Best Canadian Music Festivals

Internationally, music festivals span all over the globe, from Ibiza to Chicago, and it's not so different for Canadians. With such an open-wide territory, with a myriad of different venues, narrowing down the most essential summer festivals can be a hassle, what with pricing, headliners, and specified genre, it can become a mess in of itself.

You can't miss out on any of the following best Canadian music festivals, because some of the coolest scenery and events can only be found up north. They beat any of the best music festivals in the US, by far. With intense food options and art galleries, to days' worth of adventure and cultural explosions, these music festivals bring you the best of Canada, while also inserting some amazing music.

Ottawa Bluesfest

While blues may not be on everyone's immediate wishlist, Ottawa's annual outdoor celebration of the same music genre is one of the best Canadian music festivals around. Don't worry, there's also tons of rock and pop for those into more upbeat sounds, plus it's one of the best music venues in Ottawa! How do you beat that?

Headliners over the years have included names spanning from Kanye West and Lady Gaga, to the Dixie Chicks and B.B. King, plus I couldn't help adding the Red Hot Chili Peppers for emphasis. Seriously, if you're in Canada and want a real Canadian festival, Bluesfest is your next stop.

Field Trip

Take a quick field trip to Fort York in Toronto, where the infamous summer festival known as Field Trip takes you down a two day trip of immeasurable Canadian experiences, from amazing foods, to unbeatable art.

Field Trip takes place in June, uses art and design as a focus of building the event venue, and delivers exciting events besides the music. These include laugh barracks, a day camp, sound image gallery exhibition, and a full marketplace. If it's not one of the best Canadian music festivals, please tell me why.

SappyFest

With a moniker such as that it's hard to really it as anything but one of the best Canadian music festivals. Held in Sackville, New Brunswick, SappyFest enlists a great deal of vibrancy and flavor to the performance.

Unlike something in Quebec City, where Major Lazer might be in attendance, this summer festival administers names with less commercial value to them in order draw more local names, like Booji Boys, Cheryl Hann, and Bah Nah Nah.

Interstellar Rodeo

Only 5 years of age, the Interstellar Rodeo is an outdoor music event that not only brings Canada to life, but also revitalizes guests unlike any other festival.

Notable performers have included Alabama Shakes and Serena Ryder, but the artist list is not what the Rodeo is known for, rather the experience makes it one of the best Canadian music festivals, because it cherishes the Canadian atmosphere while subduing viewers to otherworldly sounds.

Hillside Festival

Drive an hour outside Toronto to Guelph, where an outdoor festival appears almost as if from a dreamland. Really, it's just Hillside, a massive event that combines Canadian music with the festival season.

While it may be one of the best Canadian music festivals, Hillside boasts as the most environmentally friendly too, with its solar powered stages, reusable dishes, and bike network for a friendly, stress free transit.

Shambhala Music Festival

Welcome to Salmo River Ranch, where 500-acres of pure farm terrain turns into a week long event full of electronic energy and futuristic sounds that bring alive the Canadian wilderness more so than ever before.

Started in 1997, Shambhala Music Festival has striven for nothing more than to be the best Canadian music festival, introducing a fusion of art, music, and nature into one massive event that can't be missed.

Sled Island

Beginning in 2007, Sled Island has offered its own 5-day binge of music, art and culture, spread out across the Canadian landscape. Next year is still to be determined, but don't let it stray you from this addition to the best Canadian music festivals.

Sled Island brings with it the vow of Green Island, wherein they stress the importance of cleaning up and keeping their stages meticulously trash free.

Cavendish Beach Music Festival

Though it may only be for country music fans, Prince Edward Island can't be beat in terms of location for summer festivals. See artists like The Mountain Faith Band, Zac Brown Band, and Endless Summer, all while your feet dig deep into that Cavendish Beach sand.

In terms of the best Canadian music festivals, this one's tough to top. Secure your tickets now for July 6th through 8th, and be prepared for one heck of a country line up.

POP Montreal International

Bringing emerging artists from a number of different genres, like hip-hop, indie-rock and folk, POP Montreal is heralded as a must see if you're in Canada around late September.

Over 50,000 people come to watch in wonder as the sounds from a myriad of different genres are presented over five irresistible days without skipping a single beat, which makes it one of the best Canadian music festivals

Osheaga

Reeling in artists like alt-j, Cage the Elephant and 6lack, Osheaga music festival delivers an interesting mix of arts and activities. Take flight on their Yoyo carnival ride in the Osheaga Play Zone, or kick it at the Coors Light Wi-Fi Chill Zone.

As one of the best Canadian music festivals, their's endless opportunities available, plus insane amounts of music and food that'll make you wish you lived in Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal.

Pemberton Music Festival

Located underneath British Columbia's Mt. Currie, Pemberton Music Festival heralds as a raver paradise with more scenery than the eye can behold. Four days of nonstop music and food, Pemberton is one of the best Canadian music festivals because it offers an unbelievable ride that gives audiences a backdrop of natural wonder.

Musical tastes include The Killers, J. Cole, and Pearl Jam this past July. If you want a real taste of Canadian scenery, some awesome sounds, and a journey through four days' worth of memories, then Pemberton's calling.

Folk on the Rocks

Since 1980, Folk on the Rocks has been keeping Yellowknife, of the Northwest Territories, jumping with praise and glee. In the top 10 best Canadian music festivals, this annual party utilizes a small outdoor area where audiences from around the globe can experience something more than magical.

Folk on the Rocks offers a different kind of music that brings out the Canadian in all of us. Mixing well-known artists with local favorites gives it this otherworldly vibe that can rarely be subdued. If you want to hear some of the weirdest musical instruments, this is your festival.