It’s also a great time to visit Belleville with a variety of weekend expos and special shows, including the annual Quinte RV & Sportsman Show, happening March 13 – 15 at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre – now in its 26th year! Jeff & Lori Cox invite you to visit over 220 vendors showcasing their premier products where outdoor enthusiasts will find everything they need for fishing, hunting, boating and RVing.
In addition to exhibitors, experience three featured events: the exotic animal reptile zoo in the upstairs Lifestyle section, free scuba diving in the pool and a full schedule of seminars and special guest speakers taking place all weekend long. Click here for more info!
Don’t forget to join in on the Discover Belleville Scavenger Hunt – see more of the expo and win some great prizes!
The QSWC is also hosting the Quinte Home and Cottage Show, happening March 28 – 29! Meet builders, renovators, contractors, realtors, suppliers and other experts and get the latest intel on decks, HVAC, windows & doors, innovative products, and eco-friendly solutions. Check out stylish decor options, arts and crafts, food and entertaining ideas, products and services and more for your home and cottage.
OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS –
The City of Belleville and the Downtown District play host to many other festivals and events all year long. There’s always something happening in town.
In June, the Bay of Quinte Pride Parade celebrates unity in the city with vibrant displays of love and inclusion. There is Downtown at Dusk ushering in Summer Solstice in the Downtown District, and Canada Day at West Zwick’s Park offers a day of free family fun ending with an amazing fireworks display. There are crowd pleasing food festivals like Ribfest and Poutinefest. Summer shines with Buskerfest and music lovers can catch The Empire Theatre’s Rockfest in July, and the can’t-miss Belleville Caribbean Festival in August, before fall officially kicks off with the Quinte Exhibition on Labour Day weekend.
The first weekend in September welcomes Belleville Downtown Blues Festival in the Downtown District followed by the Beautiful View Music Festival and the annual Belleville Rotary Club Porchfest which happens the last weekend of September. Residents in the
historic East Hill neighbourhood play host to live performers on their front porches, while spectators roam the streets trying to fit all the venues into one afternoon. This free, family-friendly event is a wonderful way to spend the day outside and enjoy live music.
The City of Belleville hosts an annual ceremony on September 30 as a way of honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The 2025 ceremony included remarks from Chief R. Don Maracle of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, and musical performances by singer, songwriter, educator and artist from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory Jennifer Brant and husband, Kieran Edwards, as well as a Sacred Fire and special presentation by Fire Keeper Greg Loft. For more information on the event, visit: Belleville.ca/TruthandRec.
Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The annual festival happens in November and is an opportunity to enjoy a vibrant celebration of Indian culture, including delicious food, beautiful arts and crafts, and unique creative products, as well as opportunities to connect with the community.
Belleville’s Downtown District is always beautifully decorated during the holiday season and plays host to the annual Enchanted in the District filled with live entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides and local artisans.
The Festival of Lights kicks off the holiday season by lighting up Belleville’s waterfront down by Meyers Pier. This beautiful tribute from a local family has grown to epic proportions, filling Jane Forrester Park with sparkling lights and the sounds of Christmas.
Every year, thousands of people bundle up and line the street to enjoy holiday music, sparkling lights, festive decorations and floats, and wait patiently to catch a glimpse of see the big guy – Santa Claus, as part of the annual Santa Claus Parade. This fun annual tradition brings Belleville together for a beautifully lit night-time parade that travels from one end of the city to the other, passing through the downtown core and the old East Hill.
There are lots of great time to be had at Belleville’s many “foodie” events. We just had another successful Savour the Chill, the Downtown District’s annual soup-tasting competition in February, with hundreds of people spending the day downtown, spoons in hand. Its recently branched out into a series of ‘Savour’ food and beverage tasting events that happen throughout the year.
There is always something happening in Belleville so be sure to check out the Events Calendar when you’re planning your visit (or once you’ve arrived).
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