Music Festival Guide: Top 10 Canadian Fests

8. Halifax Pop Explosion
Where: Halifax, Nova Scotia
When: October 22-26, 2013

It’s easy to get stoked with all the new bands at HPX. Photo Credit: HPX Facebook

Since 1993, the non-profit HPX has been hooking up local talent with industry insiders along with introducing artists to Halifax audiences.  The 2011 club festival busted records with 180 bands at 20 venues in front of more than 20,000+ fans. For all you wannabe rockstars, the festival is still taking application for the 2013 show.

9. Shambahala
Where: Salmo, BC
When: August 7-12, 2013

Pagoda Stage Enterance @ Shambhala. Photo Credit: Lefy – Mountain Eye

The family owned Shambahala Festival has a simple mission: “It’s all about the people on the dancefloor”. The venue is a working farm, they don’t accept corporate sponsorship, and for five days Shambahla is the largest city in the West Kootenays. With 6 uniquely themed stages and the odd encounter with miniature donkeys, bring the Shambhalove to BC this summer.

10. Quebec Summer Festival
Where: Quebec City, Quebec
When: July 4-14, 2013

Explosions in the sky at Quebec Summer Festival.

Bonjour festival fans! For eleven days, the historic Quebec City is overrun by an astounding 1.5 million fans who pay only a single price for all the outdoor shows and concerts. Not a bad start for a festival that was started in 1968 by a few artists and businessmen. There’s plenty of other activities happening in Canada’s French-iest city. As they say on their website: “During the Festival, the whole city is celebrating!”