July
RBC Bluesfest
When: Thursday, July 5th until Sunday, July 15th, 2018
Where: Lebreton Flats, Ottawa, ON.
Why you should go:
Bluesfest is the ultimate multi-genre festival located in the Nation's Capital. Featuring a diverse lineup with multiple stages, you can easily peruse around the grounds to sample different types of music to your heart's content. This year they're bringing back Bluesfest favourites Zeds Dead and Grandtheft on the same night (July 13th), while Chromeo and Keys 'N Krates play on other nights to round out the EDM offering. The organization of this festival is second to none, and there are great food options. Bluesfest is an Ottawa annual tradition that will hopefully continue for years to come.
Festival D'été De Québec
When: Thursday, July 5th until Sunday, July 15th, 2018
Where: Main venue located at the Plains of Abraham, Quebec City, QC. The Imperial De Quebec stage is located at 252 St-Joseph East St.
Why you should go:
Founded in 1958, the Festival d'été de Québec, is one of the largest outdoor festivals in the province. Set at the historical Plains of Abraham in Quebec City, this festival is one of the most affordable in the country, as a full pass can be purchased for only $100. The lineup is highly diverse with some electronic music bookings including The Chainsmokers, Bonobo (Live), and Chromeo. Quebec City is gorgeous, and if you ever wanted to combine music with sightseeing, then this is the festival for you.
FVDED In The Park
When: From Friday, July 6th until Saturday, July 7th, 2018
Location: Holland Park, 13428 old Yale Road, Surrey, B.C.
Why you should go:
Entering it's fourth year, FVDED In The Park is Blueprint Events premiere festival of the summer. FVDED has managed to create a nice balance of acts spanning the world of electronic dance music and hip hop. This year's hip hop offering includes Future as the headlining act, Ferg, Brockhampton, Trippie Redd, and more. Blueprint Events always likes to keep their EDM bookings diverse and this year's FVDED is no exception with the smoother sounds of Kygo and Kaskade is contrasted by the heavier bass acts like REZZ, Slander, and K?D. House music is well-represented with Duko Dumont, Destructo, and Chris Lake, who will give fans a fresh sound to chill out to in the warm summer sun.
Bass Coast Festival
When: Friday, July 6th until Monday, July 9th, 2018
Where: 1000 Midday Valley Rd, Nicola Valley, Merritt, B.C.
Why you should go:
Set at the Nicola Valley in B.C, the Bass Coast Electronic Music & Arts Festival brings together music, technology, art, and nature for a special 4-day gathering. There are 4 stages, yoga and workshops, 2 cocktail bars, and of course the beautiful natural setting that is found in British Columbia. This 19+ festival has developed a loyal following as it has been completely sold out for its 2018 edition, just like last year.
Evolve Festival
When: Friday, July 6th until Monday, July 9th, 2018
Where: 274 Girvan Road, Moncton, New Brunswick, E4T 2J9
Why you should go:
Evolve is a 3-day grassroots music camping festival located near Moncton, New Brunswick. Started in 2000, Evolve is about combining music and social issues together in one harmonious package. This year's lineup features rising talent Ray Volpe, along with names like Skratch Bastid, Sydney Blu, Chuurch, and more. Evolve is also known for its emphasis on environmental awareness with a goal of holding a festival that generates zero waste.
AIM Electronic Music Festival
When: Friday, July 6th to Sunday, July 8th, 2018
Location: Parc Carillon, Rue du Plein Air, St-André d Argenteuil, QC J0V 1X0
Why you should go:
Once this festival gets started, AIM gives fans a non-stop 32 hours of continuous music. This unique offering makes AIM stand out from the rest of the festivals as it attempts to re-create the feel of the all-night clubs like Circus Afterhours and Stereo Nightclub in Montreal. AIM caters to the underground connoisseur with a splash of trance, and now a huge entry into bass to even out the lineup. With names like Danny Tenaglia, Aly & Fila, John O'Callaghan, Orjan Nilsen, Dubfire, Kill the Noise, and more - AIM's ambition is to become a major player on the EDM festival circuit. Located between Montreal and Ottawa, AIM offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy some incredibly deep music in a beautiful surrounding.
Astral Harvest Music & Arts Festival
When: Friday, July 13th until Monday, July 16th, 2018
Where: North Country Fair Festival Grounds, Driftpile, AB, Canada. (3.5 hours north of Edmonton, AB)
Why you should go:
This festival marches to the beat of its own drum as the stages are very organic, each with their own name and background lore. It's also highly interactive as there are plenty of yoga sessions, art workshops, seminars, and even a few kid-friendly activities. The music lineup features Walker & Royce, Sam Binga and a whole host of artists who are instantly recognizable if you make the rounds of the B.C. festival scene.
Valhalla Sound Circus
When: Thursday, July 19th - Monday, July 23rd, 2018
Where: 891 Rang Sainte-Madeleine, Saint-Andre-Avelin, QC J0V
Why you should go:
Set in the woods in between Montreal and Ottawa, Valhalla is a 5-day camping festival that brings together serious bass talent. Led by Downlink, Funtcase, Ill.Gates, Delta Heavy and more. If you're looking to get a feel for a western Canadian festival like Shambhala but live on the east coast, then Valhalla is the spot to check out.
Eclipse Festival
When: Thursday, July 26th until Monday, July 30th, 2018
Location: 215 Ch de la Rivière-Gatineau, Sainte-Thérèse-de-la-Gatineau QC J0X 2X0
Why you should go:
Located north of Ottawa in the forest by the Gatineau River is Eclipse Festival, a 5-day camping festival. Eclipse is a place where fantasy and music collide with a beautiful natural surrounding. Eclipse offers 3 electronic music stages with a huge lineup of underground international and local artists. This festival is an intimate escape as you're bound to meet a few friendly faces during 5 days of dancing.
CENTER OF GRAVITY
When: From Friday, July 27th until Sunday, July 29th, 2018
Where: City Park, 1600 Abbott Street, Kelowna, B.C, V1Y 1B6
Why you should go:
Center of Gravity is one of the more diverse festivals in Canada as they combine sports like beach volleyball with electronic dance music. This year they're going in deep with hip hop and EDM with Zedd, a rare appearance by the Wu-Tang Clan, French Montana, Illenium, Jauz and more. The lineup is spread out over 3-days which means more time to explore the grounds and enjoy all of the events happening all over.
Electric Love Music Festival
When: Thursday, July 26th - Sunday, July 29th, 2018
Where: Cheam Fishing Village, 930 Appel Road, Agassiz, B.C.
Why you should go:
Electric Love is a festival that combines art, seminars, and workshops with eletcronic music. This festival features PK Sound, over 200 artists, both local and international, live dancers, camping, and more. Entering its 4th year, Electric Love invites festival goers a chance to enjoy nature and music. This year's lineup is by far the most ambitious as they're inviting Baauer, Dirtyphonics, John '00' Fleming, Sikdope, Tokimonsta, and the legendary The Crystal Method. There's a little something for everybody as Electric Love enters the big leagues.
Future Forest
When: Friday, July 27th until Monday, July 30th, 2018
Where: Fredericton, NB.
Why you should go:
Future Forest promises an experience where "nature, art and technology collide, bound by the sounds of bass, trap, hip hop, funk, throwback house, and psychedelic techno". Their phase 1 lineup delivers on that promise as they've invited Drumcode's Alexi Delano, bass producers Astronomar and Martin Horger, and more. Combine these known names with the best of the local scene and you've got a festival worth visiting.