Nothing says summer like the aroma of sizzling gourmet meats on the fired-up smoking hot grills! With plenty of rides, activities, and kid-friendly food, Ribfest is an event the entire family can enjoy.
Explore GTA and Golden Horseshoe this summer through Ribfests! Visit local attractions and have lunch/dinner at Ribfest. If going to Peterborough, take a cruise through the Liftlocks or if you are visiting with kids, go a canoe adventure; have a beach day at Cobourg; in Scarborough, visit Scarbourough Bluffs or enjoy a walk along Rosetta McClain Gardens; in Pickering, there is Pickering Museum Village, a splendid waterfront park; amazing waterfalls in Hamilton – with a little planning you can have a great family outing or a perfect day out with your significant other.
Most Rotary Club Ribfests have a Midway, special entertainment for kids and live entertainment.
You may like:
Upcoming Ribfests
A List of Ribfests Around Toronto
Please leave a comment, if we missed any ribfests near Toronto
Verify all information with official websites.
Ajax Rib Fest
By Rotary Club of Ajax. Great entertainment, world-class ribs and food vendors, midway, games and more!
May 26 to 28, 2023
Ajax Downs, 50 Alexander’s Crossing, Ajax
Free
Rotary Rib ‘n’ Roll – Brampton
The official kick-off of summer in Brampton with great entertainment, world-class ribs and food vendors. Details
TBA (Usually in May)
Gage park, 45 Main St N, Brampton
By donation.
Newmarket Rib & Craft Beer Fest
Join for a weekend of mouth-watering, finger-lickin’, belly-rubbin’ good BBQ!! With our upgraded Kids Zone and Canine Show, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy! Details
May 26 to 28, 2023
Upper Canada Mall, 17600, Yonge St, Newmarket
$2
Bowmanville Rockin’ Rotary Ribs and Brews Ribfest
By Rotary Club of Bowmanville. Barbequed ribs and chicken, plus a beer festival with great craft-brewed beer, and live entertainment! Details
June 9 to 11, 2023
Clarington Fields, 2375 Baseline Rd W, Clarington
Free, donations appreciated.
Orilla RibFest
A full weekend of food, fun, and entertainment as you enjoy all the event has to offer. Details
June 9 – 11, 2023
Tudhope Park, 500 Atherley Rd, Orillia
$2
Niagara Falls RibFest
A Whole Weekend of Great Entertainment. All proceeds are distributed back to the community through the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls. Details
June 16 to 18, 2023
Rapidsview Park, Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls
Free Admission
Beach BBQ & Brews Festival – Toronto
Enjoy great BBQ, Live Music, Children’s Area (complete with rides!), BBQ competitions, Grilling Demonstrations, Craft Vendors and of course the Beer and Beverage vendors. Details
June 16th – 18th, 2023
Woodbine Park, Toronto
Free Admission
Rib Fest – Toronto
By Rotary Etobicoke. Details
TBA (Usually Canada Day Weekend)
Centennial Park, 256 Centennial Park Road, Etobicoke
Free
Oh Canada Ribfest – Waterdown
Sponsored by The Rotary Club of Flamborough AM and Rotary Club of Waterdown, this four-day festival will celebrate Canada Day, local entertainment talent and ribs, while raising much-needed funds for the many local and international charities, projects and humanitarian causes the Rotary Clubs support. Events also include A children’s carnival area, with rides, games, food and refreshments and a licensed park. Fireworks on July 1 at dusk. Details
Canada Day Weekend
Memorial Park, Waterdown
Free Admission & parking
Hamilton- Mountain RibFest
A full weekend of food, fun, and entertainment, as you enjoy all the event, has to offer. Details
June 30th – July 2nd, 2023
CF Lime Ridge, 999 Upper Wentworth St, Hamilton
$2
Rib Fest & Craft Beer Fest- Toronto
Features the rib teams from along with bbq foods from many of the cities different cultures and along with craft beer vendors! Details
July 14 to 16, 2023
Yonge & Dundas Square
Free
Markham Rotary RibFest
By the Rotary Club of Markham Sunrise & Markham Rotary Club Foundation. Details
Cancelled in 2023
Whitby Rib Fest
Rib eating contests, tug of war, kids fest and more! Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise. Details
July 7 to 9, 2023
Whitby Victoria Fields,203-269 Victoria St W, Whitby; south of Iroquois Park Sports Complex. South of Victoria Street between Gordon St and Watson Street.
