Welcome to the 2018 edition of the Canadian EDM summer festival guide - a comprehensive source for all upcoming summer festivals that are relevant to the electronic dance music fan. This year's guide features 25 festivals from coast to coast, big and small, and offers a variety of lineups to fit almost any taste. From camping to big city festivals in Toronto, the Canadian EDM summer festival season has it all.
Festivals in Canada appear to be in good shape as the big EDM festivals have produced big lineups that have mainstage appeal while also catering to various genres. Last year's trend of bringing hip hop to EDM festivals has continued in 2018 as Veld, FVDED In the Park, and now Escapade in Ottawa all have hip hop acts added onto the main lineup. Unfortunately one of the best festivals of the last few years, WayHome near Toronto, is no longer with us this summer. This should act as a somber reminder to make sure you support your favourite festivals if you want to see them continue to thrive. There is a lot to be excited about this summer as each festival gives fans a lot of good reasons to attend.
In this guide you will be presented with a festival listing in chronological order. Each listing will have details such as: time and place, a link to the event page for more information, and most importantly, why you should go. Without further delay, start making your festival summer plans now by checking out the guide below!
June
Ever After Music Festival
When: Friday, June 8th until Sunday, June 10th, 2018
Where: 425 Bingemans Centre Drive, Kitchener, Ontario N2B 3X7
Why you should go:
Ever After has become the go-to bass festival in Eastern Canada, if not of the whole North East of North America. This festival appeared out of nowhere only a short few years ago to now achieving a loyal fan-base and a top-notch bass lineups every year. The 2018 edition is no exception as they invited the who's who of the bass world with names such as Excision, Snails, Getter, Zomboy, Kill The Noise and so many more. What makes this lineup special is that there aren't any weak points as Ever After gives good reason for every fan to show up early and stay from start to finish. For bass fans who live on the East Coast, there is no contest, going to Ever After has become a necessary pilgrimage for the bass faithful.
Glowfair Festival
When: Thursday, June 14th until Saturday, June 16th, 2018
Where: Bank Street, Ottawa, ON.
Why you should go:
Glowfair is a free festival that takes place near Parliament Hill each year which features artists from a multitude of genres. This year's EDM selection includes Cash Cash, who delivered an impressive set at Contact Festival in Vancouver late last year. They will be headlining Thursday's show. Montreal's Paris & Simo will also be the other major EDM act to grace the Glowfair stage. Glowfair is a lot of fun with lots of activities and acts to enjoy - and you can't beat that it's entirely free!
Escapade Music Festival
When: From Saturday, June 23rd until Sunday, June 24th, 2018
Where: Lansdowne Park, 450 Queen Elizabeth Driveway, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5J3 (Google Maps)
Why you should go:
Escapade is Ottawa's biggest EDM festival, which always manages the impossible task of getting bigger and better every year. Now at the Lansdowne Park for the 2nd year in a row, Escapade has found an ideal central location that sports an almost perfect stage placement and a lineup that will get fans jumping from location to location to catch all of the acts. The combo of Armin Van Buuren and Zedd on the mainstage on Sunday is irresistible as both artists are at home on the mainstage and know how to pump up big crowds. Make sure to catch up and coming names like Brohug, Crankdat, and Robotaki. Overall Escapade is a cannot miss festival as its 2018 lineup is filled with notable talent.
Bud Light Dreams Festival
When: Saturday, June 23rd to Sunday, June 24th, 2018
Where: Echo Beach, 909 Lakeshore Blvd. W, Toronto, ON, M6K 3L3
Why you should go:
Dreams is the only 19+ EDM festival in Toronto which creates a more intimate scene that caters to the veteran EDM fan. With a mix of legacy and new artists, Dreams brings together up and coming acts like Brohug, Spencer Brown, and Whethan with eternal favourites like Nero (DJ Set), Richie Hawtin, and Paul Van Dyk. This is notable because a Nero DJ set hasn't been seen in Toronto on a festival stagesince the Identity Festival back in 2012. Another blast from the past who's making his way back to touring is Rusko, whom I hope will drop some proper dubstep to excite the fans.
Kamp Festival
When: Friday, June 29th until Monday, July 2nd, 2018
Where: Whatshan Lake Retreat, 645 Whatshan Lake Rd, Edgewood, Kootenays, V0G 1J0 B.C. (Between Nelson, Vernon, Kelowna, and Revelstoke)
Why you should go:
Think of Kamp Festival as a 3-day summer camp catering to adults. The festival combines electronic music with a wide breath of activities like “Drum n Bass Dodge Ball”, yoga, swimming, capture the flag along with more artistic pursuits like painting, glass blowing, poetry, and more. This is a place of peace and comfort for fans who want to get away from it all, engage in fun activities, and party at night. This year's festival features some western bass fan favourites like The Funk Hunters, Mat The Alien, Moontricks, Dubconcious, and more.