So many music festivals, so little time. No summer is truly complete without a weekend of bands, buds, and basking in the sun. We may be more than half way through the season, but there’s still time to punctuate your dog days with a celebratory blowout at one of many excellent Canadian music festivals. Whether you’re into camping with Holy Fuck on Toronto Island at Camp Wavelength, or making a West Coast connection with Drake at the Squamish Valley Music Festival, we’ve got you covered. Here are 5 Canadian music festivals that will make for a perfect ending to your summer.
Squamish Valley Music Festival
Shambhala Music Festival
August 7th-10th
Salmo River Ranch, BC
Price: $365
Headliners: Skrillex, Pretty Lights, Mix Master Mike
Must-See Acts: Ekali, Skratch Bastid, Ill.Gates
The coolest thing about Shambhala Music Festival is that it’s off the beaten path. Most big music festivals take place in major city centres, but Shambhala is one of Canada’s finest destination festivals. Assemble your squad, put together a bangin’ road trip playlist, and drive 8 hours east of Vancouver to one of the most scenic festival grounds imaginable. In a world dominated by big box corporate raves, Shambhala is sponsor-free paradise for anti-establishment EDM fans. Can you imagine hearing Skrillex surrounded by lush forestry and mind-bending visuals? If you want your music festival to look as pretty as a postcard, this might be the right fit.
VIII Fest
Camp Wavelength
August 28th-30th
Toronto Island
Price: $75 / $150 with camping
Headliners: Holy Fuck, Do Make Say Think, The Wooden Sky, The Weather Station
Must-See Acts: Doldrums, Prince Rama, Pierre Kwenders, Dirty Frigs
This is one of the most unique music festivals happening this summer, and on top of that, it’s one of the most affordable. Wavelength is an enduring institution in the Toronto music scene, and when their annual ALL CAPS! festival on Toronto Island went under in 2013, it was a huge loss for the community. Enter Camp Wavelength, a weekend of music, installations, performance art, games, and activities curated by the Wavelength team. Witness Toronto mainstays Holy Fuck, Do Make Say Think, and The Wooden Sky in a unique venue that feels miles away from civilization, even though it’s only a ferry ride away from downtown.
Rifflandia
