Feb 19 - Mar 4, 2023
FREE GENERAL ADMISSION
FREE GENERAL ADMISSION
From February 19 - March 4, 2023, the province will be aglow with music, culinary, visual art, and interactive exhibits, shining a light on the diverse and thriving arts scene and cultures in Prince Edward Island and Canada. Celebrations will take place across the Island with every event open to the public and FREE to attend!
Experience IllumiNATION with Ashley MacIsaac, 6 Hearts (featuring members of The East Pointers & Vishtèn), Richard Wood & Friends, Quinn Bachand & Colin Savoie-Levac.
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Experience IllumiNATION with Tom Jackson, Twin Flames, Silver Wolf Band, Don Burnstick, Mi'kmaq Legends, Lone Cry Drum Group & Mi'kmaq/Indigenous Dancers, Hubert Francis.
Experience IllumiNATION with The Beaches, Ria Mae, Mo Kenney, Brielle Ansems, Sirens, Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors and Toni Nylon.
Experience IllumiNATION with Serena Ryder, Ennis Sisters, Sechile Sedare.
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Experience IllumiNATION with HERE WE GO Barndance, Tunes & Tall Tales, Matante Christine, and Gordie MacKeeman's Folk for Little Folk.
Experience IllumiNATION with The Trews, Kellie Loder, Sechile Sedare, Andrew Waite, Michel Lalonde, Soul Filter, Lawrence Maxwell, Les Fireflies, and more!
Experience IllumiNATION with The Road Hammers, Kelly Prescott, Kellie Loder, Émilie Landry, Julie & Danny.
Experience IllumiNATION with Les Hôtesses d'Hilaire, Two Hours Traffic, Raccoon Bandit, and Shaye.
Experience IllumiNATION with Matt Andersen & The Big Bottle of Joy, Irish Mythen, Joce Reyome, Brielle Ansems, Sirens, Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors and Toni Nylon.
Experience IllumiNATION with Classified, Haviah Mighty, Vince The Messenger, Wolf Castle, and Atlantic Breaking Alliance.
Experience IllumiNATION with Scott-Pien Picard and DiverseCity Festival programming all day long.
Experience IllumiNATION with Cory Gallant & The Red Dirt Posse, DeeDee Austin, Trinity Bradshaw, Nathan Wiley, Logan Richard, Peggy Clinton & Johnny Ross, DJ Bones, Louise Arsenault & Jonny Ray Arsenault.
The PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games is pleased to partner with the Confederation Centre of the Arts to produce a series of free live shows as part of the IllumiNATION Festival.
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The PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games is pleased to partner with the Confederation Centre of the Arts to produce a series of free live shows as part of the IllumiNATION Festival. This specially curated show will feature a star-studded assembly of female and non-binary artists celebrating Canada's finest songs. Supporting act Singing Strings will open the show.
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The PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games is pleased to partner with the Confederation Centre of the Arts to produce a series of free live shows as part of the IllumiNATION Festival.
Experience IllumiNATION with the Umbrella Collective with Haunted Hearts, Hit the Coast, and DJ Tanguy.
The PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games is pleased to partner with the Confederation Centre of the Arts to produce a series of free live shows as part of the IllumiNATION Festival.
Experience IllumiNATION with the Umbrella Collective with Kierrah, Mr Monark, and DJ Grace of Bass.
The stories and music of PEI's Acadie - Presented by The Guild and Carrefour de l'Isle-Saint-Jean”. Featuring special guest Jonny Ray Arsenault.
The PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games is pleased to partner with the Confederation Centre of the Arts to produce a series of free live shows as part of the IllumiNATION Festival.
Experience IllumiNATION with the Umbrella Collective with LXVNDR and DJ Niimo.
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The PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games is pleased to partner with the Confederation Centre of the Arts to produce a series of free live shows as part of the IllumiNATION Festival.
The PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games is pleased to partner with the Confederation Centre of the Arts to produce a series of free live shows as part of the IllumiNATION Festival.
Experience IllumiNATION with Dylan Menzie & Hauler.
