Newfoundland & Labrador is a beautiful province with no shortage of fun things to do during the summer, especially in August. Along with hiking and camping at the national and provincial parks and campgrounds, there are so many festivals, parties and dinners that you can go to, tours to take, and places to visit in Newfoundland that it’s so hard to decide where to start!
If you haven’t already started making plans for August, you should definitely check out the 50 ideas listed below.
1. Royal St. John’s Regatta
Visit Quidi Vidi Lake shoreline as the Royal St. John’s Regatta rowing race happens. The race has been taking place since 1818, making it North America’s oldest continuing sporting event. It usually takes place on the first Wednesday in August.
Details
August 2, 2023
2. Annual Cape Race Heritage Days
Celebrate Portugal Cove South’s culture and heritage at the kitchen parties with local entertainment, dances, family fun day, and bonfires. The Annual Cape Race Heritage Days have so many activities for people to do and many displays that they can watch.
Details
August 4 – 6, 2023
3. Night Sky Celebrations
Learn about the stars and how to use sky viewing equipment at the 4th annual Night Sky Celebration at Terra Nova National Park. You can also stay at the park at one of the campgrounds, so you can enjoy more time under the stars.
Details
August 25 – 26, 2023
4. Fogo Island Race
Get ready to race! There will be a 10 km race, 21.1 km half marathon as well as the 42.2 km full marathon. Have you started your training yet?
Details
August 19, 2023
5. Passing the Time in Trout River
Passing the Time in Trout River is quite possibly the most enjoyable and comfortable Kitchen Party on ‘the Rock’. For ten weeks, local musicians and storytellers come together to entertain you and share Newfoundland culture.
Details
Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon
6. IronFest
Taking place in Labrador City, Ironfest is the city’s biggest outdoor concert. The 2023 performers include Crush, Jess Moskaluke, Alan Doyle and Arkells.
Details
August 19, 2023
7. Tuckamore Festival
Tuckamore Festival: Chamber Music in Newfoundland and Labrador features internationally acclaimed artists. There are many events happening during the festival, including lunch-time recitals, workshops, concerts, and many more.
Details
August 7–20, 2023
8. Winterset in Summer Literary Festival
Meet great filmmakers, songwriters, and authors from across Newfoundland and Canada at the Winterset in Summer Literary Festival. This is the festival’s 22nd annual celebration and features famous writers, musical performances, cooking authors, past winners, new finalists, emerging writers, and much more.
Details
August 11 – 13, 2023
9. Shakespeare by the Sea
This is the longest running outdoor summer theatre event in the St. John’s area. This year, Shakespeare by the Sea celebrates uts 30th anniversart and will present three productions with their own unique takes – Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo & Juliet, Picnic in the Backyard.
Details
July 7 – August 12, 2023
10. Gander’s Festival of Flight
The Gander’s Festival of Flight celebrates over 30 years of community pride. The weekend is packed with musical events, picnics, a traditional Newfoundland breakfast, Demolition Derby, and much more. It is the perfect place to spend time with friends and family.
Details
August 3 – 7, 2023
11. Norman’s Cove – Long Cove Beach Festival
Spend the weekend on the beach at the Norman’s Cove – Long Cove Beach Festival. The festival features a fishing derby, local entertainment, games, parades, tournaments, dances, fireworks, and much more.
Details
August 1 – 7, 2023
12. Voices of Placentia Bay Festival
Listen to the unique stories and songs that explore Placentia Bay’s history. From the main stage to exploring the area that inspired the songs, it is a weekend packed with fun. The whole family will enjoy this weekend event.
For 2023, there’ll be a Kitchen Party on Friday night, Festival in the Square all day on Saturday with headliners Rum Ragged, and youth entertainment hosted by Larry Foley on Sunday afternoon at Castle Hill National Historic Site.
Details
August 4 – 6, 2023
13. Bakeapple Folk Festival
For over 40 years, the Bakeapple Folk Festival has been highlighting traditional fun. Events include an old fashion schoolhouse, a bakeapple breakfast, traditional square and much more.
Details
August 10 – 13, 2023
14. Garnish Bakeapple Festival
From breakfast and dinner to plays, fair and flear market, and scavenger hunt, the Garnish Bakeapple Festival is packed with family fun.
Details
August 5 – 13, 2023
15. Botwood Flying Boat Festival
Enjoy the multi-day festival featuring craft fair, bingo, pre-teen/teen dance, soap box derby, family day, Bayside Bash for adults, religious open air service, Botwood Day, daytime community and nighttime boat parade, booths with food/games of chance, music, at night open air dance and fireworks!
Botwood Flying Boat Festival theme for 2023 is “Winds of Change”.
