Some fun summer festivals in southern Ontario to check out

Open Streets Hamilton is on King Street East from John Street to Gage Avenue between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday. Events and activity for the whole family. The King Street closure is from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Along the route, residents can stop various hubs for family friendly activities, including the Gage hub at Bernie Morelli rec centre, for a scavenger hunt, native plant giveaway, a roller derby demo, and more.

It takes over downtown Burlington and Spencer Smith Park on the Waterfront every June. This year promises delight for the entire family. There are VIP tickets, a parade, street festival and family zone, vendors, battle of the bands, midway and of course, the free music all weekend long. Streetfest and family zone hours are Saturday, 1 to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, 12 to 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit soundofmusic.ca.

• The Grand Festival Parade starts at Central Park on New Street, travels west along Caroline to Elizabeth streets, south on Elizabeth to James Street, west on James and marches north on Brant to Baldwin, ending at Central High School. It starts Saturday at 11 a.m.

The largest celebration of francophone art and culture in the area. This free three-day festival is in Gage Park by the Bandshell, parking off Lawrence Road by the Greenhouse. en.francofesthamilton.ca

Downtown Stoney Creek BIA hosts live music, artisans, family fun and more. It’s along King Street from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hamilton’s Summer Concert Series features free outdoor concerts with each concert hosted in a new location. The weekend features are on Saturday, Wreckless Harbour in Stoney Creek on King Street at 1 p.m.; and Sunday, Miles from Nowhere at Ferguson Station International Village at 4 p.m.

The 10th Annual Something Else! Festival is three days and 12 sets of music and art over four ticketed events. Newer traditions in jazz, improvised, music, world traditions, dance, film, poetry, text. It’s at Saint Cuthbert’s, 2 Bond St., in Westdale. Tickets are $25 in advance, or $35 at the door. A weekend pass is $65. somethingelsefestival.com

Sonic Unyon Presents the Fresh Up R&B Festival. Headliners include: Loony, Haviah Mighty, and Zach Zoya. It’s at Bridgeworks, 200 Caroline St. N. A day pass is $33.22 and weekend pass $63.90. Tickets on eventbrite.ca

Laugh. A lot. Here’s the Smooth Comedy Festival running at Hamilton’s Staircase Theatre 27 Dundurn St. N. Smooth Comedy — Hamilton’s favourite monthly comedy show — is doing a full weekend and is bringing some of Canada’s best performers along to put on three unforgettable performances. Tickets are $22.63. eventbrite.ca

In the heart of Westdale Village, along King Street West, ArtsFest is an arts and music festival which includes food, an artisan market, outdoor live music on the patios, an aerial artist and family activities, all open for the public to enjoy the entire weekend. Hours are Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 12 to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m. artsfest.ca

Celebrate and soak in the culture at the Soaring Spirit Pow Wow happening at Battlefield House and Museum & park, 77 King St. W., Stoney Creek. Join in on the land at Creekside and celebrate with the traditional Indigenous singers and musicians for a day of music and dancing. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. There are no admission fees. hamilton.ca

Your favourite foods paired with local talents, the Paris Sounds and Bites Festival is a two-day affair in the Paris Fairgrounds, 139 Silver St., Paris. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Features are live music, buskers, beer garden, touch-a-truck, food trucks, strawberries and more. Admission is $10 (cash only at the gate), children 10 and under are free. The venue is requesting service dogs only.

Brott Music Festival’s 36th season openers presented with Indigenous focus. The action starts on Saturdayat 11 a.m. with a free pop-up concert given by the BMF’s National Academy Orchestra brass and woodwind ensembles at the Bayfront Park Pier 7 Pavilion near the Williams Fresh Café. Tickets are available for all concerts at brottmusic.com.

Ribs, live music and community. That’s what it’s all about this Canada Day weekend in Waterdown. Admission is free but you’ll want to taste the wares and join in the midway, vendors and more. Don’t miss the fireworks on Friday at dusk. The 2023 ‘Oh Canada’ Ribfest in Memorial Park, 266 Main St. N., Waterdown is open Friday from 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A weekend of mouth-watering, finger-lickin’, belly-rubbin’ good BBQ. It’s got an upgraded Kids Zone and Canine Show this year. Admission is $2. Hamilton Mountain Rib & Beer Fest is in the parking lot at CF Lime Ridge, 999 Upper Wentworth St.

Here’s a wrap of area Canada Day celebrations in the area.

