20+ fabulous fairs in and around Ottawa!

Do you remember that song about summer fairs from the animated version of Charlotte’s Web? “A fair is a veritable smorgasbord, smorgasbord, smorgasbord…” That’s certainly how I felt when I was a kid. What wasn’t to like, whether it was the small fall fair in my hometown in Toronto’s western suburbs, or the non-stop lights and action of the venerable CNE in Toronto? Fairs meant midways, stuffed animals, cotton candy, free food samples—just about everything kids love, all in one noisy, garish package.

If you feel the pull of nostalgia—or if your kids have been begging you to win them a stuffed animal—here are 20+ places where you can enjoy summer and fall fairs. All distances are measured from Parliament Hill.

• Blackburn Funfair (May 31 to June 2, 2024) (13km from Parliament Hill)
• Beachburg Fair (July 4 to 7, 2024) (127km from Ottawa)
• Expo Lachute Fair (July 11 to 14, 2024) (128km from Ottawa)
• Lansdowne Fair (July 18 to 21, 2024) (153km from Ottawa)
• Avonmore Fair (July 20 and 21, 2024) (76km from Ottawa)
• Delta Fair (July 25 to 28, 2024) (121km from Ottawa)

• Williamstown Fair (August 9 to 11, 2024) (109km from Ottawa)
• Russell Fair (August 15 to 18, 2024) (42km from Ottawa)
• South Mountain Fair (August 15 to 18, 2024) (59km from Ottawa)
• Vankleek Hill Fair (August 15 to 18, 2024) (93km from Ottawa)
• Capital Fair (August 16 to 25, 2024) (19km from Parliament Hill)
• New York State Fair in Syracuse (August 21 to September 2, 2024) (318km from Ottawa)
• Chesterville Fair (August 23 to 25, 2024) (61km from Ottawa)
• Cobden Fair (August 23 to 25, 2024) (116km from Ottawa)
• Riceville Fair (August 23 to 25, 2024) (84km from Ottawa)
• Maberly Fair (August 24, 2024) (108km from Ottawa)

• Shawville Fair (August 29 to September 2, 2024) (77km from Ottawa)
• Perth Fair (August 30 to September 2, 2024) (87km from Ottawa)
• Stormont County Fair in Newington (August 30 to September 2, 2024) (75km from Ottawa)
• Renfrew Fair (September 5 to 8, 2024) (94km from Ottawa)
• Picton Fair (September 6 to 8, 2024) (270km from Ottawa)
• Spencerville Fair (September 12 to 15, 2024) (74km from Ottawa)
• 1860s Fall Fair Weekend and Quilt Show at Upper Canada Village (September 14 and 15, 2024) (90km from Ottawa)
• Richmond Fair (September 19 to 22, 2024) (30km from Ottawa)

• Middleville Fair (September 21, 2024) (70km from Ottawa)
• Lyndhurst Turkey Fair (September 21, 2024) (129km from Ottawa)
• Carp Fair (September 26 to 29, 2024) (33km from Ottawa)
• McDonald’s Corners Annual Fall Fair (September 28, 2024) (97km from Ottawa)
• Metcalfe Fair (October 3 to 6, 2024) (35km from Parliament Hill)

Do you know of any fairs I’ve left out? Let me know and I’ll add them!

And if you’re looking for a fair elsewhere in Ontario, the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies has a list of 212 Ontario fairs.

Want more tips on road trips from Ottawa—including info on hotel discounts, contests, festivals and other cool news? Subscribe to my free weekly e-newsletter or buy my guidebook, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100km Getaway Guide. I will never spam you—promise.

As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.

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