The warmer weather and longer nights of summer seem to demand access to live, outdoor entertainment. Laying in the sun with your friends and listening to your favourite band play your favourite songs is a perfect way to spend a summer day. Grabbing your buddies and hitting the road for a weekend music festival combines the best aspects of those lazy summer days; road trips, music, sunshine and friends!

Here's a list of some of the best festivals hitting Ontario this summer and one amazing show in Montreal; trust me, it will be worth the drive!

If you've never been to an outdoor music festival before, be prepared for all types of weather; these events take place rain or shine. Tossing an umbrella or poncho into the trunk is a great idea.

Many of the venues listed have pretty strict policies on prohibited items and restrictions. It's best to visit the websites provided before traveling to ensure you're prepared.

Rogers Bayfest (Sarnia)

The Rock Weekend (Unlicensed $57.99, Licensed $69.99):
Thursday: Counting Crows, with opening band The Trews
Friday: Kiss (opening band TBA)
Saturday: Stone Temple Pilots, with opening band Our Lady Peace

The Country Weekend (Unlicensed $69.99, Licensed $79.99);
Friday: Tim McGraw, with opening band Jason Blaine & the Shelly Rastin Band.
Saturday: Brad Paisley, with opening acts Doc Walker and Deric Ruttan

Tickets can also be purchased as a five-Day Pass (Unlicensed $99.99, Licensed $119.99) for those people looking to experience the entire festival!

Camping is available for $30.00 per night, spaces are limited and reservations started back in December; so book now if you wish to camp! Visit the Bayfest website for camping restrictions and reservations: www.sarniabayfest.com

Festival Dates: July 9th to 11th & July 17th to 18th

Location: Centennial Park, Front Street at Exmouth, Sarnia Ontario. Tickets: see website for tickets
www.sarniabayfest.com

Osheaga: Festival Musique et Arts 2009

Featuring over 40 bands in the heart of downtown Montreal, this festival is well worth the trip. Located in beautiful Jean-Drapeau Parc, this two-day event boasts some of the biggest names in current music.

Tickets for the show are divided into two categories; Regular Weekend Passes ($125.00) and VIP Weekend Passes ($295.00). VIP Passes allow access to VIP grandstands, food kiosks and even VIP washrooms!

Tickets can be purchased for single-day only, for either the Saturday or Sunday show, but if you're making the trip to Montreal, you want to make the most of it and hit the festival both days!

Saturday's show features 12 live performances including: Jason Mraz, The Roots, Girl Talk and headliner Coldplay!

Sunday's show features 10 live performances including: Rufus Wainwright, the Ting Tings, Arctic Monkeys and headliner Beastie Boys!

*NOTE : The legal drinking age in Quebec is 18 years. If you are planning to drink you are required to show two pieces of valid ID.

The city of Montreal offers free public transportation for both days; simply present your Osheaga ticket for access to these services.

Festival Dates: August 1st & 2nd

Location: Jean-Drapeau Parc, Montreal Quebec. Visit the park website www. parcjeandrapeau.com for driving directions. The trip is approximately eight hours from London.

Ticket Info: Call 1-800-668-8269 or visit www.osheaga.com

Cisco Bluesfest Ottawa: Summer Vacation

Hundreds of performers flock to Ottawa each year and saturate the city with every type of music. The taste is eclectic and the energy is contagious. This event runs for 12 days; representing the city's commitment to arts & entertainment! Since the festival operates for almost two weeks, it's important to check the line-up before booking your trip to ensure that your favourite bands will be performing during your stay in our nation's capital.

There are so many artists lined-up, it's impossible to list them all. Some of the performers you can catch at this year's Bluesfest Ottawa include: Ben Harper and Relentless7 (July 9th), Joe Cocker (July 12th), Ani DiFranco (July 12th), Stone Temple Pilots (July 13th), Our Lady Peace (July 14th), Arkells (July 16th), KISS (July 15th), Styx (July 16th), Blue Rodeo (July 17th), Ludacris (July 18th)

Tickets for this event are available in three different packages: Festival Passes (for the entire event) are available for $225.00. This package gives you single-day tickets for each day of the event.