Details
August 3 – 7, 2023
16. Cape St. George & Mainland Folk Festival
The first weekend of August in Cape St. George is packed with bilingual folk fun. Hear traditional music, and dance along. Kids will love the games and souvenirs.
Details
August 4 – 6, 2023
17. Gulch Days
Gulch days is a weekend of fun for family and friends! There will be an antique car show, local bands, kids activities, games and other fun activities for everyone to enjoy.
The Gulch Beach Festival is celebrating its 20th year this summer.
Details
August 5, 2023
18. Cupids Cupers Cove Soiree
Pointe Beach becomes a festival ground during the Cupers Cove Soiree. The weekend is packed with dances, carnival rides, local food, a Mr. & Mrs. Soiree Pageant, fireworks and so much more.
Details
August 16 – 20, 2023
19. HOLD FAST 2023
HOLD FAST Festival is a celebration of contemporary performance, interdisciplinary art, and community engagement in St. John’s, NL.
Details
August 23 – 26, 2023
20. Bay Roberts Klondyke Days
Experience the joy of Klondyke Days, a festive celebration starting with the vibrant Klondyke Parade and concluding with Bay Roberts Day, featuring a wide range of family-friendly events such as concerts, food festivities, family fun days, and an awe-inspiring fireworks show.
Details
July 26 to August 7, 2023
21. Bites of Basque History
Experience the culture of Labrador’s 16th century Basque whalers with this program. Take a short ferry ride to Saddle Island and explore Red Bay’s history through stories of whaling and Basque culture. Taste a selection of authentic Basque pintxos that are popular in this area.
Details
22. Brimstone Head Folk Festival
Brimstone Head Folk Festival is a unique outdoor music festival that is held in Brimstone Head, which is considered to be one of the four corners of the earth by the Flat Earth Society. The festival preserves the local culture through music.
Details
August 11 – 13, 2023
23. ‘Music @’ Concert Series
Enjoy musical concerts at Harbourside park every Friday at 12:30 pm. The series features a wide variety of musical genres.
Details
June 10 through September 22, 2023
24. Southern Shore Dinner Theatre
Experience a traditional Newfoundland time on Ferryland’s historic waterfront premises. The program includes traditional music, live theatre, and a meal while experiencing Newfoundland hospitality at it’s finest.
Details
Until September 1, 2023
25. Dildo Cove Vendor Market
Every weekend in the town of Dildo, the S.U.F. Lodge is packed with local vendors. You can find local art, crafts, jewelry, produce, eats, and more at this popular market.
Details
Until September 2023
26. Summer Concert Series
Happening on Wednesday evenings in July & August, the summer concert series will see local musicians bringing live music to George Street.
Details
Wednesdays, July 5 to August 30 & Tuesday, July 25, 2023
27. Twillingate-New World Island Dinner Theatre
Enjoy a show at one of Newfoundland’s most popular dinner theatres. The theatre entertains more than 10,000 visitors a year, providing scrumptious meals and great local music and skits to patrons from all over the world.
Details
May 27 – September 28, 2023
28. Rising Tide Theatre – Seasons in the Bight Theatre Festival
More than 40 of Newfoundland’s most talented artists come together. Since 1978, the Rising Tide Theatre has hosted award winning plays that reflect Newfoundland’s history and culture.
Details
May – September 2023
29. Downtown Busker Festival
Downtown St. John’s is full performs during the Downtown Busker Festival. Local, Canadian, and International buskers entertain audiences of all sizes and ages.
Details
August 4 – 6, 2023
30. Carbonear Days Weekend
Bring the whole family to the Carbonear Day’s Weekend. It is a weekend packed with events including the showcase of the World Cup of Tiddly, which is a unique Carbonear event that you cannot find anywhere else. Other events include Accordion Fest, Raisin Bun Bakeoff Contest, and the Carbonear Day Parade.
Details
August 4 – 7, 2023
31. Etheridge’s Point Seaside Fest
Newfoundland has a rich musical history, and the Etheridge’s Point Seaside Festival is the perfect place to experience it all. The concerts are held on the ball field on the shoreline. The shows start on Saturday afternoon and there is live entertainment until Sunday night closing after the firework display.
Details
August 5 – 6, 2023
32. Rigolet Salmon Festival
The popular Rigolet Salmon Festival is a week-long celebration in this small Inuit community, featuring diverse events for all ages, including games, a Fear Factor challenge, entertainment, and a traditional salmon feast, with opening and closing ceremonies.
Details
August 19 – 21, 2023
33. Music in the Sound
Come and celebrate traditional Irish and Newfoundland music at the lovely Terra Nova National Park.
