41 Events to Put Joy in your June

Rosanne Lake

June is a magical month – the start of summer, lots of fun in the sun, everything’s open for the season and your summer vacation is just days away. There’s so much to see and do in South Eastern Ontario! Here’s a round-up of 41 great June events to start your summer in style.

Happy Pride! Read more here for the complete Pride Trail event listings across South Eastern Ontario.

Bay of Quinte

  1. Bay of Quinte Art Festival
    Immerse yourself in a world of creativity and community on June 1, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Centennial Park in Trenton for a day bursting with artistic wonders. Dive into a vibrant showcase of talent with 37+ artist vendors displaying their captivating creations, Indulge your taste buds with delicious offerings, live music, face painting, balloon twisting, and be inspired. Come explore, interact, and be amazed!
  2. The Sound of Music at The Pinnacle Playhouse
    The Belleville Theatre Guild is bringing the Sound of Music to life from June 6 to 21, 2024 at the Pinnacle Playhouse stage. The beloved tale is a glorious treat for the entire family and a joyous masterpiece! Get your tickets now.
  3. Quinte West Summer Pop Ups
    Now in its third year, Quinte West Summer Pop Ups overlooking the Trent River features eight wooden cabins and five food truck stations, to entice visitors with everything from ice cream to street Thai food to fashions. Mini Pop-Ups are also on site, featuring, totes, bows and much more. Look for the Pop Ups  in Centennial Park!
  4. Homestead Adventure Park
    High ropes, mini golf, remote control boats, Beavertails, farmer’s market – wow! This adventure park is newly opened and uniquely themed to transport visitors on an exciting journey through Quinte West’s interesting histories in Trenton. The 18-hole mini golf course is surrounded by 16 high-rope challenges providing scenic views, challenging obstacles, and hours of fun for the whole family.

Prince Edward County

  1. Burlesque at the Barn
    See the best shimmy shakers and burlesque artists from across the country! Come for a simmering, scintillating night of burlesque on June 1, 2024 at The Hayloft Dancehall in Cherry Valley. The Hayloft has been a county institution for about five decades! This rustic 170-year-old barn is a summertime hotspot. Look for more events throughout June, as well, from drag shows to live music and barn parties.
  2. Trail Jam
    Ride the entire trail (or half) with a large group of cyclists of all skill levels! This ride goes end-to-end from the start of the Millennium Trail in Carrying Place all the way to Picton. Taking place Sunday, June 16, 2024 it promises the greatest bike ride in PEC! Everything culminates at Prince Eddy’s Brewing Company for a post-ride celebration meal, games, drinks, prizes, live music and more.
  3. Art in the County
    Be inspired at Art in the County, a signature event of the summer season in Prince Edward County. The show attracts thousands of visitors and showcases the highest quality works of art by Prince Edward County artists and artisans. The 31st annual Art in the Couny Juried Exhibition and Sale will be held from June 21 to July 7, 2024 at the upper level of the Armoury building in downtown Picton.
  4. PEC Country Music Festival
    The Pretty Excellent Country Music Festival at Base31 is known as an exciting two-day live music event that will get your boots stomping and make you kick up your heels! From June 28 to June 29, 2024 see headliners The Reklaws and High Valley. Grab your cowboy hat and get ready to party.

Featured Event

The PEC Folk & Irish Festival at The Waring House, June 6 – June 9 is a celebration of Canadian folk and Irish music and the contributions of the Irish in Canada. Enjoy live musical performances, performance instruction, musical workshops, artisanal workshops, and opportunities to purchase and enjoy traditional art forms. Various dining opportunities, including a full Irish breakfast, Irish High Tea, an Irish whiskey-tasting dinner, an evening of Irish humour, and children’s activities in a day of family fun. Highlighting the history of the Waring family who arrived as Quakers seeking religious freedom.

Lennox & Addington

  1. Stoney Steps Art Fest
    Stoney Steps Artfest, Saturday June 15, is a beloved, juried outdoor show featuring a wide range of fine arts and crafts created by more than 55 skilled Canadian makers. Find the show along the beautiful banks of the Napanee River in Newburgh. Celebrate art by spending the day shopping for beautiful handmade goods and fine art from some of the best artisans in the region, watch live educational demonstrations, enjoy delicious lunch fare and homemade pie.
  2. Doors Open Loyalist Township
    Spend the day discovering some local history first-hand and celebrate the community’s heritage on June 15 from 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Doors Open Ontario is a province-wide celebration that provides a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy interesting places and spaces in communities across Ontario – all free of charge.
  3. Napanee Heritage 5K and Kids 1-miler
    Family fun and run! The Napanee Heritage 5K and Kids 1-miler is a well-organized event that starts and ends at Lennox and Addington County Museum and Archives, located at 97 Thomas Street East in Napanee. Race profits are donated directly back into the Napanee community in support of physical or mental health initiatives.
  4. Lavender Queen Opening Day
    Lavender Queen is reopening June 22, 2024 to welcome back lavender lovers for the season! Join in the beautiful fun treats and photos in the lavender – and even shop the lavender inspired products under our new tent. Be sure to ask about the Afternoon Tea, Fresh lavender wreath making workshops and Lavender Distillation workshops!

