Summer Fun Guide: 10 can’t miss events in July & August

July 17, 2023

The warm weather is back – and so too are the great festivals and events that make up Cornwall’s summer events calendar!

The summer of 2023 is shaping up to be a great one for festivalgoers with many of Cornwall’s favourite events preparing to make a return following a period of dormancy brought on by the pandemic.

From food events and sporting competitions to concerts and art tours, Cornwall’s event calendar features a little bit of everything. Read on below for our list of 10 can’t miss festivals and events and get ready to have some fun!

Please note: Events are subject to change or cancellation. For the latest information and updates, make sure to check out the websites and/or social media accounts for particular events in advance.

THE LIST

1. Cornwall Ribfest

Thursday, July 27- Sunday, July 30
Lamoureux Park
Additional information

Live concerts, carnival rides, children’s activities and of course… ribs. Cornwall Ribfest is back in a big way!

The four-day event draws thousands to Lamoureux Park each summer for a perfect mix of sunshine and old-fashioned ‘summer fair’ vibes. Enjoy a great line up of entertainment and some old-fashioned carnival rides to go along with mouth-watering ribs and other food options.

2. Arts in the Park

Various dates
Lamoureux Park
Additional information

Arts in the Park is a summer tradition in Cornwall that goes back decades. It remains as popular as ever, and for good reason. Who doesn’t enjoy listening to free concerts with family and friends in a beautiful waterfront park? Or taking in a family-friendly movie on a giant outdoor screen under the stars? That’s the recipe for Arts in the Park, which runs on select nights throughout July and August out of the bandshell in Lamoureux Park (weather permitting).

3. Poutine Fest

Thursday, August 3- Sunday, August 6
Lamoureux Park
Additional information

Nothing says Canada like poutine, and no one does poutine quite like the folks at Poutine Feast.

This traveling festival will touch down in Cornwall’s Lamoureux Park in August for four days of foodie fun. Numerous poutine vendors from around Ontario will be serving up traditional and off-the-wall versions of Canada’s famous dish. Whether you’re looking to sample a new or traditional poutine, you’re sure to find it here – and don’t forget your appetite!

5. Pride Festival and Parade

Saturday, August 12
Lamoureux Park
Additional information

Diversity/Diversité Cornwall is set to host the 2023 Pride Festival and Parade on Saturday, August 12th. This amazing community celebration will feature a parade followed by a day of fun activities in Lamoureux Park.

Be a part of the celebration and invite your family and friends to join in as well!

6. Night Market

Friday, August 18
Downtown Cornwall
Additional information

Cornwall’s second Night Market, organized by dg vintage, will set up in Downtown Cornwall with dozens of vendors. Downtown businesses will be open late and patios will be opened for dinner and drinks.

Vendors will offer a mix of vintage, jewelry, food, bath & beauty products, plants, home decor, candles, beadwork, oddities and more!

7. Cornwall Chaos

Saturday, August 19
Lamoureux Park
Additional information

Cornwall Chaos is an all day, outdoor, free concert down at the Cornwall Lions Club Bandshell. This event will showcase heavy metal acts from the Cornwall, Ottawa and Montreal areas.

If you’re a fan of loud music you won’t want to miss this! The music will start at 1 pm. Best of all, admission is free!

8. Doors Open Cornwall & SDG Counties

Saturday, August 19 & Sunday, August 20
Various locations
Additional information

The Cornwall region’s rich history will spring to life during Doors Open, a two-day event where visitors enjoy free admission to some of the most historic and noteworthy buildings and places in the community – many of which are not typically open to the public!

Doors Open is a province-wide event that promotes history and culture by encouraging access to amazing historical and cultural sites. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more info on this year’s list of Doors Open locations in Cornwall and SDG Counties.

9. Touch a Truck & Outdoor Movie

Thursday August 24th
Lamoureux Park

Mark your calendars! The City of Cornwall’s popular Touch a Truck event is coming back this year! The event will be hosted in Lamoureux Park, right in front of the Cornwall Civic Complex, on Newsy Lalonde Way.

The event will be taking place on August 24th from 5:30 pm to 8 pm. The sensory friendly portion will take place from 5:30 pm till 6:30 pm. Afterwards, enjoy a free movie at the bandshell in Lamoureux Park.

10. Cornwall Triathlon

Saturday, August 26 & Sunday, August 27
Cornwall
Additional information

The Cornwall Triathlon has grown to become one of the premier triathlons in eastern Ontario, attracting well over 600 athletes each year. This year’s triathlon promises to be one of the biggest races yet!

Triathlon weekend kicks off on Saturday with children’s events based at the Cornwall Aquatic Centre. Sunday’s events move to L’Heritage High School and include a 5K run, duathlon and triathlon races along a traffic-free Montreal Road and a portion of the St. Lawrence River. Registration is now open!

OTHER CAN’T MISS EVENTS

Glengarry Highland Games

Friday, August 4 & Saturday, August 5
Maxville Fairgrounds
Additional information

Held annually in Maxville, the Games are one of the largest celtic events in North America.

Since the first Games were held in 1948, the people of Glengarry have extended close to a million welcomes to visitors who come to see what is estimated to be one of the largest Highland Games in the world. Hundreds of thousands of people have found themselves drawn once a year to Maxville to witness an outstanding display of music, dance, sports, pageantry, and tradition. It’s a one-of-a-kind event that you won’t want to miss.

County Fairs

Various dates
SDG Counties

A visit to the area is always made better with a stop at the County Fair. Fortunately, in SDG Counties, there are a lot of opportunities for this to happen during the summer months. The region’s fairs offer a great taste of local culture and heritage in addition to an action-packed outing for the whole family. Make sure to mark these events into your summer calendar:

Williamstown Fair – August 11 – 13
South Mountain Fair – August 17 – 20
Chesterville Fair – August 25 – 27
Stormont County Fair – September 1 – 4

FIND MORE FUN!

Looking for more fun festivals and events to enjoy? This list is by no means exhaustive. There’s something going on practically every weekend in Cornwall and SDG Counties. To discover event more events in the area, make sure to check out our Events Calendar. And make sure to check it often – it’s updated regularly with new events!

#ExploreCornwallON

Looking for other fun things to do in Cornwall? Check out the Explore section of our website for other fun-filled activities to keep you busy. Better yet, consider extending your stay with a night at one of our great accommodations!

Got a question?

Got questions? Need recommendations? We’re here to help! Call or text us at 613-938-4748 or email us at info@cornwalltourism.com and we’ll be pleased to help you with any questions you may have!

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