From the Star Studded TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) to the million strong Caribana carnival, Canada’s cultural attractions beckon in 2016 :
1. Vikings
Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau, Quebec
Dec 3, 2015 – April 17, 2016
Go beyond the myth of horned helmets to discover a fabled Scandinavian culture in an interactive exhibition featuring 500 artifacts exploring domestic life, crafstmanship, trade, and the power and symbolism of those mighty Viking ships.
www.historymuseum.ca/event/vikings
2. Adaka, Cultural Festival
Whitehorse, Yukon
July 1 – 7, 2016
When fancy shawl dancing and Innu rap mingle on the waterfront in the beautiful Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre, its just one stirring expression of this featival’s eclectic mix of indigenous dancing, drumming, song and storytelling.
3. Stratford Shakespeare Festival,
Stratford, Ontario
April to December 2016
If you tickle us, do we not laugh? Catch the North American stage premiere of the comedy drama Shakespeare in Love and the Bard’s haunting classic Macbeth alongside hit musicals, as part of Stratford’s new 2016 season.
4. Celtic Colours International Festival
Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
October 7 – 15, 2016
When autumn colours shine, some 70 Cape Breton communities transform into one international stage celebrating the island’s First Nations, French, Scottish and Irish inhabitants. Learn to sing Gaelic, stomp with Irish fiddlers, and absorb the power of Mi’kmaq drumming.
5. Pompeii : A Roman City
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts , Montreal, Quebec
February 6 – September 5, 2016
What happens when a city frozen in time is forgotten for more than 15 centuries? Both Pompeii and its neighbouring city, Herculaneum , were buried after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Here’s your chance to discover 200 archeological artifacts from the Roman Empire.
6. RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest
Ottawa, Ontario
July 8 – 19, 2016
Rub shoulders with musical legends at a festival whose roots started in R & B, but now stretch into gospel, world, rock, pop and country.
7. Egyptian Magic
Musee de la Civilisation
Quebec City, Quebec
to April 2016
Journey into the heart and heritage of Quebec and take a side trip to explore the magic books, talismans, amulets, figurines, jewellery, and remarkable vases on loan from some of the largest Egyptian collections in the world.
8. Folklorama
Winnipeg, Manitoba
July 31 – August 13, 2016
Kick off a powerhouse Winnipeg summer at one of the largest multicultural events in the world. GO pavilion hopping to try Caribbean food, see Japanese Drumming and watch colourful Ukranian dance. With 43 pavilions to explore, its like travelling the globe in a few days.
www.tourismwinnipeg.com/events/annual-festival-and-events/display,listings/05757/folklorama
9. Festival Acadien de Caraquet
Caraquet, New Brunswick
August 1 – 15, 2016
A flotilla parade through Caraquet harbour launches this passionate celebration of Acadian and other French culture. Join the festive soirees of Acadian chanson, classic music, jazz and storytelling, attend some ‘mechant’ parties (madcap) and make noise during the boisterous Tintamerre Parade
10. Festival D’Ete de Quebec
Quebec City, Quebec
July 7 – 17, 2016
It’s never the same experience twice. A wild mix of world headliners and breaking bands lead an 11 day global dance party serenading crowds with hip hop, electro, jazz, classical , Francophone and World Music. Also catch the street performers roaming Quebec’s lively cobblestone streets.
by Lori McNulty
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