Frontenac County

  1. The Frontenac Farmers Market
    Every Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m at Centennial Park in Harrowsmith visit farmers, producers, creators and more – all of your favourite vendors! This year there will also be music and special events each week, as well as educational workshops. From honey to blooms and from mushrooms to wine it’s all found at the Frontenac Farmers Market!
  2. Wolfe Island Hotel
    So much live music, so little time! Hotel Wolfe Island is firing up the music scene with everything from jazz to country to folk and beyond this June. Multiple events every week featuring performers like Fred Eaglesmith, Brownman Electryc Trio, Clear Breeze and Jenny Lap and Co.
  3. MT Adventures Rock the Lock Trail Run
    This 20 km run on the Cataraqui Trail between Chaffey’s Lock and Perth Road Village is an adventure onto itself! Taking place June 8, 2024 the race fee includes a post run meal and souvenir. This daring experience travels through beautifully peaceful countryside!

Kingston

  1. Artfest Kingston
    Where do more than 200 artists meet each year? At Artfest Kingston in City Park! Artists and artisans from across Ontario and Quebec are in Kingston from June 29 to July 1, 2024. Walk the shady paths throughout the park. Enjoy outstanding pottery, glass, wood, jewellery, gourmet food, live music, art workshops and live outdoor theatre, poetry and more!
  2. Spring Reverb
    This four-day festival promotes, develops and showcases the Kingston music scene! Running until June 2, 2024 it sees live music and concerts, panels and special guest talks across the city.
  3. S.S. Keewatin
    An Edwardian-era (think Titanic-era) steamship is now open for tours! It is permanently dry docked at the Great Lakes Museum. This unique and rare experience opens daily for two tours – one featuring the passenger experience and the other exploring below deck in the Engine Room. Register today to be some of the first people aboard!
  4. Movies in the Square
    Thursday nights throughout the summer, starting June 27, 2024, Springer Market Square is transformed into an outdoor movie theatre! Grab a blanket or lawn chair, friends or family and hunker down to enjoy movies on the big screen while munching on popcorn or cotton candy! Find out what’s playing and plan to attend.
  5. YGK Craft Beer Festival
    Unofficial kick off to summer! The YGK Craft Beer Festival invites you to sip on the finest local craft beers and beverages, indulge your taste buds with drool worthy food and snacks, enjoy all-day live music, games and shop the artisan market on June 8, 2024 from noon to 8 p.m. Taking place at Fort Henry, the location is part of the experience, with amazing water views and city views all day adding to the experience.
  6. Skeleton Park Arts Festival
    Did you know this year marks the 19th anniversary of the Skeleton Park Arts Festival? It’s true! SPAF is a non-profit annual summer solstice celebration, taking place June 22 and 23, 2024. This free, family-oriented event will be held in McBurney Park and the surrounding neighbourhood. This year’s festival includes a diverse range of artists including Kobo Town, Status Non Status, Justin Rutledge and the Undertow Brass Band. But wait – there’s more! This year SPAF is partnering with the Fat Goose Craft Fair – which runs on the same weekend at Skeleton Park.

An SEO Shout Out to these attractions opening for the season:
Military Communications and Electronics Museum: This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Special programming will be in place this summer.
Bellevue House: Bellevue House is a place for conversation. Visitors Experience, Engage, Reflect at this site. This is a journey of learning. A collection of viewpoints that allow you to engage and reflect in conversation around this complex story. Operating Thursday through Monday each week.
Kingston Pen Tours: Tours daily! Go behind the walls of Canada’s oldest and most notorious maximum security prison.
Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises: Sightseeing and dining cruises along Kingston’s historic waterfront and 1000 Islands.
Fort Henry: Open daily.
Ahoy Rentals: Kayak Lake Ontario open daily.
Kingston Trolley Tours: offering city tours daily in a unique red trolley!
Original Haunted Walks of Kingston: operating Wednesday to Saturday, featuring Ghosts of Queen’s, Ghosts of Fort Henry and many more spine-tingling options.

Featured Business

W.C. Creatives – JUNE 28 – JULY 2, 2024: The Ancestral Echoes Art Exhibit is an identifiably unique branded indigenous art experience that immerses the art lover into the indigenous art culture, through social messages such as climate change and truth and reconciliation. The exhibit will be featured alongside Artfest in Kingston but will provide space for Indigenous vendors, performances, and teachings.

