Event Details

Established in 1984, and incorporated in 1986, the Bala Cranberry Festival's (BCF) vision is to extend the tourist season in Muskoka and celebrate the rich agricultural heritage of Ontario's Cranberry Capital. The BCF operates in partnership with the Township of Muskoka Lakes, the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce, and Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery. The Festival brings together locals and visitors from across Canada and beyond for a vibrant autumn harvest experience featuring an artisan market, live music and street performers, family attractions, local cuisine, wagon tours, and the beloved cranberry plunge at Johnston's Cranberry Marsh.

This application is for the "2026 Bala Cranberry Festival", a three-day free outdoor festival taking place October 16 to 18, 2026, in Bala. The Festival brings together locals and visitors from across Canada and beyond for an autumn harvest experience featuring an artisan market, live music, family attractions, local cuisine, wagon tours, and the cranberry plunge at Johnston's Cranberry Marsh. Programming includes:

(1) Main stage entertainment: local acoustic musicians performing throughout the Festival at the main stage in front of the community centre, alongside new busker talent sourced through InCirque, with potential participation from local First Nations members for a blessing and sharing circle;

(2) Vendors and artisans: over 200 indoor and outdoor artisan and food vendors spread throughout town at the community centre, arena, and surrounding streets. Food and beverage offerings include cranberry crepes and peameal on a bun served by the Anglican Church, chilli at the United Church, and a beer tent with entertainment at the local park; and

(3) Family programming: a Kid Zone with inflatables including the new "Big Baller" cranberry ball experience, a trackless train, displays from Scales Nature Park and Science North, a cranberry bog photo booth with a pool of floating cranberries, a costumed mascot wandering through town, and roaming buskers.