Festival du Bois returns for its 34th year with a brilliant roster of music artists and performers slated to grace the stages of the big heated tents at Mackin Park in Coqutilam.
Opening night
The festival opens on March 24, with a contra dance — now a festival tradition — in the Grand Chapiteau (Big Tent) in Mackin Park.
A contra dance is a social dance you can do without a partner.
Participants will dance to the music of Vancouver’s premiere contra dance group, The Sybaritic String Band, with caller, Sherry Nevins.
Opening the evening is an exciting double bill featuring Devon and Louis Léger (La Famille Léger) and the music and foot rhythms of Podorythmie.
Weekend fun
On March 25 and 26, the festival presents outstanding music artists from B.C., Manitoba, Québec and Washington State.
The concert Main Stage and dance floor of the Grand Chapiteau welcomes:
- Les Grands Hurleurs, the "great howlers," playing traditional Québécois music that’s bursting with new ideas
- Senegalese soul-rocker, Élage Diouf
- Brazilian dance music from Forró do Cana
- Québécois music power trio, Genticorum
- BC's own Métis Jiggers
- La Famille Léger's French-Canadian and Acadian tunes, along with the galvanizing music and dance of Podorythmie
- Celebrating 50 years, Maillardville-based francophone choir, Les Échos du Pacifique.
Métis traditions
A featured area of the festival, The Métis Village Experience, invites festival-goers to enjoy, explore, learn and appreciate the rich Métis history, art, perspectives and language.
Festival du Bois is partnering with the North Fraser Métis Association to bring musicians, dancers, storytellers, craftspeople, artisans and others to share their culture and traditions with festival-goers.
Children’s tent
In the Children’s Tent (Petit Chapiteau), kids and families will get to experience Madame Diva, Will and Seeka, Seeka Sings, and Véronique’s Conte d'Afrique avec Mulungie.
There are more surprises on site, too, with roving characters and fun activities for all ages.
Rooted in the French-Canadian community and heritage of the Maillardville area in Coquitlam, Festival du Bois is the largest and most popular celebration of francophone music and culture in B.C.
The festival presents some of the finest Québécois, francophone, and roots music artists in the Grand Chapiteau (Big Tent), Children's Tent (Petit Chapiteau) and on the workshop stage in nearby Mackin House.
Traditional food
On-site in Mackin Park, audiences of all ages also enjoy exhibits, participatory activities and food truck fare.
Among the treats will be traditional French Canadian cuisine, such as tourtière, maple taffy on snow and poutine.
There will also be shopping and informative workshops.
This year, the festival also celebrates Société francophone de Maillardville's 40th anniversary. The société is the festival's presenting organization.
For more information and tickets, you can visit the Festival du Bois website.
Early bird
- $28 = Single Day Adult Early Bird tickets to Feb. 28
- $65 = Single Day Family Package Early Bird price to Feb. 28
- Free = Friday night Contradance, March 24 (reserved tickets available)
Regular prices
- One day tickets for Saturday or Sunday (no weekend passes)
- Saturday, March 25 | Sunday, March 26 (general admission)
- Adults (18+) starting March 1: $32 per day
- Students and Seniors: $22 per day | 5 - 12 years: $10 per day
- Single Day Family Package starting March 1: $75/day (two adults and two children 5-12 years old)
- Children under five years are free
- Prices do not include service charges, plus GST
- Sunday, enjoy a pancake breakfast for $10 (adults) & $5 (children) — not included in admission (purchase tickets on site)
