Hillside Festival, Ontario

When: July 22–24, 2011

Liner notes: This family-friendly fest on Guelph Lake Island, about two hours from Toronto, might be known for its folksy vibe (it started as a neighborhood get-together), but you’ll find much more than music: Spoken-word and children’s performances are held on five stages. Last year, Hillside was voted the best music festival in Canada by CBC Radio 3 listeners.

Playlist: Folk, folk and more folk, with a bit of pop thrown in

Bonus track: Hillside’s mainstage has a green roof, and the festival, which is held in a conservation area, has a Green Fund to help reduce its environmental footprint.