Free. Donations welcome.
Kawartha Rotary Ribfest – Peterborough
This annual 3 day event is organized by Kawartha Rotary Club and is co-sponsored by Peterborough Downtown Business Area. Enjoy the best barbecue in Peterborough at the Annual Kawartha Rotary Ribfest. Join us for a fun-filled weekend of lip smackin’ food, great music and entertainment, and loads of family fun! Details
July 7, 8, 9, 2023
Millennium Park, 1 King Street, Peterborough
Free
You may like: Getaway to Kawarthas
Rib Fest – Georgetown
Great entertainment, top rib teams from across North America, serving up the most mouthwatering, finger lickin’ BBQ, vendors offering unique arts, crafts, antiques, clothing, and other items for sale, rides, and games. Details
July 7 to 9, 2023
Trafalgar Sports Park, 11494 Trafalgar Rd, Georgetown
$2
Amacon Mississauga Rotary RibFest
Ribfest hosts vendors selling BBQ ribs and chicken, as well as several other diverse food and non-food vendors. Live entertainment is provided on the main stage, featuring a broad range of musical acts primarily focused on local talent, including Singfest, an amateur singing talent competition that culminates with the finals being held at Ribfest. Details
July 14 to 16, 2023
Erin Mills Town Centre, Erin Mills Parkway, Mississauga
Free
Orangeville Rotary Rib Fest
Every July, the Orangeville Rotary Ribfest serves up thousands of mouth-watering ribs with six internationally acclaimed ribbers. There will be the beer tent with beer, wine and coolers, and a midway for the kids located within the Ribfest venue. The continuous live entertainment on the big stage throughout the weekend, will keep your toes tapping. Details
July 14 to 16, 2023
Alder St Arena, 275 Alder St, Orangeville
Free. Donations welcome.
RibFest and Craft Beer Show – Kitchener
2023 marks the 20th Anniversary of this great community event, exploding with flavours of barbequed ribs and chicken, great craft-brewed beer, with live entertainment. Details
July 14 to 16, 2023
Victoria Park, 80 Schneider Ave, Kitchener
Free
Rib Fest – Richmond Hill
Ribfest is a three-day outdoor event that features professional rib teams travelling to Richmond Hill from across North America. Ribbers cook and compete for various Best titles (as decided by honorary judges). And, in addition to the many delicious food options, there is also live entertainment, a beer garden, children’s and toddler’s fun zone with inflatables and an indoor children’s activity area to enjoy! Details
July 21 to 23, 2023
Richmond Green Park, 1300 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill
Free
Ancaster RibFest – Hamilton
A full weekend of food, fun, and entertainment as you enjoy all the event has to offer. Details
July 21st – 23rd, 2023
Ancaster Fairgrounds
630 Trinity Rd S, Ancaster
Free
INNISFIL Ribfest
Produced by Ontario Festival Group. we are bringing 4 of North America’s Best Rib Teams coming from Texas, Florida, Alabama, BC and Ontario. There will be a variety of festival foods like corn dogs, roasted corn, poutines, funnel cakes and of course to wash it all down nice cold beer. Details
July 28 to 30, 2023
Sunset Speedway, 6918 Yonge Street, Innisfil
$5
Oakville Family Rib Fest
Rotary Club of Oakville Trafalgar Family Ribfest has something for everyone to do! Ribs, cold beer and live music are complemented by hours of fun for kids in the PlayZone and lots of great shopping in the Marketplace. Details
July 28 – 30, 2023
Sheridan College, Trafalgar Road Campus – 1430 Trafalgar Rd, Oakville
Milton Rib & Beer Festival
A weekend of mouth-watering, finger-lickin’, belly-rubbin’ good BBQ!! With our upgraded Kids Zone and Canine Show, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy! Details
July 28 to 30, 203
Community Sports Park, 805 Santa Maria Blvd, Milton
$2
Port Perry RibFest
Event is over 3 days (rain or shine) and includes award winning Ribbers, other food vendors, plus fully licensed open and tented area. Outdoor stage and premium sound system for musical performances, including headliner acts each evening. Details
2023 TBA
Palmer Park, Port Perry Waterfront, Lake Scugog
Thornhill RibFest
A full weekend of food, fun, and entertainment as you enjoy all the event has to offer. Details
August 11 to 13, 2023
Dufferin Clark Community Center
1441 Clark Avenue West
$2
St Catharines Rotary Rib Fest
Lip Smackin’ Finger-Lickin’ Ribs from all over North America Are you looking for delicious ribs, great music and fun for the whole family.Details
Civic Holiday Weekend in August.
