The 37th anniversary Festival du Bois returns to Mackin Park, in Coquitlam’s Maillardville community from March 6 to 8. The hub of francophone culture in BC, Maillardville will be filled with music and dance, fabulous food, a range of engaging on-site activities and a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
This year’s Festival lineup celebrates the deep-roots and vibrancy of fiddle traditions across Canada, from coast to coast to coast, with music and dance anchored in French Canadian, Celtic, folk and global sound worlds. Visitors will experience the community’s rich culture and hospitality – and enjoy a delicious taste of the past, present and future of francophone music.
Programmer Gabriel Dubreuil, says: “As the festival’s new artistic programming director, I’m excited to share what we’ve put together for 2026. FdB has always meant a lot to me, not only as a musician, but as someone who appreciates what this festival gives to the local and francophone communities, and how it adds to the simmering musical energy of BC as a whole. When I started planning the lineup, I kept coming back to the fiddle. It’s the heartbeat of so many francophone, folk and world music traditions. I wanted to show the many ways it can shine, whether it’s driving the tune, holding down the groove, lifting a song, or leading a dance. I looked for artists who bring fresh ideas, strong voices, and real craft to what they do, and who each show a different facet of French Canadian music with this connecting thread. I hope people feel the pride, joy, and sense of connection that come from experiencing music that speaks to all Canadians.”
Friday March 6, the festival kicks off in the licensed Grand Chapiteau featuring Québécois/bluegrass sound of Bagatelle, and the popular festival-opening contradance with The Sybaritic String Band and caller Katie Pinter. Guests of all ages and abilities are invited to come, dance up a storm and stir up some fun. Admission is FREE with online advance registration.
Saturday, March 7 the entertainment digs into Canada’s fiddle traditions. The day moves between roots and reinvention as the foot-stomping energy of Nicolas Pellerin et les Grands Hurleurs to the global grooves of Delhi 2 Dublin draw people to the stage. Aleksi Campagne adds a modern twist to the fiddle-singing tradition with his indie-folk sound, while Schryer, Enblom, Dobres & Hillhouse pair high-energy fiddle with Métis step-dance. Nova Scotia’s Jacques Surette shares powerful songs about life in the Maritimes, and the Jocelyn Pettit Band delivers great Celtic tunes and original compositions.
Sunday, March 8 the music keeps coming with Locarno’s Latin-inspired rhythms blending forró and Brazilian fiddling and other world dance styles, while the home-grown North Shore Celtic Ensemble brings youthful fiddle power to the stage.
Meanwhile in the Petit Chapiteau, petit patrons and their families can explore hands-on fun for all ages: drumming with Malicounda, children’s shows from Will’s Jams and Micah!, and much more.
Exploring the Mackin Park festival site guests will find the Métis Village Experience – culture, arts, stories, music and more from and about the Métis people. As well, stumble upon roving performers, laugh with Improv Games, and satiate your appetite at the Cabane à Sucre André Beauregard Sugar Shack offering maple syrup on snow, a range of great food options including Québécois cuisine traditionnelle and artisan and community booths. In addition to the great music and food, attendees can take part in workshops and artist talks on site and at nearby Mackin House on Saturday and Sunday.
The 37th anniversary Festival du Bois takes place March 6-8, 2026 at Mackin Park, 1046 Brunette Avenue, Maillardville, Coquitlam (across Lougheed Highway from IKEA)
Festival schedules, artists’ descriptions, full info and ticket registration can be found at festivaldubois.ca