From fitness runs, flag-raising ceremonies, and festivals, here are noteworthy Filipino Heritage Month events taking place outside the GTA this June.
While many of Canada’s largest Filipino Heritage Month celebrations take place in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Filipino communities across the country are also marking June with festivals, cultural showcases, community gatherings, and civic ceremonies.
These events provide opportunities for Filipinos to celebrate their heritage while introducing Filipino culture, food, music, and traditions to broader communities.
Several of this year’s celebrations are returning after successful previous editions, while others are making their debut as growing Filipino communities establish new traditions of their own.
Here are noteworthy Filipino Heritage Month events taking place outside the GTA this June:
June 7: Filipino Heritage Month Run
The Filipino Heritage Month Run returns to Fluffy’s Coffee Shop in Montreal on June 7, bringing together members of the Filipino community through fitness, wellness, and community engagement.
Organized by Filipinos of Montreal, Innerpace Run Club, and Fluffy’s MTL, the event features a 1.5-kilometre walk, a 2.5-kilometre run, and a 6-kilometre run, followed by a day-long community celebration.
The event aims to create connections within Montreal’s Filipino community while encouraging healthy and active lifestyles.
More information is available through the Filipino Heritage Month Run event page.
June 12: Philippine Flag Raising Ceremony
The City of Côte Saint-Luc will commemorate the 128th anniversary of Philippine Independence with a Philippine Flag Raising Ceremony outside Côte Saint-Luc City Hall on June 12.
The event follows a unanimous city council resolution recognizing June as Filipino Heritage Month in Côte Saint-Luc and acknowledges the contributions of Filipino residents to the municipality.
The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which will include remarks from elected officials and community leaders.
“I was proud to formally move the resolution at our City Council meeting to recognize Filipino Heritage Month in Côte Saint-Luc,” said Mayor David Tordjman.
“The values, hard work, and community-mindedness of the Filipino community are an asset to our community and to our country.”
More information is available through the City of Côte Saint-Luc.
June 13-14: Ottawa Fiesta Extravaganza
Ottawa Fiesta Extravaganza returns to the Cohere Centre in Ottawa on June 13 and 14, where organizers expect more than 5,000 attendees over two days of cultural performances, food vendors, competitions, exhibits, and live entertainment.
Organizers said approximately 3,000 people attended last year’s inaugural event.
Hosted by Philippine International for Arts, Culture and Heritage (PIACH), the festival has quickly become one of the largest Filipino Heritage Month celebrations in the National Capital Region.
Fil Caballes, CEO and founder of PIACH, said the event was created to bring Filipinos together while supporting local entrepreneurs and businesses.
“I wanted Filipinos to be together in one place for two days, supporting our local entrepreneurs and food vendors,” Caballes said.
“Filipinos love gathering, and I think that’s part of our tradition and culture.”
This year’s festival will feature a singing competition, a Bayong Couture fashion show, a car show, and performances by Filipino artists Jason Fernandez and Kyle Echarri.
More information is available through Ottawa Fiesta Extravaganza.
June 13: Filipino Heritage Celebration – Southeast Manitoba
The first-ever Filipino Heritage Celebration-Southeast Manitoba will take place in Steinbach, Man. on June 13, marking a new chapter for the region’s growing Filipino community.
Formerly known as The Big Pinoy Jam, the event will feature local performers, community organizations, and Filipino-owned businesses.
Organizer Angelica San Juan said the celebration was created to provide Southeast Manitoba’s growing Filipino community with its own Filipino Heritage Month event.
“We want our own people to feel special during this month,” San Juan said. “It’s about honoring their hard work and honoring the growing Filipino community.”
Music will serve as the centerpiece of the celebration, featuring artists and bands such as The Sissiwit Band, Father/Son & Friend, and YZZA Band from Winnipeg.
“Music breaks the barrier of language,” San Juan said. “Whether it’s in Filipino, English, or another language, it brings everyone together.”
Organizers hope the event will become an annual tradition for the region.
More information is available through Filipino Heritage Celebration – Southeast Manitoba.
June 14: Mabuhay Festival Kingston
Mabuhay Festival Kingston returns to Kingston City Hall on June 14 for a full day of Filipino food, music, cultural performances, and family-friendly activities.
The festival will feature community exhibits, Filipino vendors, cultural showcases, and a special appearance by Filipino singer Dessa.
The event aims to celebrate Filipino culture while introducing Filipino traditions and experiences to the broader Kingston community.
More information is available through Mabuhay Festival Kingston.
June 20: Philippine Independence Day Civic Celebration
The Philippine Integrated Community of Kingston Ontario (PIC-KO) will host its annual Philippine Independence Day Civic Celebration at Confederation Park in downtown Kingston on June 20.
The event will feature the Himig Ng Kalayaan singing contest, Miss Little Philippines–Kingston, cultural performances, traditional Filipino games, food vendors, and the Kakanin Showdown.
The event has become one of Kingston’s largest Filipino community gatherings and continues to grow alongside the city’s Filipino population.
More information is available through PIC-KO.
June 20-21: Pinoy Festival Burnaby
Pinoy Festival Burnaby returns to Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, B.C., on June 20 and 21 for a two-day celebration of Filipino culture and community.
The festival will feature cultural performances, live entertainment, Filipino food vendors, community organizations, and family-friendly programming.
As one of British Columbia’s largest Filipino Heritage Month events, the festival continues to showcase Filipino culture while strengthening connections within the province’s growing Filipino community.
More information is available through Pinoy Festival Burnaby.
Luis Miguel De Castro is a Changing Narratives Fund-Local Journalism Initiative reporter at Mabuhay Canada and a journalism graduate at Humber Polytechnic in Toronto. Originally from the Philippines, he is passionate about community storytelling, multimedia journalism, and amplifying Filipino voices through meaningful local coverage.