Montebello Park, 64 Ontario Street St. Catharines
Free
Scarborough Rib Fest
Enjoy delicious ribs, hot dogs, french fries, corn on the cob and more… Midway rides, and skill testing games, Karaoke competition everyday, Creative designs by crafters and vendors, All day beer garden and more! Details
Usually Civic Holiday Weekend
Thomson Memorial Park, Corner of Lawrence Ave. & Brimley Rd., Toronto
Free
London Rib Fest
London RibFest features an array of ribs for your tasting, fun exhibits, and rides. Details
August 3-7 2023
Victoria Park, London
Free
Brantford Kinsmen Annual Ribfest
Savour mouth-watering ribs, hamburgers, slow-roasted corn, blooming onions and cool treats like ice cream and snow cones. Award-winning ribbers from all over North America will showcase their finest ribs and sauces. Take some time to stroll through the Marketplace. Browse unique items while supporting local merchants. Brantford’s Ribfest has thought of everything this year. Details
August 11 to 13, 2023
Brantford & District Civic Centre, 79 Market St S, Brantford
Free
Whitchurch-Stouffville Country Rib Fest
Featuring some of Canada’s great Rock and Country acts with the mouth watering Ribs and chicken, Kids’ Zone with amusements and inflatables, Great musical acts, Merchandise vendors’ row and more! Details
August 11 to 13, 2023
Memorial Park, Stouffville
Free
Cambridge RibFest
Hosted by Rotary Clubs of Cambridge Sunrise & Cambridge North. Best 3-day food, fun & family event this summer! Live Entertainment & KidZone Play Area. Details
August 11 to 13, 2023
Riverside Park, 49 King St W, Cambridge
Free/ Your donation is appreciated.
Rib Fest – Oshawa
Hosted by Rotary Club of Oshawa. Great entertainment, finger-licking good ribs and food vendors. Details
August 18 to 20, 2023
Lakeview Park, 55 Lakeview Park Avenue, Oshawa
Free
Midland RibFest
A full weekend of food, fun, and entertainment as you enjoy all the event has to offer. Details
August 18th – 20th, 2023
David Onley Park, 475 Bayshore Dr, Midland
$2
Quinte Ribfest – Belleville
QuinteRIBFEST is an event to raise funds for mentoring programs and services members of HPE can access through Big Brothers Big Sisters and YMCA Centre For Life. Details
2023 TBA
Zwick’s Park, Belleville
Hamilton RibFest
A full weekend of food, fun, and entertainment as you enjoy all the event has to offer. Details
August 25 – 27, 2023
Gage Park
1000 Main St E, Hamilton
$2
Rib Fest – Aurora
Not only will there be the tastiest ribs but you can also try your hand at roasted yams, roasted corn on the cob, beavertails and many other dishes.Live entertainment, an inflatable midway and activities for kids of all ages. A beer garden will be run by the Aurora Rotary Club. Details
Friday, August 25 to Sunday, August 27, 2023
Machell Park, Aurora
Ribs, Rythm & Rotary – Guelph
If you love cars, then you will love the Classics that will be on display at Ribfest in Guelph.Details
August 25th to 27th, 2023
Riverside Park
709 Woolwich St, Guelph
Free (Donations at the gate are appreciated)
Canada’s Largest Rib Fest – Burlington
September 1 to 4, 2023
Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Rd Burlington
Free
Waterloo Rib & Craft Beer Fest
Great entertainment, world-class ribs and food vendors, vendors offering unique arts, crafts, games. Details
September 8th – 10th, 2023
Regina Lot – 20 Regina St S, Waterloo
Free
Owen Sound Ribfest
