The 2025 Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival has a new home and even more to look forward to this year.
Taking place each June during National Indigenous History Month on the traditional territory of the Algonquin People, the festival is a multi-disciplinary arts festival that brings together Indigenous artists, performers, educators, students, and community members to share knowledge, foster understanding, and celebrate the richness of Canada’s Indigenous cultures.
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The move from Mādahòkì Farm, which remains Canada’s only Indigenous agri-tourism destination and working farm, to Wesley Clover Parks allows more space to welcome festival goers while expanding the lineup up activities, performances, and cultural experiences. To learn more about the move and this year’s festival, we reached Trina Mather-Simard, CEO and Executive Director of Mādahòkì Farms, by email.
Apt613: For someone who has never been to the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival, what can they expect?
Trina Mather-Simard: The Summer Solstice is a ton of fun for people of all ages and everyone is welcome! They can expect vibrant Indigenous culture through the pow wow, workshops and vendors but also just lots of family fun with Superdogs, mechanical bulls, bouncy castles and of course Ojibwe Spirit Horses and a drone show lighting the night sky. It really has something for everyone and a is great way to support and engage with our Indigenous community.
The festival has moved this year from Mādahòkì Farm to Wesley Clover Parks: what will be new this year or different in the new space?
The biggest difference for our visitors is the parking! While we loved hosting Solstice at Mādahòkì, as our audience rebuilt after COVID we could no longer accommodate our visitors with parking and we really want to make the festival accessible for everyone to enjoy.
What are you most looking forward to?
This is always a tough one… I most look forward to some of my favourite pow wow foods, the glow in the dark pow wow dance party was super fun last year, and I am always blown away by the drone show.
Anything else Apt613 readers should know?
We really want to share that everyone is welcome to join the celebration! The entrance and most of the programming is free!
The Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival takes place June 21 and 22 at Wesley Clover Parks (401 Corkstown Road). Admission is free and parking is available for $10 (pre-purchase online is recommended to save your spot). There will be some workshops, food and shopping of authentic Indigenous made goods available on site for an extra cost.
