Northern Saskatchewan International Children's Festival

Northern Saskatchewan International Children's Festival is held in early June on the shore of the South Saskatchewan River in Kiwanis Park, down town, Saskatoon. Talented children's performers from around the world are mainstage at the The Saskatoon Children's Festival such as Al Simmons, Pied Pumkin, Michel Lauziere, Sharon Hampson and Bram Morrison. Across Canada there are similar festivals such as those nearby namely the Winnipeg International Children's Festival, Regina International Children's, Northern Alberta Int'l Children's Festival, Calgary Int'l Children's Festival. Tickets are purchased for the mainstage events. The festival provides crafts, parades, face painting and many other varied site activities in the park for festival attendees. The festival is manned primarily by volunteers, and funded by community sponsors.

Winnipeg International Children's Festival

The Winnipeg International Children's Festival is a children's festival in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It was founded by Bill Merritt, Mitch Podolak and Gord Osland in 1983 and was held at Assiniboine Park for many years before moving to The Forks. It is held every June. The festival is made up of 30 acts, held over four days, for a total of approximately 120 performances.

An offshoot of the Vancouver International Children s Festival, it was well led artistically by Gord Osland for many years. Currently its well led by Neil Remple who has led the festival in new directions including an annual circus school in Winnipeg High Schools. The festival is a mainstay of Winnipeg's cultural scene.

FunnyFest Calgary Comedy Festival ( Calgary )

FunnyFest Calgary Comedy Festival, founded & produced by Stu Hughes, was conceived as a way to spread the gift of laughter by showcasing a world of hilarious COMEDY PERFORMERS. FUNNYFEST is a truly original comedy celebration with every show and theme pushing the envelope with belly laughs! Everyone loves to laugh ... Yet we all seem too busy to take laughter seriously ... So now it time for some serous funny with at least 6 performers per show from around the globe! FunnyFest actively promotes mental & physical well-being through a number of unique comedy offerings, delivered by some of the finest comedy minds of the World. FunnyFest will leave a memorable and successful impression with you.

FunnyFest offers over 11000 punchlines, 11 days & nights of comedy, 70 performers, and 20 themes. FunnyFest does it all -- from high brow to low brow and everything in between! FunnyFest is a non-profit organization produced entirely by volunteers and offers MUCH MORE than it takes from the community.

Just for Laughs ( Montreal )

Just for Laughs (in French Juste pour rire) is a comedy festival held each July in Montreal, Quebec. It is the largest festival of its kind in the world. It was founded in 1983 by Gilbert Rozon as a two-day Francophone event. In 1985, Andy Nulman joined the festival's staff and introduced Anglophone events as well; under Nulman's stewardship, the festival increased to a full month, with French-speaking performers during the first half, and English speakers in the second half. International and non-verbal acts (acrobats, pantomimes, etc.) are scattered throughout the program.

Winnipeg Comedy Festival ( Winnipeg )

The Winnipeg Comedy Festival is an annual comedy festival, held in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Created by the Osborne Village Cultural Centre in collaboration with CBC Radio, performances from the festival are also broadcast as a radio series on CBC Radio One and as a television series on The Comedy Network.

Calgary Stampede ( Calgary, Alberta )

The Calgary Stampede, which bills itself as The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, is a large festival, exhibition, and rodeo held in Calgary, Alberta for 10 days every summer from early to mid-July, attracting more than 1.2 million visitors. It is one of Canada's largest annual events, and the world's largest outdoor rodeo. It features an internationally recognized rodeo competition, a midway, stage shows, concerts, agricultural competitions, Chuckwagon races, First Nations exhibitions, and pancake breakfasts around the city, among other attractions. In 2006, record-breaking attendance at the 10-day rodeo and exhibition totalled 1,262,518. The Calgary Stampede Rodeo Committee was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2008. The Stampede Parade which occurs on opening day, is one of the festival's oldest and largest traditions. It is led by the Calgary Stampede Showband and follows a 4.5 km route in downtown Calgary. Attendance at the parade is usually about 350,000. During Stampede Week, the city is flooded with tourists who join locals in the spirited atmosphere by dressing in western attire. A large number of businesses decorate their stores and offices in western style, usually starting in June and remaining to after the Stampede ends.

