Welcome to the 2019 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 19 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.
The Canadian EDM festival scene has regressed this year as 5 EDM festivals have either decided to stop their 2019 plans or cancelled the festival altogether. This year the scene will miss Center of Gravity, Electric Love, Eclipse Festival, Motion Notion, and Kamp Festival. There were also a few festivals that have decided downscale their EDM offerings and therefore are not included in the 2019 guide. These festivals are: Ottawa Bluesfest (Only Kygo was booked this year), Festival D’Ete du Quebec (Only one evening of EDM vs. multiple days in years past), and Glow Fair festival. This should act as a somber reminder to make sure you support your favourite festivals if you want to see them continue to thrive. This message has been said in previous years but this year seems even more urgent.
One reason for optimism in 2019 is that there are two new festivals making their debut this year: Festival Arrivals near Montreal and Bomfest in Edmonton. Both are EDM centric and are bringing in huge talent. Festival Arrivals is more bass centered with headliners like Bear Grillz, Barely Alive, Dirt Monkey, and Drezo. Meanwhile Bomfest is introducing a huge lineup of Tiesto, Martin Garrix, Andrew Rayel, Duke Dumont, and many more. Bomfest showcases multiple genres and is aiming to make a big splash for its first year in Western Canada.
Not everything is bad as the festivals that still remain with us has released an overall solid lineup of acts that will be visiting Canada this summer. The biggest one of note is the Escapade Music Festival in Ottawa. The all EDM lineup is incredible as it features 3 stages that covers a variety of genres. Lineups like Escapade are becoming rare as other major festivals have decided to blend their lineups with hip hop acts. Dreams Festival, a niche 19+ festival, is worth mentioning as it features a more intimate experience with a few key acts that will please many like the ever popular REZZ. Finally we must mention the Shambhala Music Festival in B.C. as they really made an effort to expand the genres featured with a notable addition of Kaskade to the lineup.
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 7th until Sunday, June 9th, 2019.
Where: 425 Bingemans Centre Drive, Kitchener, Ontario N2B 3X7
Why you should go:
Ever After Festival is back with a line up that’s harder than ever. Kitchener is getting ready to host some of the biggest bass names in the world including Kill the Snails (Kill the Noise + Snails), Excision, Illenium and some massive house artists like Malaa, Green Velvet, and Chris Lake just to name a few. Also, keep an eye out for Peekaboo, Chocolat Puma, and Gentlemen’s Club as they will give you a new sense of what a show is really about. Kitchener might be a small city but it packs a heavy punch for a weekend of head banging and some insane sounds. This line up is interesting because it blends a night of house music with hard bass music where spectators can taste just enough of either genre! Festivals like this are a load of fun and it is a perfect weekend get-away for ravers around Ontario and further.
Escapade Music Festival
When: From Saturday, June 22nd until Sunday, June 23rd, 2019.
Where: Lansdowne Park, 450 Queen Elizabeth Driveway, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5J3 (Google Maps)
Why you should go:
It’s a big year for Ottawa as they celebrate 10 years of the biggest EDM festival in the city. The event is blasting off once again at the iconic Lansdowne Park with 5 different stages across different settings such as the bass stage being set up in the legendary 105-year-old Horticulture Building and the beautifully designed main stage, which will host Martin Garrix and DJ Snake. What seems most exciting are the B2B lined up all weekend long. Names like Felix Cartal B2B Frank Walker (Canadian Talents), Zeds Dead B2B Jauz, Tiga B2B Danny Tenaglia, Tchami X Malaa, Open Solaris B2B Niles Baxter, and others. This event is one of the most anticipated festivals of the summer and Ottawa is looking forward to receiving you.
Bud Light Dreams Festival
When: Saturday, June 29th to Sunday, June 30th, 2019.
Where: Echo Beach, 909 Lakeshore Blvd. W, Toronto, ON, M6K 3L3
Why you should go:
Right in the heart of downtown Toronto, the Bud Light Dreams Music Festival is lighting up the stage with a wide range of strictly EDM artists. Our very own, Niagara Falls born, Rezz (first ever female Dreams headliner) and Grammy winner, Zedd, will headline the Toronto festival. Supporting the closing acts is a very diverse set of incredibly talented artists sets that will bring you to another level of euphoria such as Gorgon City, having the best summer vibes, 1788-L, if you’re ready something really different, and Andrew Rayel, to keep the great energy going. From deep house to bass to big room to trance, you will get your money’s worth guaranteed. Festival passes are at an insanely affordable price for the high quality that is presented in one weekend.
Bomfest 2019
When: Friday, June 28th to Sunday, June 30th, 2019.
Where: Edmonton EXPO Centre, 7515 118 Avenue Northwest, Edmonton, Alberta, T5B 0J2
Why you should go:
In only its second year Bom Fest is bringing pure unadulterated dance music to the Edmonton Expo Grounds. From June 28-30th, Bomfest is ringing in Canada Day Long Weekend in style, and ushering in the summer with a bang. Arguably at the top of the EDM game, Martin Garrix, is a massive win for the festival; and the king of dance music himself, Tiesto, only adds to the lineups stature. The fest bolsters three stages including a dedicated locals stage highlighting the best in local talent. Don't miss Seven Lions' set as he always takes audiences on a multi-genre auditory journey, and Duke Dumont's breezy progressive energy is always a treat. With musical ambassadors spanning from trance, through house, and in to heavy bass/dubstep—Bomfest has your long weekend party needs covered.