Francophone festivals and events
Festival Franco-Ontarien | Ottawa Tourism
Franco-Ontarian Day takes place annually on September 25, across the province, with a major event—Festival Franco-Ontarien—held in Ottawa that celebrates Francophone heritage and features concerts, street art and family-friendly entertainment.
Many other exciting Francophone events are held throughout the year—from music concerts and festivals to film screenings and festivals, art markets and food festivals.
Here are some of the top Francophone festivals and events taking place throughout the year across Ontario.
The languages of programming and service for each attraction are identified below each one.
Southeastern Ontario and Ottawa Region
Festival franco-ontarien (Franco-Ontarian Festival)
This annual Francophone musical extravaganza is held in Parc Major’s Hill, Ottawa, to mark Franco-Ontarian Day on September 25. Featuring Francophone performers from Ontario, Canada and beyond, the festival is filled with concerts, street art and family-friendly entertainment.
Location: Parc Major’s Hill (Major’s Hill Park), Ottawa
Details: book your tickets online in advance
Languages of programming and service: service in English and French; programming in French
Contact Ontarois
The largest French-language performing arts market outside Quebec brings together hundreds of artists and presenters from across Canada for live performances, a conference and an awards gala. Founded by the Ontario Arts Council, the event has been a key supporter and promoter of the performing arts in Ontario.
Location: Ottawa
Details: the next event takes place in Ottawa January 18–21, 2023
Languages of programming and service: service in English and French; programming in French
Festival de la Curd (St-Albert Curd Festival)
This annual festival takes place in St-Albert in late summer or autumn, bringing together French-speaking musical artists for a four-day celebration of music and culture. Inspired by the town’s famous cheese curds, the festival pivoted briefly away from live music during the pandemic to create a series of brightly decorated cow sculptures, dotted throughout the town.
Location: St-Albert
Details: purchase tickets online
Languages of programming and service: service in English and French; programming in French
Westben Concerts at the Barn
With three outdoor custom-built venues ready to entertain you with the best of local, national and international music in all genres. Westben also welcomes Francophone and French performers from around the world.
Located in the beautiful setting of Northumberland County, about 2 hours east of Toronto and 4 hours west of Montreal near Campbellford, Westben also hosts comedy events and has a campfire venue for songs and storytelling performances.
Location: 6698 County Road 30 North, Campbellford
Details: the annual outdoor concert season includes over 26 concerts between July and September; reserve your tickets online
Languages of programming and service: service and programming in English and French
Northeastern Ontario
La Nuit sur l’étang
This song and music festival, held every April, is hosted by a non-for-profit organization that has been supporting emerging music artists and contributing to the development of Franco-Ontarian culture and music since 1973.
Location: 10 Eyre Street South, Sudbury
Languages of programming and service: service in English and French; programming in French
La Slague
Created by the Sudbury Youth Centre in the 1960s, La Slague promotes French-language art, music and cultural experiences in the Greater Sudbury area. Find a range of upcoming Francophone music and performing arts events and purchase you tickets in advance.
Location: Sudbury
Details: tickets can be purchased online; find the complete listing of upcoming events
Languages of programming and service: service in English and French; programming in French
Le French Fest
A celebration of French culture for everyone, Le French Fest features music, storytelling, art and food. It takes place annually in September, in Sudbury—home to the third largest Francophone community in Canada outside Quebec. The first festival, held in 2015, marked the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the presence of French-speaking people in Ontario.
Location: Sudbury
Details: the event takes place September 21-24, 2023
Languages of programming and service: service in English and French; programming in French
Festival de la St-Jean (Festival of St. John the Baptist)
Held every year on June 24 to mark the feast day of St. John the Baptist, patron saint of French Canadians, this film and music festival is considered Ontario’s biggest event of its kind. Celebrate Francophone culture on this important day in one of the province’s most renowned French-speaking communities, know for its warm hospitality.
Location: Kapuskasking
Languages of programming and service: service in English and French; programming in French
Bruce Peninsula, Southern Georgian Bay and Lake Simcoe
Le Festival du loup
Celebrating all things Francophone, this annual festival takes place in Lafontaine, not far from Midland, on the third weekend in July. Welcoming anyone interested in celebrating local francophonie, the festival includes storytelling, musical entertainment, a tractor parade and lots of family-friendly activities.
Location: Lafontaine (near Midland)
Details: check back for more details about the 2023 festival
Languages of programming and service: service in English and French; programming in French
Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
FrancoFEST
This is Hamilton and the Niagara Peninsula's largest festival of Francophone culture, featuring music by award-winning performing artists, food, circus entertainment and family-friendly activities like bouncy castles and tug-of-war.
Lots of food trucks offering delicious French-inspired fare will be on hand to satisfy your cravings. Held every June at Gage Park in Hamilton, this festival has something for everyone.
Location: Gage Park, Hamilton
Details: check back for up-to-date information
Languages of programming and service: service in English and French; programming in French
Francophonie en Fête
This Francophone music festival usually takes place in Toronto over four days to mark the occasion of Franco-Ontarian Day on September 25. A series of free concerts, held at various Toronto locations, feature top French and Francophone musical talent.
Location: Toronto
Details: check back for up-to-date information
Languages of programming and service: service in English and French; programming in French
Franco-Fête
Celebrating the diversity of Francophone culture—in Ontario and from around the world—this festival is held in downtown Toronto each summer. Founded in 1983, each year’s event has featured innovative and top talent among French-speaking and francophone music and recording artists.
Location: Toronto
Details: check back for up-to-date information
Languages of programming and service: service in English and French; programming in French
Bastille Day Celebration 2023
From perusing food markets to swaying to musical entertainment and watching dance performances, Toronto’s Bentway is the place to be for Bastille Day! The Celebration takes place on or around the date of Bastille Day (July 14), with French culture taking centre stage.
Location: Toronto
Details: check the City of Toronto’s website for up-to-date information
Languages of programming and service: service in English and French; programming in French
For more information about Francophone experiences in Ontario, Salut Canada offers lots of useful tips on things to do, places to see and routes to explore.
For more Franco-Ontarian activities to add to your itinerary, check out these articles:
Last updated: March 11, 2023