Canadians love a festival, and not even the chill of winter will keep them from celebrating. The Canadian festival calendar is jammed with events celebrating ethnic cultures, food and wine, historical events and characters, the arts, rodeos, music and theater -- even salmon, lobsters, and whales. Following is a seasonal list of festival highlights from across Canada.
For an exhaustive list of events beyond those listed here, check http://events.frommers.com, where you'll find a searchable, up-to-the-minute roster of what's happening in cities all over the world.
Winter
Winter Carnival (tel. 418/626-3716; www.carnaval.qc.ca) is a celebration of all things winter in Québec City. February.
Festival du Voyageur (tel. 204/237-7692; www.festivalvoyageur.mb.ca) is Winnipeg's celebration of the 18th-century French voyagers who explored Canada by canoe, with music, wine, and winter fun. February.
Yukon Quest (tel. 867/668-4711; www.yukonquest.com) brings hundreds of sled dogs and mushers to Whitehorse, Yukon, for one of the world's top dog-sledding events. February.
Spring
Pacific Rim Whale Festival (tel. 250/726-4641; www.pacificrimwhalefestival.org) celebrates the yearly return of up to 20,000 gray whales to the waters off Tofino and Ucluelet, Vancouver Island. March.
Canadian Tulip Festival (tel. 888/465-1867; http:/tulipfestival.ca) features thousands of tulips in bloom, plus art fairs and concerts, in Ottawa, Canada's capital. May.
Summer
Stratford Shakespeare Festival (tel. 800/567-1600; www.stratfordfestival.ca) presents over a dozen theatrical productions, a mix of Shakespeare and contemporary works, in a delightful Ontario country town. May through October.
Montreal International Fireworks Competition (tel. 514/397-2000; www.internationaldesfeuxloto-quebec.com) is North America's largest fireworks competition, with fireworks makers from around the world competing for Jupiter trophies, the pinnacle of pyrotechnics. June through August.
Calgary Stampede (tel. 800/661-1767; www.calgarystampede.com) is the world's largest and richest rodeo and Calgary's opportunity to celebrate its cowboy past. July.
Vancouver Folk Music Festival (tel. 604/602-9798; www.thefestival.bc.ca) is one of North America's top folk music events, bringing Summer of Love musical stylings to a gorgeous bayside park. July.
RCMP Training Academy Sunset Retreat Ceremony (tel. 306/780-5838; www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/depot) is a stirring drill practice and flag ceremony with dress-uniformed Mounties plus pipe-and-bugle bands at Regina's century-old RCMP training facility. July through mid-August.
Banff Summer Arts Festival (tel. 800/413-8368; www.banffcentre.ca) is a celebration of classical and jazz music in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. July through August.
International Busker Festival (www.buskers.ca) brings street musicians and performers from around the world to Halifax's bustling waterfront. August.
Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival (tel. 709/576-8508; www.nlfolk.com) is a major folk music festival held at the center of St. Johns, Newfoundland. August.
Fall
Toronto International Film Festival (tel. 416/968-3456; www.tiff.net) is a glittering celebration of stars and cinema, and the world's second-largest film festival. September.
Celtic Colours (tel. 888/355-7744; www.celtic-colours.com) is the largest Celtic music and arts festival outside of Britain, held on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. October.
Okanagan Wine Festival (tel. 250/861-6654; www.thewinefestivals.com) celebrates BC's Okanagan Valley's fall harvest with wine tastings, winery open houses, and dining events. October.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
