Festivals in the Kawarthas & Eastern Ontario
One of Canada’s longest-running free concert series, world-class buskers in a limestone city, wine country in Prince Edward County and by-donation music in a heritage park. From Peterborough to the Thousand Islands, here’s how to find your weekend.
The region at a glance
Stretching from the Kawartha Lakes down to the St. Lawrence, this region blends easygoing lake-town summers with a genuinely strong festival calendar. Peterborough anchors the west with Musicfest, one of the longest-running free-admission concert series in the country, drawing big names to Little Lake all summer. To the east, Kingston balances history with fun — its Buskers Rendezvous fills the waterfront with street performers, and the Limestone City Blues Festival turns downtown into an open-air stage.
In between and beyond, the region leans into food, wine and heritage. Prince Edward County has become one of Ontario’s marquee wine and culinary destinations, Perth pairs the by-donation Stewart Park Festival with a much-loved Garlic Festival, and waterfront towns like Cobourg and Belleville throw big lakeside celebrations. VIA Rail’s corridor makes the St. Lawrence cities easy, though the County and the Kawarthas reward a car.
Festivals by type
Six threads run through the Kawarthas & Eastern Ontario calendar — here’s where to start.
Free Music Festivals
The region’s calling card. Peterborough Musicfest and Perth’s by-donation Stewart Park Festival pack in big acts at no charge.
Buskers & Street Arts
The Kingston Buskers Rendezvous and the community-run Skeleton Park Arts Festival bring the streets to life.
Wine, Food & Harvest
Prince Edward County wine and culinary events and the Perth Garlic Festival lead the region’s food scene.
Waterfront & Lakeside
The Cobourg Waterfront Festival, Belleville Waterfront & Ethnic Festival and Kawartha lake-town celebrations.
Blues & Live Music
The Limestone City Blues Festival in Kingston, the Peterborough Folk Festival and summer ribfests across the region.
Heritage & Country Fairs
The historic Williamstown Fair, the Lindsay Central Exhibition and Perth’s spring Festival of the Maples.
Where to go across the region
From cottage lakes to St. Lawrence river towns, each area has its own festival character.
| Area / City | Known for | Signature festivals |
|---|---|---|
| Peterborough | Free waterfront concerts | Peterborough Musicfest, Folk Festival |
| Kawartha Lakes (Lindsay/Bobcaygeon) | Cottage & fair country | Lindsay Central Exhibition |
| Kingston | Buskers & blues | Kingston Buskers Rendezvous, Limestone City Blues |
| Prince Edward County | Wine & food | County wine & culinary events |
| Belleville & Quinte | Waterfront & multicultural | Belleville Waterfront & Ethnic Festival |
| Cobourg, Port Hope & Northumberland | Beach & waterfront | Cobourg Waterfront Festival |
| Perth, Lanark & Smiths Falls | Heritage music & garlic | Stewart Park Festival, Perth Garlic Festival |
| Brockville, Gananoque & Cornwall | Thousand Islands & country fairs | Thousand Islands events, Williamstown Fair |
When to visit
Summer leads, but the County’s harvest season gives fall real pull.
Spring (Apr–May)
The calendar opens with Perth’s Festival of the Maples and the first waterfront and community events of the year.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Peak season. Peterborough Musicfest, the Buskers Rendezvous, Stewart Park Festival, blues and waterfront festivals every weekend.
Fall (Sep–Oct)
Harvest and wine time in Prince Edward County, the Perth Garlic Festival and country fairs across the region.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Quieter, with holiday markets, light displays and a few winter carnivals in the lake and river towns.
Signature Kawarthas & Eastern Ontario festivals
Start with these five — the events that define the region.
Peterborough Musicfest
One of Canada’s longest-running free-admission concert series, bringing well-known Canadian and international acts to Del Crary Park on Little Lake throughout the summer.
Kingston Buskers Rendezvous
A free waterfront street-performer festival that fills Kingston’s historic downtown with acrobats, jugglers and circus acts from around the world.
Limestone City Blues Festival
A downtown blues celebration with stages along Princess Street and the waterfront, mixing headline concerts with free outdoor performances.
Stewart Park Festival
A by-donation, three-day community music festival in the heart of Perth, featuring Canadian and touring artists with no ticket required for general admission.
Perth Garlic Festival
A hugely popular harvest festival celebrating all things garlic — growers, food vendors, cooking demos and crafts in the historic town of Perth.
Kawarthas & Eastern Ontario festival FAQ
What are the biggest festivals in the Kawarthas and Eastern Ontario?
When is festival season in Eastern Ontario?
Are there free festivals in the region?
Is Prince Edward County good for food and wine festivals?
Can I get around without a car?
Festival dates and details change year to year — always confirm on the official event website before making plans.