June to October is festival season and the bay buzzes with arts, food, and music events. From Parry Sound to Owen Sound, here are some of our favourite festivals you don’t want to miss in 2023. Check back for updates; some festival details are unavailable this early in the year.
JUNE
June 10 - Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival - MIDLAND
We’re counting down to the sweetest day of the year. A contest, buskers, music, 200-plus vendors, and of course Ontario's best butter tarts. Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival celebrates the humble butter tart. Sampling is the only way to discover your butter-tart style. Are you a Classic Baby or more of a Surprise Me kind of butter-tart lover?
The one-day event closes down Midland’s King Street and kicks off festival season in style.
The event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Butter-tart vendors sell out by mid-afternoon, so arrive early and avoid disappointment.
JULY
July 1-31 - The Porchside Festival, COLLINGWOOD
What began as a response to Covid, shutting down the theatre has become a wonderful way to experience theatre in an intimate venue. Front porches across Collingwood are transformed into stages for one-hour performances, while the front lawn becomes your front-row seat. Tickets are $30 each. Bring your lawn chair and dress for the weather.
Here is a sneak peek at this year’s line-up (link to PDF). Stay tuned for box office news of ticket sales.
July 15 - Festival du Loup, LAFONTAINE
Discover the village of Lafontaine’s Festival du Loup. The festival celebrates the history and culture of this francophone community. Daytime activities include a kids zone and circus workshop and a tractor parade. This year the Wolf Auction moves online. Bid on your favourite Wolf, painted by volunteer artists. By night enjoy storytelling or music and dancing at The Great Howling. Kicking off the night’s festivities is LGS (Le Groupe Swing)
Festival organizers have put out a call for artists to paint a wolf for auction.
AUGUST
August 12 - Georgian Bay Garden Tour, MIDLAND, PENETANGUISHENE
Set out on the Georgian Bay Garden Tour and explore local gardens from Tiny and Tay to Midland and Penetanguishene. Journey at your own pace on this self-guided tour. Start early and stop in at a village for lunch. Enjoy the variety of gardens and maybe find some inspiration. Tickets are $25, purchase yours online or in person at the following locations. Proceeds to Hospice Huronia - Tomkins House.
August 18-20 - TugFest Georgian Bay, MIDLAND
A winning combination hits Midland this August. Northern Heat Ribfest kicks things off by putting the sizzle in the weekend with lip-smacking good food and music at David Onley Park. Saturday, the TugFest Georgian Bay takes the action to the water with races. Catch the tug boat parade and demonstrations from the Midland town dock. Ribs, Tugs, and live music: what’s not to love?
Keep up on planned activities as they become available on Facebook and IG @tugfestgeorgianbay
August 18-20 - Summerfolk, OWEN SOUND
Summerfolk celebrates a half-century of love, peace, and music. Headlining the festival this year are Loreena McKinnett, Serena Ryder, and Matt Andersen. Various venues. In between performances, stroll the artisan village or grab some local eats at one of the many food vendors.
Sign up for the newsletter for performer updates as they become available. Buy your weekend passes before you go and save. Cost: Adult $150 in advance; $175 at the door.
August 19 - Georgian Bay Festival, TINY
Mark the date. This year, the Georgian Bay Festival happens on August 19. The festival that offers something for everyone has moved from September. Details are still in development, but you can keep up to date on the festival’s website. More to come closer to the event. Three things to note if you go.
Wear comfortable shoes, because the ground is uneven.
Bring your lawn chair for the music, and lots of sunscreen and water. There is zero shade.
Carry cash if you want to shop in the vast craft market. You will be tempted and the area has poor cell coverage, which makes automated processing unreliable. Finally, it is a long walk to the single ATM on-site.
SEPTEMBER
September 15-17 - Stonebridge Wasaga Beach Blues Festival, WASAGA BEACH
Wasaga Beach becomes Music City for three days of glorious blues music. It’s an impressive festival lineup of 19 performers. Groove to KC Roberts and the Live Revolution on Friday night. Then catch the enchantress of the blues Angelique Francis Saturday. Close out the festival listening to the vocals of John Jordon.
Get your festival passes now and sign-up for performer updates. A three-day festival pass is $40, daily tickets $15 and the VIP festival pass, which includes an exclusive seating area costs $100. Bring your lawn chair to enjoy the show, if you’re not in the VIP seating area. Visit the festival website for more information.
OCTOBER
September 30 & October 1 - Bay Studio Tour, TINY
Looking for a novel way to take in the autumn colour parade? Then the Bay Studio Tour, is just the ticket. Come for the day or make a weekend of it. Meander the backroads of Tiny Township on your way to one of the 30 artist studios and get to know some of our incredible painters, photographers, wood-turners, potters, and jewelry designers. Studios are open each day from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free, see the website for tour details.
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