Be Here in 2024: Summertime Happenings You Won't Want to Miss

Festival season is on in 2024 and we are pumped at all the festivals and events planned for this summer! Think live waterfront music, arts festivals, outdoor events, and even a stampede thrown in just for fun. There is so much happening in Ontario's Highlands!

Whatever your plans are this summer, use this as your list for where to be and when in summer 2024, and avoid the FOMO this year.

Culture Connect - Summer Edition

When: June 15 - 30, 2024
Where: Various Locations

Celebrate culture in Ontario's Highlands during the 3rd annual Culture Connect. This event was created by the Local Immigration Partnership and is an opportunity to celebrate beauty in diversity and the importance of culture. A range of events take place throughout the event period - check the website for more details. 

Tickets: These events are FREE!

Waterfront Live! – Pembroke

When: June 17 to August 31, 2024
Where: Riverwalk Amphitheatre, Pembroke

Just like the name implies, this event is a chance to watch live music at the waterfront in the heart of the Ottawa Valley, in Pembroke. Nightly music beneath the stars on a warm summer night, what could beat that? Performances run between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Tickets: These performances are FREE!

Ottawa Paddle Fest - Foresters Falls

When: June 21 - 23, 2024
Where: OWL Rafting, Foresters Falls

Head to the ultimate in whitewater destinations, OWL Rafting on the Ottawa River to celebrate the river itself during this three-day event. Expect live music, vendor marketplace, access to the paddling film festival and a sstory pannel with Ottawa River experts. Bring your tent and camp right at OWL resort and access their resort amenities. This one is fun for the whole family. 

Ottawa Valley PaddleFest - Arnprior

When: June 22, 2024
Where: McLean Avenue Beach, Arnprior

Water lovers, this one is for you! Get ready to splash and play in the Ottawa River at the second annual PaddleFest. Take part in a river paddle, challenge a friend in the water bike race, or stretch and unwind with beach yoga. This event is all about the water, and is accompanied by live music on the beach to keep you grooving. 

Stewart Park Festival - Perth

When: July 19 - 21, 2024
Where: Stewart Park, Perth

For more than 30 years the Stewart Park Festival has been the destination for families, couples, and solo adventurers to experience a smaller scale Woodstock-esque, free, musical outdoor event. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and a cooler with a picnic lunch or snacks and park yourself in beautiful Stewart Park in downtown Perth for three days of music, dancing, and fun.

Haliburton Art & Craft Festival  - Haliburton

When: July 26 - 28, 2024
Where: Rail’s End Gallery, Haliburton

Browse the art of more than 100 artists in this juried show adjacent to beautiful Head Lake Park in the heart of Haliburton. More than simply an art show, you can expect to see buskers and watch art demos, sample craft beer, and more.

Insider's Tip:

For more concerts, musicals, and dramatic performances, visit one of Tweed & Co.'s three locations in Ontario's Highlands. There are performances running from June to December 2024 in Tweed & Bancroft. 

Puppets Up! - Almonte

When: August 9 - 11, 2024
Where: Downtown Almonte

Head to Almonte August 9 to 11, 2024 for a full weekend exploring the fascinating world of puppetry! Sign up for a workshop, browse the vendors, or just marvel as puppets come to life in the friendly town of Almonte. You won’t find an event quite like this anywhere else.

Wilberforce Fair - Wilberforce

When: August 9 - 10, 2024
Where: Wilberforce, Ontario

Called "the biggest little fair around," this event is not quite a festival, but we couldn’t resist including it in our list. If you’re looking for a small town event that is overflowing with community spirit and that hometown feel, this fair is it. Get ready for children’s activities, the horse and pony pull and the nail driving competition, and a full day of old fashioned fun that will take you back to yesteryear.

Summerdaze Music Festival - Pembroke

When: August 9 - 10, 2024
Where: Pembroke, Ontario

Be in Pembroke for the fifth annual Whitewater Rocks festival, with two days of music featuring 16 bands. Get a weekend pass or day pass and rock the day away in the whitewater region of the Ottawa Valley.

Water and Dirt Festival - Renfrew County

When: August 9 - 18, 2024
Where: Various locations throughout Renfrew County

If you love cycling, running, paddling, and swimming, this event really does have it all. Back again in 2024, you can explore the Ottawa Valley’s roads, trails, and parks in the “Dirt” side of the event, and still be able to splash it out with the fishing and paddling portion in the “Water” side of the event.

Music at the Gardens - Haliburton

When: August 11-13, 2023
Where: Abbey Gardens, Haliburton

Choose the day you’d like to visit or visit them all! This event is an outdoor musical experience under a marquee tent at Abbey Gardens.  Some performances include a seated dinner outdoors.

Tickets: Range in price, depending on the performers, and are available from the website. Book a weekend pass to save.

Tweed Stampede - Tweed

When: August 30 - September 1, 2024
Where: Trudeau Park, Tweed

Did you know that there are stampedes in this part of Canada? The Tweed Stampede and Jamboree offers the chance to experience something brand new with those who matter most. Immerse yourselves in unforgettable events like bronco riding, and experience the thrill of trucks trying to pull heavy equipment.  This festival wouldn’t be complete without the rhythms of country music to complete the experience!

Tickets: Get a weekend pass or book a campsite here.

Cavestock Concert Series - Eganville

When: Aug. 22 and 29, 2024
Where: Bonnechere Caves, Eganville

The Bonnechere Caves are once again hosting their popular live music series featuring Classic Rock and Roll Singalong on Aug. 22 and Local Ladies Who Rock on the Rock on Aug. 29. Both shows begin at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets: Tickets are $10 and available at the door.