More than 3 million people are expected to turn out for the combined celebrations of World Pride and the annual Toronto Pride festival. The events take place in the last two weeks of June. (Julia Pelish/Vacay.ca)
Story by Vacay.ca Staff
There are several festivals taking place across Canada this month. It’s a particularly good time with several music festivals happening coast to coast, including North By Northeast (NXNE) and TD Toronto Jazz Festival in Ontario and Amnesia Rockfest 2014 in Montebello, Quebec. Other interesting, if not a little off-the-wall festivals in June include the Drumheller Dino Fest and Star Trek-inspired Spock Days in Vulcan, Alberta.
But the big one to look forward to is World Pride in Toronto, when visitors from around the globe descend on Canada’s largest city to celebrate gay pride. The WorldPride Human Rights Conference, and several events including Pride Parade, The Village Streetfair, and the Annual Pride and Remembrance Run, are a few of the coinciding events taking place in Toronto.
Our big three festivals for this month:
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GOLD: World Pride, 2014, Toronto, ON
SILVER: Drumheller Dino Fest, Drumheller, AB
BRONZE: Amnesia Rockfest 2014, Montebello, QC
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Here is Vacay.ca’s list of the top festivals across the country for June, including our Editors Picks:
MUSIC JUNKIES
Field Trip 2014
Toronto, ON
Dates: June 7-8
Several great artists, including A Tribe Called Red, Gord Downie, Kevin Drew and Washed Out, perform.
EDITORS’ PICK!!! Amnesia Rockfest 2014
Montebello, QC
Dates: 20-21
Lineup includes Mötley Crüe, Megadeth and Canadian Billy Talent.
Sooke River Bluegrass Festival
Sooke River, BC
Dates: 13-15
Family-friendly event featuring a range of local acoustic talent, food vendors and music seminars.
EDITORS’ PICK!!! North By Northeast (NXNE) 2014
Toronto, ON
Dates: 13-22
An event that rarely disappoints. Outstanding music artists, film, comedy and art.
Sled Island 2014
Calgary, AB
Dates: 18-22
Neko Case, Dan Deacon, Rhye and Chelsea Wolfe. This lineup will have you hopping all weekend long.
Digital Dreams 2014
Toronto, ON
Dates: 28-29
Artists include Tiesto, Justice, Deep Dish and Luciano.
Tall Tree Music Festival 2014
Port Renfrew, BC
Dates: 27-29
The Dudes, Pickwick, Jon and Roy, Bear Mountain, and Lini Ortega are on stage.
Dauphin’s Countryfest 2014
Dauphin, MB
Dates: 26-29
Performances by Blake Shelton, Jordon McIntosh, Aaron Pritchett and Lee Brice.
Escapade 2014
Ottawa, ON
Dates: June 28- July 1, 2014
Artists include Alvin Risk, Bengold, Carnage, Dannic and Kaskade.
ALL THAT JAZZ
EDITORS’ PICK!!! TD Toronto Jazz Festival
Toronto, ON
Dates: 19-28
Check out some of these heavy hitters: Chaka Khan, David Clayton, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Keith Jarrett, Melissa Etheridge and Deborah Cox.
Edmonton International Jazz Fest
Edmonton, AB
Dates: 20- 29
The Edmonton Jazz Festival Society celebrates local and international musicians.
Medicine Hat JazzFest
Medicine Hat, AB
Dates: 22- 29
Arturo Sandoval, Benedikt Hahnel Trio, Brandi Disterheft and Joel Miller will be in Medicine Hat for the Jazz Fest.
LIGHTS, CAMERA … ACTION!
Toronto Beaches Film Festival
Toronto, ON
Dates: 27-28
“The Walk”, “Messages of Hope” and “Wisdom to Survive Climate Change, Capitalism & Community” are three of the wonderful films on display.
BRING YOUR APPETITE
Taste of Little Italy
Toronto, ON
Dates: 13-15
Come out and explore one of Toronto’s most colourful neighbourhoods. Music and great food, fun for the whole family.
Beach, BBQ & Brews
Toronto, ON
Dates: 13-15
An annual festival taking place on Father’s Day weekend at Woodbine Park. BBQ competitions.
EDITORS’ PICK!!! Toronto Ribfest
Toronto, ON
Dates: Jun 28-Jul 1
If you’re a meat-a-tarian, you’ve come to the right place. Ribs served until you drop. Entertainment includes Marshall Dane, Jay Douglas and the Climax Jazz Band.
CELEBRATING LIFE, LAUGHTER AND LOVE
Mississauga Waterfront Festival
Mississauga, ON
Dates: 13-15
If you’re a meatasaurus, you’ve come to the right place. Ribs served until you drop. Entertainment includes Marshall Dane, Jay Douglas and the Climax Jazz Band.
EDITORS’ PICK!!! World Pride, 2014
Toronto, ON
Dates: 20-29
The world is coming to Toronto to celebrate gay pride. It’s the first time the event is held in North America and coincides with Pride Toronto, which exists to celebrate the history, courage, diversity and future of Toronto’s LGBT community.
Luminato Festival
Toronto, ON
Dates: 6-15
This annual celebration of the arts features music, dance, theatre, visual and performance art in venues throughout the city.
EDITORS’ PICK!!! Drumheller Dino Fest
Drumheller, AB
Dates: 13-15
Most towns like to celebrate their history, but Drumheller is really taking a look back with Dino Fest. The weekend is full of pre-historic themed events around town including special programming at the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
BEAM ME UP…
Spock Days
Vulcan, AB
Dates: 13-15
The official Star Trek Capital of Canada is your chance to enjoy a spaced-out weekend with the whole family. This year, Chase Masterson (“Leeta” of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) and Nana Visitor (Kira Nerys of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) will make the trip to Vulcan.
