Celebrate 50 Years of Fun: What to Expect at Dundas Cactus Festival This Weekend

The highly anticipated Dundas Cactus Festival returns this Friday for the 2025 edition.

Dundas Cactus Festival

The 50th Annual Dundas Cactus Festival will take over downtown Dundas from August 15 to 17, offering a full program of live music, performances, children’s activities, and community showcases.

During the festival, King Street will transform into a vibrant entertainment hub.

Here is what to expect this year:

The Fortino’s Family Fun Zone, situated on King Street and Church Street, will offer inflatables, reptile shows, pony rides, craft stations, and face painting.
- - Kids can enjoy inflatables from 6 pm to 9 pm on Friday, 9:30 am to 9 pm on Saturday, and 11 am to 3:30 pm on Sunday.
  - Character meet-and-greets will take place throughout the weekend, including Sonic the Hedgehog, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Batman, and the Frozen Sisters.

Don’t miss out on the Teddy Bear Picnic held Saturday morning, August 16th at 9:30 am for children up to eight years old, featuring music by Andy G and Friends. Registration is necessary to attend the picnic. Bring your blanket and enjoy drinks, fruit, and cookies by Fortinos.

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The Entertainment Lineup is a diverse showcase of talent across four different stages that boast an incredible array of musical genres and performances.
- - The Festival Patio Stage will host acts including Stone the Radio, Oasis Unplugged, and David Wilcox on Friday; Rocket & the Renegades, Fiddlestix, and Freedom Train on Saturday; and the Dundas Valley Orchestra, Six Nations Smoke Dancers, and Johannes Linstead on Sunday.

The King & Albert Street Stage will present a mix of cultural groups and musicians, including the Canadian Orpheus Male Choir, PICAH Dancers, Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, and Suzuran Odori Group.
On the Home Grown Stage at King Street between Cross St & York Rd, local performers such as The Jerry Rig Blues Band, Paul Cafcae Band, Nicole Christian, and Tribe 369 will appear. The Family Fun Zone Stage will feature reptile shows, children’s music, and interactive theatre.
The Hamilton Pro Wrestling Academy will return with live matches on King Street between Main and Ogilvie. Bouts take place Friday at 7 pm, Saturday at 1 pm and 5 pm, and Sunday at 1 pm, with appearances by Aaron Uno, Ashton Shade, Robbie Hollywood, and others.
The Jagger Big Air Show will perform stunt displays multiple times throughout the weekend. Festival goers can challenge themselves at the free 5-minute escape room located at King St. between Cross and Ogilvie.

A new free outdoor roller skating rink will operate in 10 to 15-minute rounds, with free skate and helmet rentals, alongside a leisure lounge with LED swings and seating.
The Roller Skate and Leisure Zone will be open from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm on Friday, 11:00 am to 9:00 pm on Saturday, and 11:30 am to 3:30 pm on Sunday.

Dundas Cactus Festival

The festival transforms the streets into a shopping haven, showcasing local businesses and their offerings. Adjacent to the Festival Mainstage, Shawn & Ed Brewing serves cold beers, and Flat Rock Cellars offers a curated wine selection, or enjoy a cider from West Avenue Ciders.
- - Drink tickets can be purchased using cash, debit, or credit. Just remember, access to the Festival Patio is reserved for patrons aged 19 and above, with strict capacity limits.

The three-day event runs Friday from 6 pm to 11 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 11 pm, and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm.

The festival is a rendezvous of laughter, melodies, and unforgettable experiences. Don’t miss out – your own festival spirit cactus might just be waiting for you amidst the festivities!