Ontario boasts a thriving craft beer scene, with numerous festivals celebrating local brews and welcoming communities. Whether you’re exploring the charming streets of Ottawa or enjoying the vibrant culture of Toronto, there’s always a beer festival to enhance your experience.
From the lively Toronto Craft Beer Festival to the cozy gatherings in smaller towns, Ontario’s beer festivals offer a fantastic opportunity to taste unique beers, meet passionate brewers, and enjoy live entertainment. Discover the diverse range of beer festivals happening in Ontario in 2024 and plan your visit to experience the best of the province’s brewing talents.
What are the Upcoming Beer Festivals in Ontario?
Newmarket Craft Beverage Festival
📅 Date: June 5–6, 2026
📍 Location: Newmarket, Ontario
💰 Cost: Varies by session (Family, Battle of the Beverages, Twilight Disco Party)
Now in its eighth year, this beloved community festival returns for two full days of craft beer, cider, and food in the heart of Newmarket. Featuring over 15 beverage vendors, the weekend kicks off with a retro vinyl DJ night on Friday, then rolls into three Saturday sessions including a family-friendly afternoon, a Battle of the Beverages competition, and a lively Twilight Disco Party with a live band. Expect food trucks, a grazing garden, artisan makers, and giant lawn games throughout.
Kitchener Ribfest & Craft Beer Show
📅 Date: July 17–19, 2026
📍 Location: Victoria Park, Kitchener, Ontario
💰 Cost: Free admission (donations welcome in support of the Food Bank of Waterloo Region)
A summer highlight in the Waterloo Region, this free outdoor festival pairs mouth-watering BBQ ribs and chicken with a curated selection of Ontario craft beers, ciders, and cocktails. Live entertainment runs all weekend long, and a Kids Fun Zone makes it an ideal outing for the whole family. While admission is free, come hungry and thirsty — and consider supporting the Food Bank of Waterloo Region with a donation at the gate.
Toronto’s Festival of Beer (TFOB)
📅 Date: Late July 2026 (check website for confirmed dates)
📍 Location: Bandshell Park, Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario
💰 Cost: From ~$65 General Admission; VIP and premium packages available
Canada’s most celebrated craft beer weekend, Toronto’s Festival of Beer has been a summer institution since 1995. With over 400 beers from 100+ breweries worldwide, it’s the ultimate destination for serious beer explorers and casual sippers alike. Beyond the pours, expect live music on multiple stages, food truck alley, grilling demonstrations, beer education sessions, and Beer Yoga. Each attendee receives an official TFOB mug upon entry — festival ticket required, 19+ event.
Richmond Hill Craft Beer Festival
📅 Date: August 15, 2026
📍 Location: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, 10268 Yonge St, Richmond Hill, Ontario
💰 Cost: $28.25
A community-focused craft beer celebration in support of Hill House Hospice, this intimate one-day festival showcases over 10 craft beverage producers — all guaranteed to be Made in Canada. With around 600 attendees, it offers a welcoming, close-knit atmosphere where beer lovers can discover Ontario craft beers, ciders, and spirits while giving back to a meaningful local cause. A perfect afternoon out for curious craft enthusiasts who prefer something more personal over large-scale events.
Cambridge Ribfest & Craft Beer Show
📅 Date: August 7–9, 2026
📍 Location: Riverside Park, Cambridge, Ontario
💰 Cost: Free admission (donations support Rotary Cambridge Sunrise)
Set alongside the scenic Grand River in Riverside Park, this beloved late-summer festival brings together the best of Ontario craft beer and classic BBQ fare. Sample a fantastic lineup of locally brewed beers, ciders, and cocktails while indulging in mouth-watering ribs and chicken. Live entertainment runs throughout the weekend, and a dedicated Kids Fun Zone ensures the whole family has a great time. A portion of proceeds support Rotary Cambridge Sunrise community initiatives.
Because Beer — Hamilton
📅 Date: Summer 2026 (check website for confirmed date)
📍 Location: Bridgeworks, Hamilton, Ontario
💰 Cost: Check website for ticket pricing (19+ event)
Hosted at the beloved Bridgeworks venue in Hamilton, Because Beer is a celebration of Southwestern Ontario’s most exciting independent craft breweries and cideries. Featuring producers like Shawn & Ed Brewing Co. from Dundas, Willibald Farm Distillery & Brewery from Ayr, and many more, the event pairs great pours with specialty food vendors, live music on stage, and a free retro arcade. A free-spirited, community-forward festival that perfectly captures Hamilton’s creative craft culture.
Kanata Craft Beer Festival
📅 Date: September 18–19, 2026
📍 Location: Kanata (Ottawa region), Ontario
💰 Cost: Check website for ticket pricing (19+ event)
A relaxed outdoor celebration in the Ottawa area, the Kanata Craft Beer Festival brings together a well-curated selection of craft beers, ciders, and cocktails paired with tasty local food vendors and live music. Whether you’re a seasoned craft beer enthusiast or simply beer-curious, this easygoing late-summer festival is the perfect way to sample the flavours of the season with friends. Part of the Ankhor Events family of Ottawa-area craft beer celebrations, it draws a warm, welcoming crowd year after year.
Kingston Ribfest & Craft Beer Show
📅 Date: September 5–7, 2026 (recurring annually)
📍 Location: Memorial Centre Park, Kingston, Ontario
💰 Cost: Free admission (donations support Partners in Mission Food Bank)
Set against the backdrop of historic Kingston, this beloved Labour Day weekend festival combines smoky BBQ ribs and chicken with a diverse selection of Ontario craft beers, ciders, and cocktails. Live entertainment fills the park all weekend while the Kids Fun Zone keeps younger visitors happily occupied. Entry is free, making it one of the most accessible and family-friendly beer festivals in Eastern Ontario. Donations at the event benefit the Partners in Mission Food Bank.
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
📅 Date: September 25 – October 17, 2026
📍 Location: Multiple Festhallen & venues across Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario
💰 Cost: Varies by event and Festhallen; check website for individual pricing
Canada’s largest Bavarian festival — and one of the biggest Oktoberfest celebrations outside of Munich — the 58th annual K-W Oktoberfest transforms the Waterloo Region for three weeks every fall. Expect traditional Festhallen (beer halls) with steins of cold bier, Bavarian cuisine, live polka music, Schuhplattler dancing, the iconic Thanksgiving Day Parade, and family programming at KIDtoberfest. Whether you dress in full tracht or just come as you are, Onkel Hans and Tante Frieda welcome all. Prost!
OktoberFest Muskoka
📅 Date: October 2026 (check website for confirmed dates)
📍 Location: Participating breweries & restaurants across Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Bala, Torrance & Port Carling, Ontario
💰 Cost: Varies by venue and event
Unlike a traditional single-venue festival, OktoberFest Muskoka is a multi-night culinary and beer crawl spread across the breathtaking cottage country of the Muskoka region. Each evening, musicians and entertainers perform at participating breweries and restaurants, while chefs serve traditional Oktoberfest fare — sausages, pretzels, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, and Spätzle — with a distinctive Muskoka twist. It’s the most scenic way to celebrate Bavarian brewing culture in Ontario, surrounded by fall foliage and lakeside charm.