ABOUT PARIS DRINKS FEST
A SUMMER FESTIVAL IN PARIS
Paris Drinks Fest is an outdoor music festival in the scenic riverside town of Paris, Ontario, pairing a diverse lineup of Canadian artists with a curated showcase of Ontario craft beverages and local food. Each summer, the festival brings together established and emerging musicians alongside breweries, cideries, wineries, distilleries, restaurants, and food vendors from across the province, creating a uniquely Ontarian festival experience.
HOW THE FESTIVAL BEGAN
The idea for Paris Drinks Fest began after Noisemaker Presents founder Tim Des Islets and his wife, Michelle Kloepfer, moved to Paris and quickly fell in love with the community. Michelle proposed creating a festival that would bring together live music, great drinks, and local food in one weekend celebration. That idea became reality in 2018 with the first Paris Drinks Fest, which welcomed more than a thousand attendees and a small group of vendors in its inaugural year.
A CELEBRATION OF CANADIAN LIVE MUSIC
From the beginning, the festival’s focus has been live music. Each year, the lineup features a mix of beloved Canadian acts and rising artists, creating an intimate setting where audiences can discover new music while seeing some of the country’s most respected performers. Over the years, the festival stage has welcomed artists including Sloan, Wintersleep, Terra Lightfoot, Two Hours Traffic, Dwayne Gretzky, Boy Golden, Sam Roberts Band, and Matt Mays, alongside a wide range of emerging Canadian talent.
CRAFT DRINKS, LOCAL FOOD, GROWING COMMUNITY
The music program is complemented by a carefully curated selection of craft beverage producers and food vendors from across Ontario. Festivalgoers can sample drinks from local breweries, cideries, wineries, and distilleries while enjoying food from regional restaurants and food trucks, all within the festival grounds.
Originally held at Paris Lions Park, the festival quickly became a staple of the region’s summer events calendar. In 2024, the event relocated to Two Rivers Stadium behind the Syl Apps Community Centre, providing a larger and more resilient home for the festival while maintaining its community-driven atmosphere.
Since its debut, Paris Drinks Fest has grown into one of Southern Ontario’s standout summer events, welcoming thousands of attendees each year. By combining outstanding Canadian live music with a celebration of local food and craft beverages, the festival continues to showcase the creativity, culture, and hospitality that define the region.