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  • Summer songs from coast to coast

    Canada booms with music festivals from spring to fall, and they range from the comparatively tiny to the nation’s largest — that being either Ottawa Bluesfest, in the nation’s capital, or the Festival d'été de Québec, in the Quebec capital, depending on who’s doing the answering.

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    Pre-pandemic, Canada’s snowbirds flocked by the millions to warmer climes in the United States, especially Florida, Arizona and California. Then stormed in Donald Trump 2.0 with his 51st state rhetoric and trade war. 

Summer songs from coast to coast

Sage60 looks at cool festivals in a variety of genres, from chamber music to roots. 
By Peter Simpson
July 17, 2025
3 Minute Read

Canada booms with music festivals from spring to fall, and they range from the comparatively tiny to the nation’s largest — that being either Ottawa Bluesfest, in the nation’s capital, or the Festival d'été de Québec, in the Quebec capital, depending on who’s doing the answering.

Here’s a brief look at six festivals from various genres in various locations in late July, August and September. Find more in your area with a quick web search, or search for “Canada” on the handy musicfestivalwizard.com page.

Chamberfest

Ottawa, July 18 to 27

Chamberfest spans from violinist Shunske Sato playing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, to “Chamberfringe” shows such as Bytown Sea Shanty Collective’s “spirited, swashbuckling takes on traditional and original sea shanties.” It also has yoga and kids’ events, and masterclasses, with artists such as Katherine Dowling, that offer free admission.

Fans enjoy a performance at Ottawa’s Chamberfest.
From Vivaldi to sea shanties, Ottawa’s Chamberfest offers a genre-spanning experience with free masterclasses, family programming and more.


Calgary Folk Music Festival

Calgary, July 24 to 27

Like almost every music festival with a genre in its name, the reality is more varied. In addition to four days of folk music, the festival will feature the London-born Grammy nominee Michael Kiwanuka, the East L.A. Mexican-American legends Los Lobos, country rocker Steve Earle and others who span contemporary genres. Nestled onto downtown’s Prince’s Island Park in the Bow River, the festival manages to be surrounded by water in a landlocked province.

British musician Michael Kiwanuka will be performing at the 2025 Calgary Folk Music Festival.
An island oasis of sound — Calgary Folk Music Festival returns with British singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka headlining a genre-defying lineup.


Osheaga

Montreal, Aug. 1 to 3

Montreal’s biggest weekend each summer after June’s Formula One Grand Prix, and probably the loudest and most rambunctious festival on this list. The name reportedly is a variant of an Iroquoian word for the “big rapids” in nearby Lachine. The venue is Parc Jean-Drapeau on an island in the mighty St. Lawrence River. The headliners — the Killers, Olivia Rodrigo and Tyler, the Creator — demonstrate the broadly commercial spectrum on display. Buy tickets for your children or grandchildren and bask in the glow of being the coolest elder in your family.

The crowd roars during an evening show at Osheaga.
Get ready for world-famous headliners like Olivia Rodrigo and The Killers at Osheaga, Montreal’s biggest summer music fest.


Boots and Hearts Music Festival

Oro-Medonte, Ont., Aug. 7 to 10

Kick up your heels with big-name country music headliners and acres of area for camping by attendees. The location is Burl’s Creek, between Barrie and Orillia and not so far from Metro Toronto. Headliners include Bailey Zimmerman, Sam Hunt, Meghan Patrick and others over four days of sun-baked shows. It is hailed as the biggest country-music festival in Canada. Cowboy hats and boots are de rigueur, partner.

Fans sing along at the Boots and Hearts music festival.
With a top-notch country lineup, Boots and Hearts promises four sun-drenched days of music and camping in Oro-Medonte.


Harvest Music Festival

Fredericton, N.B., Sept. 9 to 14

Formerly named the “Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival,” the name is now shortened to better reflect the array of genres. Headliners include Goose, Gob and Indigo Girls with Melissa Etheridge. The venues are peppered throughout the core of New Brunswick’s capital city, including a tent by the local army barracks, and ideal for those who want their festival venues just steps from their downtown hotels and restaurants. The fabulous Beaverbrook Art Gallery is only a short walk down the road along the wide St. John River.

Spoon performs at Fredericton’s Harvest Music Festival.
Jazz and blues may be in its roots, but today’s Harvest Festival is a full-spectrum celebration of music in downtown Fredericton.


Sommo Festival

Cavendish, P.E.I., Sept. 13 to 14

Possibly the newest festival on this list, and an offshoot of the earlier Cavendish Beach Music Festival, Sommo’s headliners include Canada’s Alanis Morissette and Ireland’s Hozier. The field venue is between the island’s two cities of Charlottetown and Summerside, and is near the world-famous Avonlea, the spiritual home of Anne of Green Gables. There are plenty of tourist accommodations, including camping, nearby. The vibe is très chill — the beach is just over there, after all.

Sommo Festival draws a crowd to Prince Edward Island.
Set between Charlottetown and Summerside, near the famed land of Anne of Green Gables, Sommo Festival will host Alanis Morissette and Hozier this fall.

There are many more music festivals across Canada each summer, and most offer full passes or day tickets, which vary in price according to that day’s lineup. Festival pass prices vary greatly between festivals, and some offer upgraded passes with special access. It’s a good idea to get tickets soon, before they sell out.

Peter Simpson has attended many music festivals over the years, including one where he volunteered at the beer tent of a Kiss concert and wrote about the experience.