Whitby Ribfest PLUS 2026: Ribs, Rock, and a Whole Lot of Smoke
Three days of competition BBQ and live music at Victoria Fields, with The Trews headlining Friday night
Dates
Jul 10–12
Cost
Free entry*
Where
Whitby, ON
Kids
Friendly
Award-winning rib teams, three stages of live music, and a Kidfest area take over Victoria Fields for the Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise’s biggest fundraiser of the year — with The Trews playing a ticketed Friday night show and Saturday and Sunday wide open to everyone, free.
🍖 Competition ribbers
🎸 Live music all weekend
👨👩👧 Kidfest
🎟️ Trews concert (Fri, ticketed)
💡 *Saturday and Sunday are 100% free, and so is the Friday Public Rib Zone. The only thing that costs money is a ticket into the fenced Concert Zone to see The Trews on Friday night.
✨ Why Whitby Ribfest Is Worth a Visit
Whitby Ribfest PLUS has grown into one of the largest single events in town, and it’s run almost entirely to raise money for the Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise’s local and international community work. Every donation at the gate and every rack of ribs sold goes back into that cause.
This year’s headliner is a genuine draw: The Trews, one of Canada’s most recognizable rock bands, plays a special ticketed show Friday night called “A Concert for Our Community,” with Feral Minks, HIGHTEENS, Bad Thieves, and Wep opening. If a concert ticket isn’t your thing, the Public Rib Zone runs the same night with its own entrance, its own food and vendors, and zero cost to get in.
Saturday and Sunday flip the format — no fences, no tickets, just the full Ribfest experience. Competition BBQ teams smoke ribs all weekend, free live music runs from late morning into the evening on both days, and Kidfest keeps the younger crowd entertained with everything from a touch-a-truck to a Reptilia Zoo visit.
🎸 Live Music Schedule
Three days, three headliners, and a long list of local and touring acts in between.
Friday, July 10 — Concert Zone (Ticketed, $49)
4:00 — Gates open
4:30 — Wep
5:30 — The Bad Thieves
6:45 — HIGHTEENS
8:00 — Feral Minks
9:30 — The Trews
4:30 — Wep
5:30 — The Bad Thieves
6:45 — HIGHTEENS
8:00 — Feral Minks
9:30 — The Trews
Saturday, July 11 — Free
11:00 — Vinyl Avenue
12:10 — Brock Street Boys
2:00 — Brassquatch Brass Band
3:20 — Rhythm Revue
5:10 — Recovery Mode
7:00 — Opening Ceremonies
7:10 — Highland Creek Pipe Band
8:30 — Two For The Show
12:10 — Brock Street Boys
2:00 — Brassquatch Brass Band
3:20 — Rhythm Revue
5:10 — Recovery Mode
7:00 — Opening Ceremonies
7:10 — Highland Creek Pipe Band
8:30 — Two For The Show
Sunday, July 12 — Free
11:00 — B.E.N.T.
12:20 — Andy Colonico
1:40 — Bedford Bells
3:15 — Jana Leduc
4:50 — Tyler Lorrette
6:20 — Closing Ceremonies
6:30 — The Prairie States
12:20 — Andy Colonico
1:40 — Bedford Bells
3:15 — Jana Leduc
4:50 — Tyler Lorrette
6:20 — Closing Ceremonies
6:30 — The Prairie States
🍖 Meet the Ribbers
Award-winning competition BBQ teams set up smokers all weekend, and visitors get to vote for their favourite. Confirmed so far:
Billy Bones BBQ
Camp 31
Bibbs BBQ
More ribbers — including Big Texas BBQ, Blazin’ BBQ, and Jack the Ribber — are expected to join the lineup, with full details to be confirmed closer to the event.
📋 Essentials
Hours
Friday: 12pm–11pm · Saturday: 11am–11pm · Sunday: 11am–8pm
Trews Concert Tickets
$49 for access to the fenced Concert Zone Friday night. The Public Rib Zone next door is free and needs no ticket.
Food
Pork and beef ribs, chicken, hot dogs, burgers, Mexican food, corn, fries, fried onions, donuts, funnel cakes, popcorn, and ice cream. Some vegetarian options like corn are available. There’s an ATM on site, but bring cash since some vendors are cash-only.
Accessibility
The site is flat parkland with no stairs required, and some washroom facilities are accessible. A dedicated accessible parking and drop-off lot sits just north of the grounds, permit only.
Weather Policy
Rain or shine — the festival runs regardless of weather.
Best For
BBQ lovers · families · classic rock fans · Durham Region locals · weekend day-trippers
👨👩👧 Kidfest
Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12, noon to 5pm — a dedicated, free area for younger kids tucked into the Ribfest grounds.
🚛 Touch-a-Truck
🦎 Reptilia Zoo
🎈 Air Bounce Adventures
🎨 Kids Art Tent
🎨 DIY Hot Air Balloon Craft
🧘 Sensory-Friendly Zen Den
👶 Baby Tent
🐷 Keep an eye out for Riblet, the festival’s mascot, making the rounds all weekend. Children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult.
🚗 Getting There & Parking
Victoria Fields sits south of Victoria Street, between Gordon Street and Watson Street, directly across from the Abilities Centre and just south of the Iroquois Park Sports Centre. It’s an easy walk, bike, or transit ride for most of Whitby.
Free parking: Available at the Whitby GO Station and at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre arena lot, both an easy walk from the gate.
Accessible parking: A small lot directly north of the Ribfest grounds is reserved for accessible permit holders and drop-off/pick-up. The Watson and Victoria soccer field lots are off-limits for festival parking.
📍 Get Directions to Victoria Fields
💡 A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Go
🎟️ Decide on the Trews concert ahead of time. The Concert Zone and Public Rib Zone are separate, with separate entrances — if you want the show, grab a ticket in advance rather than hoping for door sales.
💸 Bring cash. Some food and marketplace vendors are cash-only, though there’s an ATM on site if you forget.
🅿️ Park at the GO Station or Iroquois arena. These are the official lots — the soccer field lots on Watson and Victoria are reserved and off-limits to festival visitors.
🚦 Use the crosswalk at Henry & Victoria. It’s a busy stretch of road — no jaywalking, even if the lot looks close.
🌦️ Dress for the weather, whatever it is. It’s a rain-or-shine event, so a hat for sun or a poncho for rain isn’t a bad idea either way.
❓ Common Questions
Details may change — always confirm on the official Whitby Ribfest website before heading out.
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