Thunder Bay: local rooms, events and more

Photo: Mhsheikholeslami · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Metro area · Ontario · 123k people

Thunder Bay

Locals say Lakehead · “Lakehead”, “The Lakehead”, “T.Bay”

Where the giant sleeps and the north begins.

Deep blue of Lake SuperiorBoreal forest green

Welcome to the Lakehead! Whether you're here for the wilderness or the waterfront, you'll find a community that loves the outdoors and knows how to enjoy a good Finnish sauna. Settle in, grab a Persian roll, and get ready to explore.

Clubs for Thunder Bay

No clubs for Thunder Bay yet.

The room

Thunder Bay Quiet now Where the giant sleeps and the north begins.

One room for everyone around Thunder Bay. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.

Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Thunder Bay. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park Iconic hiking and camping with the 'Giant' silhouette on the horizon.
Kakabeka Falls Known as the 'Niagara of the North', a dramatic 40m falls.
Fort William Historical Park Recreated fur-trading post with living history.
Mount McKay Scenic viewpoint over the city and Lake Superior.
Prince Arthur's Landing Revitalized waterfront with public art and trails.
Thunder Bay waterfront Popular spot for walking, cycling, and events.

Outdoors Hike the Sleeping Giant
Outdoors Kayak on Lake Superior
With kids Visit Fort William Historical Park
With kids Swim at Boulevard Lake
Evenings Catch a show at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
Evenings Watch the Border Cats at Port Arthur Stadium
Locals love Finnish saunas
Locals love Lake Superior lookouts

Through the year

Thunder Bay Blues Festival July Annual blues festival with local and international acts.
Canadian Lakehead Exhibition August Summer fair with midway rides, exhibits, and local food.
Thunder Bay Film Festival October Showcase of independent and local films.
Kakabeka Falls Winter Carnival February Winter festival with ice sculptures and outdoor activities.
Sleeping Giant Trail Run June Scenic trail race around the Sleeping Giant.

Thunder Bay has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and mild, pleasant summers. The best time to be out is June through September. Best: June through September

Talk like a local

“The Lakehead”: The city itself
“The Giant”: Sleeping Giant
“Superior”: Lake Superior
“The Harbour”: The waterfront area

Getaways

Houghton, MI Copper country with waterfalls and historic mining towns.
Marquette, MI Lake Superior shoreline, hiking, and craft beer.
Duluth, MN Aerial lift bridge, canal park, and North Shore scenery.
Quetico Provincial Park Pristine canoe country with wilderness campsites.

Local flavour

Teams

Thunder Bay North Stars SIJHL
Thunder Bay Border Cats Northwoods League
Thunder Bay Chill USL League Two
Lakehead Thunderwolves U Sports

Also rooting for Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto Blue Jays (MLB), Toronto Raptors (NBA), Toronto FC (MLS)

Eat and drink

Persian rolls A cinnamon roll with pink icing, a Thunder Bay specialty.
Finnish pancakes (pannukakku)
Lake Superior pickerel Walleye from the lake, often fried or grilled.
Cheese curds Squeaky fresh curds from local dairies, enjoyed as a snack or in poutine.

Where people go

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park The peninsula that resembles a giant lying down, with hiking trails and stunning views.
Kakabeka Falls A dramatic waterfall on the Kaministiquia River, known as the 'Niagara of the North'.
The Lakehead harbour A bustling port and waterfront, a hub of activity and recreation.
Finnish saunas
Thunder Bay waterfront Marina, parks, and trails along Lake Superior.

Heritage and traditions

Thunder Bay is proud of its rugged northern spirit, shaped by Lake Superior, the fur trade, and a rich Finnish and Indigenous heritage.

This time of year in Thunder Bay

Fall colours Fall The Nor'wester Mountains put on a spectacular display.

Say it like a local: “sauna” — Finnish word for sauna, pronounced 'sow-na' (not 'saw-na').

Festivals

Juhannus (Finnish Midsummer) June Bonfires, singing, and community gatherings to celebrate the summer solstice.
Festa Italiana July Italian food, music, and dancing in the Italian community.
Aboriginal Cultural Festival Summer Indigenous performances, crafts, and storytelling at Fort William Historical Park.
St. Urho's Day March A playful Finnish-American holiday with parades and green attire.
Thunder Bay Multicultural Festival August Global food, dance, and music celebrating the city's diversity.

Landmarks with a story

Finnish Labour Temple A National Historic Site, a hub for Finnish culture and community events.
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church One of the oldest churches in the city, built in the late 1800s.
St. Patrick's Cathedral A landmark Roman Catholic cathedral in the heart of the city.
Thunder Bay Court House A beautiful heritage building from the early 20th century.
Old Canadian Pacific Railway Station A historic railway station that played a key role in the city's growth.

Food traditions

Finnish coffee bread (pulla) A sweet cardamom bread, often served at celebrations and coffee time.
Sauna sausage (makkara) Grilled sausage enjoyed after a sauna, a Finnish tradition.
Wild rice Hand-harvested by Indigenous communities, often served with fish.
Italian sausage sandwiches A staple at Italian festivals and family gatherings.
Smoked Lake Superior fish Locally smoked whitefish or pickerel, a lakeside delicacy.

Music and arts

Finnish folk music Traditional songs and dances kept alive by the Finnish community.
Indigenous drumming and storytelling Rich traditions from the Anishinaabe and other First Nations.
Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra A professional orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
Magnus Theatre A professional theatre company producing Canadian and international plays.

A little history

1970 Amalgamation of Fort William and Port Arthur into Thunder Bay.
1880s Arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway, connecting the Lakehead to the rest of Canada.
Early 1900s Large-scale Finnish immigration, shaping the city's culture and sauna tradition.
1800s Fort William was a major fur trade post for the North West Company.
1980 Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope at the Terry Fox Memorial.

Rivalries

Lakehead Thunderwolves vs. Algoma Thunderbirds University hockey and basketball rivalry.
Thunder Bay vs. Duluth Friendly cross-border rivalry for Lake Superior bragging rights.

Game day High school hockey rivalries
Game day Curling bonspiels
Outdoors Cross-country skiing on the trails
Outdoors Snowshoeing
With kids Making Finnish pancakes
With kids Going to the sauna

Residents speak with a typical Canadian accent, but with a strong Finnish influence in vocabulary and pronunciation (e.g., 'sauna' as 'sow-na'). You'll also hear Indigenous place names and a few local terms like 'Lakehead'.

Only here

The highest percentage of Finnish Canadians of any city in Canada.
The 'Persian' pastry was invented here—a cinnamon roll with pink icing.
The city is nicknamed 'Lakehead' because it sits at the head of Lake Superior.
The Terry Fox Memorial marks the start of his Marathon of Hope.

New here? A few tips

Embrace the snow; winter is long and beautiful.
Try a Finnish pancake at a local diner—it's a local staple.
Learn to pronounce 'sauna' as 'sow-na' to sound like a local.
Take a drive to the waterfront to see the Sleeping Giant from the harbour.
Get a good pair of insulated boots for the cold months.

Make this page better

Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.

Nearby

Every area

HoughtonMichiganA Finnish-flavored slice of the Upper Peninsula Thunder Bay DistrictOntarioWhere the boreal forest meets the big lake Western U.P.MichiganDeep woods, big water, and a warm welcome.AshlandWisconsinWhere the big lake meets the northwoods.North ShoreMinnesotaWhere the pines meet the big lake.MarquetteMichiganWhere the north woods meet the big lake.

Thunder Bay. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.