If you’re looking for activities that might help you deepen your connection to community this summer, you could consider attending one of the free or low-cost music or cultural festivals across Canada that are presented by TD, through the TD Ready Commitment.
From music, food, cultural dances, unique neighbourhood experiences and more, there's something for almost everyone.
"Community and culture are the heart of a thriving ecosystem, and as humans, we crave connection to help create a sense of belonging to where we live and play" said Alicia Rose, AVP, Social Impact.
"While feeling connected can help improve our quality of life, contribute to our happiness and facilitate social bonds, more of us are feeling increasingly disconnected and the need to try to deepen our connection with our communities has never been greater".
According to data published by the Government of Canada, nearly 1 in 4 Canadians admits to feeling lonely.
"To help foster a sense of connectedness, TD supports a variety of programs and initiatives that focus on helping bring people together. It’s one of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to deliver on our purpose to help enrich the lives of the customers, colleagues and communities we serve," Rose said.
Through the TD Ready Commitment, the Bank’s corporate citizenship platform, TD aims to support initiatives focused on creating shared experiences through unique arts, music and cultural events that can help bring people from diverse backgrounds together. These include events and cultural activities that reflect diverse voices and strive to create spaces for community connections to thrive.
Check out the list below to learn more about several of these festivals from the organizations in their own words, and to help find a summer music or cultural festival near you:
ALBERTA
Canmore Folk Music Festival—August 3 to August 5, Canmore
The 47th annual Canmore Folk Festival is a family-oriented festival that celebrates its rich heritage through the presentation of traditional and contemporary folk, blues, “new -grass”, roots, Celtic, and World roots music. This year, artists including Blue Rodeo, Jeremy Dutcher, and Lido Pimienta will be performing.
Visit the Canmore Folk Festival website to learn more.
Edmonton Folk Music Festival—August 8 to August 11, Edmonton
The Edmonton Folk Music Festival, set in Gallagher Park, says it has a volunteer force of more than 2,600 and is “dedicated to bringing in the best of folk music from Edmonton, Canada, and around the world.” This year, performing artists will include Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.
Visit the Edmonton Folk Music Festival website to learn more.
OneWorld Festival—August 15 to August 24, Calgary
Taking place in Elliston Park, OneWorld Festival hosts a “delicious selection of over 25 food trucks and international food booths that will tempt everyone’s taste buds.” The festival offers food, music, dance, and children’s programming so there is something for everyone of all ages to enjoy.
Visit the OneWorld Festival website to learn more.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Concerts at the Pier—July 4 to August 29, White Rock
Concerts at the Pier is a free outdoor concert series featuring five exciting concerts on Thursdays in July and August 2024. Performers to include 54-40 and Chrystal Shawanda.
Visit the Concerts at the Pier website to learn more.
Korean Cultural Heritage Festival and Live Performances—August 3, Burnaby
The Korean Cultural Heritage Festival is a family oriented one-day event completely free of admission to the public, held at Swangard Stadium. The festival showcases incredible Korean talent through music, martial arts, food and more.
Visit the Korean Cultural Heritage Festival website to learn more.
MANITOBA
Manitoba Filipino Street Festival—August 24 to August 25, Winnipeg
Visitors of the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival can join a celebration of the rich cultural diversity that people of Filipino descent bring to the province. Organizers will kick off August 24th with a parade featuring cultural floats, costumes, dances by local Filipino community organizations, and music performed by local talent. The festival also includes work from local artisans, food stall vendors, and a fireworks display.
Visit the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival website to learn more.
NEW BRUNSWICK
Harvest Music Festival—September 10 to September 15, Fredericton
The Harvest Music Festival is a five-day music and community festival celebrating its 33rd anniversary this year. The lineup includes a wide array of performers including Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Spoon, Feist, and many more.
Visit the Harvest Music Festival website to learn more.
ONTARIO
DESIFEST—June 1 to June 8, Toronto
DESIFEST is a free, South Asian food and music festival taking place at Yonge-Dundas Square. Now in its 18th year, DESIFEST says it will feature, for the first time, an all-Canadian line up of musicians and performers. The event will also have 15 mouthwatering food vendors and a musical lineup “that will have the crowd dancing from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m."
Visit the DESIFEST website to learn more.
Heritage Sounds Music Festival—June 13 to June 16, Brampton
Heritage Sounds Music Festival (HSMF) is a four-day “musical extravaganza”. “Now in its 9th year, HSMF has evolved into a grand celebration of diversity, showcasing the rich tapestry of South Asian music while fostering cross-cultural musical exploration,” the festival says on its website. This year, HSMF says it is creating “an unforgettable experience” for visitors with multi-lingual and multi-genre presentations.
Visit the Heritage Sounds Music Festival website to learn more.
Salsa at Blue Mountain—June 21 to June 23, Collingwood
Salsa at Blue Mountain transforms the Blue Mountain Village into a street party that showcases Latin music, dancing, and culture. Visitors can head to Blue Mountain to partake in activities such as salsa lessons and musical performances.
Visit the Salsa at Blue Mountain website to learn more.
Peterborough MusicFest—July 1 to August 20, Peterborough
The Peterborough MusicFest is a free, outdoor concert series that brings people together for “a celebration of music, community, and summertime vibes. Guests can enjoy a diverse lineup of artists spanning musical genres such as alt-rock, indie, hip-hop, pop, country, and blues.
