1. Toronto Jazz Festival
Toronto
Diana Ross, Norah Jones, Dan Aykroyd, and Paul Shaffer were some of the big names at this year’s jazz fest, which returned to Yorkville and drew about 500,000 people to free concerts and ticketed events. A new partnership with Cirque du Soleil injected some family-friendly acrobatics into the mix. TD Bank returned as the title sponsor. Next: June 2020
Diana Ross, Norah Jones, Dan Aykroyd, and Paul Shaffer were some of the big names at this year’s jazz fest, which returned to Yorkville and drew about 500,000 people to free concerts and ticketed events. A new partnership with Cirque du Soleil injected some family-friendly acrobatics into the mix. TD Bank returned as the title sponsor. Next: June 2020
Photo: Randall Cook
2. Beaches International Jazz Festival
Toronto
Following its 30th anniversary in 2018, the country’s largest free jazz festival got a redesigned website and logo, marking the next chapter in its evolution. This year saw attendance of about 500,000 with an expanded Sounds of Leslieville and Riverside weekend. Moosehead Breweries came on as a new sponsor. Next: July 3-26, 2020
Following its 30th anniversary in 2018, the country’s largest free jazz festival got a redesigned website and logo, marking the next chapter in its evolution. This year saw attendance of about 500,000 with an expanded Sounds of Leslieville and Riverside weekend. Moosehead Breweries came on as a new sponsor. Next: July 3-26, 2020
Photo: Sebastien Auger
3. Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
Montreal
The festival celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, with TD returning at the official sponsor and crowds returning to the usual size of more than 1.5 million after last year’s attendance-dampening heat wave. Buddy Guy and Peter Frampton were among the performers, and the festival inaugurated a new hub in the Verdun neighborhood. June 25-July 4, 2020
The festival celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, with TD returning at the official sponsor and crowds returning to the usual size of more than 1.5 million after last year’s attendance-dampening heat wave. Buddy Guy and Peter Frampton were among the performers, and the festival inaugurated a new hub in the Verdun neighborhood. June 25-July 4, 2020
Photo: Victor Diaz Lamich
4. Veld Music Festival
Toronto
This two-day festival of dance and hip hop returned to Downsview Park with three stages and 30 internationally acclaimed artists, including Cardi B and Skrillex, and attendance at a record 30,000 fans. Presented by Ink Entertainment, new sponsors for 2019 included Bud Light, Uber, and RBCxMusic. Next: Summer 2020
This two-day festival of dance and hip hop returned to Downsview Park with three stages and 30 internationally acclaimed artists, including Cardi B and Skrillex, and attendance at a record 30,000 fans. Presented by Ink Entertainment, new sponsors for 2019 included Bud Light, Uber, and RBCxMusic. Next: Summer 2020
Photo: Visualbass Photography
5. Juno Awards
National
The weeklong 2019 celebrations drew 38,000 Canadian music fans to London, Ontario, for concerts and parties, including nine sold-out events. Shawn Mendes triumphed with a five-award sweep, and Corey Hart was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Talent was once again whisked to London on the Juno Express, powered by VIA Rail. Next: March 15, 2020
The weeklong 2019 celebrations drew 38,000 Canadian music fans to London, Ontario, for concerts and parties, including nine sold-out events. Shawn Mendes triumphed with a five-award sweep, and Corey Hart was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Talent was once again whisked to London on the Juno Express, powered by VIA Rail. Next: March 15, 2020
Photo: Ryan Bolton
6. Winnipeg Folk Fest
Winnipeg
Folk fans increased their presence at Birds Hill Provincial Park this year, swelling the crowd to 76,000 from last year’s 73,000 and taking in 169 performances. A hootenanny celebration of Pete Seger’s 100th birthday was a major highlight, as were new food vendors on site. Sponsors included Big Rock Brewery and Assiniboine Credit Union. July 9-12, 2020
Folk fans increased their presence at Birds Hill Provincial Park this year, swelling the crowd to 76,000 from last year’s 73,000 and taking in 169 performances. A hootenanny celebration of Pete Seger’s 100th birthday was a major highlight, as were new food vendors on site. Sponsors included Big Rock Brewery and Assiniboine Credit Union. July 9-12, 2020
Photo: April Carandang
7. Osheaga Music and Arts Festival
Montreal
Parc Jean Drapeau welcomed about 130,000 music fans and more than 120 acts over three days again this summer. Big-name performers included the Lumineers, Childish Gambino, and the Chemical Brothers. The festival was presented by Bell Alt TV in collaboration with Coors Light, and Uber Eats joined as a new sponsor. Next: July 31-August 2, 2020
Parc Jean Drapeau welcomed about 130,000 music fans and more than 120 acts over three days again this summer. Big-name performers included the Lumineers, Childish Gambino, and the Chemical Brothers. The festival was presented by Bell Alt TV in collaboration with Coors Light, and Uber Eats joined as a new sponsor. Next: July 31-August 2, 2020
Photo: Pierre Bourgault
8. Boots & Hearts
Oro-Medonte, Ontario
The newly introduced reserved camping spots for RVs and tents sold out at this country music festival, which takes place on 600 acres at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds. Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert were among the headliners, and sponsors included Coors Banquet, Chevy Music, and SirusXM. Next: August 6-9, 2020
The newly introduced reserved camping spots for RVs and tents sold out at this country music festival, which takes place on 600 acres at Burl’s Creek Event Grounds. Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert were among the headliners, and sponsors included Coors Banquet, Chevy Music, and SirusXM. Next: August 6-9, 2020
Photo: Courtesy of Boots & Hearts
9. Igloofest
Up from #10
Montreal
Unusually cold weather reduced attendance at this four-weekend, outdoor electronic dance party to 65,000 in 2019. New attractions included a re-imagined Igloo Village and a bigger dance floor at the Old Port of Montreal. Sapporo and Vidéotron returned as sponsors. Next: January 16-February 1, 2020
Montreal
Unusually cold weather reduced attendance at this four-weekend, outdoor electronic dance party to 65,000 in 2019. New attractions included a re-imagined Igloo Village and a bigger dance floor at the Old Port of Montreal. Sapporo and Vidéotron returned as sponsors. Next: January 16-February 1, 2020
Photo: Sylvain Granier
