1. Pride Toronto
Toronto
As a finale to a month of celebrations, this year’s Pride Parade featured more than 200 groups performing, marching, and riding on floats on a perfect June afternoon. Gigi Gorgeous, a Canadian YouTuber, actress, and L.G.B.T.Q. icon, was the grand marshal, animating an estimated crowd of about one million people. TD Bank returned as the presenting sponsor. Next: June 2020
See more: Pride 2019: 28 Thoughtful and Colorful Ways Brands Supported the L.G.B.T.Q. Community
As a finale to a month of celebrations, this year’s Pride Parade featured more than 200 groups performing, marching, and riding on floats on a perfect June afternoon. Gigi Gorgeous, a Canadian YouTuber, actress, and L.G.B.T.Q. icon, was the grand marshal, animating an estimated crowd of about one million people. TD Bank returned as the presenting sponsor. Next: June 2020
See more: Pride 2019: 28 Thoughtful and Colorful Ways Brands Supported the L.G.B.T.Q. Community
Photo: Nicolette Wain Lowe
2. Calgary Stampede
Calgary
A novel experiential marketing campaign by Yahoo, placing huge art installments in and around Calgary, helped boost attendance to 1.275 million this year. Highlights included daredevil Nik Wallenda completing his longest urban high wire walk and a sold-out new event featuring the extreme sport of bull freestyling. Next: July 3-12, 2020
A novel experiential marketing campaign by Yahoo, placing huge art installments in and around Calgary, helped boost attendance to 1.275 million this year. Highlights included daredevil Nik Wallenda completing his longest urban high wire walk and a sold-out new event featuring the extreme sport of bull freestyling. Next: July 3-12, 2020
Photo: Graham McKerrell
3. Toronto Caribbean Carnival
Toronto
Grace Foods and Caribbean Airlines were among the corporate sponsors for the 52nd edition of the Caribbean festival of music, dance, and cuisine. About one million spectators and participants took part in the celebrations and the Grand Parade, which had a new route and new activity zones along Lake Ontario. Next: Summer 2020
Grace Foods and Caribbean Airlines were among the corporate sponsors for the 52nd edition of the Caribbean festival of music, dance, and cuisine. About one million spectators and participants took part in the celebrations and the Grand Parade, which had a new route and new activity zones along Lake Ontario. Next: Summer 2020
Photo: Courtesy of Toronto Caribbean Carnival
4. Québec Winter Carnival
Quebec City
A Google Doodle that gave the world’s biggest winter carnival free publicity helped boost this year’s attendance to 430,000 despite being shortened to 10 days from the previous year’s 17. New this year: a hugely successful electronic dance music party and the biggest snow castle ever built at the iconic winter event. Next: February 7-16, 2020
A Google Doodle that gave the world’s biggest winter carnival free publicity helped boost this year’s attendance to 430,000 despite being shortened to 10 days from the previous year’s 17. New this year: a hugely successful electronic dance music party and the biggest snow castle ever built at the iconic winter event. Next: February 7-16, 2020
Photo: Courtesy of Québec Winter Carnival
5. Oktoberfest
Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario
The best of Bavaria comes to Southern Ontario each year, with bratwurst and beer on tap and men in lederhosen strolling the fairgrounds. This year will see a wider selection of German beers on hand and a cashless bracelet system for ordering at the 10 accredited beer halls. About 700,000 visitors are expected again this year. Next: October 11-19, 2019
The best of Bavaria comes to Southern Ontario each year, with bratwurst and beer on tap and men in lederhosen strolling the fairgrounds. This year will see a wider selection of German beers on hand and a cashless bracelet system for ordering at the 10 accredited beer halls. About 700,000 visitors are expected again this year. Next: October 11-19, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Oktoberfest
6. Canada Day
Ottawa
Festivities this year, held at three major sites in the Capital Region, highlighted multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusivity in Canadian society. About 350,000 visitors and tourists flocked to Ottawa and Gatineau, and 56,000 were counted on Parliament Hill specifically. As always, the Manulife Canada Day Fireworks stole the show. Next: July 1, 2020
Festivities this year, held at three major sites in the Capital Region, highlighted multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusivity in Canadian society. About 350,000 visitors and tourists flocked to Ottawa and Gatineau, and 56,000 were counted on Parliament Hill specifically. As always, the Manulife Canada Day Fireworks stole the show. Next: July 1, 2020
Photo: Dominique Binoist
7. Winterlude
Up from #9
Ottawa
Ottawa’s flagship winter event welcomed more than 600,000 residents and visitors in 2019 and introduced a partnership with Capital Pride, called WinterPride, on the Sparks Street pedestrian mall. Also new this year, collaborations with museums and other cultural institutions to extend the festival’s reach. Tim Hortons and OLG returned as sponsors. Next: January 31-February 17, 2020
