From independent, original theatre to the boisterous fun of our large music festivals, you’ll enjoy great performances in great venues—there’s no better way to cap off a great adventure in the Northeast.
Live Music in Historic Venues
Beautiful theatres, cozy jazz clubs, raucous pub nights and gritty basement punk rock. When it comes to live music venues, Northeastern Ontario has it all. Whether you visit for a destination event on a weekend getaway or want to take in a show while you’re here, the region has a variety of options. Get your hands in the air for an international touring artist at the Sudbury Arena or enjoy an intimate concert in comfort at the century-old Capitol Centre in North Bay. Northeastern Ontario is also home to several symphony orchestras.
Outdoor Festivals & Big Skies
Northeastern Ontario is a big place—with big skies and big views—which means we have a lot of room to host amazing outdoor music festivals. The Seven is a premier destination for outdoor events, from the Up Here Festival in Sudbury to Mattawa Voyageur Days to Le Carnaval in North Bay. Take in the Northern Lights, Canada’s longest continually running outdoor music festival or camp at the River & Sky Festival for laid-back good times—with a focus on sustainability—on the Sturgeon River. Away from the ever-present crowds found in the south, you’ll find a wide range of accommodation and dining options to complement your festival getaway.
Live Theatre & Original Productions
Northeastern Ontario’s theatre companies bring the region’s unique culture and heritage to life on stage. Sudbury’s Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario showcases contemporary works by Franco-Ontarian authors and Canadian playwrights. Take Two Theatre in Timmins offers comedy, farce and dinner theatre while in North Bay, Dreamcoat Fantasy Theatre provides musical theatre for children. The Debajehmujig Storytellers operating out of Wikwemikong First Nation on Manitoulin Island is a multi-disciplinary arts organization showcasing Indigenous theatre and artists. With theatre companies small and large performing throughout the year across the region, you’ll be able to find the perfect show to complement your stay in the Northeast.
Pow Wow Celebrations in the Summer
If you’ve never been to a pow wow, now is the time to plan on attending one on your next trip to Northeastern Ontario. Traditionally a celebration to honour the ancestors, a pow wow is a great place to learn about First Nations’ life and culture through music, song, food, dance and storytelling—and it’s also a great privilege to experience. If you have the chance to attend, don’t pass up the opportunity.
Generally held on weekends from June to late August across Northeastern Ontario, each community’s celebration is unique. Some are only a few years old, while the Wiikwemikoong Annual Cultural Festival—one of the largest, longest running pow wows in North Eastern North America—has been held annually since 1961.
- See Live Music
- Must-Visit Festivals
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