13 Biggest Music Festivals In Canada

Music is a way of expressing feelings for many, and when your favourite band or artist performs. It is a feeling and a memory one can't forget. Music festivals also attract many crowds. Where people bond and enjoy their favourite songs being played. Artists also have a surreal experience where they connect with people. Canada has produced many international artists, including The Weekend, Drake, Justin Bieber, Bryan Adams and many more. Canada also has many music festivals. There are many music festivals in Canada that you can go to with your friends, as they are an immersive experience. So check out these 13 Biggest Music Festivals In Canada and mark your calendars to have an eventful year!

13 Biggest Music Festivals in Canada

From Montreal's iconic jazz festivals to the folk gatherings in the western provinces, Canada plays host to a wide array of music festivals that attract audiences from across the globe. These festivals not only celebrate the country's musical talents but also serve as platforms for cultural exchange and community building. Here are the 13 biggest music festivals in Canada that you shouldn't miss.

1. Festival d’été de Québec (FEQ)

Dates: 4 Jul – 14 Jul 2024

The Festival d’été de Québec is one of the biggest music festivals in Canada. It was started in 1968 and takes place in July every year. The music festival is held in Quebec City every year, where many amazing artists have played previously, like Green Day, Skrillex, Bryan Adams, Shawn Mendes, Maroon 5 and many more. The festival has artists from various genres like pop, electronic, hip-hop, rock and many more. 

Festival d’été de Québec Artist Lineup 2024: 

• Nickelback
• 50 Cent 
• Jonas Brothers
• The Offspring
• Alexandra Stréliski 
• Karkwa 
• Alan Walker 
• Zac Brown Band 

2. Osheaga Music & Art Festival 

Dates: 2 Aug – 4 Aug 2024

Osheaga Music and Art Festival is a multi-day music festival held in Montreal every summer. The best part of this music festival is that it's held on the Island of Saint Helen. There are 6 stages in this music festival in Canada, and huge sums of crowds are attracted to its star-studded lineup, which consists of artists like Snoop Dogg, Arctic Monkeys, The Weekend, Future, Rüfüs Du Sol and many more. 

Osheaga Music & Art Festival Artist Lineup 2024 : 

• Brittany Howard
• Chappell Roan
• Denzel Curry
• Elderbrook
• Green Day
• Labrinth
• Lola Young
• Martin Garrix

3. VELD Music Festival

Dates: 2 Aug – 4 Aug 2024

VELD Music Festival, also called VELD shortly, is the largest electronic music festival in Canada. It is held annually in Toronto and offers three stages for participants to view and enjoy the music of their favourite artists. The range of musicians includes a number of hip-hop and EDM artists from the likes of Martin Garrix, Hardwell, Zedd, and many more. The festival mostly houses genres like bass house, tech house, hip-hop dubstep, trap and many more. VELD is one of the best music festivals in Canada that you should attend. 

VELD Music Festival Artist Lineup 2024:

• Alan Walker
• Martin Garrix
• Steve Aoki
• Alok
• Alesso
• Kaskade
• Jonas Blue

4. Rifflandia Music Festival

Dates: Sept 13-Sept 15, 2024

Rifflandia Music Festival is a four-day festival held in the Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, British Columbia. It has no fixed date but is usually held between the last week of August and the last week of September. The festival is held at multiple venues leading up to the main event, which usually builds up hype for the main event. Rifflandia has hosted many popular names, such as the X Ambassadors and Youngblood. 

Rifflandia Music Festival Artist Lineup 2024 :

• IRezz la Rule
• Channel Tres
• C&C Music Factory
• Tokyo Police Club
• Slayyyter
• Nostalgix

5. Shambhala Music Festival 

Dates: Fri, 26 July 2024 – Mon, 29 July 2024

Shambhala Music Festival is one of the music festivals in Canada, which is held in British Columbia. It is held during the last week of July at the Salmo River Ranch. The festival lasts for four days and three nights. The festival was started in 1998 and has become the largest and longest-running electronic music festival in Canada. This music festival in Canada offers its participants an immersive mix of music and art in nature. It was also awarded The Best Music Festival in North America in 2019 by the DJ Mag.

