Festivals and Events

The Municipality of Clarington is known for its incredible festivals and community events, many of which are hosted and run by our local business improvement areas (BIAs). In 2019, Clarington was named the Municipality of the Year by Festivals and Events Ontario. Find a complete list of events in Clarington on the Events Calendar.

For more information on festivals and events, visit Clarington’s BIA websites:

We’ve created a list of some of the biggest and best events throughout the seasons to help you narrow down your activities and fill up your calendar.

Spring Events

Spring is a great time to discover Clarington. In May, the streets of Bowmanville become sweeter at Maplefest, a celebration of everything maple syrup. Take a look at some of the other key spring events.

MapleFest

Maplefest is a celebration of all things maple, as we celebrate the freshly harvested maple syrup. Join us in Historic Downtown Bowmanville on the first Saturday in May for this anticipated festival, showcasing local syrup producers and products.

Varac Vintage Grand Prix

Give Dad a special treat this Father’s Day weekend – a trip to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park to see beautifully restored cars from the past 50-plus years of motorsports racing on our world-famous Grand Prix circuit. The Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada (VARAC) invites all to celebrate the Annual Vintage Racing Festival and watch three days of racing, including special feature races for MG and Triumph, the VARAC Grand Prix and much more.

Doors Open Clarington

Unlock your history with Doors Open Clarington. This free event is held every year on the second Saturday in June. Owners of heritage properties or homes with historical significance open their doors, inviting the community to learn about Clarington’s history.

Victoria Day SpeedFest Weekend

It’s the unofficial kick-off to the summer season - the Victoria Day SpeedFest Weekend features the NASCAR Pinty’s Series and Pirelli World Challenge. Canadian Tire Motorsport Park’s traditional Victoria Day Weekend fireworks display will also light up the sky on Saturday evening.

Summer Events

Summer in Clarington is jam-packed with lots of exciting events and festivals. Experience world-class racing at Canada’s most famous sports car race at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. If you love food trucks, head to Food Truck Friday in June or make a stop at Clarington’s famous Food Truck Alley. Cap off the summer at the Orono Fair, a fun-filled Clarington tradition spanning more than 165 years.

BluesBERRY Festival

The BluesBERRY Festival celebrates the best of Blues music and fresh berries. Come to Historic Downtown Bowmanville to enjoy the street festival, fresh berry shortcake, pies, tarts, sweets, and so much more. Stroll four downtown blocks while listening to live Blues bands and check out the artisan and craft booths.

Enjoy family-friendly fun, including jumping castles and a rock-climbing wall. Stick around for the Celebrity Pie Eating Contest, with all proceeds going to Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Annual Orono Antique Street Festival

The Annual Orono Antique Street Festival is a day-long event and fills Main Street in Orono with antiques, vintage furniture, collectables and retro finds. There’s free admission and parking.

Canada Day

Join us as we celebrate Canada Day in Clarington with a fireworks display and community fun.

Concerts in the Park

Spend a warm summer evening outside, listening to live music at one of our Concerts in the Park. From June to September, four different communities in Clarington host the Outdoor Concert Series. All concerts are free and take place rain or shine. Bring a picnic blanket or some lawn chairs and relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of summer in Clarington.

Bowmanville hosts concerts on Thursdays at 7 p.m. from the middle of June to the end of August at Rotary Park. Courtice hosts one concert per month in June, July, and August at Tooley’s Mill Park. Visit Newcastle on Tuesday at 7 p.m. from June to the beginning of September at the Newcastle Community Hall Parkette for great music.

Newtonville hosts concerts on Sundays at 6:30 p.m. from June to the beginning of September at Ina Brown Parkette.

Newcastle Artist & Artisan Show

A Gift of Art’s annual Artist & Artisan Show & Sale takes place each year in July. Whether you are looking for a special gift, just love to browse and look at local art, or want to learn more about that one-of-a-kind creation, this art show is the place to explore.

A new event has also been launched called the 9 Weekend Patio Art Show, which runs every weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside of A Gift of Art in Newcastle. You can purchase some original art and browse the displays.