Caribana Festival (Canada) ( Toronto, Ontario )

Caribana is a festival of Caribbean culture and traditions held each summer in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Annually Caribana draws hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the globe to Toronto's lakeshore. Caribana is a Caribbean Carnival event, that has been billed as North America's largest street festival, frequented by over 1.3 million visitors each year for the festival's final parade.

The entire Caribana event, which is one of the first Caribbean Carnivals along with those in New York City, Notting Hill and Boston to be held outside of the Caribbean region, brings in over one million people to the shores of Toronto pumping an estimated $250 million into the local economy.

Festival du Voyageur ( St. Boniface, Manitoba )

The Festival du Voyageur (literally translated as Festival of the Traveller) is an annual 10-day winter festival which takes place in St. Boniface, Manitoba, Canada during February. "Voyageur" refers to those who worked for a fur trading company and usually travelled by canoe.

This event is held in Winnipeg's French Quarter, Saint-Boniface and is Western Canada's largest winter festival. The event celebrates Canada's fur trading past and her unique French heritage and culture through entertainment, arts and crafts, music, exhibits and displays.

Festival western de Saint-Tite ( Saint-Tite, Quebec )

The Festival western de Saint-Tite is an annual event held in September, in Saint-Tite, Quebec. It developed from a rodeo inaugurated in 1967 to promote the leather industry. It hosts a major rodeo competition, along with other cultural events.

Voted the "Best Outdoor Rodeo in North America" since 1999. 2008 is 41st edition of this festival, which attracts over 450,000 visitors every year for 10 days.

Events include professional rodeos, country music and dancing.

Folklorama ( Winnipeg, Manitoba )

Folklorama is an event that runs for two weeks each August in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Folklorama is the largest and longest-running festival of its kind in the world (acknowledged by the International Council of Organizations for Folklore Festivals and Folk Art, also known as CIOFF). Visitors to the festival are invited to sample exotic cuisine and celebrate the cultural and ethnic heritage of people from dozens of countries who have made Winnipeg their home. Typically there are 40 to 45 pavilions presented, with half operating in week one and half in week two of the festival. Each country has an assigned venue, known as a pavilion. These pavilions are located throughout the city. Each pavilion presents a show featuring the song and dance of their culture, along with trademark ethnic cuisine and a cultural display. Many pavilions provide additional interactive components, such as having henna tattoos applied, or sell souvenirs and crafts to take home. Most pavilions also provide imported alcohol from their feature country. Folklorama provides exposure to cultural groups and brings in thousands of tourists each year, adding to the city's economy. The Folk Arts Council of Winnipeg is the organizing body of Folklorama.

Friendship Festival ( Fort Erie, Ontario )

The Friendship Festival is an annual celebration of the bond between Canada and the United States. This event is held in Fort Erie, Ontario and Buffalo, New York, which are connected by the Peace Bridge. The festival began in 1987 and is held from June 29 to July 4. These dates encompass Canada Day (July 1) and Independence Day (July 4). The festival also marks the nearly 200 year state of official peace between the two neighbors since the end of the War of 1812.

The festival features a several free concerts each year. It includes rides, vendors, beer gardens, complimentary breakfast each morning, exotic animal displays and much more. The 2007 Friendship Festival featured an Aerosmith cover band, and was a free event. For 2008, Theory of a Deadman played.

Festival of Northern Lights ( Owen Sound, Ontario )

The Festival of Northern Lights is a large award winning display of Christmas lights in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada.

