This weekend, I think you should call your dad, see if he wants to hang out, as it’s Father’s Day and all. There’s a lot of dad friendly events going on this weekend, and almost all of them include BBQ and Beer. That’s a perfect way to spend the weekend, whether you’ve got kids or not.
So get out there, get messy with sauce and sloshed with beer and enjoy the music.
And please call your dad.
Halifax
Full Circle Festival
Date: June 17th-19th
Time: Fri: 1pm-12am; Wknd: 10am-12am
Location: Full Circle Campground
Sometimes you just need to keep things simple. The Full Circle Newfangled Stringband Hootenanny is a weekend of camping, bonfires, camaraderie and live, acoustic music from stringed instruments. Think guitars, double bases, banjo, violins, fiddles and lap guitars. It sounds like an awesome way to just unplug and get a weekend in of just plain chill.
If that’s not your think, there’s some family father’s day events, a LobsterFest and a ghost walk going down. Deets can be found HERE!
Quebec City
BBQ Fest Quebec
Date: June 17th-19th
Time: 11am-9pm
Location: Espace 400e
Quebec City’s celebrating Father’s Day weekend with tons of smoked meat and BBQ ribs. It’s the usual BBQ Fest shenanigans; eat the meat, watch cooking demos, try stuff from the food trucks and just celebrate that man that contributed 50% of you.
What a great time to be alive! If that’s not your speed, there’s also the Quebec Music Festival, Tour Du Quebec bike race and some concerts. You can click HERE to check those out.
Montreal
Ellie Goulding
Date: June 18th
Time: 6pm
Location: Bell Centre
Hell, Ellie Goulding is a smokeshow and I’d give anything to accidentally wander backstage or perhaps get mixed up and find myself on her tourbus, but I digress. She’s a great performer, walking the finest of lines between cute/sexy and it ought to be a great show.
Ask the guy outside the Bell Centre, beside the statues if he’s selling, if you’re looking for some last minute tix.
Also going on in Montreal is a tilt between the Alouettes and the Argos, a Food Truck Festival and the Cirque. Scope those out HERE!
Ottawa
UFC Fight Night Ottawa
Date: June 18th
Time: 10:30pm
Location: TD Place Centre
UFC is coming to Canada, with this being the first time a fight is being held in Ottawa. On the main card is Canadian welterweight Rory McDonald fighting kick boxer Stephen Thompson. Looks to be a good fight, as McDonald is coming off of a loss and is looking to get another his winning streak back on track.
There’s also the Glowfair Festival, some roller derby and a rickshaw Beer tour sponsored by Mill Street going on. Hit the link HERE, to check them out!
Toronto
The Beach BBQ & Brew Festival
Date: June 17th-19th
Time: Fri: 3pm-11pm; Wknd: 12pm-11pm
Location: Woodbine Beach
Not sure I really need to sell this, as what’s not to like. You’ve got the top BBQ masters in Canada grilling up some Ribs, chicken, pulled pork. On top of that, the usual suspects will be there too; grilled corn on the cob, funnel cakes, kettle corn. There’s also beer. Did I mention that? Beer; lots of it.
This is the optimal way to spend Father’s Day weekend.
Toronto Taco Fest
Date: June 17th-19th
Time: 11am-10pm
Location: 99 Sudbury
Can’t miss the first annual Taco Fest (ok, maybe it’s not annual, but it should be!). All the top taco restaurants and food truck will be at 99 Sudbury making all kinds of wacky tacos. There’s also going to be a Margarita Bar, tequila, cerveza, live mariachi band and more.
I’m so pumped. You have no idea how much I love tacos.
If you’re not looking to prevent your summer body from coming to life, there’s also the last weekend of NXNE, Luminato, and the Taste of Italy going on. More events in Toronto HERE!
Regina
Regina Jazz Festival
Date: June 15th-19th
Time: Various
Location: Various
Going into their 8th year, the Regina Jazz Fest highlights some local Canadian talent, as well as some international headliners. This is a great excuse to find a patio, grab a Tom Collins and just chill as the day turns to evening, then in to night. Perfect way to spend the weekend. If you’ve got a dad, bring him. If you ARE a dad, leave the kids at home and have a date night with your best gal, and get lost in the mellow tones of some smooth jazz.
Regina’s also got a Bazaart Arts Bazaar, David Bowie Film Festival and some Pride events. Details can be found right HERE!
Calgary
National Rugby: Canada vs. Russia
Date: June 18th
Time: 3pm
Location: Calgary Rugby Park
Time to watch a seriously tough sport. The guys that play rugby are a specific kind of rough dude, and it’s always fun to watch how much punishment is being dolled out, and how much skill it takes to move the ball. It’s not easy and the Canadian team has a challenge ahead of them with the Russian Bear. I hear they train with actual Siberian Bears over there. True Story.
Other things going down in Calgary include the YYC LobsterFest, some street markets, JazzYYC Festival and a Super Dad lounge at the Calgary Farmers Market. Details are right HERE!
Winnipeg
River City Comic & Toy Expo
Date: June 19th
Time: 10am-6pm
Location: Viscount Gort Hotel
This is just the kind of think a geeky dad would want to do on Father’s day, isn’t it? With hundreds of vendors selling comics, toys and collectables, it’s a pretty great way to spend some QT with the father, and reminisce about your childhood.
More events in Winnipeg, including CarFest 2016, Dirty Rooster Derby, Manitoba Marathon, TD International Winnipeg Jazz Festival and Garth Brooks. Find the where’s and how’s HERE!
Edmonton
Beaumont Blues and Roots Festival
Dates: June 17th-19th
Time: Various
Location: Four Seasons Park, Baumont
No, not technically in Edmonton, but close enough. You shouldn’t miss this show, with Sloan and Lee Harvey Osmond headlining, it’s going to be a great weekend. That’s what summer’s all about, right? Epic weekends with live music and beer. It’s an entire weekend to Blues, roots, acoustic, rock, rockabilly and world music.
Don’t miss this.
There’s also a lot of other things going on in Edmonton. They’ve got a Porkapalooza BBQ Festival, the Eskimos are playing the Roughriders, there’s a car show, a Foodtruck fest and special fathers day laser tag and paintball events. Check those out right HERE!
Vancouver
BC Lions vs. Calgary Stampeders
Date: June 17th
Time: 7pm
Location: BC Place
What’s a Father’s Day weekend without some football, right? Still in preseason the Lions are taking on the Stampeders in a battle of the west. Go out early and catch the tailgate; have some beers and sausage before game time and just enjoy the night with your pops.
Other events in Vancouver include a Whitecaps game, some Father’s Day brewery tours and Levitation Festival Vancouver. Check out those events HERE!
