Top Events and Festivals in London, Ontario
London turns 200 in 2026. The city was officially founded on January 30, 1826, and the entire year has been programmed as a citywide bicentennial celebration with festivals, public art, and community events stretching from a New Year’s Eve kickoff in Victoria Park through December (Source: City of London Bicentennial portal).
On top of that, London is Canada’s first UNESCO City of Music, and the Canadian Institute of Forestry named the city the Forest Capital of Canada for 2026 to 2027. In short, this is the year to be in the Forest City.
Winter and Early Spring (January to April)
The bicentennial year kicked off with a New Year’s Eve celebration in Victoria Park and rolled straight into late-January events. Highlights:
- London Seafood Festival is a ticketed seafood street-food celebration at 100 Kellogg Lane’s Century Centre, featuring fresh seafood, live music, crafted cocktails, and cold beer. Its 3rd edition was held February 27–28, 2026.
- Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour in London, Ontario, typically stops at the Wolf Performance Hall for a multi-day event showcasing epic adventure and outdoor culture films. The highly anticipated 50th Anniversary stop in the city concluded on March 10, 2026, offering three distinct nights of thrilling documentaries and adrenaline-fueled shorts.
- I♥BEER Festival is a touring Ontario drink festival featuring local beers, ciders, spirits, food vendors, and live entertainment. Its 7th annual London event was held at RBC Place London on March 21, 2026.
Summer (June to August)
Summer is peak festival season at Victoria Park, the leafy downtown park bounded by Dufferin, Clarence, Central, and Wellington.
- Londonlicious Festival is bi-annual local food festival that strengthens the local food economy by showcasing restaurants that champion regional farmers, growers, and suppliers. This year’s summer festival runs from July 24 to August 16, 2026.
- London International Food & Drink Festival, returns to Victoria Park from June 26 to 28, 2026, bringing together global flavours, food vendors, drinks, live music, and live art in a free downtown celebration.
- TD Sunfest, is one of Canada’s largest free celebrations of global culture, transforming Victoria Park into a four-day showcase of world music, cuisine, and community spirit. Its 32nd edition runs from July 9 to 12, 2026.
- RBC Rock the Park, London’s major outdoor summer music festival, bringing big-name artists and genre-spanning live performances to Harris Park. The 2026 festival runs from July 15 to 18, 2026.
- Home County Music & Art Festival, celebrates Canadian music, art, and craft traditions through live performances and a juried artisan market. Its 50th anniversary edition takes place at Victoria Park on July 24 and 25, 2026.
- London Fiesta Extravaganza, is a family-friendly Filipino cultural festival featuring food, music, performances, crafts, and community celebrations. Its 2026 edition runs from August 14 to 16, 2026 at Victoria Park as part of London’s bicentennial celebrations.
Fall and Winter (September to December)
Western Fair at Western Fair District, is one of London’s oldest and most beloved community traditions, bringing ten days of rides, entertainment, food, agriculture, and family-friendly attractions. The 149th Western Fair runs from September 11 to 20, 2026.
Doors Open invites the public to explore heritage buildings, cultural spaces, and local landmarks across the city. Its 25th anniversary edition runs from September 19 to 20, 2026, with the theme Cheers to Years: Celebrating 25 Years Together.
History Symposium brings historians and community members together to reflect on London’s past as part of the city’s 200th anniversary celebrations. The symposium will take place at Museum London on October 17 and 18, 2026.
Christmas in the Village transforms Wortley Village into a festive neighbourhood celebration with live music, sleigh rides, holiday shopping, kids’ activities, and seasonal food. The 2026 event is scheduled for December 5, 2026.
Insider Tips from a Family Practice That Has Watched Forty Years of Forest City Festivals
A few things we mention to patients moving from out of town:
- Park outside the perimeter. For Victoria Park events, the side streets between Wellington and Richmond fill up early. Look for off-street paid lots along Dundas or use the Citi Plaza underground.
- Bring sunscreen, hats, and water for the kids. Victoria Park has good tree cover, but Sunfest, Home County, and Fiesta all run in peak summer heat.
- The free and donation-based festivals are the family-friendliest. Home County in particular welcomes strollers, lawn chairs, and picnic blankets, with kids’ programming throughout the day.
- Plan around the high-attendance weekends. Sunfest, Rock the Park, and Home County all pull tens of thousands of people downtown. If you are coming for a different purpose during those weekends (groceries, errands, dental appointments), build in extra travel time.
A Family Practice That Has Been Part of It
We Smile Dentistry has been part of London for decades. Three generations of London families have walked into our practice on Oxford Street West for their cleanings and check-ups, often the week before a wedding, a graduation, or a milestone family photo at one of the events on this list.
We have watched Sunfest grow from a small park concert to a four-day international draw, and Home County marks its 50th anniversary this summer.
If you are new to London and looking for a family dentist who knows the city, we are welcoming new patients.
We Smile Dentistry
Website:
Hours
Monday: 10 AM-7PM
Tuesday: 9AM-6PM
Wednesday: 8AM-5PM
Thursday: 7:30 AM-4:30 PM
Friday: 8:30-11:30 AM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Explore London, Ontario Guides & Neighborhoods
Discover everything about living in London, Ontario—from family-friendly neighborhoods to relocation guides, local hotspots, and lifestyle insights. Explore the articles below to learn more:
➤ Best Neighborhoods to Live in London, Ontario for Families
➤ Moving to London, Ontario? Complete Relocation Guide
➤ Top Family-Friendly Neighborhoods in London, Ontario
➤ Why More People Are Moving to London, Ontario
➤ Downtown London, Ontario vs North London: Which Is Better?