Festivals, Markets, and Events to Plan for in 2026

Food festivals, markets, and community events continue to be one of the most effective ways for food businesses to build brand awareness, test new products, and connect directly with customers. Whether you’re selling packaged goods, baked items, or ready-to-eat food, participating in the right events can help you refine pricing, gather feedback, and grow a loyal customer base.

To help our members plan ahead, we’ve combined general industry insights with real, on-the-ground experience generously shared by Bo from Sweet Pompoms, a Better Food Factory member who actively participates in markets and festivals across Ontario. Her firsthand observations offer valuable, practical guidance for anyone considering events in 2026.

Key Types of Events to Consider

Farmer’s Markets (Summer & Winter) 

Farmer’s markets are a strong entry point for many food businesses, offering consistent traffic and repeat customers.

• Milton Farmer’s Market: Well organized with strong vendor support. Vendors commit to half or full seasons; applications typically open in February.

• Georgetown Farmer’s Market: Loyal customers and flexible scheduling—you can select individual dates, though seasonal vendors receive preferred placement.

• Winter Markets:

  • Connon Nurseries (Jan–Mar): Family-friendly crowd and great atmosphere.

  • Terra Greenhouses Winter Markets: Performance depends heavily on product type.

These markets are ideal for building routine sales and customer recognition.

Street Festivals & BIA-Run Events 

Street festivals are often organized by BIAs or municipalities. While not always professionally run, they offer excellent local exposure.

• Streetsville First Fridays (summer months): Modest sales but strong marketing value and community support.

• Appleby Line Street Festival: Affordable with great crowds and strong results.

• Downtown Milton Summer Fest: Very busy with excellent marketing opportunities.

Major Festivals & Regional Events 

Larger festivals tend to be more expensive but often deliver strong ROI, as attendees are more willing to spend.

• Midland Butter Tart Festival: Highly competitive but excellent for recognition and sales.

• Wellesley Apple Butter Festival & Bala Cranberry Festival: Busy, high-energy events with strong sales potential.

• Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival: Long day, great crowd and atmosphere.

• Renaissance & themed fairs (Fergus Renaissance Fair, Royal Medieval Fair): Strong niche audiences and great engagement.

• Ribfests & VegFest: Product-specific opportunities—excellent fit if your offering aligns.

Handmade, Artisan & Specialty Markets 

Organizer quality matters greatly.

• Milton Strawberry Festival & Halton Butter Tart Festival: Affordable with strong local support.

• Artisan Bazaar (Burlington & Ancaster): Higher fees but solid returns.

• One of a Kind Show (Toronto): Major investment with high visibility and follower growth, but requires significant inventory and stamina.

School & Community Fundraisers 

Often low-cost or commission-based (around 15%), making them ideal for testing event setups.

• Performance varies widely; dessert vendors should note that schools often sell sweets themselves.

• Common in spring and fall and useful for early-stage businesses.

Practical Tips for Event Success

Based on both industry best practices and Bo’s experience:

• Research thoroughly: Scams and poorly attended events exist—ask organizers and other vendors about past attendance.

• Apply early: Many Christmas markets open in January; farmer’s markets often open January–February.

• Prepare documentation: Public health forms, Certificates of Insurance, and city permits may be required for each event.

• Expect variability: Weather, crowd flow, and timing can dramatically impact results—even at the same event year to year.

• Plan logistics carefully: Early arrivals, hauling equipment, power limitations, propane rules, and handwashing stations all matter.

• Use events strategically: Beyond sales, festivals are powerful tools for brand exposure, email sign-ups, and long-term customer growth.

  
  

A Thank You to Our Member Contributor

A special thank you to Bo from Sweet Pompoms for openly sharing her experiences across dozens of Ontario events. Insights like these help strengthen our community and allow fellow BFF members to make more informed, confident decisions when planning their sales and marketing strategies.

If you’re considering events in 2026 and would like support with applications, pricing, production planning, or logistics, the Better Food Factory team is here to help.