Toronto 
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, the famous flea market, 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:
A List of 2019 Rib Fests in and around GTA
Please leave a comment, if we missed any ribfests within 2 hours (~150 km by road) of downtown Toronto.
Verify all information with official websites.
WellandRibFest
A full weekend of food, fun, and entertainment as you enjoy all the event has to offer. Details
May 10 to 12, 2019
1100 Niagara St, Welland
Free
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
May 16 to 19, 2019
Yonge & Dundas Square
Free
Rotary Rib ‘n’ Roll – Brampton
Official kick-off of summer in Brampton with great entertainment, world-class ribs and food vendors. Details
Friday, May 24 to Sunday, May 26, 2019
Gage park, 45 Main St N, Brampton
By donation.
Vaughan Ribfest
Produced by Ontario Festival Group we are bringing 5 of North America’s Best Rib Teams coming from Texas, Florida, Alabama, BC and Ontario. These “Pitmasters” are ready to serve you and your friends Award-Winning Mouth-Watering BBQ Smoked Ribs. Details
Friday, May 24 to Sunday, May 26, 2019
Improve Canada Centre , 7250 Keele Street, Vaughan
Adults $3, Children 10 & Under Free
Newmarket Rib & Craft Beer Fest
Great entertainment, world-class ribs and food vendors, vendors offering unique arts, crafts, antiques, clothing, and other items for sale, rides, and games. Details
Friday, May 24 to Sunday, May 26, 2019
Upper Canada Mall, 17600, Yonge St, Newmarket
Free
Rotary Ribfest – Pickering
Great entertainment, world-class ribs and food vendors, and a licensed park. When you visit this year expect to be entertained! Our award winning outdoor event takes pride in the selection of family-friendly live entertainment geared to get your toes tappin’ and, in many cases, get up and show your best dance moves. Details
Friday, May 31 to Sunday, June 02, 2019
The Esplanade Park, 1 The Esplanade, Pickering
Free Admission & parking
Bowmanville Rockin’ Rotary Ribs and Brews Ribfest
Barbequed ribs and chicken, plus a beer festival with great craft-brewed beer, and live entertainment! Details
June 7 to 9th 2019
Clarington Fields, 2375 Baseline Rd W, Clarington
Free, donations appreciated.
Hamilton- Mountain RibFest
A full weekend of food, fun, and entertainment as you enjoy all the event has to offer. Details
Friday, June 7 | 4:00 PM -11:00 PM
Saturday, June 8 | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, June 9 | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
T.B. Mcquesten Community Park
1199 Upper Wentworth St,Hamilton
Free
Erin Rotary Ribfest
Join us for The Rotary Club of Erin’s annual Ribfest!With a stellar music lineup in 2019 and ribbers eagerly vying for the people’s choice award, there are sure to be even more coming out this year! While beer and ribs are ribfest staples, kids deserve a little energizing too. That is why we are making sure there is fun for everybody so you can bring the whole family. This event is for everybody that likes food and fun! Details
Saturday, June 8, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
McMillan Park, 109 Main Street, Erin
Free
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 14 to 16, 2019
Woodbine Park, Toronto
Free Admission
STARS & RIBS INNISFIL Ribfest
The Innisfil Ribfest & Music Festival Presented by INNISFIL COMMUNITY EVENTS. 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. Plenty of activities including a Midway with rock climbing and games and Live Music music all weekend long. Details
Friday, June 14, 2019 | 05:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Saturday, June 15, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Sunday, June 16, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Innisfil Recreation Complex, 7315 Yonge St, Innisfil
$3, Children 12 & Under Free
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
Friday, June 14, 2019 | 3:00 PM -11:00 PM
Saturday, June 15, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, June 16, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Rapidsview Park, Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls
Free Admission
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
June 21 – 23, 2019
Friday, June 21, 2019 | 04:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, June 22, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, June 23, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sheridan College, Trafalgar Road Campus – 1430 Trafalgar Rd, Oakville
$2 donation
Rib Fest – Toronto
Rotary Etobicoke invites you to kick off your summer at our 17th annual Toronto Ribfest. With two stages going non-stop; with free KidzZone activities; with Toronto’s largest mobile midway, and with all kinds of fun daily attractions – this “Top 100 Festival and Event in Ontario” (for four years in a row) will not leave you wanting! Details
Canada Day Weekend (June last weekend)
June 28- July 1, 2019
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
Friday, June 28 | 03:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday June 29 | 11:00 AM- 11:00 PM
Sunday June 30 |11:00 AM- 11:00 PM
Monday July 1 |11:00 AM- 8:00 PM
Memorial Park, Waterdown
Free Admission & parking
Midland RibFest
A full weekend of food, fun, and entertainment as you enjoy all the event has to offer. Details
Friday, June 28 | 4:00 PM -11:00 PM
Saturday, June 29 | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, June 30 | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
David Onley Park
475 Bayshore Drive
Free
Markham Rotary RibFest
Come join us for a weekend of family fun, great food and music! Award winning BBQ ribs by some of the best ribbers in North America, gourmet food trucks, kids midway amusements, live music by local bands, beer garden and much much more! Details
Friday, July 5, 2019 | 05:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, July 6, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, July 7, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Downtown Markham, 179 Enterprise Blvd., (East Parking Lot), Markham
$2 per person; Under 12: free
Ajax Rib Fest
Great entertainment, world-class ribs and food vendors, vendors offering unique arts, crafts, games.
