IN THIS ISSUE
Challenge Yourself in Thunder Bay
Zulu Challenge, XTERRA Sleeping Giant Triathlon, Kakabeka Falls Half Marathon and 8K, and other outdoor adventures you'll want to try
Neighbourhoods, Shopping & Street Festivals
South Core Roar, Westfort Street Fair, Harbourfest
Culture & Community
Festa Italiana, Summer Matsuri, Festival of India, Festival of Colours, Anishinaabe Keeshigun
Live Music & Summer Nights
Blues in the Ballpark, Tumblestone Music & Art Festival, Live on the Waterfront, and other regular weekly summer concert series
Big Summer Traditions
Canadian Lakehead Exhibition (CLE), Murillo Fair, Ribfest
| | | | Challenge Yourself in Thunder Bay | | |
Looking to add a little adventure to your Thunder Bay visit? From rugged trails and open water to endurance events and unforgettable outdoor experiences, our region is the perfect place to push your limits, try something new, and make your trip one to remember.
This August, challenge yourself by taking part in an exciting athletic event:
Race through the wilderness, test your endurance, or cheer on participants; be a part of the adventurous spirit of Northwestern Ontario!
For visitors looking to build their own active itinerary, Thunder Bay offers plenty of unique ways to get moving. Try rock climbing with lessons or guided trips through Outdoor Skills and Thrills, hike the iconic Top of the Giant Trail at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park — a challenging 22 km return route with unforgettable views — or explore the mountain biking trails in Trowbridge Forest, with trail maps available from the Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club.
| Prefer the water? Set sail on Lake Superior by booking a tour with Sail Superior, or get hands-on experience by joining the crew bench for summer race nights with the Thunder Bay Yacht Club on Wednesdays. For an underwater adventure, connect with Thunder Country Diving to explore Lake Superior’s shipwrecks, natural wonders and northern marine life. | | Rock climbing photo by Tim Banfield | Top of the Giant photo by Erin Hynes | Mountain biking photo by Tim Banfield | | Neighbourhoods, Shopping & Street Festivals | | |
South Core Roar
HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND - South Core Roar is a new, free street festival in the Fort William Business District, featuring a car and motorcycle show, live music, multicultural and Indigenous performances, food trucks, local crafts, a kids’ zone, and more.
Date: August 1 & 2
Time: Saturday 10 am to 11 pm, Sunday 11 am to 5 pm
Location: Fort William Business District (Miles St. and Brodie St.)
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Westfort Street Fair
Looking for a classic summer street fair with true neighbourhood spirit? The long-running Westfort Street Fair returns, with local vendors, businesses, artists, musicians, street food, beer gardens and family-friendly entertainment. This event celebrates the community, creativity and character of one of the city’s historic business districts.
Date: Saturday, August 15
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
Location: Frederica St.
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Harbourfest
Hosted by the Waterfront District BIA, Harbourfest will feature live entertainment, vendors, fashion shows, dog contests and more, while supporting local businesses and showcasing the continued growth and vibrancy of Thunder Bay’s Waterfront District.
Date: Thursday, August 27
Time: 4 pm to 11 pm
Location: Waterfront District (Red River Rd.)
| Learn more about Thunder Bay's unique shopping experiences and historic business districts from the Northern Ontario Travel article, "Shop, Sip, Stay: Supporting Local & Independent Businesses in Thunder Bay." |
Festa Italiana
HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND - Festa Italiana is back for its 36th year! Enjoy Italian food, eating contests, music and dancing to showcase Thunder Bay’s large Italian cultural community at the Italian Cultural Centre.
Date: August 2 & 3
Time: Sunday 12 pm to 11 pm, Monday 1 pm to 11 pm
Location: Italian Cultural Centre, 132 Algoma St. S.
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Summer Matsuri
Hosted by the Lakehead Japanese Cultural Association, Summer Matsuri is a free, family-friendly festival to celebrate community and experience Japanese Canadian culture. Enjoy live entertainment, including Japanese taiko drumming, a kimono dressing demonstration and martial arts showcase. Browse a lively market of local artisans and cultural goods, and enjoy delicious Asian cuisine from food vendors.
Date: Saturday, August 15
Time: 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Location: West Thunder Community Centre, 915 Edward St. S.
| RESCHEDULED: Festival of India and Festival of Colours | |
Rescheduled due to wildfire smoke in July, the Festival of India and Festival of Colours offer two vibrant days of culture, music, dance, food and community celebration. Enjoy live performances, a free feast on Saturday, yoga, DJs, Kirtan bands, Indian cuisine and colourful fun, including the joyful tradition of tossing dry coloured powder to celebrate unity, inclusion and togetherness.
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Festival of India
Date: Saturday, August 15
Time: 3 pm to 8 pm
Location: Marina Park
Admission: FREE
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Festival of Colours
Date: Sunday, August 16
Time: Starts at 3 pm
Location: Marina Park
Admission: $20 (includes one bag of colour)
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Anishinaabe Keeshigun
Celebrate First Nations culture at Fort William Historical Park. Anishinaabe Keeshigun is a free weekend of entertainment, hands-on activities and demonstrations highlighting Anishinaabe culture, traditions, language and technology. This year’s event also features a Pow Wow with regional dancers and drum groups, along with a community feast on Saturday that is open to all visitors.