Experience IllumiNATION with Rankin's Winter Warmer with special guests Logan Richard, Michael S Ryan and Breagh Isabel. The Winter Warmer party starts at 11 PM following a listening room show at 8 PM featuring Hauler and Dylan Menzie.
Experience IllumiNATION with Pierre Guitard & KINLEY.
Experience IllumiNATION with Rankin's Winter Warmer with special guests Richard Wood, Jordan musycsyn & Isabelle Samson. The Winter Warmer party starts at 11 PM following a listening room show at 8 PM featuring Pierre Guitard and KINLEY.
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The stories and music of PEI's Acadie - Presented by The Guild and Carrefour de l'Isle-Saint-Jean featuring special guest Les Bouches Bées.
Experience IllumiNATION with Les Bouches Bées and Catherine MacLellan.
The stories and music of PEI's Acadie - Presented by The Guild and Carrefour de l'Isle-Saint-Jean”. Featuring special guest Christian ‘Kit’ Goguen.
Experience IllumiNATION with Rankin's Winter Warmer with special guests Jah'Mila, Jodi Guthro & Kierrah.
February 21, 22, 28 and March 1 from 5:30 - 8:00 PM in the CCOA Concourse.
Join us for this unique experience that blends gentle movement with a sound healing. Our 90 minute Yin Yoga class offered by our very own, Heather Gunn McQuillan will be accompanied by a therapeutic sound bath performed by Trevor Grant from SoundEscapes. This is a free event that is first-come, first-serve in order of the submission of the following form. This event is limited to 15 guests. Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWvd26pZb3Y9IJpqYxjVzue1_eB3QNv9ntsa7yWNp0XMYRpA/viewform
An artistic workshop led by artist Alexis Bulman. Participants will brainstorm seasonal events and traditions that shape us, but which may be altered by the effects of climate change, and then create felt depictions that will be added to tapestries, to show how people experience the changing seasons.
Experience IllumiNATION with Scott Parsons.
Experience IllumiNATION with Atlantic String Machine, Christian "Kit" Goguen & Adrienne Gallant!
Experience IllumiNATION with Radiant Rural Halls.
Experience IllumiNATION with Tzu-Cheng Wang and Rachel Beck.
Come learn about speed skating with Speed Skating Canada and Speed Skating PEI
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Founders’ Food Hall & Market will present entertainment as part of their regularly scheduled vendor hours
Founders’ Food Hall & Market will present entertainment as part of their regularly scheduled vendor hours.
Founders’ Food Hall & Market will present entertainment as part of their regularly scheduled vendor hours.
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Founders’ Food Hall & Market will present entertainment as part of their regularly scheduled vendor hours.
Founders’ Food Hall & Market will present entertainment as part of their regularly scheduled vendor hours.
Founders’ Food Hall & Market will present entertainment as part of their regularly scheduled vendor hours.
Founders’ Food Hall & Market will present entertainment as part of their regularly scheduled vendor hours.
Founders’ Food Hall & Market will present entertainment as part of their regularly scheduled vendor hours.
Founders’ Food Hall & Market will present entertainment as part of their regularly scheduled vendor hours.
Founders’ Food Hall & Market will present entertainment as part of their regularly scheduled vendor hours
Founders’ Food Hall & Market will present entertainment as part of their regularly scheduled vendor hours
Chef Christine Murnaghan was born and raised in Prince Edward Island, being an Islander has given her a great appreciation for the seafood industry and all the wonderful raw materials that we have here to work with. As a Product Development Chef, she has had the opportunity to work with the seafood industry on the development of value-added seafood products and promotion of those products. She is a Red Seal Chef and has a Field to Table cooking certification from Tuscany, Italy where she worked on a self-sustainable property. She has worked on the east and west coasts of the United States, from California to Nantucket, MA. Her true passion lies in food and the people who enjoy it. Christine graduated with an Applied Degree in Culinary Operations and her Culinary Arts Diploma from The Culinary Institute of Canada. She was a Product Developer at Canada’s Smartest Kitchen for 6 years; she is currently working with her partner owning and operating a local business Gallant’s & Co. Island Food To Go.