1000 Islands Gananoque

  1. Textile Festival at Lansdowne Community Centre Enjoy the vision and feel of hand crafted art! On June 1, 2024, see spinners, weavers, rug makers, quilters, needle crafters and more showcase their skills. Feel the softness of the rovings and the colourful hand dyed wool. Finished products, wool, kits, and accessories are waiting to tempt you at the Lansdowne Community Hall.
  2. Holistic Fair at the Recreation Centre
    Come early to reserve your spot for readings! On Saturday, June 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lou Jeffries Gananoque Recreation Centre find what you’re looking for with numerous readers, mediums, psychics, intuitives and healing practitioners offering 20 minutes for $50. Everyone is welcome and admission is free! Also look for crystal suppliers and artisans with treasures.
  3. Gananoque Lions Club Cruise In Car Show
    Motorheads unite on June 15, 2024! See cars, trucks, motorcycles and more alongside drivers prizes, DJ music, vendors and the Gananoque Lions Club will be hosting a barbecue and serving burgers, hot dogs, fries and drink from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with complimentary cake! Proceeds in memory of Brielle Bellemore-Blouin and SickKids Foundation.
  4. 1000 Islands Family Ribfest
    Come and enjoy a great day or stay for the weekend to browse, shop, relax, taste the delicious ribs from June 28 to July 1!

1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterway

  1. Red Brick School at Elgin
    This historic schoolhouse is like a step back in time! Active from 1887 to 1964, it has many character defining elements that express the heritage of the red brick gem. The Elgin & Area Heritage Society has an intriguing new exhibit opening this June, showcasing the brilliance of local historical photographer, Clifford Pennock – in large format colour! The exhibit opens on June 29 and runs only on weekends until Sept. 1, featuring an extraordinary collection of photos by Clifford Pennock, an early 20th century photographic pioneer. The society invites people to rediscover how Clifford Pennock viewed this era through his masterful photographic lens and what he saw after he pressed the shutter. To bring this to life, his work has been digitally remastered, in full colour, for a 21st century audience. Look for more than 100 of his best photos, providing a new lens on South Crosby. A truly unique learning atmosphere! Keep an eye on the Facebook page for open dates and events.
  2. Father’s Day Breakfast and Car Show
    Take Dad out for a spin to the Father’s Day Car Show! Start with a breakfast heaping with eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausages and beverages, and stay for a car show! Get your motors running on June 16 at the Drummond Building in Spencerville. Get your best Dad jokes ready and burn out!
  3. Summer Concerts at the Kemptville Street Piano

It’s Kemptville Street Piano Summer Concert Series time again! Taking place rain or shine on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the North Grenville Public Library, the concerts are all ages, free to attend, dog friendly, and start June 1, continuing weekly until August 31. The lineup this year has something for everyone, including R&B piano great Jeff Rogers, blues guitar queen Jesse Greene, internationally renowned cello monster Raphael Weinroth-Browne and his ensemble Musk Ox, art-folk bilingue trio Moonfruits, heart-breaker chanteuse Tara Holloway, and beloved local acts and events such as our monthly Street Piano Jam (hosted by Bradley Smith). New for 2024 are added workshops, song-writer circles, and happenings made possible by Ontario Presents’ Slow Touring Project, with support from the Canada Council for the Arts! Get in tune with the happenings and come on out!

An SEO shout-out goes to Follow 44 Day Trip Adventures! The Follow 44 route takes you along County Road 44 from Rideau River Provincial Park, through Kemptville, past several country attractions, and into Spencerville. At only 27 kilometres long, you could drive it in half an hour—but that’s no fun! Take time to discover your own favourites along the way from vineyards to paddling and an animal sanctuary to a historic mill.

  1. Red Canoe Fest Seeley’s Bay will be buzzing on June 1 when the Red Canoefest takes over the waterfront! The day starts with breakfast and a free kid’s fishing derby, and continues with a paddling silent poker run, barbecue and more.
  2. Surya Yoga Festival The Kemptville Campus is the venue for this restorative outdoor festival that runs from sunrise to sunset. A ticket for June 22, 2024 grants you full access to more than 10 yoga classes led by authentic, holistic teachers. The festival includes a yogi market, delicious local food and more!
  3. Rideau Lakes Studio Tour
    Discover the art of creative minds at work in Rideau Lakes on Canada Day weekend! Enjoy incredible original art, sculptures, pottery, weaving, beading, and more. The Rideau Lakes Studio Tour celebrates over 25 years, and promises a spectacular showcase of the region’s finest artists. Taking place on Canada Day weekend, June 29 and 30, 2024, the event will feature more than 20 artists opening their studios to the public, allowing visitors to see how these talented creators work their magic.
  4. 1000 Islands Celtic Roots Festival If you love Celtic kitchen party music then you’ll be in your element June 14 and 15, 2024 at Happy Green Aces Campground! An awesome line up kicks off on  June 14th with Turpin’s Trail followed by The Mudmen and finishing off the night with The Fiddleheads! Starting June 15 is Spencer Scharf followed by The Celtic Kitchen Party and ending this awesome weekend of Celtic delights are The Steel City Rovers!
  5. Spencerville Father Daughter Ball Be enchanted at the Father Daughter Ball! This magical evening on June 1, 2024is all about making memories with your little girl – cherish the moments! With lots of activities complementing the dancing, like face painting, making matching bracelets, upping your nail game at the polish station or striking a pose in the photo booth it all adds up to fun.

