Muskoka Festivals
Year Round Festivals in Muskoka For 12 Months of Fun
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.
Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour
Canada's original studio tour is proud to continue its rich legacy of the arts, presenting scores of diversely talented artists.
For more information on the artists and to download a map, please visit http://www.muskokaautumnstudiotour.com.
Bala Cranberry Festival
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.
Maple Syrup Festival
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!
Santa Claus Parades
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.
Santa Claus Parades
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.
Winterfest
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.
Muskoka Home Builders Show
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.
Festival of the Falls
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.
Muskoka International Air Show
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.
Canada Day Fireworks
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.
Canada Day Fireworks
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.
Muskoka Music Festivals
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.
Muskoka Antique Show
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.
Annual Antique and Classic Boat Show
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.
Annual Kid's Fishing Derby
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.
Dockside Festival of the Arts
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.
Ultimate Cottager Triathlon
The Ultimate Cottager Triathlon involves teams of 6 individuals working together to complete our triathlon of swimming lengths, canoeing and cooking and serving a bbq lunch. The fastest team to complete all tasks will win the “Ultimate Cottager of 2011” title with prizes also awarded for other fun categories. This fundraising event will also feature food and drinks, beer from Muskoka Cottage Brewery, a silent auction and supervised kids play area while enjoying the beautiful scenery of Lake Rosseau.
Bring your friends and family to watch and participate in this amazing day while supporting Cottage Dreams, a registered charity that provides cancer survivors a week at a private donated cottage to recover and rejuvenate with family and friends.
For more information and to register your team, please visit us at http://www.cottagedreams.org/ultimatecottager/index.htm
Art in the Heart
Art in the Heart's outdoor art market celebrates new & emerging artists, Saturdays in July and August.
Visit historic Downtown Bracebridge, stroll along Manitoba Street & Chancery Lane for exciting discoveries of pottery, painting, woodworking, jewellery & much more!
Come and meet the artists and feed your soul.
www.artintheheartbracebridge.com
Muskoka In-Water Boat & Cottage Show & Muskoka Ribfest
Located at the beautiful Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst.
Family oriented festival with dozens of in-water boats for sale, plus over 100 booths selling marine equipment, fishing gear and cottage related products and services.
Try the mouthwatering food being offered at Muskoka Ribfest while enjoying live entertainment and the Muskoka Brewery lounge.
Guide to Festivals in Muskoka
January
- Winterfest, Gravenhurst
March
- Maple Syrup Festival, Deerhurst
April
- Muskoka Home Builders Show, Gravenhurst
May
- Festival of the Falls, Bracebridge
- Muskoka International Air Show, Gravenhurst
July
- Canada Day Fireworks, Bracebridge
- Canada Day Fireworks, Gravenhurst
- Muskoka Music Festivals
- Muskoka Antique Show, Port Carling
- Annual Antique and Classic Boat Show, Gravenhurst
- Annual Kid's Fishing Derby
- Muskoka In-Water Boat & Cottage Show & Muskoka Ribfest
August
- Dockside Festival of the Arts, Gravenhurst
- Ultimate Cottager Triathlon
- Art in the Heart, Bracebridge
October
- Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour
- Bala Cranberry Festival, Bala
November
- Santa Claus Parades, Gravenhurst
December
- Santa Claus Parades, Bracebridge
No Comments »
No comments yet.