Chef Pape Sine and has been involved in PEI's culinary world since moving to PEI in 2012. His professional experience is in Operations Management but he has always endeavored to maintain my passion for cooking throughout many activities across the island. He has done a few food styling projects with Tourism PEI and Canada's Food Island; and recently contributed to the Canada's Food island Cookbook.
Chef Alyssa is the Executive Chef of Abbiocco Modern Italian and Hopyard Charlottetown and Halifax. Chef Alyssa Dignard was born in Ottawa and moved to Prince Edward Island in 2010, where she received her culinary diploma from the Culinary Institute of Canada. She won a bronze medal at Canada's Great Kitchen Party and was a semi-finalist in the Canadian Garland Culinary Championship over her 19 years of cooking experience.
Chef Tyler Gallant is a Red Seal Chef with over 25 years’ experience in the culinary industry, Tyler started his culinary career in Nantucket MA, worked in several Caribbean islands, Victoria B.C, and Newfoundland. As many Islanders do, Tyler felt the need to move home and start proudly serving some of the world’s best PEI seafood, meat, dairy, and produce in a traditional way we all enjoy. As Chef/Owner of Gallant’s & Co. he strives to create fun twists on old favourites, to support local in a strong way and he believes that good food comes from quality ingredients.
Chef Ilona Daniel is the founder of Tribe Fresh Events and Consulting, a purpose-driven insights consultancy accelerated by modern approaches to the hospitality industry, immersive experiences, community and culture development, and game-changing deliverables. With 15 years of experience, she is a thought leader and an established business-builder with projects spanning the globe including Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia. Her strong background in consumer products and services includes a specialized focus on the interconnected producer and consumer in the food service sector. Ilona is also on the Board of Directors for the Tourism Association of PEI & The PEI Writers Guild. Chef Ilona is the food editor for Harrowsmith magazine and a published writer for numerous national and international publications, is a media personality, and a dedicated Culinary Instructor at the Culinary Institute of Canada. The episode, “PEI Lobster” of the series, “Untamed Gourmet”, which Chef Ilona hosted was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award.
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Chef Andrew Smith, Born and Raised in PEI, and am currently the Executive Chef at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino and has had the opportunity to travel and cook across Canada. I was also fortunate to be a guest Chef with Holland America Cruise line which led me to cooking in the Caribbean, New England States, Eastern Canada as well as Alaska where I was able to showcase my talents with guests from all around the world. Andrew is always up for a challenge and loves cooking with PEI products that we are blessed to have available to us.
Chef Deandue Thompson born and raised in Nassau Bahamas by his parents Heather Heney and Jermaine Thompson, his dad was an executive chef at some of the finest restaurants in The Bahamas. As a kid he was able to watch his father show true leadership throughout many kitchens by orchestrating simple skills such as communication, understanding but also listening. It gave him a great since of empowerment to be like his father, as time went on his father decided to open his own catering business where it created opportunities for Deandue to explore and hone is skills. Deandue’s fi rst ever kitchen was working as a dishwasher for his father. His father made a statement to him prior to Deandue accepting the job, “Being a dishwasher is no fun son, but trust me it teaches you discipline and once you achieve that all other attributes will follow along”. As time went on he was able to watch and learn from his father and his fellow chefs who worked alongside each other to create menus and beautiful dishes. In 2017 Deandue received a scholarship from the Culinary Institute of Canada in Prince Edward Island to pursue his studies in Culinary arts. During his time at Culinary school he developed his skills and learned as much as he could from his fellow chefs and classmates during his time there. During this journey Deandue was granted many opportunities to work in different food establishments such as Cabot Links, the Old triangle, Sims Corner Steakhouse & Oyster Bar, The Alley, Brickhouse Kitchen & Bar and The Local Pub and Oyster Bar. In working in these different restaurants he was able to learn many different skills but not only learn skills but also create bounds with his fellow coworkers, but also it allowed him to be able recreate himself in a way. It has only been 6 years of his culinary journey but during that time he has been able to understand that the culinary industry is not always a walk in the park but it builds true character.
Growing up Chef Jesse MacDonald had no aspirations of becoming a chef. Born and raised in Launching, PEI, he was born into a fourth generation lobster fishing family where throughout his life he would hold every position in the families lobster boat from “cork to captain.” His childhood home was located on the corner of his grandfather’s large family farm so he was able to spend ample time as a youngster gaining an appreciation for all things local. Growing up, farm to table wasn’t a movement for his family, it was a lifestyle.