Details
August 18 – 19, 2023
34. The St. John’s Haunted Hike
After resting in the crypt since 2019, the St. John’s Haunted Hike has been resurrected for a better than ever season. The 2023 Haunted Hike is made up of the guides’ favourite stories from previous hikes. Hear the dark stories of public hangings, duels, horrific murders, forgotten cemeteries, and vengeful lovers.
Details
35. Brigus Blueberry Festival
Just 50 minutes outside of St. John, you can enjoy a traditional Newfoundland folk festival. Brigus Blueberry Festival celebrates all things blueberry, so there is, of course, a pie eating contest, and a Missed Blueberry Pageant. There also a parade, a Newfie Night, outdoor dances, fireworks, and traditional Newfoundland food.
Details
August 10 – 13, 2023
36. Paradise Summer Jam Series
Enjoy an amazing lineup of local musicians in the Summer Jam Series. Each performance will be held at a different location around Town for everyone to enjoy!
Details
Summer 2023
37. George Street Festival
The 38th Annual George Street Festival features an incredible lineup of artists including Alan Doylem Loud Luxury, Matt Mays, Irish Descendants, The Trews, and more.
Details
July 27 – August 2, 2023
38. Shining Seas Summer Festival
Shining Seas Summer Festival features family friendly fun and entertainment including breakfast, free swim, kids activities, foreworks, fish fry, block parties, and more.
Details
August 4 – 8, 2023
39. Sweetgrass Festival
Celebrate Indigenous community with three days packed with events that showcase the music, art, dance, food and history of the region’s Mi’kmaw people.
Details
August 18 – 20, 2023
40. Bay de Verde Festival of Quilts
Come by for an exhibition that showcases quilts and quilting culture. Tour the exhibits in the Churches and Halls on Saturday and Sunday.
Details
August 19 – 20, 2023
41. Mary’s Harbour Crab Festival
Celebrate crabs and fisherman on the south coast of Labrador at the Mary’s Harbour Crab Festival. The festival weekend is full of activities, including concerts, BBQs, and the famous Crab Bake Off.
Details
August 20 – 26, 2023
42. Bonavista Biennale
Embark on a journey of contemporary art on the Bonavista Peninsula, featuring more than 20 distinctive sites spanning a 165-kilometer route, and enjoy the entirety of the Biennale.
Details
August 19 – September 17, 2023
43. Writers at Woody Point
Celebrate literature and the arts at the annual Writers at Woody Point Literary Festival, featuring a captivating blend of author readings, musical performances, and other artistic events, commencing with two nights of acclaimed musicians and taking place in the picturesque Woody Point Heritage Theatre and various venues nestled in the heart of Gros Morne National Park during the third week of August.
Details
August 15 – 20, 2023
44. Triton Caplin Cod Festival
Taking place annually in first weekend in August, the festival features activities throughout the week including variety shows, fireworks displays, food booths, games of chance, and an adult dance.
Details
July 31 – August 5, 2023
45. Makkovik Trout Festival
There is fun for all ages at the Makkovik Trout Festival. The cardboard race is a popular activity, along with the family sand sculpture contest. So, spend some time with the family drying off and listening to live music, beach fire, storytelling and more.
Details
August 14 – 19, 2023
46. Taste of Gros Morne
Give your taste buds an unforgettable treat when you go on a Taste of Gros Morne food tour. This popular food tour features 3 of Gros Morne’s top restaurants where you will savour the freshest local seafood, smell the fragrant garden-grown herbs, and savour the sweetest handpicked berries during this sumptuous 3-course gourmet meal.
Details
47. Point Amour Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site
Visit the Point Amour Lighthouse if you want to check out the gorgeous panoramic view from the tallest lighthouse in Atlantic Canada since it is 33 meters high. The lighthouse is a tribute to the past where it played a significant role in the lives of the people of Southern Labrador. It has also been designated a Provincial Historic Site.
Details
48. Stephenville Theatre Festival
STF is the longest-running professional theatre festival in Newfoundland and Labrador. This 45th season will bring Broadway’s greatest musical party Rock of Ages, musical murder mystery farce Lucky Stiff, BALLOONACY by Barry Kornhouser and an astounding line up of Canadian Music Artists, THE GREAT CANADIAN SONGBOOK CHALLENGE.
Details
July 14 to August 13, 2023
49. G0 Glamping
Relax under the stars without all the hard work by going on glamping or glamorous camping trip. While you are glamping, you may get to stay in yurts. walled tents, small cabins or even your own tent. Here are some places to stay in NL.
50. Churchill Park Music Festival
Churchill Park Music Festival is a 4-night music festival spanning over 2 weekends in the beautiful Churchill Park in St. John’s.
Details
August 11 – 12, 18 – 19, 2023