The New Brunswick Arts Board is an arm’s length arts funding agency with a legislated mandate to facilitate and promote the creation of art as well as administering funding programs for professional artists in the province.
Tilly Jackson, artsnb summer intern 2015
As a proud inhabitant of New Brunswick, I thought I had an idea of what a thriving arts community we have here. However, the more research I do, the more I realize all I had was a very small idea of what our province has to offer, especially in the way of summer arts festivals. From craft fairs to baroque concerts, from writing workshops to theatre festivals, New Brunswick is jam-packed for the summer. And just in case you, like me, had a small idea of what kind of summer festivals are lined up for NB summer 2015, read on and discover for yourself!
If you’re looking for an all-around arts experience, check out the Dooryard Arts Festival in Woodstock. For four days, July 23-26, the historic town of Woodstock will be home to artists of all kinds, featuring live music of all genres, literary readings, local paintings, photography, mixed media, film and more!
If you’re into arts and crafts, there are plenty of fairs for you. Caraquet’s Atlantic Visual Arts Festival (Festival des arts visuels en atlantique) runs from June 24-28, and for the festival’s main activity, you can watch the artists create works on a specific theme. In Sackville, there’s the Ok.Quoi?! Contemporary Arts Festival from July 27-August 2, 2015, with screenings, concerts, and public exhibitions during the weeklong festival. The New Brunswick Fine Crafts Festival takes place in Fredericton NB from August 28-30, featuring the handiwork of local craftspeople from all over the province.
If music is more your thing, there are plenty of different genres to choose from. There’s the Edmundston Jazz and Blues Festival from June 25-28, the Maritime CountryFest in Fredericton on June 20, the St. Stephen Concert Series from July 4-August 22, the Miramichi Rock ‘N’ Roll Festival from July 2-5, the Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival from July 23-25, Gagetown’s Feelsgood Folly Fest from June 26-28, the Campbellton Bluegrass Festival from July 31-August 2, Sackville’s Sappyfest from July 31- August 2, Larlee Creek Hullabaloo in Kilburn from August 15-17, and many more!
If you’re craving some summer theatre, Fredericton has the Bard in the Barracks Theatre Festival from June 19-July 5, featuring unique outdoor performances of Hamlet and Romeo & Juliet; later in the summer, there is also the NotaBle Acts Theatre Festival in Fredericton from July 23-August 3, which produces all-new and original New Brunswick plays. In Saint John, you can catch the Buskers on the Bay Festival from July 16-19, and see all sorts of travelling performers transform Market Square with their talent. Also in Saint John is the Fundy Fringe Festival, August 19-23, showcasing edgy new theatre from all around the world, in unconventional venues.
For the lovers of the literary, there is the Maritime Writers’ Workshop in Fredericton from July 7-11, which offers a series of fast-paced, dynamic workshops and writing retreats to help you get started on your writing project and take you all the way to publication.
Check out the links below for even more options, and happy festival season!
Paint the Heartland Fine Arts Show & Sale – Hartland NB – July 18-19, 2015
Rendez-vous des artistes Inc. – Saint-Léonard NB – August 14-16, 2015
Golden Unicorn Arts Festival – Fosterville NB – August 16, 2015
Turner’s Victoria Park Arts and Craft Fair – Moncton NB – August 7-9, 2015
Lupin Quilt Fair and Market – Port Elgin NB – July 4-5, 2015
Paddlefest Music & Outdoor Recreation Festival – St. Andrews, NB – May 14-17, 2015
City of Fredericton Outdoor Summer Concert Series – Fredericton NB – June 16-September 10, 2015
Nashwaak MusicFest – Nashwaak Bridge NB – July 31-August 2, 2015
New Brunswick Summer Music Festival – Fredericton NB – August 10-22, 2015
Summer End Folk Festival – Grand Manan NB – August 21-22, 2015
Tay Creek Folk Festival – Tay Creek NB – July 24-26, 2015
Fredrock – Fredericton NB – July 17-18, 2015
NB Crafts Council Festival of Fine Craft – Saint John NB – July 10-12, 2015
Miramichi Folksong Festival – Miramichi NB – August 2-7, 2015
Symposium BDC – Baie des Chaleurs NB – September 25-27, 2015