Hamilton — Bayfront Park, 200 Harbourfront Dr. Fireworks (10 p.m.), Food Truck Rally, inflatables, face painting, community booths and more. hamilton.ca

Burlington — Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Rd. Celebrate the City of Burlington’s 150th Anniversary and Canada Day together. Festivities begins at 4 p.m. See and hear the Teen Tour Band, food and marketplace vendors, live music, and fireworks are at 10 p.m. The citizenship ceremony will be held at City Hall Civic Square, 426 Brant St. burlington.ca

Caledonia — Caledonia Kinsmen Park, 49 Caithness St. W. Festival celebrating Caledonia and Canada Day starts with a parade, breakfast, Steven Young Duck race, food and craft vendors, live entertainment, airbounce and more. Night concludes with fireworks over the river. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Brantford — Lions Park Steve Brown Sports Complex. Kim Mitchell and Sass Jordan will be performing their hit music on the OLG Main Stage followed by a firework display at 10 p.m. In addition, there will be loads of kids entertainment, KidZone and midway, food trucks and vendors and much more. brantford.ca

Take a lawn chair or blanket to the Canada Day Military Tattoo on the lawns of Dundurn Castle, 610 York Blvd. It’s from 5 to 7 p.m. A musical celebration for the entire family featuring the Regimental Band of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders of Canada Pipes & Drums, the Argyllshire Dancers, and more. hamilton.ca

The Canada Day EID Festival is at the Ancaster Fairgrounds, 630 Trinity Rd. S. Food trucks, vendors, entertainment and more. Runs 2 to 10 p.m. Admission is $3 per person. Children 5 and under are free.

Canada Day celebrations abound in Hamilton’s Gage Park over the Canada Day long weekend. This free festival back after a three-year hiatus and takes on Canada’s 156th birthday in grand style eh. Four stages for live music — includes the New Music Expo, vendors, food trucks, kid zone and more. It’s free. itsyourfestival.ca

Hamilton’s Summer Concert Series features free outdoor concerts with each concert hosted in a new location. The weekend feature is Saturday in Dundas’ Memorial Square, Alfie Smith at 2 p.m. and Christopher Claus at 3 p.m.

Skip down the 401 to Harris Park in London for one of the most anticipated outdoor music festivals this summer. Onstage: Mumford & Sons, Vance Joy, Bahamas, the Trews, Ludacris, Ashanti, Papa Roach, Default, Alexisonfire. www.rockthepark.ca

James Street North is hopping on the second Friday every month for Hamilton Art Crawl.

Hamilton’s Summer Concert Series features free outdoor concerts with each concert hosted in a new location. Come down during Art Crawl on Friday for Duckai at 7 p.m. and Spookyguava at 8. On Saturday, check out the Gown & Gavel side patio for Melissa Dutch at 4 p.m. and Gillian Nicola at 5. Sunday head to Herkimer and Locke street for Sabian (grooves) Crosswell at 1 p.m. and Crunchy Pickle at 3.

Hamilton’s Summer Concert Series features free outdoor concerts with each concert hosted in a new location. It’s in Waterdown on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Memorial Hall, 315 Dundas St. E., for Luckystickz; and Solstice Trio at 3.

It’s billed as the biggest music event of the year in Haldimand County with two days of live music. Hagersville Rocks Music Festival runs Friday and Saturday in the Heaslip Ford Amphitheatre at Grant Kett Memorial Park, 36 Sherring St. N., Hagersville. Onstage are Jess Moskaluke, Shawn Austin, Colin James, David Wilcox, Big Sugar, Daniel Lanois, My Son the Hurricane and more. Tickets are $54.50 for general admission on Friday and $89.50 for general admission on Saturday. A weekend general admission pass is $134. hagersvillerocks.com

The city is hot for the arts with the biggest offering of unabashed and unjuried theatre produced right here in Hamilton. Hamilton Fringe Festival is back with more than 50 shows, taking over 11 iconic Hamilton stages, ranging from epic family-friendly musicals to dramedies set in space, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. hftco.ca

Centuries of culture come together for this three-day festival featuring dancers from across North America competing to become the Champion of Champions. It’s at Ohsweken Speedway, 1987 Chiefswood Rd., Ohsweken. Over 30 Native food vendors, 100 Native craft vendors and 400 dancers from across North America. Opens daily at 10 a.m. Admission is $15 per day for adults or $25 for a two-day pass, $5 for children under 12. Rain site is Gaylord Powless Arena. grpowwow.ca

With 30 food trucks, this festival will take up Burlington’s Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Rd.

