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The picturesque town of Goderich, home to the world’s largest underground salt mine, is set to host the expansive Goderich Salt and Harvest Festival from August 29 to 31, 2025.
Credit: Goderich Salt & Harvest Festival
Founded in 1959 and sprawling beneath Lake Huron, the Goderich Salt Mine is recognized as the largest underground salt mine.
The Goderich Salt & Harvest Festival, celebrating local salt production, has been named one of Ontario’s Top 100 Events. This marks the festival’s third recognition in two years, following its 2024 wins for Best New Event and the Community Impact Award.
As the festival returns for the third year, here is what to expect in 2025:
What to Expect This Year:
- Main Concert: The Compass Minerals Concert on Saturday, August 30 features Finger Eleven as headliner, with Goderich’s Blacklist Social opening. Tickets cost $60 plus fees and taxes.
- Sunset Music Festival: On Friday, August 29, the festival partners with the Downtown Goderich BIA to present the Sunset Music Festival. Performers include Texas King, Harley Olivia, The Dyadics, and Full Throttle. Tickets are $10 plus fees, with donations accepted for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation.
- Opening and Closing Concerts: Free concerts bookend the weekend. Thursday, August 28 opens with Sal’s Alley and a vendor market at Courthouse Square, while Sunday, August 31 closes with performances by Country Junction and the Bryan Bicknell Duo from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., providing free entertainment.
- Family Activities: Family-friendly programming runs throughout the weekend, including the Compass Minerals Above Ground Salt Experience, mine rescue demonstrations, and virtual reality exhibits. Kids’ favourites such as a petting zoo, wagon rides, inflatables, and a photo booth also return, supported by Royal LePage Heartland Realty and Parrish & Heimbecker.
- Food: The festival’s Eats & Treats a Salted Market & Farmers Market (Aug. 30–31, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.), Food Truck Village (11 a.m.–7 p.m.), and a DIY Margarita Bar. Restaurants citywide will also feature exclusive salted menus. The Salty Basin Beer Garden in Courthouse Square Park offers local brews, salted specialties, and crowd favourites. On the afternoon of Saturday, August 30, the Salty Basin Beer Garden will feature entertainment by Graham Bedard.
- Salt Walk: This year’s Salt Walk takes place at the Rotary Cove Lookout, featuring 260 solar lights and historical displays. Open day and night, the solar-lit path offers visitors a chance to explore Goderich’s salt heritage in a unique setting.
- The Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours: The Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours run August 30–31 from Courthouse Square, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., exploring Goderich’s salt heritage. Stops include the Salt Mine, Evaporator Plant, waterfront, and museum. Tickets cost $10 adults and $4 children under 12.
- VR Experiences: While you cannot tour the underground mine, you can wear VR glasses and explore the mine through a free Salt Mine Virtual Reality Experience at the Goderich Tourism office.
While at Godreich, stroll the Menesetung Bridge, which spans the Maitland River and overlooks the salt mine.
- Celebrate Summer in Goderich: Relaxing Beaches, Outdoor Adventures, Festival Fun, and Charming Downtown Experiences
- Winter Getaway to Goderich: Adventures & Festivals For a Snowy Escape to Canada’s Prettiest Town
Plan Your Trip – Goderich Salt and Harvest Festival
Goderich is gearing up to host the annual Salt and Harvest Festival. The festival, celebrating the region’s extensive salt mining heritage, will feature a variety of events and activities suitable for all ages.
Festival Highlights:
- Aug. 28: Free Courthouse Square concert with Sal’s Alley and vendor market
- Aug. 29: Sunset Music Festival featuring Texas King and more ($10 + fees)
- Aug. 30: Finger Eleven with Blacklist Social ($60 + fees)
- Aug. 30: Salty Basin Beer Garden with Graham Bedard entertainment
- Aug. 31: Free shows by Country Junction and Bryan Bicknell Duo
- All Weekend: Above Ground Salt Experience, Mine Rescue demos, VR exhibits, Salt Walk, bus tours ($15), Food Truck Village, petting zoo, wagon rides, inflatables
- Salt Mine virtual reality experience and above-ground salt-related activities will be available, providing educational fun for all ages.
- Additional attractions include a car show, petting zoo, inflatables, and family photo booth opportunities.
When:
August 28 to 31, 2025
Where:
Various Locations, Goderich
How Much: Free and ticketed activities
- Compass Minerals Concert (Aug. 30, Finger Eleven & Blacklist Social): $60 plus fees and taxes
- Sunset Music Festival (Aug. 29, Texas King & others): $10 plus fees and taxes
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours (Aug. 30–31): $10 for adults, $4 for children under 12
- Guided Salt Heritage Bus Tours (separate from hop-on hop-off): $15 per person
- Most other activities (petting zoo, markets, inflatables, concerts on Aug. 28 & 31, Salt Walk, family events): Free