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Chef Adam Loo is a farm raised chef in Prince Edward Island, Canada’s Food Island. He continued his culinary competition path earning medals in competitions all over the world including Michigan, Istanbul, and more. After winning awards and wowing tastebuds, Adam took the Applied Degree in Culinary Operations program and joined Murphy Hospitality Group in 2011 as the Head Chef of Fishbones Seafood and Oyster Bar. In 2017, Adam was promoted to Culinary Operations Manager for MHG and has since become the Executive Chef. While being devoted to the culinary arts and the local food community, Adam has also become very committed to farming. In 2021, Adam and his brother Blake began their own farming company specializing in certified organic potatoes on their family land in Springfield. In the same year, Adam and his wife Emily welcomed their daughter Ada Jane Loo.
Award-winning Chef Irwin MacKinnon. After graduating from The Culinary Institute of Canada, Irwin began his culinary career in Switzerland and Germany, returning home to PEI in the early 1990’s. He became the head chef at Joseph’s Restaurant (later Papa Joe’s) and has worked there with the Jabbour family for more than 27 years. Irwin has mentored dozens of interns and students from The Culinary Institute of Canada and has helped many up-and-coming chefs find their own culinary voices. He has travelled globally to promote Island seafood and is well known among farmers, producers, and artisans as a pioneer of the “use local” movement on PEI. He has also led many PEI-focused initiatives, including Forage and Fall Flavours. Irwin and Papa Joe’s have been finalists in the Taste our Island Award for the past decade, winning the Award in 2011. In 2017 Chef Irwin became the winner of the Taste our Island People’s Choice Award. In 2015 and 2016, Irwin was named as the Best of Sea Chic Chef of the Year and placed 3rd in the Garland International Chefs Challenge as part of the PEI Shellfish Festival. Irwin is President of the Prince Edward Island Association of Chefs and Cooks. He was named PEI’s Chef of the Year in 2001 and again in 2017. In 2018, he was awarded the Culinary Federation’s Eastern Chef of the Year and then went on to be awarded the 2018 Canadian Culinary Federation’s National Chef of the Year. As winner of the 2018 Regional Canada’s Great Kitchen Party competition in Moncton, NB, Irwin travelled to Kelowna, BC where he represented the region of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island at the 2019 Canadian Culinary Championships. In 2018 Holland College awarded Irwin with the Distinguished Alumni Award.
K-6 students create poetry and artworks to reflect the core values of the PEI Canada Games: diversity, inclusiveness, landscape and sustainability. Sparking Greatness: In celebration of community, sport, and the 2023 Canada Winter Games. Starting February 21, 2023. Opening Reception February 21, 1PM-3PM - Eptek Gallery
BIPOC USHR’s exhibition, It’s More Than Sports, showcases the unique experiences and rich legacies of BIPOC athletes on Prince Edward Island. Running from January 28, 2023 - April 2, 2023. Opening Reception: Saturday, Feb 25th 7PM-8:30PM - Concourse Gallery.
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Middle School students create comic style artwork and zines that celebrate heroes. Artist in residence Sandy Carruthers will provide tips and tricks for creating in various styles: anime, B&W, Realism. Starting February 16, 2023. Opening Reception: Thursday, Feb 16th 6PM-7PM - Hilda Woolnough Gallery
Join the PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games on the waterfront and get cozy with some action-packed winter fun! There will be something for everyone with family-friendly winter activities, including art installations, light displays, and partner activations complete with sugar shacks, food demos, and ice sculptures.
The City of Charlottetown and the PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games are pleased to present a spectacular brand-new outdoor rink at Founders' Food Hall and Market. Lace up your skates and embrace the winter fun!
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The Food Pavilion will feature delicious food demos by Canada's Food Island Culinary Kitchen. Serving up everything from PEI’s famous french fries and loaded baked potatoes to tacos and burgers, the Food Pavilion will be showcasing the very best of PEI. Chefs will be preparing Island recipes daily - come try the samples, then quench your thirst at the Ice Bar outside.
