Experience Muskoka - a member of the Experience Travels network
Cottage country keeps visitors busy long after summer. The dozens of festivals in Muskoka pique the interests of a diverse range of people. And you thought the place shut down once the last days of summer give way to the cooler air of late September.
What you may not know and what the locals do know is that the diverse character of the area just gets going once the dog days of summer are gone.
In September you can enjoy the very best works of the local artists and crafts people in their studios at the Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour. The event happens over the two weekends prior to Thanksgiving so you can also enjoy the fall color changes as well. It's a great way to be right up close to the artist's environment and allows you to truly appreciate the work but also the inspiration of Muskoka that fuels the creativity of these artisans.
Another one of the great festivals in Muskoka occurs in October as the community of Bala shows off its famous export at the Bala Cranberry Festival. There's lots of food and fun for families.
The Santa Claus Parades of Gravenhurst and Huntsville are always a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit in late November and early December. The Fesitval of Lights is celebrated in the town of Bracebridge and something not to be missed.
In January the winter carnival in Gravenhurst known as Winterfest has all kinds of activities to pass the season and enjoy the outdoors. And the Dorsett Snowball festival in February features broomball tournaments and other outdoor activities such as snowshoe races, dog sledding and horse drawn sleigh rides. Throw in some pancake breakfasts and arts and crafts and you've got a great event.
One of the most famous festivals in Muskoka has to be the Maple Syrup Festival at the Deerhurst Resort. If you're not familiar with Canada's love of maple syrup and why its so much fun, you must come to this event. Check out a sugar bush and see how this world famous tasty delight is made. Even taste it poured over snow!
As winter begins to wane and people start to yearn for spring and fixing up their homes and cottages, the Gravenhurst Muskoka Home Builders Show comes along at the perfect time. If you own a cottage or are planning to build a cottage this is a great place to become familiar with the builders in the area and the latest advances and trends in the industry.
And once all of that snow melts the water levels rise in the rivers making for spectacular views of the dozens of waterfalls in Muskoka. At the Festival of the Falls you can take bus tours that will show you all the falls - over 22 of them in fact. There are also other activities like pig roasts, and canoe racing. Lots of fun to the start of the cottage season.
For speed and air enthusiasts, the Muskoka International Air Show in May is a must do event. It's held at the Muskoka airport in Gravenhurst where you'll see thrilling loops and spins and low flying pass bys as well as antique airplanes.
As June rolls around and the summer heats up so to do the festivals in Mukoka. Motoring enthusiasts can catch the Gravenhurst Antique and Classic Car Show. Hundreds of classic cars and motorcycles from all over Ontario converge at this festival. There is also Art in the Park held at Km 20 in Algonquin provincial park in the old museum. You can see the work of internationally acclaimed artists from North America and Europe.
In July the festival atmosphere continues with fireworks displays on Canada Day in Gravenhurst and also at Bracebridge Falls. It's a spectacular backdrop for a national celebration.
There are several exceptional music festivals in Muskoka to add to your calendar. Start with the Huntsville Festival of the Arts. It is one of the more highly recognized festivals in Muskoka. The main venue is at the Grandview Inn and centers on the talents of the symphony but includes classical and contemporary music. You can also enjoy literature, dance and theatre in other close by venues.
Music lovers can revel again at the Muskoka Lakes Music Festival which features a broad offering of musical performances to entertain and educate families and the public. There are a host of outdoor events held at a dozen different venues. And every Sunday evening from July to late August you can catch some live music at Music on the Barge at Gull Lake Park in Gravenhurst.
In Parry Sound you can enjoy another one of the great music festivals in Muskoka called the Festival of the Sound. It features the works of many of Canada's finest young classically trained musicians performing sonatas on piano or strings as part of their efforts to further advance their careers.
If you are near the area you must check out at least some of the performances held at numerous venues in the Parry sound area.
Port Carling hosts a great festival call the Heart of Muskoka Craft Show. Canadian artisans display their wide range of arts and crafts that go so well with the cottage country lifestyle. There is also another crafts festival show in late July called the Muskoka Arts and Crafts Show held in Bracebridge. It's even bigger with 150 or more exhibitors.
If you are an antique lover you will be happy to know that you can indulge in your pass time at the Muskoka Antique Show in late July. You never know what historical gems you might find at this event. It's held in Port Carling.
Given the 1000's of lakes in Muskoka, how could you miss the Annual Antique and Classic Boat Show?
If you have never seen one of those classic wood strip motor boats from yesteryear this is a great festival to see them and many other beautiful boating works of art.
You may have heard of the famous bathtub races that used to go from Vancouver to Nanaimo across the Georgia Straights. Well, Muskoka has their tribute to bath tub boating engineering and it's still a going concern. On the second Saturday in July entrants hit the water in their finest tubs to compete in the Muskoka River Bathtub Derby. It's a blast.
And what summer festival season in Muskoka would be complete without a fishing derby for kids?
Check out the Annual Kid's Fishing Derby for kids 12 and under. A great way to expose your kids to the beauty of the lakes and outdoor lifestyle.
And in August, there is yet another excellent arts and crafts festival held at Sagamo Park in Gravenhurst. It's called the Dockside Festival of the Arts and is a large festival along the lines of the festival held in Bracebridge.
It's clear to see that the list of festivals in Muskoka is long. And while things are really busy in July there is almost always something going on to celebrate the seasons throughout the year.