City of Owen Sound

Key Festivals and Events

Festival of Northern Lights
lights at night click image for large version
Enjoy the beauty of Owen Sound in the Christmas season each evening from 5pm to 11pm, as 18+ kilometres of lights, 300+ displays and 54,000+ light bulbs twinkle along the banks of the Sydenham River in downtown Owen Sound and at Harrison Park during this popular annual festival. Enjoy several weeks of events, including concerts, craft shows, a Santa Claus parade, house tours and Christmas celebrations. The festival is a National Winter Lights Champion and Festivals & Events Ontario Multiple Award Winner. Horse drawn carriage rides around the lights provided by Windsong Horse & Carriage. www.windsongcarriage.com
Home & Cottage Expo
Bayshore Community Centre's arena floor click image for large version
This is it! Grey and Bruce's regional home show, the largest north of Stratford and west of Peterborough. Over 130 exhibits in 5 indoor exhibit areas as well as outdoors. Exhibitor registration begins in January.
Harbour Nights Concert Series
outdoor concert click image for large version
Liven up your Sunday evenings this summer with this free concert series behind the Visitor Centre at 1155 1st Ave. W. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy local music. Donations encouraged.
Emancipation Festival Picnic
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Acknowledged as the longest consistently running event in Grey & Bruce counties we invite you to join in celebrating the journey of our ancestors within the Underground Railroad's most northerly safe haven. Bring your family and friends for a weekend of music, art, storyboards, award ceremonies, crafts, children's games, speakers, literature, cultural cuisine, ambience and comaraderie.
Tom Thomson Days
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For days surrounding Tom's August 5th birthday, visit the Tom Thomson gallery for an assortment of special events in addition to events at the Historic Leith Church where his gravesite is located.
Conformation Dog Show & Obedience Trials
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The Grey Bruce Kennel & Obedience Club is involved in a wide variety of activities including dog handling seminars, health clinics and our big event, the Annual Championship Conformation Dog Show and Obedience Trials held in the beautiful Harrison Park. Please leave your family pets at home in fairness to the dogs in competition.
Summerfolk
Summerfolk's Mainstage click image for large version
Widely considered one of the best folk festivals in Ontario, Summerfolk is celebrating its 35th year on Georgian Bay August 20, 21 & 22, 2010 at beautiful Kelso Park. The festival features artists from around the world, from emerging talent to some of the biggest names in folk music,plus a children’s village, contra dancing, crafters, and a wide variety of fresh, local food. Six stages, 25 hours of evening concerts and accommodations nearby.
Streets Alive! Owen Sound's Busker Extravaganza
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A busking festival showcasing a wide variety of grassroots performers and seasoned veterans, in the age old tradition of crowd involvement and pure unadulterated exciting entertainment. Watch teh streets come alive with music, magic and merriment. Free admission in the beautiful downtown Owen Sound.
Salmon Spectacular
Salmon Returning to Spawn click image for large version
Thousands of anglers and their families flock to Owen Sound in hopes of catching the big one at this event, and to enjoy daily festivities and entertainment. The 10-day derby features kids’ & seniors’ days, ladies afternoon, onstage performers and two evening fish fries.
Owen Sound Fall Fair
Fun for the whole family click image for large version
With activities for all ages, this well-loved family event hosts a midway, miniature horse show, 4-H regional show, truck & tractor pull, lawn mower races, demolition derby, music in the entertainment tent nightly, food, displays, quilt show, great camaraderie and so much more.
Sweetwater Music Weekend
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This festival presents both classical and contemporary chamber music, and each year premiers an original composition. Sweetwater musicians, all of whom have national and international reputations, offer Master Classes to promising area music students on the Saturday and present an educational outreach program to music students in area schools during the year. In addition to Saturday's workshops, enjoy evening concerts on the Friday and Saturday, an afternoon concert on Sunday.

 

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