“It’s all about community!”
By Ross Kinney, Dooryard Arts Festival Program Director
For those of us who’ve attended the Dooryard Arts Festival year after year, many will say it’s all about one thing: community. It’s about having a good time with our neighbours; it’s about creating lasting memories in our historic downtown; it’s about inviting artists from all over the region to visit Woodstock and share in its beauty; it’s about the magic of art, its soul medicine, and its ability to bring out the best in us.
The value of the creative arts is in their ability to enrich our lives. The mission of Dooryard is to make the arts a centrepiece of our community.
Dooryard Arts Festival began in 2009 as a way for Woodstock to celebrate our area’s rich cultural and creative heritage. In the years since, the festival has become an annual event that brings our town together, showcases emerging and established performers, and supports the broader artistic community in New Brunswick. It’s an important part of the provincial artistic landscape and the local tourism economy.
Past performers at the festival include a variety of notable New Brunswick and Canadian artists, such as Matt Andersen, Rose Cousins, Cadence Weapon, Les Hay Babies, James Mullinger, Julie Doiron, Ben Caplan, Sally Dibblee, Michel McEwing, Janice Wright Cheney, Morgan Toney, Erin Costelo, and Ross Neilsen. Many have performed at Dooryard as emerging artists early in their careers. Music is a big focus, but the festival also features short films, original plays, improv shows, fine art exhibitions, murals, public art installations, children’s entertainment, circus acts, and community activities.
The 2025 festival (July 17-19) is shaping up to be another highlight of the summer. You can expect a flurry of activity and loads of chances to see exciting performances.
BUT FIRST, we have some winter/spring programming coming right up!
In partnership with The Scene Promotions, Dooryard Presents: The Connell House Series! Monthly performances will occur between February and May at the historic Connell House in downtown Woodstock. Tickets can be bought at the door or in advance online.
Feb 21 – Colin Fowlie
Mar 13 – Kylie Fox
Apr 24 – Charlie A’Court
May 21 – Robert Thomas & the Sessionmen
Please mark these dates in your calendar and invite a friend for a night of songs and stories! Your support makes a meaningful difference.
Dooryard will announce an initial festival lineup this winter, so stay tuned! Check back for more in the River Valley Sun. You can also follow the festival on social media @dooryardfestival.
Dooryard Arts Festival is 3 days of songs, stories, and community celebration in Woodstock, New Brunswick, taking place July 17-19.
