Ribfest
Dates - Friday, August 28 to Sunday, August 30, 2026
Time - See hours per day below.
Location - Machell Park (Aurora Heights Drive)
Admission - Free
It's all about the "Ribs, Bibs and Sauce"!
Aurora's Ribfest is presented by Desjardins Insurance.
• Cash payments preferred. No A.T.M. on-site. Most vendors accept cash only. Limited vendors accepting debit on-site.
• For health and safety reasons, pets are not able to experience Aurora’s Ribfest. Leashed service animals excepted.
Event Information
Mark your calendars because the tastiest event of the year will be taking place at Machell Park, as the rib teams get fired up starting on Friday, August 28. Not only will there be the tastiest ribs but also roasted yams, roasted corn on the cob, beavertails and many other dishes for every appetite.
Machell Park will be fenced with additional procedures for the safety of the attendees, performers, food vendors, volunteers and staff. We also will have great live entertainment and activities for kids of all ages.
Hours of Operation & Daily Activities
See below for hours of operation of Ribfest and daily activities.
Hours of Operation & Daily Activities - Friday, August 28
| Event Hours | 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Beer Garden by Rotary Club of Aurora | 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Bullseye Axe Throwing | 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. |
Hours of Operation & Daily Activities - Saturday, August 29
| Event Hours | 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Beer Garden by Rotary Club of Aurora | 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Kid Zone | 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Bullseye Axe Throwing | 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. |
Hours of Operation & Daily Activities - Sunday, August 30
| Event Hours | 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Beer Garden by Rotary Club of Aurora | 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Kid Zone | 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. |
Entertainment Schedule
Fantastic entertainment all weekend long! There is a jam-packed line-up with musical acts appearing on the entertainment stage. You will be entertained by some of the region's best musical performers. Don't forget to bring your dancing shoes to dance the afternoon and evenings away to great performers.
Entertainment Schedule - Friday, August 28
| 5:30 p.m. | Desire - Tribute to U2 |
| 9 p.m. | Headliner - Dwayne Gretzky |
Entertainment Schedule - Saturday, August 29
| 11 a.m. | From the Hip - Tribute to the Tragically Hip |
| 1:15 p.m. | Duvet |
| 3:30 p.m. | Sheer Heart Attack - Tribute to Queen |
| 5:45 p.m. | Monkey Wrench |
| 9 p.m. | Headliner - Big Wreck |
Entertainment Schedule - Sunday, August 30
| 11 a.m. | Vinyl Flux |
| 1 p.m. | Run 2 You - Tribute to Bryan Adams |
| 3:30 p.m. | Gold Dust Woman |
| 5:30 p.m. | Professional Rib Judging |
| 6:45 p.m. | 2026 Aurora Teen Idol |
Rib Teams & Food Vendors
See below for a list of the rib teams and food vendors that will be at Ribfest.
Rib Team Vendors
| Billy Bones BBQ |
| Camp 31 BBQ |
| Sticky Fingers BBQ |
| Uncle Sam's BBQ |
Non-Meat Vendors
| Beavertails |
| Bubble Tea & Me |
| Billy Bobs Bloomin' Onion |
| Churricos |
| JUGO Juice |
| Mister Softee |
| Mr Kettle Corn |
| Ontario Corn Roasters |
| Slushy Bear |
| Tiny Tom Donuts |
Accessibility Accommodation
If you require any accommodations for accessing this event, please email our Special Events team. Any information received relating to accommodations will be addressed confidentially. Please reach out in advance as there are limited spaces for accommodation.
The accessible accommodations that are in place for this event include:
- Increased Accessible Parking at Machell Parking Lot
- Mobi-Mats through the main area
- Accessible Picnic Benches
- Accessible Portable Toilet
Ribfest - Photo Gallery
More Information & Contact
For more information, please call 905-726-4762 or email our Special Events Team.
Note: We reserve the right to cancel, amend or change activities.
Thank You to our Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Entertainment Sponsor
Event Sponsors
Rental Sponsor
Kid Zone Sponsor
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