July 5 to 7, 2019
Casino Ajax, 50, Alexander’s Crossing, Ajax
Free
Whitby Rib Fest
Rib eating contests, tug of war, kids fest and more! Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise. Details
Friday, July 12, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, July 13, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, July 14, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
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.
Milton Rib Fest
Professional Ribbers, musical entertainment, a beer tent featuring Molson’s, activities for the kids and a huge selection of vendors for you to visit during your stay. Details
Friday, July 19, 2019 | 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, July 20, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, July 21, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 07:00 PM
Milton Fair Grounds 136 Robert St, Milton
Free
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
Friday, July 12, 2019 | 11:00 AM -10:30 PM
Saturday, July 13, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Sunday, July 14, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Millennium Park, 1 King Street, Peterborough
Free
You may like:Getaway to Kawarthas
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 12 – 14, 2019
Memorial Park in Port Credit, Mississauga
$2 to $5
Ancaster RibFest – Hamilton
A full weekend of food, fun, and entertainment as you enjoy all the event has to offer. Details
Friday, July 12, 2019 | 4:00 PM -11:00 PM
Saturday, July 13, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, July 14, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Ancaster Fairgrounds
630 Trinity Rd S, Ancaster
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
Friday, July 19, 2019 | 04:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Saturday, July 20, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday, July 21, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Car Show on July 20
Alder St Arena, 275 Alder St, Orangeville
Free. Donations welcome.
RibFest and Craft Beer Show – Kitchener
2019 marks the 16th Anniversary of this great community event, exploding with flavours of barbequed ribs and chicken, great craft-brewed beer, with live entertainment. Details
Friday, July 19, 2019 | 12:00 PM -10:00 PM
Saturday, July 20, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sunday, July 21, 2019 | 12:00 AM – 6:00 PM
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
Friday, July 26, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, July 27, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, July 28, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Richmond Green Park, 1300 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill
Free
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
Friday, July 26, 2019 | 12:00PM – 10:00 PM
Saturday, July 27, 2019 | 12:00 PM– 10:00PM
Sunday, July 28, 2019 | 12:00 PM– 7:00PM
Palmer Park, Port Perry Waterfront, Lake Scugog
Free
Thornhill RibFest
A full weekend of food, fun, and entertainment as you enjoy all the event has to offer. Details
Friday, July 26 | 4:00 PM -11:00 PM
Saturday, July 27 | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, July 28 | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Dufferin Clark Community Center
1441 Clark Avenue West
Free
London Rib Fest
London RibFest features an array of ribs for your tasting, fun exhibits, and rides. Details
August 1 to 5, 2019
Thursday to Sunday | 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Monday | 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Victoria Park, London
Free
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
Friday, August 2 to Sunday, August 4, 2019 | 11:00AM – 11:00 PM
Monday, August 5, 2019 | 11:00 AM– 8:00PM
Thomson Memorial Park, Corner of Lawrence Ave. & Brimley Rd., Toronto
Free
Wasaga Beach Ribfest
We have selected 5 of North America’s Best Rib Teams coming from Texas, Florida, Alabama and Ontario. These Pitmasters are ready to serve you and your friends Award-Winning Mouth-Watering BBQ Smoked Ribs. 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. + a Midway with rock climbing and games and live music. Details
August 2 to 4, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Monday, August 5 | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Beach Area 1 & 3rd Street Lot – Wasaga Beach
$3, kids free
Woodbridge Rib Fest – Vaughan
Great entertainment, world-class ribs and food vendors, rides, and games. Details
Friday, August 9, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, August 10, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, August 11, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 09:00 PM
Woodbridge Fairgrounds, Porter Ave, Woodbridge
Free
Quinte Ribfest – Trenton
5 Fantastic Ribbers will grace Centennial Park, Quinte West along with Family Fun Zone, Marketplace Zone, Raffle Zone and LIVE Entertainment Friday and Saturday & Sunday! Details
Friday August 9, 2019 | 11:30AM – 11:00PM
Saturday August 10, 2019 | 11:30AM – 11:00PM
Sunday August 11, 2019 | 11:30AM – 5:00PM
Centennial Park, Quinte West
12 Couch Cres, Trenton
$2 per person | $5 per family of 5
Brantford Kinsmen Annual Ribfest
Savour mouth-watering ribs, hamburgers, slow-roasted corn, blooming onions and cool treats like ice cream and snow cones. The Molson Beer garden will be open daily, which is always the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the live music. 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 9 to 11, 2019
Friday 4PM-11PM, Saturday 11AM-11PM, and Sunday 11AM-7PM.
