Festival Fun

New Brunswick's festival season starts with winter carnivals and snow fests from January to April.

Early July is the Irish Festival (www.canadasirishfest.com) in Miramichi and the Loyalist Heritage Festival (www.loyalistheritagefestival.ca) in Saint John. The latter celebrates city founders with music and reenactments of historical events. June is also the Edmundston Jazz & Blues Festival (www.jazzbluesedmundston.com). In July are the New Brunswick Highland Games & Scottish Festival (www.nbhighlandgames.com) in Fredericton, the Shediac Lobster Festival (www.lobsterfestival.nb.ca), and Sackville's theater and music celebration, the Festival by the Marsh (www.festivalbythemarsh.ca).

August means the Acadian Festival (www.festivalacadiencaraquet.com) at Caraquet and the Atlantic Seafood Festival (www.atlanticseafoodfestival.com) in Moncton. The Chocolate Festival (www.town.ststephen.nb.ca) is popular for the whole family. Saint John's Festival by the Sea (www.festivalbythesea.com) draws hundreds of singers, dancers, and musicians. The Miramichi Folksong Festival (www.miramichifolksongfestival.com) is also held in August, as is the Fredericton's Summer Music Festival (www.unb.ca/FineArts/Music/festival), featuring classical musicians.