July Events Heat up South Eastern Ontario

Rosanne Lake

It’s hot. It’s sunny. It’s summer event time, baby! This is the perfect time of year to get out and explore our vibrant communities, big and small, and take part in events across the region. From buskers to berries and from mazes to music, we’ve got you covered so you’ll never even come close to boredom. Take a look at more than 36 July events in South Eastern Ontario!

1. Throughout July: Outerbridge Magic - Mysteries of the Keyhole House in Merrickville
Hollywood headliners and social media sensations, Ted and Marion Outerbridge, are bringing their internationally acclaimed and family-friendly show to The Pews in Merrickville! Find out what happens when two of Canada’s master illusionists move into a century-old house that’s rumoured to be haunted!

2. July 3 to 27: Sweet Delilah Swim Club at Upper Canada Playhouse
The perfect summer show! Memorable characters, hilarity, meaningful friendships that stand the test of time. See it on stage at the Upper Canada Playhouse in Morrisburg and get ready to laugh.

3. July 3, 12 and 17 and various dates – Waterside Summer Series in L&A County
Imagine watching classical music in the intimate setting of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church on Amherst Island. The series starts on July 3 and features two wonderful Canadian musicians, Cameron Crozman, cello, and pianist, Meagan Milatz. It’s a recipe for an inspiring opening concert. Look for other dates throughout July!

4. July 4 and 5: Williamstown Rodeo

Experience the adrenaline of the toughest sport on dirt with thrilling rodeo events! This action-packed weekend sees the Williamstown Rodeo ride into Williamstown Fairgrounds, in collaboration with Black Creek Rodeo Co. Be there!

5. July 4 to 6: Analogue Island Festival, Wolfe Island
Now in its fourth year, this three day festival promises to celebrate the analogue and the avant garde! Featuring everything from post punk and pop to ambient and jazz at Hotel Wolfe Island.

6. July 5: Buskerfest in Downtown Belleville
This one’s a crowd pleaser and draws lots of folks from near and far! This extraordinary event on July 5 promises a dazzling array of performances by world-class entertainers, alongside many local talents. Be captivated with the unique artistry of busking while enjoying an electric atmosphere that celebrates creativity, skill, and community. 

7. July 5: Oeno Gallery’s Sculpture Garden Celebration
Hugely popular, this annual family-friendly celebration is set for 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on July 5 at Oeno Gallery Sculpture Garden, featuring an afternoon of art, music, food and community. Meet the Oeno artists, explore more than 30 new outdoor sculptures and the gallery’s exhibition, Summering. Live music, food, drinks and art - is there anything better?!

8. July 5, 12 and 25-26: L&A Dark Sky Viewing Area events
L&A County Dark Sky Viewing Area is a great place to stargaze, take night sky photography or make deep sky observations with your telescope! Be sure to catch the Up Close with the Moon events on July 5, or Dark Sky Triple Feature on July 12, and lastly the Laser-Guided Stargazing Tours on July 25 and 26.

9. July 5 and 6 / July 13 and 14: PEC Lavender Festival 
Visit the beautiful farm at Prince Edward County Lavender! During this event, look for fab smelling plants, wonderful photos, children’s activities, live entertainment and even food! Discover all things lavender and feel the calm.

10. July 5 and 6: Bloomfest Weekend at Lavender Queen Farm
See five lavender varieties in full bloom, take photos in the field or on the tractor! Savour some lavender treats on the patio and shop vendors, who will provide some craft demonstrations.

11. July 6: Wolfe Island Classic
Lace up on an island! The Wolfe Island Classic is an amazing summer running event with something for everyone. Choose a 5K, 10K, Kids Mile, and there’s a free 200m Kiddie Dash. Hop on the Wolfe Islands Ferry and join in the fun on beautiful Wolfe Island for one of the most unique race settings in Ontario. 

12. July 6, 13, 20 and 27: Summer Sunday Concert Series at Bishops House

Join in every Sunday in July from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for live outdoor concerts featuring beloved local talent, from traditional Glengarry fiddling to Celtic ensembles! Bring your lawn chairs, soak in the sounds, and enjoy the relaxed summer atmosphere.

