Iqaluit is known to many people for the large and interesting Toonik Tyme Festival that takes place in this city every year. The festival is dedicated to the traditions of the Inuit, indigenous peoples of Canada, marking the end of winter, and the return of spring. All this takes place in a beautiful place on the shore of Toonik Lake, which was considered sacred.

The first festival was held in 1965. At the same time, the main program of the holiday was formed: national Inuit games and dances, throat singing, and musical performances.

According to tradition, every year the festival commission selects the main chairman, who conducts preparations and speaks at the opening. John Diefenbaker, former Prime Minister of Canada, His Royal Highness Charles Prince of Wales, Governors-General of Canada and Prime Ministers of Greenland have been chairing for many years. Thus, the festival commission both increased the significance of the event and drew attention to the traditions of Inuit from other countries.

More than 100 volunteers, as well as representatives of local organizations and businesses, take part in the preparation of the festival. All of them are working to make the cultural festival bright, interesting, and different in its program from what has already been shown in previous years. To do this, historians and archaeologists carefully study the archives. Data is also collected on museums and among the city's elderly population.

For residents, this holiday is an occasion to get together as a family and take part in traditional holidays.

Since a large number of guests take part in the festival, all events within its framework are held in three languages: Inuit (to preserve traditions), French and English. Thus, any tourist can understand what the participants of the holiday are talking about, and fully immerse themselves in the interesting traditions of the indigenous people of Canada.