Brockville

  1. Downtown Brockville Shop the Streets
    Dust off your boots for a night of dancing at the June 27, 2024 Country Western Street Dance! We hear the Ottawa Senators will be making a special guest appearance!
  2. Fairies in the Park
    Calling all fairies, wizards, mermaids and friends! The annual Fairies in the Park event is set to sprinkle magic on June 15 at St. Lawrence Park in Brockville! Meet Tinkerbell, get your face painted, bounce around and take part in kids activities! Admission is free, but donations for Girls Inc. accepted.
  3. 1000 Islands Regatta
    The 15th annual Brockville Hydroplane Festival is right around the corner it’s set to be a splash of fun! Great fun for all ages witnessing Hydroplane Racing, live music and a kid zones with vendors. The 1000 Islands Regatta is taking place from June 28 to 30, 2024. See Canadian icons perform as 54.40 will be playing on Friday night, while on Saturday, June 29 Big Wreck takes the stage!
  4. Rockin’ River Revue Party Cruises
    Cast off with Captain Andy and crew on June 1 and 7, 2024 aboard the Sea Fox II to rock the boat with hometown bands! This is known as the islands’ only regularly scheduled public party cruise. Hope aboard and let loose!

SDG Counties

 38. 1784: The 240th Anniversary of New Johnstown and the Royal Townships It’s not often you can revisit history or see how your ancestors lived and coped, but June 7 to 9, 2024 will provide that unique experience while celebrating the 240th anniversary of Cornwall and the SDG Counties. This year it will be 240 years since John Johnson’s loyalist refugees from the American Revolution brought their boats ashore in a wilderness area that was to be their new homes. Today these names are more familiar to us as Cornwall and the Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. A special event is being planned for June 7 to 9, 2024 seeing Lamoureux Park transformed to what life was like when these new settlers arrived. See a tented village replicating New Johnstown as it was in 1784! Visit the encampment to learn how these early settlers survived their arrival and flourished. For music lovers, concerts will be held on Friday and Saturday evenings presenting French, Celtic and Akwesasne entertainers. The Cornwall Community Museum will be open for tours and will introduce its new exhibit on “1784”. In addition, the United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada will be hosting its national conference in Cornwall. This celebration of our past is presented by the SDG Historical Society and is a free event open to all.

Cornwall

  1. Saunders Hydro Dam Visitor Centre This is one of Cornwall’s most popular indoor attractions – and it’s back open for the summer season! Located on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, the centre showcases the rich history of the St. Lawrence Seaway and Power Project and the communities and people affected. The facility is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. until August 30 and admission is free! The Visitor Centre is part of Ontario Power Generation (OPG) which operates the R.H. Saunders Generating Station. Did you know that with a 1,045-megawatt capacity, it is the second largest hydroelectric station in Ontario? That’s electrifying!

Prescott Russell

  1. Bike Night at Hawkesbury Ride into the weekend! Bike Night at Hawkesbury is back on June 7 from 5 p.m.to 9 p.m. with Judy Ann and her band, Hell on Heels, performing live! Look for food vendors on site. Meet up at Maximum Powersports in Hawkesbury!
  2. Music in the Vines at Vankleek Hill Vineyard
    Live music at a winery every Friday and Sunday! No reservations needed  – first come first serve on the patio. Kids are welcome but pets must be leashed.  Serving artisanal pizza, charcuterie and other surprises. Musicians throughout June include Better Half, Larry Cool, Normand Fullum and Shawna Caspi.

Event Feature

Les Vergers Villeneuve and Blueberry Farm will be hosting local Feast dinners, 2 per month in June, July and August. These multiple-course meals are prepared by professional Chefs using local products only. Les Vergers Villeneuve and Blueberry Farm will also host its first local producers’ market on June 22, 2024. Expect local products from the region, such as fruit, veggies, different meats, honey, maple syrup, and more delicious offerings.

The dog days of summer are upon us and we’re aching to get out and do all the things! South Eastern Ontario has enough happening to fill your calendar three times over.  So, get your summer go-bag packed, plan to revel in the heat and dive into summer like you’re on permanent vacay.