Bala Cranberry Festival

Muskoka’s favourite fall festival, October 18, 19 & 20, 2024

For more information, visit their website

The Bala Cranberry Festival is a 3-day celebration of Muskoka’s beloved cranberry, and is one of the biggest harvest festivals in the country. With 3 full days of exceptional shopping, exciting entertainment, and culinary delights, it is one of Muskoka’s can’t miss events.

Always the weekend after Thanksgiving, the Cranberry Capital of Ontario has welcomed over 500,000 visitors to town over the last 30+ years. For a town with an estimated population of 700, that is no small feat.

If you have never been, you are in for a treat! The Bala Cranberry Festival is many things, but first and foremost, it is a fun-filled weekend for everyone. Over the years, the festival has grown into:

A shopping destination, as one of Ontario’s premier arts and crafts shows
An entertaining festival with a fall fair’ atmosphere. Live music, entertainers/performers and attractions all weekend long
A family friendly event with kids’ entertainment, kids’ activities, attractions and more

Advance Ticket Sales: Festival go-ers have the ability to pre-purchase their weekend pass online via credit card.
Admission provides: free midway rides, live music entertainment, roaming & stationary busker entertainment, entrance to the art exhibition, juried vendors located in the Arena; Community Centre; Maple Ave; and at the Farmers Market at Portage Landing, use of shuttle buses in town, and many other activities for all ages on Maple Avenue. In turn you help support extending the tourist season in Bala and support the myriad of community groups and organizations that make this festival happen!
Each person upon entry will have their ticket scanned and receive an official Cranberry Festival button & wristband for their allotted day. Tickets are non transferable between days. Activities occurring at the cranberry marsh are not included, you must contact Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery.
Click here to buy advanced admission

Live Music: Come enjoy the live music featuring local talent, by new and upcoming artists throughout the festival.

Friday, October 18th 2024
Location: TBD
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM ~ Marc Ekins
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM ~ Emma Clendenan
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM ~ Sweet Jake
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM ~ Melanie Peterson
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM ~ Tina Turley

Saturday, October 19th 2024
Location: TBD
10:00 – 10:45 AM ~ Amanda Bolk
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM ~ Briar Summers
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM ~ Lucy Morgan
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM ~ Monet & Christian
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM ~ Mitch Beube
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM ~ Doug Allison
4:00 PM – 4:45 PM ~ Julia Middleton

Sunday, October 20th 2024
Location: TBD
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM ~ Paige Warner
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM ~ Sully Burrows
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM ~ TBD
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM ~ EmeyR

2024 Activities Schedule: Activities Schedule: Included in your festival pass the Art Exhibition by Bala Plein Air, entertaining buskers, & street performers, interactive kids zones, midway rides and more!
Learn more

The best way to experience the festival

The best way to experience the festival is to start at one end of the town and stroll your way to the other, taking in all of the vendors, attractions, entertainment and food along the way. Purchase that perfect piece for your home or cottage, or start your Christmas shopping early with thousands of unique gift ideas all at one location. You will most certainly be charmed by the town of Bala, and this unique festival that has taken on a life of its own.

A visit to Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery should definitely be a part of your festival experience to get a true appreciation for this tart, red berry and how it shaped Bala. Take a guided marsh tour and sample local craft beers, ciders, and their very own cranberry fruit wines. You can even put on a pair of waders and head into the berries for an epic Instagram or Facebook photo.