The Festival runs from mid November well into January each year. It consists of more than 350 lighted displays and approximately 15 miles (24 km) of light strings displayed over several miles of city streets and parks. It has been named one of the top 100 festivals in Ontario for 2009 by Festivals and Events Ontario, an industry organization.

In its 21st year in 2008 it was gradually converted to LED lights from traditional incandescent lights out of respect for the environment. This also reduced the operating costs allowing the festival operators to expand the size of the festival.

Quebec Winter Carnival ( Quebec City, Quebec )

The Quebec Winter Carnival (or Carnaval de Québec) is an annual winter carnival that takes place in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The festival typically starts on the first Friday of January (or Jan. 6th) and continues for 17 days, coinciding with Mardi Gras celebrations in other regions of the world. With close to one million participants, it has grown to become the largest winter celebration in the world.

Canadian National Exhibition ( Toronto, Ontario )

Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), aka The Ex, is an annual event held at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The CNE grew out of an annual late summer fair at a time when Toronto was the centre of a farming community. It is Canada's largest fair and the fourth largest in North America, with an average annual attendance of 1.3 million.

Ottawa SuperEX ( Ottawa, Ontario )

Ottawa SuperEX (officially the Central Canada Exhibition) is an eleven-day annual exhibition that takes places every August at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The exhibition provides exhibits, entertainment and amusements indoors in the buildings on site and outdoors on the grounds. The Central Canada Exhibition Association has operated a fair annually since 1888, except during World War II.

Pacific National Exhibition ( Vancouver, British Columbia )

The Pacific National Exhibition is an non profit organization which hosts an annual 17 day summer fair in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It usually begins in mid-to-late August, and ends in early September, usually Labour Day.

Red River Exhibition ( Winnipeg, Manitoba )

The Red River Exhibition (or the Ex for short) is a mobile amusement fair hosted every summer, usually in late June, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, at the Assiniboia Downs race tracks. The park is operated by the Red River Exhibition Association, a not-for-profit organization.

The Ex was started in 1952 at the Osborne Stadium/Amphitheatre complex near the Manitoba Legislative Building. It later moved to the Polo Park Race Track and then to the Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg Arena, and Winnipeg Velodrome facilities.

Prairieland Park ( Saskatoon, Saskatchewan )

Prairieland Park is an events centre in the south-eastern portion of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The park is located in the Exhibition neighborhood of Saskatoon. Each year the park hosts an annual Saskatoon Exhibition called "The Ex". During the remainder of the year most of the park venues are rented out to special events. Some events held are Western Canadian Crop Production Show, Saskathewan indemand trade show, Saskatoon Fall Fair cattle show and sale, Pet Expo, Chuckwagon Racing, and the Prairieland Junior Ag Showcase. The park also host Marquis Downs and the Saskatchewan Western Development Museum.

Atlantic Film Festival ( Halifax, Nova Scotia )

The Atlantic Film Festival is an international film festival held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Held annually, the ten-day celebration of film and video from Canada's Atlantic Provinces and around the world is committed to screening an inspiring and engaging collection of films and videos from Canada and the world. The AFF is now considered one of the top film festivals in Canada.

As the regional film and television industry continues to flourish, the Atlantic Film Festival plays a strategic role as the leading forum for film and video in Atlantic Canada. Internationally, the Festival continues to develop its status as a gateway to the North American market. The Inspired Series is a presentation of panels, discussions, master class, keynote addresses, luncheons and one-on-one meeting opportunities.

Calgary International Film Festival ( Calgary, Alberta )

The Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is a film festival held annually in Calgary, Alberta, Canada for ten days in late September and early October. The film festival is a relatively new addition to Calgary's cultural scene and the first one was held in 2000.

The film festival shows works from around the world, and generally screens films in a wide variety of genres. It is partially held in The Uptown Stage & Screen Cinema, located on 8th Avenue and 5th Streen S.W.

