The month of July is chock-a-block with exciting events and activities that are scheduled to take place in the Niagara region. There’s something for everyone this summer of 2018, from wine events and sporting action to theatre festivals and supper markets.
Here are some of the best events and places where you can have a fun time on your own or with your family and friends:
Canada Day Festivities
July begins with a bang as amazing celebrations have been lined up for Canada Day on July 1. Festivities will take place across the Niagara region. Feel the excitement with a parade and musical events that you can attend in Niagara Falls. Participate in a Run/Walk or drop by the Car Show or the Art Show. Head to Rennie Park in St Catharines to enjoy live music by Niagara-based bands. At Welland, you can enjoy free water activities for adults and kids on this day. A pancake breakfast awaits at Niagara-on-the-Lake besides free entry to Fort George for BBQ dinner, awesome artillery demonstrations, and musical performances. Lincoln too has wonderful events with live entertainment and fun activities for everyone. For a more comprehensive list of activities and celebrations, refer to our Canada Day post.
Supper Markets at Port Dalhousie, and Niagara-on-the-Lake
If you are looking to satisfy your desire for good food, you have to try the delicious gastronomical treats at the Supper Markets in Port Dalhousie, and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Foodies can savour scrumptious grub teamed with pints, cider or wine at the Port Dalhousie Supper Market from 4.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. every Tuesday till August. Along with food you can also enjoy a fun ambience and live music by local talents.
At Niagara’s original supper market in Niagara-on-the-Lake, feast on an array of tasty treats from more than 20 food trucks and vendors. It’s a great place for tourists to mingle with the locals. Enjoy local beer, wine and cider as you listen to live music by local bands and artists. Besides this, there are children’s activity areas too at the supper market. Experience food and fun with family and friends in the outdoors from 4.30 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Wednesday till September 19.
Foster Festival 2018, St Catharines
For fans of the theater, the Foster Festival 2018 promises to entertain with amazing plays inspired by the works of Canadian playwright Norm Foster. It is the first theatre festival in the country to showcase the works of a living playwright from Canada. The plays will be showcased at the Cairns Hall located in the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, St Catharines this summer. In its third season, the festival brings to the stage three wonderful works of Foster. In July, you can watch Wrong For Each Other, and Come Down From Up River (World Premiere). The third play Renovations For Six (World Premiere) will be staged in August. Humorous and heart-warming, Norm’s plays will not only entertain fans of the playwright but also those new to his works. Book your tickets now! Besides watching the plays, you can also participate in the Pre & Post Show Artist Talk Backs in the Fore & Aft Lounge at the Robertson Theatre. The Fore & Aft Lounge is also a great place to relax and relish a range of wines and cheese boards.
I4C (International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration) Wine Event
Love a glass of fine wine? Say cheers to Chardonnay at the i4c event in Niagara. Enjoy the weekend from July 20 to 22 with a celebration of wonderful wine and food that includes more than 150 wines from 10 countries. There’s plenty to do during the three days for wine lovers. The Flights of Chardonnay is one such event taking place in the Niagara District Airport. Admire sunset views over the runway as you sip vintages and relish food from six Niagara restaurants. Another exciting event where you can savour global wines is the Cool Chardonnay World Tour Tasting and Dinner. The venue is Ridley College, St Catharines and the evening programme consists of dinner, wine, beer and live entertainment. Other i4C activities include the Moveable Feast Brunch at Ravine Vineyard, and Viticultural and Winemaking sessions. The Grand Cru Weekend Experience includes two tickets for wine and food experiences at three different events, and accommodation at a hotel. You can also visit various wineries in the Niagara region during the i4C event.
TD Niagara Jazz Festival
Jazz aficionados, rejoice! Get ready for a musical experience at the TD Niagara Jazz Festival from July 19-22, and July 27-29, 2018. The entertainment kicks off with the St Catharines edition of the festival from July 19 to 22. Enjoy Twilight Jazz in the Clubs with artists such as Duncan Hopkins Trio as well as James Bryan Trio. There’s live music featuring various artists, food, wine, beer and children’s activities at the World Music on the Beach event at Lakeside Park in Port Dalhousie. The events also include the Jazz in the City Flagship Event at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. Jazz on the Lake events too ensure a good time. Jazz in the Park in Niagara-on-the-Lake has live music, food, drinks, artisan vendors, and children’s activities. Various other events will give you a musical high during the festival, and jazz musicians such as Nimmons’n’Braid, and Eric St. Laurent trio will entertain you.
Fort Erie Friendship Festival
There’s loads of family fun in store over a period of four days from July 12 to 15 at the Fort Erie Friendship Festival. It’s a great way to spend quality time with your family and bond over food, music and fabulous activities. There are rides and thrills with Robertson’s amusements along with body painting, yoga for children and animal encounters with Zooniversity. You can look forward to stunts, flips and tricks by the Xpogo Stunt Team, Geronimo Skydiving Team, Kid’s Karaoke, Interactive Play and Gymnastics area, antique motorcycle show, and lots more. That’s not all! Swing to the music with the live concerts featuring various bands including Liteyears, The Ascot Royals, Ruckus, Arms of America and Rock of 80’s. Head to the food trucks and vendors to grab a bite when you are hungry. Relish BBQ, Indian, burgers, ice creams and other tasty stuff. Besides this, take a look at the interesting range of products from various shops that also includes art and craft.
ICF Canoe Polo World Championships
If you are looking forward to sporting action, and if water sports, in particular, are of interest, make your way to Welland for the ICF Canoe Polo World Championships 2018. Canoeing and water polo come together in this exciting sport and you can see the best teams battling it out in the world championships for both men and women. While the opening ceremony will take place on the night of July 31, the matches will take place between August 1 to 5. It is a huge sporting event that is expected to attract 60 teams from around 30 countries who will compete in four divisions. Team sports are quite thrilling and this one is no different. It is fast-paced and action-packed. So, come to Welland to cheer for your team at the world championships this summer!
Keep yourself entertained with all the incredible July events in the Niagara region!