Date: August 22 and August 23
Time: Saturday 11 am to 7 pm, Sunday 11 am to 5 pm
Location: Fort William Historical Park
| | Live Music & Summer Concerts | | |
Thunder Bay is filled with live music and outdoor entertainment all summer long. The weekly lineup starts with free Monday Evening Concerts at Waverley Park, running until August 24 from 6:30 pm to 9 pm. See the full schedule on The Coalition for Waverley Park Facebook page.
Live on the Waterfront is a free concert series on Wednesday evenings until August 26 at Marina Park from 6 pm to 9 pm. The season will wrap up in a big way at the Summer Send-Off on Thursday, August 27 — it's a celebration of music and community featuring a drone light show over Lake Superior.
On Thursday evenings, check out the Summer in the Parking Lot Music Series at the Superior Inn Hotel and Conference Centre, starting at 6:30 pm for just $7 at the gate. Or take part in a free Latin dance lesson and social dancing at Marina Park near the Delta Hotel from 8 pm to 10 pm.
On Saturdays, Rockin’ the Rez is a free concert series that brings local and Indigenous artists to Crossroad Music in Fort William First Nation from 2 pm to 8 pm. See who's performing each week on the Crossoad Music Facebook Page.
On Sundays, relax at the Sundays in the Park Concert Series at Chippewa Park from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, also free to attend. Weekly performer information is shared on their Facebook Page.
Pack a lawn chair or blanket, bring your favourite people, and enjoy the sounds of summer across Thunder Bay!
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Blues in the Ballpark
Blues in the Ballpark, brought to you by the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, returns for two days of incredible live blues music. Enjoy performances by Tom Lavin & The Legendary Powder Blues, Erja Lyytinen, Solomon Hicks, Mike Wheeler Band, Jeff Rogers, Texas Headhunters, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, David Gogo, Nikki Hill, Spencer Mackenzie, Marcus Trummer and more.
Date: August 21 and 22
Time: Friday 3:30 pm to 11 pm, Saturday 2 pm to 11 pm
Location: Port Arthur Stadium
Admission: $144 per person for full two-day access. Tickets are not available at the event gates and must be purchased online or in person at the TBCA Box Office.
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Tumblestone Music & Art Festival
Tumblestone is a two-day, two-stage music and art festival in Gorham/Lappe, just 20 minutes north of Thunder Bay. This independent, artist-run festival showcases a diverse lineup of local, regional, underrepresented and new-generation artists across multiple genres. Known for its creative spirit, rocky landscape and welcoming atmosphere, Tumblestone brings together music lovers, artists, families and community members for one of the region’s most unique late-summer festival experiences.
Date: August 28 and 29
Time: Friday 6 pm to Sunday 6 am
Location: Gorham
Admission: Purchase your weekend passes from their website.
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Canadian Lakehead Exhibition
The Canadian Lakehead Exhibition (CLE) is back with all the fun of the fair, including thrilling rides, midway games, family-friendly entertainment, delicious food vendors and live performances throughout the week. This year’s entertainment lineup includes Glass Tiger, Corrie J the Hypnotist, Undercover Legends of Rock, Hotel California – The Original Eagles Tribute Band, Alli Walker, a Cher & Neil Diamond Tribute Band, and a fireworks show to close out the celebration. Check out Thunder Bay Lifestyle's Guide to the 2026 CLE: From Corn Dogs to Midway Rides.
Date: Wednesday, August 5 to Sunday, August 9
Time: 11 am to 11 pm
Location: Canadian Lakehead Exhibition grounds, 425 Northern Ave.
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Murillo Fair
The Murillo Fair offers the charm of a traditional country fair on a smaller, more rural scale. With roots as old as the CLE, this community event celebrates the area’s farming traditions through agricultural exhibits, animals, local food, family activities, and classic country fair fun.
Date: Friday, August 14 to Sunday, August 16
Time: Friday 5 pm to 10 pm, Saturday 10 am to 10 pm, Sunday 10 am to 6 pm
Location: Oliver Agricultural Society, 600 Poleline Rd., Murillo
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Ribfest 2026
Ribfest 2026 takes over Thunder City Speedway from August 27 to 30 with four days of mouth-watering barbecue, live music and family fun. Enjoy award-winning ribs, live bands throughout the weekend, beer gardens, and a vintage/classic car show on Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm.
Date: August 27 to August 30
Time: 11 am to 9 pm
Location: Thunder City Speedway, 3250 Highway 130
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@ThunderBayLifeStyle is your source for insider tips on the city’s best-kept secrets. Their curated updates provide the local perspective you need to experience the very best of Thunder Bay.
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The Terry Fox Monument and Visitor Centre is open daily year-round. During the summer months, we're open from 8 am to 8 pm. The Thunder Bay Visitor Pagoda is open daily this summer from 10 am to 4 pm.
Visitor Services
Telephone:807-983-2041 - Local
1-800-MOST-FUN (667-8386) Toll Free
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