13. July 8 to Aug. 16: Mary Poppins at Thousand Islands Playhouse
Chim-chimney! The beloved story that captured hearts across the world is on stage in Gananoque for the summer as a practically perfect musical - don’t miss it at this beautiful riverside setting.

14. July 9 to 13: Wendover Western Festival
Giddy up to this festival July 9 to 13, celebrating all things country! Now in its 39th year, the Wendover Western Festival has been enjoyed for generations. Always a great program of music and children’s activities!

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15. July 10 to 12: Napanee Country Jamboree
Get your hands clapping with this five piece band with five singers and great harmony, playing country, blues and old rock. Be there for fun!

16. July 10 to 13: Kingston Busker Rendezvous
Celebrate the Kingston Buskers Rendezvous’ 35th edition! Known as the one of the top buskers festivals in Canada, Kingston audiences will witness a marvellous roster of global talents all over the downtown. With daytime performances in the streets and unbelievable circle shows to Buskers After Dark offering an immersive journey into the beating heart of urban creativity, the Kingston Busker Rendezvous is a jaw-dropping celebration of limitless talent in the streets of Downtown Kingston. Plan to be there!

17. July 11 to 13: Waupoos Women’s Wellness Weekend
This inclusive retreat weekend at Waupoos Island Camp is ready for women looking for a welcoming and relaxed space to move forward with their wellness journey. Think activities including daily yoga, meditation, forest bathing and sound baths.

18. July 12: Lecture kick off to Highway of Heros at Murney Tower

Murney Tower will host an exciting lecture by Tim Cook on Canada’s complex military history and the relationship with the United States. Starting at 5 p.m., this event is celebrating the launch of the Highway of Heroes Military Museums Association.

19. July 12: Lakes and Trails Festival in Frontenac
This festival is an invitation to align with nature, celebrate shared heritage and create memories. Taking place at the Point Park in Sydenham, it includes everything active from supervised swims to canoe skills instruction, guided bike rides, nature crafts, kid’s ninja and much more!

20. July 12 and 13: Elgin Days

Picture this: streets full of yard sales, a chicken barbecue, loads of live music, children’s events, a parade, petting zoo, vendor market, fire trucks, library book sale, face painters, legendary bake sales, and Elgin Days so much more! It’s a village-wide celebration of community taking place every year on the second weekend in July. 

21. July 12: Thousand Islands Boat Museum Boat Show
Come to the 10th annual TIBM Boat Show to experience a display of rare watercraft, dockside tours of vintage yachts and nautical kids’ crafts! We hear there will be live music, photo ops with a mermaid, a courtyard tiki bar, paddle carving and more. Set sail for sun at the museum on the shores of the St. Lawrence River in Gananoque.

22. July 12 to 20: Cornwall Pride Festival

Get ready for an incredibly special July in Cornwall as Diversity Cornwall's 10th Anniversary Pride Festival and Pride Week in Cornwall is set to be amazing! This year is packed with vibrant events celebrating the 2SLGBTQ+ community, offering everything from parades and festivals to family-friendly activities and insightful discussions. Mark your calendars and join in this a truly memorable Pride celebration! 

23. July 17 to 19: Downtown Trenton Festival on the Bay 
Join in the waterfront fun from July 17 to 19, 2025 and expect centre stage performances, sidewalk sales, a pancake breakfast, fireworks, Art in the Park and water fun!

24. July 17 to 20: Lansdowne Fair 
The fair that is going 161 years strong! The Lansdowne Agricultural Society presents this deep-rooted community fair with a midway, agricultural exhibits, amazing food, jam-packed main-stage schedule, and lots of nighttime entertainment. Experience a true country fair that is the highlight of the summer.

25. July 18 to 20: Avonmore Fair
Experience the Avonmore Fair and all it has to offer, from live music from the County Lads to the Inflatables and rock-climbing walls it’s a fair you won't want to miss!