Shambhala Music Festival Artist Lineup 2024:

• Excision
• James Blue
• Disclosure
• Subtronics
• Chromeo
• Dillon Francis
• Nia Archives

6. Chasing Summer

Dates: Sat, 3 Aug 2024 – Sun, 4 Aug 2024

Chasing Summer is one of the largest outdoor EDM music festivals in Canada. It is held every year in August and offers some of the best artists in the game, from the Chainsmokers to James Hype and Martin Garrix. It is held in the Max Bell Centre in Calgary, Alberta. It is being held on the third and the fourth of August of 2024, and has already started selling tickets to this amazing music festival in Canada.

Chasing Summer Artist Lineup 2024: 

• Illenium
• Deadmau5
• DJ Snake
• ISOXO
• Tchami x Malaa
• Two Friends

7. Sound Of Music Festival 

Dates: 13 June – 16 June 2024

The Sound of Music Festival is one of the largest festivals in Canada for folk music. It is held in mid-June and usually falls on the Father's Day Weekend. The best thing about this festival in Canada is that one does not require a ticket to attend this festival. It is spread widely through Burlington's waterfront to the downtown core. There are multiple stages for attendees to view, which include many big names such as Carly Rae Jepsen, David Wilcox, Marianas Trench and many more.

Sound Of Music Festival Artist Lineup 2024: 

• Fin Wall/The Commune
• Brother Elsey
• Cal U2: The Joshua Tree
• Trooper
• Leash
• Born In The Eighties
• The Northern Pikes
• Strange Advance

8. North By Northeast (NXNE) Festival 

Dates: 12 June – 16 June 2024

North By Northeast is a music festival held each year in Canada. It is held in June in Toronto and focuses on promoting emerging talent. This festival has many other things than music, like a flea market, comedy fests, and an eSports gaming tournament. After North By Northeast started promoting upcoming artists, many new talents emerged, such as Lizzo, Daniel Caesar, Lumineers, and many more. The festival has also featured artists like Billy Talent, Post Malone, Vince Staples, and many more.

North By Northeast (NXNE) Festival Artist Lineup 2024:

• 4sante (Toronto, ON, Canada)
• Aaron Ball Band (Pocatello, ID, USA)
• Abroad (Sydney, NSW, Australia)
• AIKO TOMI (Toronto, ON, Canada)
• Anaïs & The Hoops (Brooklyn, NY, USA)
• Andy Colonico (Welland, ON, Canada)
• Blue Monday (Toronto, ON, Canada)
• Chris Pierce (Savannah, GA, USA)

9. Contact Winter Music Festival 

Dates: December 27 and 28th, 2024

The Contact Winter Music Festival is a music festival held in Vancouver at the end of December every year. This festival in Canada has been running since 2012 and has many celebrities attending it. Many popular artists play at this music festival in Canada, such as James Hype, Loud Luxury, The Chainsmokers, and many more. 

Contact Winter Music Festival Artist Lineup 2024: To be announced, refer to this website

10. Winnipeg Folk Festival 

Dates: 11 July – 14 July 2024

The Winnipeg Folk Festival is one of the most popular folk music festivals in Canada. It is held every summer in Birds Hill Provincial Park near Winnipeg. It was started in 1974 and has been growing ever since. Many genres of music play here, including Blues, Folk Rock, Celtic, Indie Folk, and more. Many artists play at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, including John Hiatt, Odetta, Passenger, and more. 

Winnipeg Folk Festival Artist Lineup 2024:

• Mt. Joy
• Noah Cyrus
• The War And Treaty
• Orville Peck
• Band of Horses
• Lucinda Williams
• Tom Paxton and the Don Juans
• Bonny Light Horseman
• Cowboy Junkies
• Joy Oladokun

11. Montreal International Jazz Festival

Dates: 27 June – 6 July 2024

The Montreal International Jazz Festival is one of the most popular music festivals in Canada and a renowned event in the world of jazz. Held annually in the vibrant city of Montreal, this Canadian music festival has been a staple for jazz enthusiasts and music lovers alike since its inception in 1980. It attracts thousands of visitors every year, making it one of the biggest and most celebrated jazz festivals in the country. Throughout its 10-day run, the Montreal International Jazz Festival showcases a diverse range of jazz genres, from traditional and contemporary to fusion and experimental. 