Visit the Peterborough MusicFest website to learn more.
Sunfest Global Music & Jazz Festival—July 4 to July 7, London
Sunfest "has blossomed into a magnificent festival that radiates positivity and celebrates the diverse rhythms of the world." Visitors of Sunfest can enjoy a lineup of international musical talents, from the soulful melodies of Seoul to the sounds of Bossa Nova from Brazil, as well as artisan vendors and culinary delights.
Visit the Sunfest Global Music & Jazz Festival website to learn more.
Beaches International Jazz Festival—July 4 to August 22, Toronto
The Beaches International Jazz Festival is an annual music festival held in the lakeside Beaches community. The festival says it is now one of Canada's largest free jazz festivals with nearly 1,000,000 attendees throughout its month-long span. The festival takes place over several venues and brings in internationally acclaimed jazz performers while also showcasing local talent.
Visit the Beaches International Jazz Festival website to learn more.
Festival of South Asia—July 20 to July 21, Toronto
The 22nd annual Festival of South Asia “celebrates the diversity of South Asian culture through multidisciplinary arts and foods from varying countries making up South Asia.” Located along Gerrard Street from Glenside Avenue to Coxwell Avenue, the festival says it has become one of the largest South Asian street festivals in North America, showcasing the culture of the South Asian community with live entertainment including dance, fashion shows, and authentic South Asian cultural programs reflecting Indian, Afghani, Pakistani, Bengali and Sri Lankan cultures.
Visit the Festival of South Asia website to learn more.
Pan American Food & Music Festival—July 20 to July 21, Toronto
The Pan American Food and Music Festival bills itself as “Canada’s largest annual festival celebrating the rich diversity of cuisine, music, and art in the Western Hemisphere.” Taking place at Nathan Phillips Square, visitors can celebrate the cultural identity shared among Canadians and the 41 other countries of North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
Visit the Pan American Food & Music Festival website to learn more.
Kitchener Blues Festival—August 8 to August 11, Kitchener
The Kitchener Blues Festival is one of the largest blues festivals in Canada. With over 50 acts this year, the festival includes multiple stages throughout Kitchener's downtown core and features international and Canadian artists.
Visit the Kitchener Blues Festival website to learn more.
JerkFest Toronto—August 9 to August 11, Toronto
JerkFest Toronto is a three-day event celebrating jerk cuisine, music and family entertainment. The goal of the event is to keep the diasporic and multi-generational Carribean community members connected to their roots. Hosted at Centennial Park, JerkFest brings the “sensational island vibes to Canada where attendees of all ages and backgrounds can experience the richness of the Caribbean people, food, music and art in a safe environment of learning, enjoyment and cultural understanding.”
Visit the JerkFest Toronto website to learn more.
Markham Jazz Festival—August 16 to August 18, Markham, Unionville
Celebrating its 27th year, the Markham Jazz Festival will feature more than 25 free performances on three open-air stages from Friday to Sunday.
Visit the Markham Jazz Festival website for more information.
Toronto Korean Festival—August 23 to August 25, Toronto
The Toronto Korean Festival (TKF) in Mel Lastman Square celebrates Korean culture by showcasing an array of food and market vendors, traditional performances, and K-Pop events. Signature festival programs such as singing and dancing competitions will return, and organizers promise “non-stop excitement and entertainment with a mix of international and local talent.”
Visit the Toronto Korean Festival website to learn more.
QUEBEC
Zones musicales—July 6 to August 25, Laval
In its 8th year of Zones musicales, attendees can enjoy over 40 free outdoor music shows of a variety of genres in one of the 8 zones across the 4 corners of Laval.
Visit the Zones musicales website to learn more.
Festival International Nuits d'Afrique—July 9 to July 21, Montreal
The Nuits d’Afrique acoustic cabarets offer “authentic musical discoveries for lovers of world music.” Visitors can enjoy six days of free outdoor programming in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles.
Visit Festival International Nuits d’Afrique website to learn more.
Festival Haiti En Folie—July 22 to July 28, Montreal
The Haiti en Folie Festival is the most important musical festival with multidisciplinary activities outside Haiti, entirely dedicated to Haitian culture.
Visit the Festival Haiti En Folie website to learn more.
Festiv'arts Caribéen —August 2 to August 4, Magog
Festiv'arts Caribéen highlights the essence of Caribbean culture through arts, music, food and performances. Organizers say they aim to “promote and energize Caribbean culture in all its diversity by showcasing the works and talent of artists of African descent, particularly from the Caribbean Islands.”
Visit the Festiv'arts Caribéen website to learn more.
Festival Orientalys—August 8 to August 11, Montreal
This free festival entirely dedicated to the meeting of Eastern and Western culturescelebrates a diverse, avant‐garde and open-minded Montreal. Every year, the Old-Port moves to the beat of bold fusions and original shows crossing three continents from North Africa to China, by way of Spain, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Cambodia, India and Japan as well as many other Eastern countries. Performances, workshops, animations, exhibitions and activities for children and adults are on the program each year.
Visit Festival Orientalys website to learn more.
To learn more about how TD is helping support local community festivals , visit the TD Ready Commitment to read the most recent issue of the TD corporate citizenship quarterly newsletter.