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26. July 19 to Aug. 16: St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival, Prescott 
Shakespeare against the beautiful backdrop of the St. Lawrence in Prescott – yes please! The only professional outdoor theatre in the St. Lawrence Seaway area is on stage at the gorgeous venue on Prescott’s waterfront. Witness Much Ado About Nothing opening on July 19 and running to Aug. 9; Sherlock Holmes and the Vanishing Hours from July 23 to Aug. 9,  as well as Play On! A Shakespeare Inspired Mix Tape, August 12 to 16, 2025.

27. July 19: Fort Henry Tattoo, Kingston

Watch history come alive with the impressive precision drill and musical skills  of the Fort Henry Guard and top military bands from across Ontario! The night culminates in the parade square at the fort ringing out with a massed bands performance and fantastic fireworks display.

28. July 19: Westport Car Show

Get ready to celebrate automotive excellence at the Westport Car Show Cruise & Shop! Set against the stunning backdrop of the Rideau, this fun-filled event is one of Eastern Ontario’s most family-friendly car and truck shows. Spend the day exploring a wide variety of classic cars, trucks, fire trucks, antique tractors and carriages, plus electric vehicles with test drives. There’s something for every kind of auto enthusiast—and plenty more for the whole family to enjoy. Admission is free, so bring the kids and take in all that historic Westport has to offer.

29. July 24 to 27: Delta Fair
One of the longest running agricultural fairs in Ontario, The Delta Fair is a summertime highlight for the area for generations. The Delta Agricultural Society is celebrating 195 years of the fair in 2025! Enjoy fun for the whole family with children’s shows, a midway, games, truck pull, horse and animal shows, lawn mower races, live entertainment, homecraft exhibits, and much more. 

30. July 25 and 26: Empire Rockfest, Belleville
Rock your socks off in Downtown Belleville at Empire Rockfest on July 25 and 26, 2025! Make it a summer to remember seeing David Wilcox, Trooper and Luscious on July 25, as well as The Arkells, Lights, and Jake Clemmons Band on July 26 at this outdoor festival.
 

31. July 25: Rockin’ the Square, Kingston
The Halluci Nation will be Rockin’ the Square during the City’s annual signature large-scale free outdoor summer music concert in Springer Market Square! Plan to be there for a fun night in downtown Kingston.

32. July 26: Comedy Country, Middle Raged

Comedy Country returns in Prince Edward County with another full slate of hilarious shows, comedy workshops and big laughs! Fresh off its Mirvish run, Middle Raged is a hilarious live sketch comedy revue starring Geri Hall (22 Minutes, Second City), and Gary Pearson (MadTV, Corner Gas), that explores life between 30 and 65! See it at the historic Regent Theatre in Picton. With 13 live shows from July to December, including a new monthly mid-week series, a world premiere production and and all-local comedy bootcamp, Comedy Country is set to deliver big city laughs with small town charm.

33. July 26: L&A Expo Freestyle Sk8 Contest
Watch this open division freestyle skateboarding content featuring international competitors, a vendor fair and live music.

34. July 27: Thousand Islands Bark Bash, Gananoque
A celebration of everything dog! Bring your well behaved pup and enjoy doggie displays and demos, canine supplies, meet the rescues and have fun with other dog lovers. The doggie fun day runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Gananoque’s Town Park.

35. July 30: Laluxe Femme Plus Size Exclusive Pool Party
This party can’t be beat! Gathering at Lakeside Motel on July 30 for a day of swimming, snacking and socializing. Register to attend solo or with a group of friends. Laluxe Femme is a Rainbow Registered organization so all events are LGBTQ+ friendly.

36. July 31: FestivISLES 2025, Gananoque
Be sure to check out this bilingual cultural festival featuring both French and English music in Joel Stone Park, alongside a craft market, live French theatre, buskers, music and activities at the library and museums.

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Ongoing live music and arts in PEC to note:

Always eventful, enjoy South Eastern Ontario in July!

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