Festival acadien de Clare

The Festival acadien de Clare (the oldest Acadian festival in the world!) has always been a celebration of Acadian culture and heritage. Thousands of people from all over the world gather in Saint Mary’s Bay every year for a week filled with activities for all ages, like the lumberjack competition, the parade, the bazaar and so much more!

Concerts take place every year, with music genres varying from Acadian, Cajun and even Bluegrass. The Festival ends on August 15th (National Acadian Day) with a Tintamarre, a traditional celebration where we go from one end of the region to the other while making the most noise possible!

The delicious food, the artistic expositions, traditional activities and the natural beauty of our region will allow you to discover our Acadian culture. We invite you all to come celebrate Acadian pride with us!

The Festival is taking place August 1–15, 2026!

Celebrate National Acadian Day on August 15th !

9 am – Flag Raising – Rendez-vous de la Baie Visitor Centre
10 am – 3 pm – Culture Expo – gym, Université-Sainte Anne
10 am – 3 pm – Children’s games/Lumberjacks/Food vendors ($)
11 am – Festival Mass, Stella Maris Church, Meteghan
3 pm – Société historique 100e Anniversary – Major’s Point chapel & cemetery
5:55 – Tintamarre (vehicles) – starts at Rug Shack, Little Brook
7 pm – Tintamarre à Pied (foot) – from Château to Arena, Université Sainte-Anne
7:30 – Spectacle du Quinzou – in the Université-Sainte Anne arena (all ages)
11 pm – Afterparty – Chateau (19 +)