2023 Canadian Festivals to Pique Every Interest

There are a million reasons why you might fall in love with Canada. Perhaps, it’s the incredible natural scenery and the super friendly locals, but for us, it’s their love of throwing a great festival. From coast to coast and throughout the year, Canadian festivals celebrate every aspect of life in this beautiful nation. We’re taking you across Canada and showing you the best Canadian festivals you need to go to this year. 

Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Winnipeg, Manitoba  

May 2nd –  May 7th 2023 

To kick start our Canadian festival tour, you must head to Winnipeg for the fantastic annual Winnipeg Comedy Festival. Brainchild of CBC Radio’s Tom Anniko and comedian Lara Rae, this yearly event is the jewel in the Canadian comedy circuit’s crown. 

Broadcast live on CBC Radio One, the Winnipeg Comedy Festival also transitions into a series of television shows featured on CBC Television and The Comedy Network. With a great selection of famous Canadian and international stand-up comedians, make sure you’re heading to Winnipeg this May and enjoy your stay in town at the Best Western Plus Pembina Inn & Suites. 

Montreal International Jazz Festival, Montreal, Quebec  

June 29th – July 8th 2023 

For all you music lovers out there, we’re heading next to the world’s largest jazz festival in downtown Montreal this June and July. First established in 1978, the Montreal International Jazz Festival celebrates its 43rd edition in 2023, and this Canadian festival will have you dancing along in no time. 

Montreal International Jazz Festival features over 3,000 artists from 30 countries, playing 650 concerts over 20 different stages. Book your stay at the Best Western Plus Montreal Downtown-Hotel Europa so you don’t miss a beat of this music festival. 

Halifax Harbourside Rotary Ribfest, Halifax, Nova Scotia 

June 30th – July 3rd 2023 

Don’t forget to pack your taste buds for the Halifax Harbourside Rotary Ribfest, possibly the tastiest of all the Canadian festivals. Enjoy the long weekend by the harbor at Best Western Plus Chocolate Lake Hotel and tuck into this unique festival dedicated to a shared love of southern BBQ food. 

This free-to-enter BBQ-festival provides brilliant live entertainment as you experiment with the five unique rib trucks onsite. You’ll also be helping raise money for good causes, as the Halifax Harbourside Rotary Ribfest is 100% volunteer-run and has raised over $500k for various local charities.  

The Calgary Stampede, Calgary, Alberta  

July 7th – July 16th 2023 

As one of Canada’s oldest festivals, The Calgary Stampede draws visitors to this famous Alberta city to celebrate Calgary’s western culture and heritage. Here you can watch as competitors battle it out in the rodeo and chuckwagon racing events or relax and enjoy this Canadian festival’s parade, concerts, and stage shows. 

Starting back in 1886 as the Calgary Exhibition, it soon transformed into the Calgary Stampede in 1912. Designed to boost the Calgary economy and promote agricultural and ecosystem management, the festival proved popular with guests and locals. Explore Calgary’s fascinating First Nation exhibitions as you celebrate alongside the festival’s 2,500 volunteers, staying locally at the Best Western Plus Port O’Call Hotel in Calgary. 

Saskatchewan Festival of Words – Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan 

July 13th – July 16th 2023 

If you love books, then this July you need to head to the city of Moose Jaw to join fellow writers and readers gathering for the Saskatchewan Festival of Words. This four-day Canadian festival attracts fans of the written word globally and is designed to highlight the best of Canada’s literary talents. 

Staying in the heart of town at the Best Western Plus Moose Jaw, you can enjoy the exciting range of poets, authors, and musicians who visit Moose Jaw for the annual festival. With over fifty events, you can meet with like-minded logophiles to enjoy book readings, writing workshops, and open mic nights throughout the weekend in July. 

Celebration of Light, Vancouver, British Columbia  

July 22nd, July 26th, and July 29th 2023 

Did you know Vancouver was home to the world’s oldest fireworks competition? Every year, this huge family-friendly Canadian festival sees three nations compete with vibrantly choreographed firework displays that take place out over the city’s historic English Bay.  

As British Columbia’s largest gala event, the Celebration of Light includes a music festival on Sunset Beach, where you can enjoy great food and stunning views of the whole competition. In addition, you can enjoy all three nights of this free-to-watch fireworks competition when you stay locally at the Best Western Premier Chateau Granville Hotel & Suites & Conf. Centre in downtown Vancouver. 

George Street Festival, St. John’s, Newfoundland 

July 27th – August 2nd 2023 

2023 sees St. John’s celebrate the 38th annual George Street Festival, which for many Canadians is the pinnacle of all the Canadian festivals observing the nation’s BIG Birthday Bash celebrations. First established in 1497, St John’s is one of North America’s oldest cities, and George Street is the premier entertainment district in this historic town. 

Welcoming live music acts from across Canada and around the world, St. John’s George Street Festival also bears witness to an annual stunning Mardi Gras street party and entertaining costume competition. You can enjoy all the festivities St. John’s has to offer by staying locally at the Best Western Plus St. John’s Airport Hotel and Suites. 

Grey Cup Festival, Hamilton, Ontario 

November 19th 2023 

Sports fans, don’t think we’ve forgotten you. As part of our celebrations of Canadian festivals, it would be rude not to include the high point of the Canadian Football League (CFL) diary. 2023 sees the city of Hamilton host the CFL Championship game and 110th Grey Cup, where divisional winners from the East and West clash for the CFL title. 

Held at Tim Hortons Field, this is the twelfth time Hamilton has hosted the Gray Cup at a stadium that also boasts Canada’s largest videoboard and outdoor bar onsite. However, while you’re in town, take in the sights and sounds around Hamilton before the big game by staying locally at the C Hotel by Carmen’s, BW Premier Collection. 

Yukon Rendezvous Festival, Whitehorse, Yukon 

February 9th– February 25th 2024 

With the Yukon Rendezvous Festival celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2024, it’s an excellent opportunity for you to join the Whitehorse locals in celebrating the onset of the coming spring. As a family-oriented Canadian festival, there are sports events, pet parades, and KIDFEST events during the day, and by night there is live entertainment and concerts you can experience. 

While staying at the Best Western Gold Rush Inn in the heart of downtown Whitehorse, enjoy the local favorite pancake breakfast before heading out for a day of action-packed adventure. The Yukon Rendezvous Festival will entertain the whole family and includes chainsaw chucking, axe throwing, and dogsledding competitions throughout the two-week celebrations.