Canada is one of the leading tourist destinations in the world, given that it is the second largest country in the world in terms of landmass and this guarantees a superfluity of a lot of attractions. Besides, the sheer size of the country and the fact that it is an immigrant’s heaven guarantees the presence of a lot of events and festivals enjoyed by both Canadians, as well as visitors for all walks of life.
If you after a mad fun and you like being part of some of the top events in the world, then you should make Canada one top destination this year. Get your visa ready or go for the Canada ETA (if you are from the countries classified and visa-exempt by the Canadian government), because there are lots of events and festivals waiting for you in Canada. Here is a look at some of the key Canadian event and festivals you should strive to attend.
January Events
Canada is in the middle of winter during the month of January, and through the winter may sometimes be very unforgiving, it should not deter you from visiting the country for events because there will always be something going on somewhere. Ottawa, the country’s capital is the best place to be at this time of the year. This is where you get a chance to have real fun in the snow by gliding at the Skateway, which happens to the largest natural ice rink in the world. Other than this, the other events you should probably check out in January include-:
- The Niagara Falls Winter Festivals of Lights – this event usually start in November in Ontario but runs up to January. It features a spectacular display of light with lots of firework over the majestic Niagara Falls.
- Winterlicious Festival – this happens every year in Toronto, and as the name suggests, it is a time to get your taste buds ready because you will be attending a restaurant festival featuring some of the top chefs in Ontario, who will be ready to treat you to a blend of affordable menus.
February Events
February happens to be the coldest month in Canada, but you should not allow the cold to dampen your spirit of having fun. This is the best month to check out the plethora of ski resort the country is blessed to have. Most of the resorts offer very nice discounts and even if you have never skied before, you can try out your luck at this time. Here are some of the other activities worth checking out in the month of February-:
- Quebec Winter Carnival – this is an event that runs for 17 days during the month of February. It is an event that has been celebrated since 1894 and it brings together locals and visitors who take part in a myriad of games to celebrate the snowy winters. It is a nice time to interact with the Canadians, learn their culture, and also enjoy some of their culinary delights.
- Festival du Voyageur – this is a festival dedicated to celebrating Saint-Boniface’s heritage. It is a week-long event that takes place in February, and its main highlights include skating, dog-sledding and snow sculpting.
March Festivals
March is still cold in Canada and a relatively low seasons for travel in Canada, but as usual, you should not let that dampen your spirit to have as much fan as you want. Most people who come to Canada in March and mainly coming to ski, and some of the main events you can watch out for include-:
- Annual cherry blossom event in Vancouver, since springs, arrives early in the West Coast.
- Celebration for maple syrup in Ontario and Quebec.
Festivals in April and May
During these months, the weather is beginning to warm up and the early weeks of April see a lot of skiing going on in the mountains, though the rest of the country is heading steadily into spring. The weather may still be unpredictable on a couple of days and it would be a bad idea for you to leave your warm clothing behind. Some of the events worth checking out during these months include-:
- Hot Docs International Documentary Festival – this is an annual event hosted in Toronto every April, and it is a celebration that features over one hundred documentaries. It is the largest festival of its kind not just in Canada, but in North America.
- Vancouver Sun Run – now that the sun is slowly coming back, how about taking part in this 10-kilometer run which is the largest and most popular in Canada and the second largest in North America.
- Victoria Day – this is a national holiday celebrated on the Monday before 25th of May. Public services will all be closed and there will be lots of people on the streets – a great time to interact with the Canadians, share in their culture and learn more about this wonderful country.
- Canadian Tulip Festival – this is a ten-day event that takes place in the capital of Ottawa, and some of the activities you can expect here include art exhibitions, a tulip market and much more.
Festival in June – August
This period, summer comes calling and the number of visitors in the country begins to rise. The notable events for this period include-:
- Canada Day on the 1st of July – this is a similar celebration to 4th of July in the US. It is characterized by a lot of events and festivals. Food, drinks, and dances will be available in plenty.
- Calgary Stampede – if you love anything country or cowboy, then this is an event you should never miss. It is also known as the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. The 10-day event is attended by millions from all corners of the world, and it features some of the best rodeo celebrations in the world.
- Edmonton Folk Festival – this happens every August and it is considered one of the best folk’s festivals in the works. Tickets usually sell so fast so you may want to get yours in good time.
September to December
The temperature is still cool at this time, but in just a few weeks’ time, it will be fall and winter will come calling. Some of the notable celebrations and festivals during these months include The Vancouver Fringe, The Toronto International Film Festival, Octoberfest, Santa Clause Parade in November, Ottawa Food and Wine Show, and of course the December celebrations of Christmas and Boxing Day.
This was a collaborative post.
Love it? Pin it!
