As the music festival season kicks off, Canadians are gearing up for a summer filled with live music in picturesque settings. With a plethora of festivals happening nationwide in the coming months, ranging from country hoedowns to eclectic showcases, music enthusiasts may find it overwhelming to choose which events to attend.
To help navigate the festival landscape, here is a curated list of some noteworthy festivals happening across Canada this summer:
**Alberta:**
1. **Sled Island Music and Arts Festival:**
– **Where:** Calgary.
– **When:** June 17 to 21.
– **Highlights:** Eclectic array of musical performances, comedy, film, and art installations.
– **Notable Acts:** Backxwash, Cartel Madras, Homeshake, and more.
2. **Badlands Music Festival:**
– **Where:** Calgary.
– **When:** July 2 to 12.
– **Highlights:** Big names in dance music performing under a big-top tent.
– **Notable Acts:** Chris Lake, Nia Archives, Uniiqu3, and more.
3. **Calgary Folk Music Festival:**
– **Where:** Calgary.
– **When:** July 23 to 26.
– **Highlights:** Variety of music genres from experimental jazz to hip-hop.
– **Notable Acts:** Corb Lund, Of Monsters and Men, Thundercat, and more.
4. **Big Valley Jamboree:**
– **Where:** Camrose.
– **When:** July 30 to Aug. 2.
– **Highlights:** Country stars performing for a long-weekend celebration.
– **Notable Acts:** Keith Urban, Old Dominion, Riley Green, and more.
5. **Edmonton Folk Fest:**
– **Where:** Edmonton.
– **When:** August 6 to 9.
– **Highlights:** Folk festival showcasing a mix of artists.
– **Notable Acts:** Cat Power, Hurray For the Riff Raff, Sister Ray, and more.
**British Columbia:**
1. **FVDED In the Park:**
– **Where:** Surrey.
– **When:** July 3 and 4.
– **Highlights:** Electronic music festival with booming bass and energetic performances.
– **Notable Acts:** Fisher, LSDXOXO, TSHA, and more.
2. **Bass Coast Electronic Music and Art Festival:**
– **Where:** Merritt.
– **When:** July 10 to 13.
– **Highlights:** Independent festival featuring earth-shaking music acts.
– **Notable Acts:** Christian Löffler, Daphni, Skratch Bastid, and more.
3. **Vancouver Folk Music Festival:**
– **Where:** Vancouver.
– **When:** July 17 to 19.
– **Highlights:** Folk stylings from international artists by the beach.
– **Notable Acts:** Billy Bragg, Ruby Waters, Rose Cousins, and more.
4. **Shambhala Music Festival:**
– **Where:** Salmo River.
– **When:** July 24 to 27.
– **Highlights:** Underground electronic music performances in a free-spirited environment.
– **Notable Acts:** A-Trak, Chromeo, Louis the Child, and more.