, and free Wi-Fi throughout the campground. Sponsors this year included Coors Light and Jack Daniels, while Monster Energy and Shoppers Drug Mart participated with activations. Next: August 8-11, 2019
Toronto
#9 Music Event
Canada’s largest all-Canadian music festival sold out again this year, with 5,000 patriotic partiers soaking up the sounds on five stages, including the new CBC Comedy Stage and the River Bar Stage for emerging acts. The family-friendly festival—kids get in free—took place at RBC Echo Beach. Next: May 2019
Montreal
#10 Music Event
Bringing upcoming and groundbreaking electronic music to the Old Port of Montreal, IglooFest welcomed 70,000 festivalgoers over nine nights last winter. The Igloocantine—an outdoor food court—was new this year, and Red Bull and Casino de Montréal sponsored. Next: January 17-February 2, 2019