Orono Fair

The Orono Fair is a focal September tradition in Clarington highlighting the best in agriculture. The fair is a long-standing tradition spanning more than 168 years. It runs over the course of four days with events for the entire family, including a midway, various crop exhibits, antique tractor display, axe throwing, birds of prey, demolition derby, and so much more.

Ribs and Brews

Bowmanville Rockin’ Rotary Ribs and Brews is a three-day annual event. Enjoy barbecue ribs and chicken, local craft-brewed beer and live entertainment.

Summerfest

Start your summer in Historic Downtown Bowmanville with the annual SummerFest and Food Truck Friday. Shop the street sales, enjoy the entertainment and indulge your appetite. Held annually at the beginning of June. Free admission and parking.

Spartan Race

Join Brimacombe for the Spartan Race - the world’s leading obstacle race series. This race will test your endurance, throwing you in the mud and trails with a major adrenaline rush.

Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix

Canada’s biggest sports car race of the year, the Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix, features the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for exotic prototype and GT race cars in their only north-of-the-border stop.

A field of world-class drivers will race cars from such prominent global marques as Acura, BMW, Cadillac, Corvette, Lamborghini, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes, Nissan, McLaren and Porsche. Also in action over our four-day event are the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge and the IMSA Prototype Challenge.

Wooden Boat Festival

Enjoy the annual Wooden Boat Festival at the Port of Newcastle Marina. Free admission, boat and vendors display, children’s games and more.

Kids Outdoor Art Festival

The Kids Outdoor Art Festival showcases Clarington’s young artists and musicians. Held at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington, on the historic grounds of the former Cream of Barley Mill. Bring your entire family and enjoy an outdoor day of arts, crafts, drama, and music. Purchase some crafts made by youth vendors and enjoy a picnic by the Soper Creek Trail.

Chevrolet Silverado 250

NASCAR’s Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series returns to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park on Labour Day weekend for its only Canadian appearance - the Chevrolet Silverado 250. This will undoubtedly be the biggest and busiest event of the season, with the roar of the NASCAR trucks and their close-contact, fender-rubbing race action as the main attraction.

Fall Events

Celebrate the fall harvest season in Clarington at AppleFest in Historic Downtown Bowmanville. Vendors line the streets with fresh produce, candy apples, pies, apple doughnuts and more. Autumn is also the perfect time to take a scenic drive or bike ride through our charming rural routes. Explore farms and unique shopping experiences along A Country Path, where you can buy handmade pottery and soaps, purchase delicious farm-fresh goods and more.

Apple Festival and Craft Sale

The annual Apple Festival and Craft Sale in Bowmanville celebrates all things apple. You’ll find fresh-pressed apple cider, homemade apple pies and crisps, candy and caramel apples, cider doughnuts, and so much more. It's held in October, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Bowmanville. Free admission and parking.

Holiday Events

Start new family traditions in Clarington, where you experience a hometown holiday that is truly magical. One of the best ways to celebrate is at a Santa Claus parade.

In the winter, embrace the cold weather at Brimacombe. Be sure to check out BrimFest at the end of February, where you can ski, snowboard, enjoy live music and delight in delicious food.

Christmas Moonlight Magic

Celebrate the holiday season with your family in Bowmanville at Christmas Moonlight Magic. Join the annual tree-lighting ceremony, listen to some carols and bask in the magic of the season. You can also have your picture taken with Santa and his reindeer. Enjoy the Christmas Market and free horse-drawn wagon rides along the main street, perfect for helping you carry all of your parcels as you shop at the local stores that stay open late for some evening holiday shopping. Stop by one of the restaurants to take a break and enjoy some great food.

Santa Claus Parades

Start new family traditions in Clarington, where the holiday season is truly magical. One of the best ways to celebrate is at a Santa Claus parade. Clarington is proud to host five parades, including the famous Tyrone, Haydon, Enniskillen and Enfield (THEE) Farmers' Parade of Lights, where you can see farm equipment decked out in festive lights at night.