Festivals

Newfoundlanders love a party, and from the cities to the smallest towns, they celebrate their history and unique culture with festivals and events throughout the summer. "Soirées" and "times"—big parties and small parties—offer a combination of traditional music, recitation, comedy, and local food.

Festival of New Dance. Fall in St. John's brings energy into the arts scene. Boundary-pushing and beautiful dance performances, curated for an audience of both aficionados and the newly dance-curious, arrive from around the world every October. St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. 709/722–3663.

Fish, Fun & Folk Festival. During the last full week in July, the town of Twillingate hosts this festival where you can enjoy fish cooked every possible way while listening to folk musicians perform. If you are looking for the town at its liveliest, this is it. Twillingate, Newfoundland and Labrador. www.fishfunfolkfestival.com.

George Street Festival. George Street in St. John's is famous for its live-music pubs, and for six days at the beginning of August the entire street becomes an open-air party, with big-name bands taking the main stage. St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1C 1M3. www.georgestreetlive.ca.

Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival. The province's biggest traditional-music festival takes place in St. John's in early August. St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. 709/576–8508; 866/576–8508; nlfolk.com.

Roots, Rants and Roars. Two days of food, music, and ocean air. The signature event is a food hike with Canada's top chefs cooking in the elements right in front of you along the coastal cliffs of Elliston, which are dotted with historic root cellars. Newfoundland and Labrador. www.rootsrantsandroars.ca.

St. John's Women's International Film Festival. Mid-October brings film to the capital city. Local and international documentaries, features, and short films are a perfect way to get a feel for the culture in town while getting away from the wind and fog. St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. 709/754--3141; www.womensfilmfestival.com.

Trails, Tales & Tunes. In mid-May picturesque Norris Point, in the Gros Morne National Park, hosts events that include concerts, art exhibits, storytelling, culinary events, guided walks and hikes, and trail riding on bicycles. Norris Point, Newfoundland and Labrador. 709/458--3604; www.trailstalestunes.ca.