Get Your Festival On in Burlington
Your Summer Starts Here
Easy to get to. Hard to leave.
This summer, Burlington is where the energy lives. From lakeside concerts and cultural parades to food truck feasts and family celebrations, every weekend brings something new. High-energy festivals spark the trip, then the city delivers everything else you didn’t expect but won’t forget.
Summer Festival Lineup
Mark your calendars, these marquee events are ready to steal the season:
Sound of Music Festival
June 12–15, 2025
Canada’s largest free outdoor music festival turns Burlington’s waterfront into a live music mecca. Multiple stages, big-name bands, indie favourites, and a downtown street festival make this a must for music lovers of all ages.
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Burlington Latino Festival
June 20–22, 2025
Experience the soul of Latin America in Sherwood Forest Park. This vibrant, family-friendly festival brings together folkloric dance, live music, community vendors, and mouth-watering cuisine.
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Multiculturalism Day
June 28, 2025
Celebrate the cultures that shape our region with music, dance, food, and family programming. A welcoming, inclusive event that brings people together through global traditions.
See Event DetailsCanada Day at Spencer Smith Park
July 1, 2025
Join thousands of residents and visitors for Burlington’s signature Canada Day celebration on the waterfront. The day includes live music, family-friendly activities, cultural showcases, food vendors, and a spectacular fireworks finale over Lake Ontario. It’s the perfect patriotic day out for all ages.
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Burlington Food Truck Festival
July 18–20, 2025
Get ready for three flavour-packed days on the waterfront! With 30 food trucks serving some of the best bites in the country, this is a summer weekend worth bringing your appetite to. Enjoy free kids’ games, cold local brews, and live performances from talented local artists. Bring your friends, bring your family, and bring your Burlington spirit.
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Looking for an affordable and convenient way to get to Burlington?
Skip the traffic, sit back, relax and enjoy the FREE WiFi on GO Transit. And there are lots of ways to save on your travel — from the One Day Weekend pass to Weekday Group Passes, and kids 12 and under always ride for FREE.
Halton Emancipation Celebration
August 1-2, 2025
Join the Halton Black History Awareness Society for two powerful days of reflection, culture, and community. It begins with the Emancipation Month Kick-off Gala at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre on Friday, August 1—an evening of celebration and fundraising from 8 to 11 p.m.
Then on Saturday, August 2, head to Spencer Smith Park for the Halton Emancipation Celebration Festival, running 1 to 11 p.m. This family-friendly event honours Black freedom and history through live music, food vendors, spoken word, and cultural programming. Burlington is proud to be the first city in the world to officially proclaim August as Emancipation Month.
Bring a lawn chair and enjoy a day of reflection, joy, and togetherness by the lake.
See Event DetailsLakeside À La Carte
August 10, 2025
Sip and savour your way through one of Burlington’s most elegant culinary events. Hosted at Spencer Smith Park, this fundraiser for Joseph Brant Hospital features gourmet tastings, premium wines, and live entertainment from the region’s top chefs, restaurants, and beverage producers.
This is a ticketed event.
Burlington VegFest
August 16, 2025
A celebration of plant-based living and sustainability, VegFest features delicious vegan food, eco-conscious products, live music, and family-friendly programming. Whether you’re vegan-curious or already plant-powered, this inclusive festival is packed with good vibes, good eats, and great people.
See Event DetailsBurlington Latin Festival
August 23–24, 2025
Central Park comes alive with the sounds of salsa, reggaetón, and merengue at this high-energy street festival. Dance in the open air, sample authentic Latin cuisine, and experience performances that highlight the cultural richness of the Latin diaspora. It’s a can’t-miss summer weekend.
See Event DetailsCanada’s Largest Ribfest
August 29–September 1, 2025
This Labour Day tradition serves up smoky BBQ from award-winning pitmasters across North America. With live music, a family fun zone, a vendor marketplace, and cold drinks by the lake, Ribfest is a deliciously messy, and unforgettably fun, way to cap off the summer.
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More Than One Moment
Build your summer story. Burlington is full of experiences that turn a festival trip into a full-on getaway. Check them out below!
Ready to Start Planning?
Download the 2025/26 Burlington Visitor Guide for travel tips, maps, itineraries, and more!
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