Jump to: Overview Hours Music Ribbers & Food Charity Essentials Getting There FAQ

🌡️ Rotary Club of Ajax 📅 June 5 – 7, 2026 📍 Ajax Downs, Ajax ❤️ Charity Fundraiser 👶 Family Friendly

Ajax Rotary Ribfest 2026

Ribfest is back in Ajax. From Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7, 2026, the grounds at Ajax Downs fill with the smell of slow-smoked BBQ for a three-day celebration of food, music, and community — all hosted by the Rotary Club of Ajax in support of local and international charities.

Expect award-winning ribbers, a deep roster of live bands and performers across all three days, and a wide spread of food vendors including halal options, blooming onions, donuts, and ice cream. Come hungry, leave happy — and know that your visit helps fund causes right here in the community.

🍖 Award-winning ribs 🎸 Live bands daily 🌕 Halal options 👙 Cultural fashion show 🎪 Dance performances 🛒 Market vendors

🍗 Official Website → 📍 Get Directions Donate to Rotary

❤️ This is a Rotary Club of Ajax fundraiser. Proceeds support local and international charities and community projects — the club has raised and donated over $1 million over more than 70 years.

🔥 What This Festival Is All About

The Ajax Rotary Ribfest is one of those summer weekends that does double duty — a genuinely good time, and a fundraiser that puts money back into the community. The idea is simple: a handful of touring BBQ pitmasters set up their smokers at Ajax Downs, and you wander between them sampling racks, pulled pork, and sticky-sauced everything.

But this one is more than just ribs. Across all three days there’s a packed stage of live bands, dance performances, and a cultural fashion show, plus a wide range of food vendors — including halal options, blooming onions, donuts, and ice cream — and a market section with face painting, crafts, and more.

What sets it apart is the why. The Rotary Club of Ajax has spent over 70 years supporting charities and community projects, and every visit to the festival helps fund that work. It’s a feast for the senses that also does some good.

🕐 Festival Hours

🎸 Music & Performances Lineup

Live bands, dancers, and a fashion show take the stage across all three days. Set times are subject to change.

🍗 The Ribbers & Food Vendors

The most-requested, award-winning ribbers are back to fire up the smokers:

Uncle Sams Billy Bones Camp 31 Boss Hogs Sneaky Petes Blazin BBQ

Not in the mood for ribs? There are 15+ food vendors and 15+ market vendors on-site too:

❤️ Eating for a Good Cause

This festival is run by the Rotary Club of Ajax, a club of committed volunteers that has supported local and international charities, non-profits, and community projects for over 70 years — raising and donating more than $1 million along the way.

Every rib you eat and every show you catch helps fund that work. If you’d like to give a little extra, donations go directly to the club’s community initiatives.

📍 The Essentials

💡 A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Go

👶 Bring the whole family. Between the ribs, the dance performances, the cultural fashion show, and the market vendors, there’s plenty to keep all ages happy across the weekend.

🌕 There’s something for everyone. Beyond BBQ, the food vendors include halal options, blooming onions, donuts, ice cream, and more — so picky eaters and dietary needs are covered.

🐶 Leave the dog at home. This is a no-pet event — only service dogs are permitted on the grounds.

🎸 Time your visit to the stage. Saturday has the fullest lineup — bands, Latin dancers, youth dance theatre, and two fashion show slots — so it’s the day to come if you want the most to see.

❤️ Feel good about the spend. Proceeds support the Rotary Club of Ajax’s charitable work, so a day of ribs and music also gives back to the community.

🚗 Getting There

The festival takes place at Ajax Downs, 50 Alexander’s Crossing, Ajax, ON L1Z 2E6 — just off Highway 401 in the north end of Ajax, with on-site parking at the venue.

📍 Open in Google Maps →

❓ Common Questions