SUMMARY Originally named - Abegweit ('cradled on the waves) - by the Native American people, Prince Edward Island continues to celebrate with festivals by the sea. Every year, PEI holds more than 30 fun-filled festivals. Find out about Prince Edward Island' popular festivals by the sea.

Prince Edward Island: Festivals by the Sea

If you visit Prince Edward Island, it is impossible to leave without taking in one of their fabulous and fun festivals by the sea. Prince Edward Island festivals include over 30 fun-filled events from music festivals to drama festivals to food festivals. From sports to comedy to fireworks, there is something for everyone at Prince Edward Island festivals.

The entertaining exhibitions and spirited Prince Edward Island events focus on specific PEI themes. Some festivals honor the roots of Prince Edward Island's people and celebrate Irish and Scottish traditions as well as English and French culture through song and dance. Fiddlers and step dancers can add life to any festival. Other festivals focus on Prince Edward's Island food - an array of local produce and shellfish.

The PEI International Shellfish Festival (referred to as the Biggest Kitchen Party in Atlantic Canada) is held in Charlottetown in September. In addition, there is the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival. The Island Chocolates Company Chocolate Festival offers some sweet entertainment. Other agricultural festivals focus on Prince Edward Island's produce including everything from potatoes to wild blueberries.

Prince Edward Island festivals allow island farmers and producers to display their wares. The exhibitions are top-of-the line but PEI festivals include all kinds of activities. Visitors can view the island's bounty being prepared in time-honored fashion. Everyone can enjoy the dory races or watch a parade wind through town.

PEI festivals have performances, competitions, and pageants. Kids always enjoy a festival - especially a Prince Edward Island festival. Sack races, pony rides, and face painting make for a pleasant afternoon and lasting memories.

Since you are in Prince Edward Island, you cannot have a festival without "Anne of Green Gables!" The red-haired darling of Lucy Maud Montgomery's novel is celebrated throughout the island. Check out 'Anne of Green Gables - the Musical' in Charlottetown and "Anne & Gilbert the Musical," (a musical about Anne of Green Gables and her love) at Victoria-By-the-Sea.

'Anne' is not the only one 'in love' on Prince Edward Island. Of course, there are the love-struck couples strolling on the beach with the wind in their hair and the starlight showing them the way. Yet everyone falls in love at Prince Edward Island festivals - at least with beautiful PEI.

Prince Edward Island Festivals

Seasonal Events

1. May 14 - September 26 Ceilidh at the Irish Hall, Charlottetown - Music, song and dance in the Irish, Scottish & local traditions

2. May 14 - October Murray Harbour Drama Club Ceilidhs, Charlottetown - Lunch accompanied by local entertainment

3. June - October Culinary Boot Camps, Charlottetown - Cooking classes

4. June 17 - October 9 The Charlottetown Festival, Charlottetown - Musical theatre, outdoor performances, gallery exhibitions, dining and hopping.

5. June 23 - September 19 Anne & Gilbert the Musical, Victoria-By-the-Sea - Musical about Anne of Green Gables in love.

6. June 26 - August 21 Summerside Summer Outdoor Concert Series, Summerside - Live outdoor music.

7. June 27 - September 12 New Dominion Ceilidhs, New Dominion - Celtic and traditional music and dance.

8. June 28 - September 13 Kensington Ceilidhs, Kensington - Celtic and folk music & dance.

9. June 28 - September 15 Brackley Beach Ceilidhs with Cynthia MacLeod & Friends, Brackley Beach - Traditional song and dance.

10. June 30 - August 25 Wednesday Evening with L.M. Montgomery, Bideford - Readings from L.M. Montgomery's writings.

11. July - August Ceilidh on the Water, Montague - Live entertainment cruise. The College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada, Summerside - Celtic dance, music and song.

12. July - August 26 Eddie May Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre, Stanley Bridge Country Resort - Entertaining evening meal.

13. July - September A Down East Tradition - Featuring Lester Stubbert, Georgetown - Musical theatre. Fiery Faith & Fiddles, Clinton - Irish step dance with traditional fiddlers.

14. July 3 - September 19 Victoria Playhouse Festival, Victoria-by-the-Sea - Live theatre, music, and concerts.

15. July 5 - September 15 The Ross Family Ceilidh - Live Music/Stepdancing Show, Cavendish - Stepdancing and music.

16. July 7 - August 25 Concerts in the Garden, Summerside - Live music.

17. July 8 - September 10 Sketch-22, Charlottetown - Comedy theatre.

18. July 20 - August 28 Anne of Green Gables - the Musical, Charlottetown - Theatrical musical.

And Even More Fun Events

19. 2-8 August St. Peters Wild Blueberry Festival & Homecoming, St. Peters Bay - Entertaining festival with various events.

20. 4-8 August Tyne Valley Oyster Festival, Tyne Valley - Food festival focusing on oysters.

21. 6-8 August Caledonian Club of PEI Annual PEI Highland Games, Lord Selkirk Provincial Park - Scottish music, dance, games, and golf.

22. 12-21 August PEI Provincial Exhibition/Old Home Week, Charlottetown - Exhibition and festival events.

23. 14 August Prince County Fiddlers in Concert, with Special Guests, Kensington - Fiddlers and step dancing.

24. 20 August Gold Cup Parade, Charlottetown - Street parade.

25. 27-29 August Provincial Plowing Match and Agricultural Fair - Dundas, Cardigan - Agricultural fair.

26. 2-5 September L'Exposition agricole et le festival acadien de la region Evangeline, Wellington -

27. Agricultural festival with Acadian entertainment.

28. 17-19 September PEI International Shellfish Festival, Charlottetown - Food festival featuring shellfish.

29. 18 September Island Chocolates Company Chocolate Festival, Victoria-by-the-Sea - Food festival with a chocolate theme.

30. 18-19 September 70-Mile Coastal Yard Sale, Wood Islands - Yard sales along the Wood Island coast.

31. 24 September - 3 October Fall Flavours - Prince Edward Island, various locations across the island - Island-wide food festival.

32. 15-17 October BMO Nesbitt Burns Prince Edward Island Marathon, North Shore to Charlottetown - Marathon and events.