Summer in Durham Region is packed with food festivals, concerts, waterfront events, fairs, outdoor movies, cultural celebrations, car shows, family-friendly activities, and free things to do across the region.

From major events in Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Scugog, and Uxbridge to ribfests, music festivals, Canada Day celebrations, food truck festivals, outdoor concerts, and community festivals, this guide highlights the best Durham Region summer events 2026 to help you plan your season.

Festivals & Major Events: Oshawa

June 6th to 7th – Oshawa Peony Festival

Oshawa Peony Festival showcases the city’s beautiful peony gardens alongside artisans, vendors, performances, food, and family-friendly programming.

Where: Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens, Oshawa

When: June 6th to 7th, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Admission: Free

(Flower Festival)

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July 1st – Oshawa Canada Day

Oshawa Canada Day brings live entertainment, family activities, food, community programming, and fireworks to Lakeview Park.

Where: Lakeview Park, 55 Lakeview Park Ave., Oshawa

When: July 1st, 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Admission: Free

(Canada Day / Fireworks)

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Select Dates in July and August – Oshawa Events in the Park

Oshawa Events in the Park brings free outdoor concerts, entertainment, and community programming to parks across the city.

Where: Various parks across Oshawa

When: Select dates in July and August

Admission: Free

(Outdoor Concerts)

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August 21st – Kars on King

Kars on King transforms Downtown Oshawa into a classic car showcase with vehicles, entertainment, vendors, and street festival energy.

Where: Downtown Oshawa

When: August 21st, 3:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Admission: Free

(Car Show)

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Festivals & Major Events: Ajax

June 5th to 7th – Ajax Rotary Ribfest

Ajax Rotary Ribfest brings ribs, barbecue, food vendors, live entertainment, and family-friendly summer programming to Ajax.

Where: 50 Alexander’s Crossing, Ajax

When:

• June 5th, 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
• June 6th, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
• June 7th, 11:00 am – 8:00 pm

Admission: Free

(Food Festival)

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July 1st – Ajax Canada Day

Ajax Canada Day brings live entertainment, food, family activities, community programming, and fireworks to Ajax Fairgrounds.

Where: Ajax Fairgrounds, Ajax

When: July 1st, 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Admission: Free

(Canada Day / Fireworks)

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July 7th to September 1st – Ajax Summer in the Square

Ajax Summer in the Square brings free outdoor concerts, performances, and community entertainment to Pat Bayly Square on Tuesday evenings.

Where: Pat Bayly Square, Ajax

When: Tuesday evenings from July 7th to September 1st, Time TBA

Admission: Free

(Outdoor Concerts)

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July 18th – Ice Cream Summerfest

Ice Cream Summerfest brings music, food, summer treats, vendors, and community entertainment to Ajax Festival Grounds.

Where: Ajax Festival Grounds, Ajax

When: July 18th, 1:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Admission: Free

(Music Festival)

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August 22nd and 23rd – Durham Summerfest

Durham Summerfest brings food, music, vendors, family activities, and festival energy to Ajax Downs for a summer weekend celebration.

Where: Ajax Downs, Ajax

When: August 22nd and 23rd, 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Admission: Free

(Street Festival)

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Festivals & Major Events: Pickering

June 5th to 7th – Pickering Village Jam Fest

Pickering Village Jam Fest brings live music, vendors, food, community programming, and street festival energy to Old Kingston Road in Ajax.

Where: Old Kingston Rd, Ajax

When: June 5th to 7th,

Admission: Free

(Street Festival)

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June 6th – Pickering D-Day Parade

Pickering D-Day Parade honours remembrance and community with a ceremonial gathering at Pickering City Hall Courtyard.

Where: Cenotaph, Pickering City Hall Courtyard

When: June 6th, 10:45 am – 12:00 pm

Admission: Free

(Parade / Remembrance)

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June 19th to 21st – Pickering Rotary Ribfest

Pickering Rotary Ribfest brings barbecue, ribs, food vendors, live music, and family-friendly programming to Esplanade Park.

