Must-Visit Festivals Near Toronto This Summer

Photo of two band members playing on stage beside a second photo of a crowd watching a concert

Embrace the sights and sounds of summer in Durham Region! Stroll along lush gardens and streams and set your sights on award-winning peonies. Spend the day in Durham Region’s downtowns as they transform into cultural hubs filled with artisans, performances, family friendly activities and food vendors. If live music is your jam, Durham Region is home to several music festivals to keep your calendar full all summer long!

Check out our list of upcoming festivals and events to make the most of the summer festival season in Durham Region.

Peony Festival

Large bird cage monument with blurred flowers in front

June 6 and 7 | Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens (155 Arena Street, Oshawa) | Credit: wbalfourphotography

Spring into summer at the 22nd annual Oshawa Peony Festival! Walk the garden paths to see more than 300 varieties of colourful peonies and visit the juried flower show to view award-winning blooms. Come for the peonies and stay for the artisan market, cultural performances, live entertainment and food vendors. The festival runs on June 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and June 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Your camera roll will thank you.

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Springtide Music Festival

Three performers singing and playing instruments for a crowd

June 11 to 13 | Downtown Uxbridge | Credit: JE Photo and Design

Kick-off your shoes and soak in the community vibes at the Springtide Music Festival. This annual event takes over downtown Uxbridge and is the summer weekend event you’ve been waiting for. Experience live music in a variety of venues, including restaurants, bars, shops, a craft brewery and historic buildings. The festival runs from June 11 to 13 with performance times and venue locations available on the festival schedule.

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Whitby Music Fest

Band performing to a crowd in front of merch

June 25 to 27 | Downtown Whitby

Calling all music lovers! Whitby Music Fest returns to downtown Whitby. Loosely based on Toronto’s legendary NXNE Festival, Whitby Music Fest showcases up-and-coming local artists and collaborates with amazing downtown Whitby businesses to turn non-traditional spaces into music venues. Featured performers include The Rural Alberta Advantage, Shad, Elyse Saunders and many more.

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Rockstalgia Music Festival

Pickup truck wrapped with Rockstalgia logo and website parked in front of an event billboard

July 11 and 12 | Orono Fairgrounds (2 Princess Street, Orono)

Feeling nostalgic and ready to rock? The Rockstalgia Music Festival is for you! Enjoy two stages of 70s, 80s and 90s rock music, plus a vintage-inspired marketplace, immersive fan zones, food trucks and VIP experiences. Settle in for the weekend with RV and trailer camping and join a true festival-family atmosphere. Festival headliners include Wide Mouth Mason on July 11 and GODDO on July 12.

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Home Sweet Home Festival

Two people smiling on zipline with brown building in the back

July 25 | Downtown Whitby

Experience fun for the whole family at Whitby’s Home Sweet Home Festival. The downtown core transforms into a fully walkable hub of family activities, performances and cultural dance—and even features a300-foot zipline! Explore downtown businesses and grab a refreshment on an outdoor patio. Shop for one-of-a-kind items at the Station Gallery Artisan Marketplace and buy local food at the Whitby Farmers’ Market. The festival takes place on July 25 and is free to enter. Zipline rides are $5 each (cash only).

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Durham Summer Fest

August 22 and 23 | Ajax Downs (50 Alexander’s Crossing, Ajax)

Feel “The Rhythm of South Asia” during Durham Summer Fest, a celebration of South Asian culture and community. This annual two-day festival has quickly become one of the largest South Asian-focused cultural events in Durham Region. Live musical performances from both international artists and emerging Canadian talent showcase a range of genres including folk, ghazal, Sufi rock qawwali and contemporary South Asian pop/Bollywood. The festival offers family-friendly entertainment, vendors and vibrant food stalls. Attending the festival from outside Durham Region? Plan your stay and explore more to do in Durham Region. The festival runs August 22 and 23 from 3 to 11 p.m.

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Convergence Music and Art Festival

Large crowd standing by stage of live music performance shaded in bright pink lighting

September 19 and 20 | Downtown Oshawa

Transport yourself to the CONVERGENCE Music and Art Festival in Downtown Oshawa for two days of live music, art, food and street culture. Get in on the weekend of free music, art, food and community on September 19 and 20. Co-headlining this year’s festival main stage on September 20 is Maestro Fresh Wes and Jeremie Albino. Don’t miss a second of the excitement!