Toronto 
Visit Spencer Smith Park to enjoy mouth-watering barbecued ribs and chicken, as well as corn on the cob, ice cream, waffles, pulled pork sandwiches, and other favourites this Labour Day weekend.
Credit: Canada’s Largest Ribfest
Organized by the Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore, the festival dates back to 1996, when the club launched Ontario’s first Ribfest. Since then, the event has raised almost $5 million for local and international organizations.
What can you eat?
You can also find chicken, pulled pork, hot dogs, sausages, corn, baked potatoes, fries, pizza, donuts, funnel cakes, ice cream and more.
All ribbers offer gluten-free sauces, while vendors also have vegetarian options.
Who’s playing?
You can pair dinner with four days of live music.
Friday’s lineup includes Electric Crush, The Killin’ Time Band and Dirty Pioneers. Saturday brings The Bomb, Stone The Radio and Freedom Train, while Sunday finishes with Fiddlestix and ABBA Revisited.
On Monday, Joel Guenther & The Black Bull Band, Soul Jam, The Johnny Max Band and James Anthony perform. Rib judging results are scheduled for 3:15 p.m.
What is there for families?
In addition to delicious eats, The Latch Developments Kid Zone gives younger visitors plenty to do, including games, face painting, midway rides and activities for different ages. Children 12 and under enter free.
All the proceeds from the event will go towards charity projects by the Rotary Club.
Trip Planning: Canada’s Largest Ribfest
When:
September 4-7, 2026
Friday to Sunday 11:00 am to 11:00 pm
Monday 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Where:
Spencer Smith Park, 1400 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington
How much:
General admission is $4 for adults ages 19 to 64 and $2 for visitors ages 13 to 18 and 65 or older. Cash, debit and credit are accepted.
A 19+ VIP Lounge is also available, priced at $43 or $58, depending on the date and session.
Pets are not permitted inside the festival area, except guide dogs.
Have thoughts on mandatory $2.00 per person charge to get into a ribfest that is generously making oodles of money on their ribs. Using a public park that all Burlington residents pay generous taxes on, and then the City makes more money renting the park to the Rotary Club to hold such a venue with our taxes still rising each year?? If the Rotary Club wishes to charge for a specific area for the stage and music then I understand the cover charge (classified as donation) to cover such costs. Charity donations should be voluntary and not regulated! Your handling of us, unable to get access to ribs, is very wrong. They have been offered a spot here and pay their dues, so why are we being punished from being able to access them?