Cockshutt Park, 35 Sherwood Dr, Brantford
Free
Whitchurch-Stouffville Country Rib Fest
Featuring some of Canada’s great Rock and Country acts with the mouth watering Ribs and chicken, ReMax Hot Air Balloon Rides, Kids’ Zone with amusements and inflatables, Great musical acts, Merchandise vendors’ row and more! Details
Friday, August 9, 2019 | 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, August 10, 2019 | 11:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, August 11, 2019 | 11:00 PM – 07:00 PM
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
Friday, August 9, 2019 | 11:00 AM -10:00 PM
Saturday, August 10, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday, August 11, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Riverside Park, Cambridge
Free/ Your donation is appreciated.
Hamilton RibFest
A full weekend of food, fun, and entertainment as you enjoy all the event has to offer. Details
Friday, August 9, 2019 | 4:00 PM -11:00 PM
Saturday, August 10, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, August 11, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Gage Park
1000 Main St E, Hamilton
Free
Rib Fest – Oshawa
Hosted by Rotary Club of Oshawa. Great entertainment, finger-licking good ribs and food vendors. Details
Friday, August 16 | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, August 17 | 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, August 18 | 11:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Lakeview Park, 55 Lakeview Park Avenue, Oshawa
Free
Northumberland Rib Fest – Cobourg
Great entertainment, world-class ribs and food vendors, rides, and games. Details
Friday, August 16, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, August 17, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, August 198, 2019 | 12:00 PM – 07:00 PM
Victoria Park, South of King Street, Cobourg
Free
CNE Rib Fest – Toronto
Ribbers from evribwhere won’t want to miss this fabulous feast as a multitude of rib masters compete to win “best rib recipe”! Details
2019 Ribfest details (if any): TBA
CNE: August 16 – September 2, 2019 |11:00 AM- 10:00 PM
Bandshell Park, Exhibition Place, Toronto
CNE Admission.
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
Friday, August 16 | 04:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, August 17 | 12:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, August 18 | 12:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Georgetown Fairgrounds, 1 Park Ave
Free
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 23 | 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, August 24 | 11:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Sunday,August 25 | 11:00 AM – 08:00 PM
Machell Park, Aurora
Free, 8 PM – 11 PM – (ticketed)
Ribs, Rythm & Rotary – Guelph
If you love cars, then you will love the Classics that will be on display at Ribfest in Guelph.Details
Friday, August 23 | Noon – 11:00 PM
Saturday, August 24 | 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, August 25 | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Riverside Park
709 Woolwich St, Guelph
Free (Donations at the gate are appreciated)
Orilla RibFest
A full weekend of food, fun, and entertainment as you enjoy all the event has to offer. Details
Friday, August 23 | 4:00 PM -11:00 PM
Saturday, August 24 | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, August 25 | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Tudhope Park, 500 Atherley Rd, Orillia
Free
Canada’s Largest Rib Fest – Burlington
August 30 to September 2, 2019
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 6 to 8, 2019
Friday 4 PM-11 PM
Saturday 12 PM -11 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 7 PM
100 Father David Bauer Dr, Waterloo
Free
Owen Sound Ribfest & Music Festival
We have selected 5 of North America’s Best Rib Teams coming from Texas, Florida, Alabama and Ontario. These Pitmasters are ready to serve you and your friends Award-Winning Mouth-Watering BBQ Smoked Ribs. 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. + a Midway with rock climbing and games and live music. Details
Friday, September 13 – 5PM-11PM
Saturday, September 14 | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, September 15 | 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
1900 3rd Ave east
Owen Sound
$3, kids free
Rotary Ribfests 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).
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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.
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
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.
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
Thqnks for this. Did I miss Oshawa in this list? Theirs is usually just after labor day
Bowmanville location needs to be corrected
Ramsay
Oshawa is August 18 19 20 2017
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…
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.
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 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.
Where is the 2019 list?