Featuring 4 of North America’s Best Rib Teams ready to serve you, your friends and family Award-Winning Mouth-Watering BBQ Smoked Ribs, Tender Pulled Pork, Juicy Smoked Brisket, BBQ Chicken, Smoked Sausage and those huge Beef “Dino” Ribs. There will be a variety of festival foods like The Bloomin’ Onion, funnel cakes, poutines, and of course to wash it all down nice cold beer. Details
September 15 to 17, 2023
Regina Lot – 20 Regina St S, Waterloo
Free
Rotary Ribfest profits go back to the local community through various charitable programs and Northern Rib heat Series is a for profit company (as far as we know).
Find your Toronto Festival
Arts & Theatre Festivals in Toronto
Summer & Multi Cultural Festivals in Toronto.
Beer & Wine Festivals in Toronto
Tillsonburg Thunder Ribfest 2022
Sep 23, 2022 – Sep 25, 2022
Tillsonburg Fairgrounds, 45 Hardy Ave,Tillsonburg, ON,Canada,
“This family friendly event has lots of great food, a variety of local musicians all weekend, licensed by AGCO, and a variety of local vendors.”
I can’t seem to find a website, but there are signs around town.
Scarborough Ribfest Drive -Thru will happen on July 30 to August 2nd 2021 at Centennial College Ashtonbee Campus. Come and see Billy Bones BBQ, Camp 31 BBQ, Crabbies BBQ and Sticky Fingers BBQ and 5 other food vendors will provide fantastic ribs and chicken and other treats. For further information go to http://www.scarboroughribest.com
Where is the 2019 list?
The Dates for Thornhill are incorrect – When I checked the site it said July 27 to 29 – https://www.northernheatribseries.ca/thornhill/
Thank you! It was not there in the list. We will add it soon.
It caught me surprised when I found out about admission requirement of the Markham Ribfest. It was not publicized any where on the official Markham Ribfest website.
https://markhamribfest.com
$2 is not a lot but, it should better be publicized rather than only showing a sign on site.
The Markham Rotary Ribfest on July 7 to 9th will be held at 179 Enterprise Blvd, Unionville (NOT at 101 Town Centre Blvd). Also, admission is not “Free” for everyone. Admission is $2, Kids under 6 are Free.
Great blog, I used to run such a website some 15+ years ago, but stopped after a few years. If this site could provide right-click or a clickable “Add to calendar”, it would be much better…
Ramsay
Oshawa is August 18 19 20 2017
Bowmanville location needs to be corrected
Thqnks for this. Did I miss Oshawa in this list? Theirs is usually just after labor day
Over the last few years, my family and I (at least 40 people) have attended the Rib fest at Kennedy/Mc Nicoll, not sure what happened, but, I know for sure this was the largest attended Ribfest of the entire Scarborough. We had people coming in from different areas( which had their own Rib fest) and bragged that this one was the best they have attended. the food was exceptional and the entertainment was just amazing. Please Please bring it back to our park.
Thank you
Milton (August 21-23) is listed in the middle of July!
Though official website is not updated with this year’s dates (last year it was in August), their facebook page states July. We have updated to the dates reflected on their fb page.
Agree with Daniel, this is a great list to have in order to satisfy my rib cravings. thank you plan to hit a few of these
Thank you!!!! To whom ever created this blog. Last year (2015) it was a big problem to find the timing of all the rib fests in the GTA. Now it seems our wishes have been answered. Great list! Thank you, thank you, thank you.