Five local attractions named to Ontario’s Top 100 Festivals and Events

St. George Applefest has been named for the 11th time as one of the 2026 Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario (FEO).

The free event in St. George that promotes a family friendly atmosphere features several different ways that apples can be enjoyed and a variety of apples themselves.

This year’s St. George Applefest takes place September 19 and 20 with more than 100 vendors of both foods and artisans’ creations, entertainment on two stages including one dedicated to children, and an evening street party.

Several other attractions in Brantford-Brant and Haldimand-Norfolk have also made the list.

Eat and Drink Norfolk where visitors can try locally made food, wine, spirits, beer and cider while enjoying the sounds of musical entertainment has made the list once again. This year’s Eat and Drink Norfolk will be held in the CIBC AUDitorium at the Norfolk County Fairgrounds from April 9 through 11.

Attending fall fairs are a popular annual tradition for many families both locally and from afar to take in demolition derbies, live music, fair food, livestock shows and competitions, agricultural displays, and midway fun.

Three area fairs were named to the Top 100 list this year.

The 168th annual Paris Fair is slated for September 3 to 7, while the Caledonia Fair runs from October 1 to 4. The Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show returns for its 186th edition from October 6 through 12.

“Submissions from FEO members were received for consideration in the fall of 2025 and were judged by an independent panel of judges,” said Jay Nijhuis, marketing and communications manager for FEO. “Festivals and events of all kinds from every corner of Ontario were represented in the submissions from community festivals to internationally recognized events.”

This year’s awards were presented on February 25, during the FEO’s annual conference in Kitchener.

The festivals and events industry in Ontario is estimated to generate more than $2.3 billion annually in contribution to regional GDP, creates and sustains approximately 50,000 full-year-equivalent jobs, and fosters approximately $1 billion in taxes at all levels of government.

By Expositor staff