48th Annual Madawaska Acadian Festival

Celebrate Everything Acadian: Join us for the Madawaska Acadian Festival!

The Acadian people have a rich history that spans two continents, and today, Northern Maine is one of the proud areas they call home. For 48 years, the Madawaska Acadian Festival has celebrated everything Acadian in Madawaska, ME. From August 13th to August 16th, 2026, we bring a full week of amazing events to the Madawaska community, highlighting our unique local culture and sharing our rich history with visitors and residents alike.

Whether you are traveling up to Aroostook County or live right down the road, this cultural homecoming is the perfect way to experience the vibrant heritage of the St. John Valley.

📅 Event Details

• Dates: August 13 – August 16, 2026 (Featuring National Acadian Day celebrations on Saturday, August 15th!)
• Location: Primary events hosted at 328 St. Thomas Street, Madawaska, ME, with historical tours expanding throughout the valley.
• Admission: Family-friendly community event.

🎨 Creating an Entertaining Event for the Entire Community

When the festival was first founded, it highlighted and celebrated one specific Acadian family line every year. Nowadays, it has grown to celebrate Acadian culture as a whole. The unique blend of English and French heritages in this region has created a beautiful, resilient culture spanning many generations, offering something special for everyone to enjoy.

✨ What You Will Experience

If you join us for our multi-day celebration, you can immerse yourself in traditional cultural staples:

• Food: We cook up amazing, authentic Acadian cuisine—like traditional ployes and hearty stews—for all attendees.
• Dancing & Entertainment: We share lively dances passed down through generations, host family carnival games, and open a community beer garden.
• Music: We turn up the excitement with traditional French-Acadian tunes, local fiddlers, and energetic live concert performances.
• Signature Traditions: Don’t miss our massive Acadian Festival Parade down Main Street, the vibrant, noise-making Tintamarre celebration, localized craft fairs, and a spectacular fireworks display.
• Living History: Step back in time by booking the Historical Bilingual Guided Bus Tour, departing from the Multi-Purpose Building to explore iconic regional gems like the Acadian Village.

🤝 Support the Festival: Become a Sponsor!

Would you like to help support our festival and market your business to thousands of regional visitors? We love sharing our culture with everyone, and we can only grow through our generous community partners.

Questions? Reach out to the event coordinators directly via email to ask about scheduling, volunteering, or travel accommodations.

Get Involved: Email acadianfestival@gmail.com today if you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or vendor registration.