Ottawa
Ottawa’s flagship winter event welcomed more than 600,000 residents and visitors in 2019 and introduced a partnership with Capital Pride, called WinterPride, on the Sparks Street pedestrian mall. Also new this year, collaborations with museums and other cultural institutions to extend the festival’s reach. Tim Hortons and OLG returned as sponsors. Next: January 31-February 17, 2020
Photo: Dominique Binoist
8. Canadian Tulip Festival
Up from #11
Ottawa
Attendance grew to more than 700,000 flower fans this year as the festival consolidated its activities at Commissioners Park. Dutch airline KLM joined as a new sponsor in 2019, when 300,000 tulips were in bloom at festival time. Next year promises an expanded tulip market and commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands. Next: May 8-18, 2020
Ottawa
Attendance grew to more than 700,000 flower fans this year as the festival consolidated its activities at Commissioners Park. Dutch airline KLM joined as a new sponsor in 2019, when 300,000 tulips were in bloom at festival time. Next year promises an expanded tulip market and commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands. Next: May 8-18, 2020
Photo: Courtesy of Canadian Tulip Festival
9. Les Grands Feux Loto-Québec
Quebec City
Loto-Québec and RBC were primary and secondary sponsors again this summer, when the six-night pyrotechnic and music festival celebrated its 25th anniversary on the Saint Lawrence River just off of historic Quebec City. Telus came on board in 2019 as a major sponsor and other new initiatives included more bars and food and a larger seating area. Next: Summer 2020
Loto-Québec and RBC were primary and secondary sponsors again this summer, when the six-night pyrotechnic and music festival celebrated its 25th anniversary on the Saint Lawrence River just off of historic Quebec City. Telus came on board in 2019 as a major sponsor and other new initiatives included more bars and food and a larger seating area. Next: Summer 2020
Photo: André-Olivier Lyra
10. Celebration of Light
Vancouver
Canada took home first prize in the longest-running offshore fireworks competition this year, edging out India and Croatia for the win. More than one million spectators viewed the three shows from the shores of English Bay, while bands warmed up the crowds before the Honda-sponsored event. Next year: a 30th anniversary celebration. Next: Summer 2020
Canada took home first prize in the longest-running offshore fireworks competition this year, edging out India and Croatia for the win. More than one million spectators viewed the three shows from the shores of English Bay, while bands warmed up the crowds before the Honda-sponsored event. Next year: a 30th anniversary celebration. Next: Summer 2020
Photo: Honda Celebration of Light.jpg
11. Victoria Symphony Splash
Up from #12
Victoria
With financial services company Redcliffe & Co. as the new presenting sponsor and a new, bigger barge, this floating classical music festival celebrated 30 years in 2019. The 40,000-person crowd saw highlights including young soloist Carey Wang performing Tchaikovsky’s "1812" Overture to fireworks. Next: August 2, 2020
Victoria
With financial services company Redcliffe & Co. as the new presenting sponsor and a new, bigger barge, this floating classical music festival celebrated 30 years in 2019. The 40,000-person crowd saw highlights including young soloist Carey Wang performing Tchaikovsky’s "1812" Overture to fireworks. Next: August 2, 2020
Photo: Nan Yang
12. Beakerhead
New to the list
Calgary
The multidisciplinary festival of art, science, design, and performance boasted ticket sales of more than 12,500 in 2018. Venues for 2019 included the National Music Centre, Calgary’s new Central Public Library, and Prince’s Island Park for the closing-night immersive and interactive Spectacle. Major sponsors included Shaw and Suncor. Next: September 2020
Calgary
The multidisciplinary festival of art, science, design, and performance boasted ticket sales of more than 12,500 in 2018. Venues for 2019 included the National Music Centre, Calgary’s new Central Public Library, and Prince’s Island Park for the closing-night immersive and interactive Spectacle. Major sponsors included Shaw and Suncor. Next: September 2020
Photo: Raymond Wong
13. Collingwood Elvis Festival
Collingwood, Ontario
The world’s largest annual gathering of Elvis tribute artists celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, attracting more than 25 professional impersonators and 16 returning champions to its competitive events. OLG, Enbridge, and Blue Mountain Resort were the main sponsors at the celebration of the life and times of Elvis Presley. Next: July 24-28, 2020
The world’s largest annual gathering of Elvis tribute artists celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, attracting more than 25 professional impersonators and 16 returning champions to its competitive events. OLG, Enbridge, and Blue Mountain Resort were the main sponsors at the celebration of the life and times of Elvis Presley. Next: July 24-28, 2020
Photo: Dave West Photography