Where: Esplanade Park, Pickering

When:

• June 19th, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
• June 20th, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
• June 21st, 11:00 am – 8:00 pm

Admission: Free

(Food Festival)

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July 1st – Pickering Canada Day

Pickering Canada Day features daytime family celebrations at Esplanade Park and evening festivities with fireworks at Kinsmen Park.

Where: Esplanade Park / Kinsmen Park, Pickering

When: July 1st, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm at Esplanade Park and 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm at Kinsmen Park

Admission: Free

(Canada Day / Fireworks)

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July to August – Pickering Summer Concert Series

Pickering Summer Concert Series brings free live music to locations across Pickering on select Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Where: Various locations across Pickering

When: Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays in July and August,

Admission: Free

(Outdoor Concert Series)

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August 7th to 9th – Pickering Food Truck Festival

Pickering Food Truck Festival brings food trucks, vendors, live entertainment, and family-friendly programming to Esplanade Park.

Where: Esplanade Park, Pickering

When:

• August 7th, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• August 8th, 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• August 9th, 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Admission: Free

(Food Truck Festival)

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September 12th – Pickering Cultural Fusion

Pickering Cultural Fusion celebrates culture, food, art, vendors, performances, and community programming at Dorsay Community & Heritage Centre.

Where: Dorsay Community & Heritage Centre, Pickering

When: September 12th, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Admission: Free

(Cultural Festival)

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Festivals & Major Events: Whitby

June 4th to 7th – Brooklin Spring Fair

Brooklin Spring Fair returns with midway rides, agricultural exhibits, food, vendors, entertainment, and family-friendly fair programming.

Where: 67 Winchester Rd E, Whitby

When: June 4th to 7th,

Admission: Ticketed. Tickets start at $21

(Spring Fair)

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June 25th to 27th – Whitby Music Fest

Whitby Music Fest brings live music, artists, performances, venues, and community entertainment to locations across Whitby.

Where: Various Locations in Whitby

When: June 25th to 27th,

Admission: Ticketed. Tickets start at $35

(Music Festival)

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July 1st – Whitby Canada Day

Whitby Canada Day brings holiday celebrations, family programming, live entertainment, and fireworks to the community.

Where: TBA

When: July 1st, Time TBA

Admission: Free

(Canada Day / Fireworks)

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July 25th – Whitby Home Sweet Home Festival

Whitby Home Sweet Home Festival brings community programming, food, music, vendors, and local celebration to Downtown Whitby.

Where: Downtown Whitby

When: July 25th,

Admission: Free

(Community Festival)

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Festivals & Major Events: Scugog

June 6th – Canoe the Nonquon

Canoe the Nonquon is a long-running paddling event that brings canoe and kayak racers to the Nonquon River and Lake Scugog.

Where: Nonquon River / Lake Scugog, Port Perry

When: June 6th, 9:00 pm

Admission: Registration required

(Canoe / Kayak Race)

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July 1st – Scugog Canada Day

Scugog Canada Day brings community celebration, entertainment, food, and holiday activities to Palmer Park.

Where: Palmer Park, Scugog

When: July 1st,

Admission: Free

(Canada Day)

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Festivals & Major Events: Uxbridge

June 11th to 13th – Springtide Music Festival

Springtide Music Festival brings live music, artists, performances, and community energy to venues across Uxbridge.

Where: Various Locations in Uxbridge

When: June 11th to 13th,

Admission: Ticketed

(Music Festival)

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July 24th and 25th – Uxbridge Scottish Festival

Uxbridge Scottish Festival celebrates Scottish culture with music, Highland dancing, vendors, performances, and family-friendly programming at Elgin Park.

Where: Elgin Park, Uxbridge

When: July 24th and 25th, Time TBA

Admission: Ticketed

(Cultural Festival)

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