Montreal International Jazz Festival Artist Lineup 2024:

• Herbie Hancock
• Esperanza Spalding
• Robert Glasper
• Cécile McLorin Salvant
• Makaya McCraven
• Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah
• Melissa Aldana
• Avishai Cohen Trio
• Ravi Coltrane

12. Vancouver Folk Music Festival

Dates: 13 July – 16 July 2024

The Vancouver Folk Music Festival is a renowned folk festival in Canada, celebrated for its diverse lineup and commitment to showcasing the best in folk, roots, and world music. Held annually in the picturesque Jericho Beach Park in Vancouver, this Canadian music festival has been a beloved tradition since its inception in 1978. Over four days, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival transforms the park into a vibrant hub of music, cultural exchange, and community spirit. 

Vancouver Folk Music Festival Artist Lineup 2024:

• Rhiannon Giddens
• Punch Brothers
• Bokante
• Anda Union
• The East Pointers
• Allison Russell
• Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
• Leyla McCalla
• The Slocan Ramblers

13. Ottawa Bluesfest

Dates: 4 July – 14 July 2024

Dubbed the "Canadian Coachella," the Ottawa Bluesfest is one of the most highly anticipated music festivals in Canada. This multigenre extravaganza takes place annually in the heart of Ottawa, transforming the city into a vibrant epicentre of music and entertainment. Spanning over 10 days, the Ottawa Bluesfest showcases an eclectic mix of genres, from blues and rock to hip-hop, pop, and everything in between. 

Ottawa Bluesfest Artist Lineup 2024:

• Imagine Dragons
• Shawn Mendes
• The Black Keys
• Alanis Morissette
• Khalid
• Lil Baby
• Jack Johnson
• Nickelback
• Tash Sultana

Precautions to Take During a Festival in Canada

There are many precautions one should take while being at a music festival in Canada, which include staying cool and hydrated. As you are partying and presumably even consuming alcohol, you need to stay hydrated as you are usually under the Canadian summer sun and can also be dehydrated. You can stay cool by wearing a toque (Canadian term for a knit cap), sunscreen, and sunglasses, and you can also cool down with frequent breaks in shaded areas or beer gardens. You should also make sure you get protective earbuds, as the vocals and bass sounds can damage your ears, and if you are someone who is standing right in front of the speakers, it is important to use earplugs. Make sure you are also paired up with a buddy or a member of your crew, and they can look out for you, and you can do the same. You can also set up meeting points at the festival grounds if you get lost in the crowd, so you don't panic and can easily reunite with your friends or family.

Essential Items to Carry During a Music Festival in Canada

It is important to carry essential things to a music festival in Canada as you may not leave the grounds for long hours, and having essentials helps you in times of need. You may need things like:

1. Backpack or a fanny pack

2. Portable power bank and a phone charger

3. A government-issued ID (driver's licence or Canadian passport)

4. Deodorant (a small travel-sized one)

5. A basic first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, and pain medication

6. Any allergy medication or prescribed medications you regularly take

7. Sunscreen (a high SPF is recommended for the Canadian sun)

8. Tampons, sanitary pads, or menstrual cups

9. Wet wipes and toilet paper (festival porta-potties can run out of supplies)

10. A lighter, and if you smoke, carry your own smoking accessories (or a vape pen if allowed)

11. Canadian snacks and candy like Smarties, Coffee Crisp, or maple candies to have if you get dehydrated

These are the top 13 music festivals in Canada where you can have a ton of fun with your friends and create everlasting memories. There are many popular festivals in Canada, so shortlist your favourite or book all, as we only live once. Always remember to party safely and drink responsibly, as this will help you in your own well-being. If you’ve checked off this entire list and want to do more, you can start with these 20 things to do in Canada and start exploring today!