Francophone festivals and events
Festival Franco-Ontarien | Ottawa Tourism
Many exciting Francophone activities occur throughout the year—celebrations and shows, film festivals and screenings, art markets and food festivals.
However, there are two key dates on the Franco-Ontarian cultural calendar: Franco-Ontarian Day on September 25 and St. Jean Baptiste Day on June 24, an event long celebrated by French Canadians.
Here are some of the significant Francophonie festivals and events held in Ontario.
Ottawa Region
Festival franco-ontarien (Franco-Ontarian Festival)
This spectacular French music festival takes place annually at Major's Hill Park in Ottawa. Featuring Francophone artists from Ontario, Canada and abroad, the festival offers concerts, street art and family entertainment.
Location: Major’s Hill Park, Ottawa
Details: June 12 to 14, 2025
Southeastern Ontario
Festival de la Curd (St-Albert Curd Festival)
This annual festival takes place in St-Albert in late summer or in fall, bringing together Francophone musical artists to celebrate music and culture over the course of several days.
Location: St-Albert
Details: Fall 2025, exact date to be confirmed
Kawarthas and Northumberland
Westben concerts at the barn
The venue has three custom-designed outdoor venues ready to entertain you with the best of local, national and international music of all genres. Westben welcomes Francophone artists from Canada and around the world.
Located in the beautiful setting of Northumberland County, about two hours east of Toronto and four hours west of Montréal near Campbellford, Westben also hosts comedy events and take advantage of a venue where visitors can enjoy songs and stories while sitting around a campfire.
Location: 6698 County Road 30 North, Campbellford
Details: The annual outdoor concert season runs from July to September
Northeastern Ontario
La Nuit sur l’étang
This spring festival of song and music is organized by a non-profit organization that supports emerging artists in the music world and has contributed to the development of Franco-Ontarian culture and music since 1973.
Location: 10 Eyre Street South, Sudbury
Le French Fest, La Slague
A celebration of French culture for everyone, this event features music, stories, art and food.
Le French Fest takes place every September in Sudbury—the third-largest Francophone community in Canada outside of Quebec. The first edition of the festival, held in 2015, marked the 400th anniversary of the presence of Francophones in Ontario.
Location: Sudbury
Details: September 2025
Festival de la St-Jean (Festival of St. John the Baptist)
Held each year around June 24 to celebrate St. Jean Baptiste Day, the special holiday of French-Canadians, this music and comedy festival is considered “the largest St. Jean event in Ontario.” Celebrate Ontario’s Francophonie in one of Ontario’s Francophone communities, known for its warm welcome.
Location: Kapuskasing
Details: June 13 to 15, 2025
Bruce, Grey and Simcoe
Le Festival du loup
Celebrating everything French, this annual festival takes place in Lafontaine, near Wasaga Beach, on the third weekend of July.
The festival features stories, performances, a tractor parade and more family activities.
Location: Lafontaine (near Midland)
Details: July 19, 2025
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
FrancoFEST
The festival is the largest French cultural festival in Hamilton and the Niagara Peninsula. It features music by award-winning artists, food, circus performances, and family-friendly activities such as inflatable structures and a tug-of-war.
Many food trucks offer delicious meals on-site to satisfy your cravings. This festival, held every June at Gage Park in Hamilton, has something for everyone.
Location: Gage Park, Hamilton
Details: June 2025, exact dates coming soon
Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
Francophonie en Fête
Join Toronto’s annual celebration of Francophone diversity.
A series of concerts and cultural events are held at various Toronto locations and feature top French and Francophone talent.
Location: Toronto
Details: March 2025
Cinéfranco
The Cinéfranco Francophone International Film Festival takes place twice a year with a component for the general public in the fall and one for youth in the spring.
Cinéfranco brings together lovers of French-language film to enjoy its programming, featuring French-language films recognized at the largest international festivals, sometimes with the films’ directors in attendance.
Location: Toronto
Details: Cinéfranco offers programming for the general public in the fall and for youth in March.
Franco-Fête
Celebrating the plurality of Toronto’s Francophonie, this festival takes place every summer in downtown Toronto. Founded in 1983, the event features innovative, talented artists.
Location: Toronto
Details: check back for 2025 dates
For more information about Francophone experiences in Ontario and Canada, Salut Canada offers lots of useful tips on things to do, places to see and routes to explore.
Last updated: March 5, 2025