It’s WTfest with a new name. Crewfest 2023 rock festival is on at Lions Park in Brantford. Featured are Our Lady Peace, Headstones, and Bif Naked. Tickets start at $69.99. crewfest.ca

Can’t get more hometown than this. The Paris Poutine and Mac & Cheese Fest runs two days at the Paris Fairgrounds, 139 Silver St. Admission is $5. You’ll find the best of the best poutine + mac n cheese, food trucks, live music all weekend, an indoor/outdoor vendor and artisans market, inflatable games and more. Hours are 11 to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 to 5 p.m. Sunday. parisfairgrounds.com

Iconic Hamilton. The Festival of Friends is back for three full days of music, food, arts, crafts, and more. It’s in Gage Park, 1000 Main St. E. Admission is free. Vendors, food trucks, live music and the sole of the three day event.

Hamilton’s Summer Concert Series features free outdoor concerts with each concert hosted in a new location. It’s Saturday on Concession Street at 1 p.m. for Carrie Clark Band. And Sunday, head to the heart of Westdale for Shaylyn at 1 p.m. and Ben Somer at 3.

Tickle your tastebuds with this family-friendly festival happening at the Brantford & District Civic Centre, 79 Market St. S., Brantford. Hosted by the Brantford Kinsmen. Hours are 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 to 7 p.m. Sunday. Check our the Rib Eating Contest on Friday and Saturday, 5 to 5:30 p.m. brantfordribfest.com

This Hamilton arts festival features almost 40 artists painting murals live at over 20 sites across the city. The self-guided tour continues during daylight hours Saturday and Sunday. Use the map or download a list of the site addresses before you head out the door. This initiative is in full collaboration and support with the City of Hamilton. concretecanvasfest.com

The Latin American Festival celebrates in Gage Park, 1000 Main St. E. Three days of vendors, live entertainment, food and fun. Hours are 1 to 10 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. eventbrite.ca

This annual street festival kicks off Thursday with a parade at 6:45 p.m. through downtown Dundas. Festival events features buskers, live entertainment, soap box, vendors and so much more. You’ll find this three day festival on the streets of Dundas. King Street is closed to traffic during the event. Admission is free for all and the event hours are 6 to 11 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and 12 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. dundascactusfestival.ca

Hamilton’s Summer Concert Series features free outdoor concerts with each concert hosted in a new location. It’s Saturday in Binbrook at the Binbrook Parkette for Ian James Bain at 1 p.m. and Leo Dragtoe at 2 p.m.

Peter and Paula have been the mascots of the Winona Peach Festival since 1981. Come out and meet these siblings at the free festival open Friday from 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Festival includes midway, arts and crafts, children’s fun factory, pageant, parades, car show and more. Pre-Festival discount midway tickets is $40 for 35 tickets, available at Winona Gardens, 1381 Highway 8, until Aug. 24. You can find the festival at 1328 Barton St., Winona, just west of 50 Road. You will also want to make note of the free HSR shuttle express between Eastgate Square and the festival. winonapeach.com

Northern Heat is bringing the best barbecue in Canada to Gage Park. The weekend is full of mouth-watering, finger-lickin’, belly-rubbin’ good barbecue. Gage Park is at 1000 Main St. E. Admission is $2, children 12 and under are free. Hours are 4 to 11 p.m. on Friday, 12 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and 12 to 7 p.m. on Sunday. northernheatribseries.ca

Festival of Fountains — The Night Gardens introduces you to a highly visual immersive experience to indulge all your senses. This interpretive storytelling experience of music and water. Whistling Gardens, 698 Concession 3 Townsend, Wilsonville. whistlinggardens.ca

Pride Hamilton is hosting its first outdoors event in more than three years at Pier 4 Park from 12 to 8 p.m.

Everyone’s favourite James Street North event will be back again this year. Check supercrawl.ca for details in the months to come.

Get your hands saucy at Canada’s Largest Halal food event. It’s three days of live music, carnival, games and 100 per cent Halal southern barbecue. Hours are Friday from 4 to 10 p. m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Lime Ridge Mall, 999 Upper Wentworth Rd. Admission starts at $9.93. eventbrite.ca

Editor’s note: This article has been corrected to say Pride Hamilton is on Aug. 27, 2023.