With its richly diverse population, Canada is home to countless festivals and celebrations ranging from native Inuit rites to traditional Christian events such as Xmas to the myriad festivities brought by immigrants. Here we'll look at 3 uniquely Canadian festivals - the Quebec Winter Carnival, Toronto's Canadian National Exhibition and the Vancouver Festival of Lights.



Given Canada's size and chill climate, it's not surprising that it hosts the world's largest winter festival, the Quebec Winter Carnival (Carnaval de Qu?bec). The usually kicks off on the last Friday of January or the first Friday of February and it continues for 17 days.

The activities for the Quebec Winter Carnival are centred in an ice palace in front of the Quebec Parliament. The ice palace houses Bonhomme Carnaval, the MC of the festival. He takes the form of a large snowman wearing a red cap. The opening and closing ceremonies include musical performances and fireworks.

Over the course of the festival, you can witness a rich and diverse range of activities including international ice sculpture competitions, the dog agility contest, art displays, a public ball, and a canoe race between Qu?bec and L'vis across the freezing Saint Lawrence River. Other attractions are a 6-kilometre dog sled race from Quebec old town to the Ch?teau Frontenac, and a snow bath. The weekends see 2 night parades of illuminated floats.

Meanwhile Toronto's Canadian National Exhibition is one of the biggest events in the whole of North America. The event dates all the way back to 1879 when it began as a late summer agricultural fair. Better known to locals as the ?CNE? or ?The Ex,? the Canadian National Exhibition runs for 18 days from August to early September at Exhibition Place.

In the run up to Labour Day, Exhibition Place is the scene of carnival rides and games, agricultural displays, art exhibits, acrobats, horse and dog shows, musical performances and plays, parades, air shows, and flower competitions. Meanwhile a bevy of vendors sell toys, souvenirs and a wide range of international food. A much-anticipated part of the CNE is the Canadian International Air Show held on Labour Day. This event features daredevil loop-de-loops and synchronized manoeuvres.

In the summer months in Vancouver, the city's beaches and parks are alive to a constant stream of celebrations. There's the Bard on the Beach, the 10-day Jazz Festival, but most unique is the Celebration of Light, a two-week-long international firework competition that begins in late July. The actual fireworks displays take up 4 nights of the festival with two days in between for preparation. Displays start at 10:00 pm and last for 25 minutes.

The location is English Bay, a beautiful stretch of beach in the south-western corner of downtown Vancouver's West End neighbourhood. The actual fireworks are set off on barges floated out in the bay. Each competing country stages an hour-long firework show set to music.

During this festival the skies above the bay erupt into rainbows of colour which rains down into the sea. The last day is particularly intense as the contestants work overtime to impress spectators.

So whatever festival attracts you, come to Canada and join in the celebrations. You'll be sure of having a great time and get to know this great country in a way no other can. The only difficulty with visiting the events in Canada might be your accommodation. Be sure to have a reservation, because Toronto hotels or Vancouver hotels could be fully booked during the festivals. Of course the Internet offers many opportunities to book Canada hotels in advance.