Edmonton International Film Festival ( Edmonton, Alberta )

The Edmonton International Film Festival (EIFF) is a nine-day film festival in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, hosted by the Garneau Theatre.

Silver Wave Film Festival ( Fredericton, New Brunswick )

The NB Silver Wave Film Festival (SWFF) screens feature films, documentaries and short films shot in the province and produced by New Brunswick filmmakers. It also showcases some of the best film and videos from Canada and around the world.

By infusing a warm glow and setting the town abuzz, the Silver Wave Film Festival is a grand celebration of New Brunswick's growing presence in the world of film and television entertainment.

Toronto International Film Festival ( Toronto, Ontario )

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is a publicly-attended film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario. The festival begins the Thursday night after Labour Day (the first Monday in September, in Canada) and lasts for ten days. Between 300-400 films are screened at approximately 23 screens in downtown Toronto venues. Annual attendance at TIFF exceeds 300,000 from public and industry audiences. In terms of prestige, it is regularly ranked in the top five alongside Cannes, Berlin, Venice and Sundance.

Calgary Fringe Festival ( Calgary, Alberta )

The Calgary Fringe Festival is an annual fringe theatre festival in Calgary, Alberta.

Edmonton Fringe Festival ( Edmonton, Alberta )

The Edmonton Fringe Festival is an annual event held every August in Edmonton, Alberta in Canada. It was established by director Brian Paisley in 1982 as the first "fringe festival" in North America, on the model of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It is currently the largest Fringe Festival in Canada based on ticket sales. The emphasis is on theatre, but performances can and do feature almost every form of art and entertainment. The festival itself takes place in Old Strathcona which has a number of permanent theatres (the Walterdale Playhouse, the Transalta Arts Barns, the Varscona Theatre, Catalyst Theatre, etc.) and a number of other venues (Acacia Hall, King Edward Academy etc.) which are converted into temporary theatres to host events. During the festival, the streets and alleys of the neighborhood are also filled with street performers and masked or costumed actors promoting their plays. Performers such as magician Ron Pearson, Rapid Fire Theatre, Die-Nasty, Teatro la Quindicina, Panties Productions, Mump and Smoot, The Wombats, Ribbit Productions, Nickoli, Ryan Stock of Insane Entertainment, Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie and Tim Waterson have appeared at the festival regularly. More than 1,500 performers take part in the festival each year. In 2009, 92,279 tickets were sold to indoor shows, and over 550,000 people visited the festival site.

Saskatoon Fringe Theatre Festival ( Saskatoon, Saskatchewan )

The Saskatoon Fringe Theatre Festival is an annual fringe theatre festival in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. A fringe festival is not censored, and not juried, and provides live theatre inexpensively, and musical forums as well as buskers. The Saskatoon Fringe Festival performs along Broadway avenue in the Nutana neighborhood and in neighboring venues. The festival is a major tourism destination.

Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival ( Winnipeg, Manitoba )

The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival is an annual alternative theatre festival held in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is the currently the second-largest North American festival of its kind, and since 2003, has been the longest at twelve days (except in 2005, when it reverted to 11 to avoid a conflict with the Winnipeg Folk Festival), and it is common for a small number of shows to be held over past the festival's official end date. The most recent Winnipeg Fringe ran from July 15 to 26, 2009.

Shaw Festival ( Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario )

The Shaw Festival is a major Canadian theatre festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, the second largest repertory theatre company in North America. Founded in 1962, its original mandate was to stimulate interest in George Bernard Shaw and his period, and to advance the development of theatre arts in Canada.

Stratford Shakespeare Festival ( Stratford, Ontario )

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival (formerly known as the Stratford Festival of Canada) is an annual celebration of theatre running from April to November in the Canadian city of Stratford, Ontario. Theatre-goers, actors, and playwrights flock to Stratford to take part — many of the greatest American and Canadian actors play roles at Stratford. It was one of the first and is still one of the most prominent arts festivals in Canada.