Day Passes are available for specific days of the festival ranging from $35.00 to $55.00.

Weekend Passes are also available for either weekend at a cost of $99.00.

Festival Dates: July 8th to 19th

Location: Downtown Ottawa, Ontario. Locations and venues vary around the city. Visit the festival website www.ottawabluesfest.ca for more details.

Ticket Info: Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.capitalticket.com or by calling 1-877-788-3267

Rock the Park 2009

London is a great place to catch a few summer music festivals without having to leave town. Live music in downtown's Harris Park has become a London tradition. The new Wireless Rogers stage promises high quality production in our own hometown.

This year's concert series runs for three-days in July and features great Canadian and International talent. Each night features a different headlining performer accompanied by a guest act. The line-up includes:

Thursday July 23rd
Tragically Hip w/guests: Kathleen Edwards, The Arkells and the Spades

Friday July 24th
Big & Rich w/guests: Cowboy Troy, Aaron Pritchett and Shane Yellowbird

Saturday July 25th
Doobie-Brothers and Creedence Clearwater Revisited w/guests: Dennis DeYoung (former STYX singer)

The event's coordinators promise more performers will be added to the lineup, so keep an eye on the website www.rockthepark.ca

Tickets for the concert series are available in both Regular and VIP sections offering attendees choice in seating, location and even food selection.

General Admission Regular Pass allows access to the general admission area, which consists of two large beer gardens and a large standing area in front of the stage. ($39.95 to $55.00)

VIP Licensed Section offers reserved, tabled seating close to the stage, guaranteeing you a seat at a specific table all day, allows access to separate washrooms, exclusive food/bar stations and a reserved standing area up close to the stage ($74.50 to $95.00)

*NOTE: This venue has no “in and out” policy. Once you are in, you're there for the night!

Festival Dates: July 23rd to 25th

Location: Harris Park, 500 Ridout Street North, London, Ontario

Ticket Info: Tickets can be purchased online at www.rockthepark.ca or over the phone by calling 519-672-1967

London International Bluesfest

Right in the heart of London, this three-day event features performers from across Canada and around the world. This concert offers couples and families a chance to sit and enjoy a weekend of slow, funky music to help you relax and unwind.

There are over 15 performers presented over the three days including Los Lonely Boys, Funk Brothers, Mick Taylor, Steve Earle and many more.

Single-night tickets are $25.00 each plus service fee or you can purchase a three-day “passport to the blues” for $55.00 including service charge.

A limited amount of VIP tables are available, but you have to book quickly to save your seat. The VIP tables seat 10 people and are reserved for the entire three-day event for only $675.00 + GST. VIP guests receive beer, wine and food services right to their table

Festival Dates: July 17th to 19th

Location: Corner of King and Clarence, London, Ontario

Ticket Info: Tickets available online at www.thebluesfest.com or by phone at 1-866-934-6889

Scene Music Festival 09

One hundred and fifty bands, 17 stages, 13 venues. If that isn't an invitation for hardcore music fans, I don't know what is. The 14th Annual Scene Music Festival promises “one hell of a day” as it takes over St. Catherine's downtown core this summer, squeezing an entire season worth of performances in less than 24 hours. That takes guts.

There's no way to catch every show, so be sure to visit the site and check the time and location of your favourite band's show. Featured performers this year includes: Cancer Bats, Down with Webster, Flatliners, and Ruby Coast In addition to the music going on around the city, exciting vendors will be set up in the Market Square featuring independent music labels and merchandise from participating bands.

Festival Date: June 28th, the first show begins at noon.

Location: Thirteen venues in downtown St. Catherine's, most venues are in the area of St. Paul Street and James Street. Check the website www. scenemusicfestival.com for time and location of your favorite artists.

Ticket Info: $25.00 in advance and $30.00 day of. Visit www.ticketmaster. ca to purchase tickets after May 9th