Presented by Atlantic Lottery Corporation - A blend of the Canadian classic game curling and crokinole, Crokicurl will be set up on a massive 40 x 40 ice rink. It is a fully accessible game that your friends + family can all enjoy. Come throw some rocks and hit the button!
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An electrifying campfire that comes to life. This installation is an interactive, musical, visual and luminous experience – an urban bonfire comprising 220 light bulbs that flicker in response to spectators’ movements. Whether they sway or dance, festivalgoers stir the virtual embers and trigger flames that dance, spark and swirl, creating warmth, light and music.
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Get moving with local sports and fitness leaders! Join us for Flow in the Snow, UFit and other activities to get your heart pumping and warm up on chilly winter days!
No. Concerts are not being broadcast or live streamed.
The headline concerts on the festival site are first come first served. It is recommended that you come early to secure a spot to see your favorite performers. If capacity is full when you arrive, there will be other activities and performances you can take in elsewhere on the site.
There are two locations on the Festival site for accessible parking. One is at the Seaport building and can be accessed on Stan MacPherson way, the other is at the Peakes' Quay parking lot accessed off the Prince Street entrance only.
The festival will celebrate amazing performers from PEI and across Canada, showcasing multiple genres of music. You will be able to see headline acts like Tom Jackson, The Beaches, Ashley MacIsaac, Matt Andersen, The Road Hammers, Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire, The Trews, Classified and so much more!
Service dogs/animals are permitted in all venues, but must be identified.
Prohibited items include: outside alcohol, narcotics (legal or illegal), drugs (other than prescribed medication), dangerous goods, weapons (knives, firearms, explosives, fireworks, gas canisters, spray canisters, flares, irritant, incendiary devices, or any replicas), animals indoors unless registered as a service/working animal, drones, non-accredited audio or video equipment with a removable lens being brought into the venue for purposes of broadcast.
Yes! All venues provide accessible seating options for spectators. Accessible options are also available at outdoor venues; however, weather conditions may limit the options we are able to provide. Please speak to our onsite volunteers if you need assistance finding accessible seating at festival venues.
Yes! Founders’ Food Hall & Market Vendors will be serving delicious food and there will be Lone Oak beverages available at the Seaport, Market and Founders’ Ice Bar.
No lawn chairs are permitted in the concert venues, however accessible seating will be made available for those who need to be seated.
Yes! There will be public wifi at the Festival Site. Please look for signage for instructions on how to access the service.
Yes! There will be a regular shuttle from Athletes Village to the IllumiNATION Festival Site. Yes! The festival is open to patrons of all ages at all times.
Featuring over 100 artists, over 40 shows and more than 20 different stages for 14 days of unforgettable fun and creative discoveries, IllumiNATION has something for everyone. For two weeks, the province will be aglow with music, culinary, visual art, and interactive exhibits, shining a light on the diverse and thriving arts scene and cultures in Prince Edward Island and Canada. Celebrations will take place across the Island with every event open to the public and free to attend.
IllumiNATION will take place across the Island with every event open to the public and free to attend. The Main Festival Grounds is located at Port Charlottetown - 1 Weymouth St, Charlottetown, PE C1A 8W1. Download the IllumiNATION Festival Map for details.
Additional partner venues include The Village musical acadien (Abram-Village), College of Piping and Performing Arts Centre (Summerside), Harbourfront Theatre (Summerside), Murray Christian Centre (Kensington), Westisle Theatre (Elmsdale), Lone Oak Brewing Co (Borden-Carleton), Cornwall Civic Centre (Cornwall), Stratford Town Hall (Stratford), Harmony House (Hunter River), Nature Space Resort & Retreat Centre (Morell), King's Playhouse (Three Rivers), Souris Show Hall (Souris), Confederation Centre of the Arts (Charlottetown), The Mack (Charlottetown), Trailside Music Hall (Charlottetown), Salvador Dali Café (Charlottetown), Credit Union Place (Summerside), Florence Simmons Performance Hall (Charlottetown), The Guild (Charlottetown), Eptek Art & Culture Centre (Summerside), Canadian Centre for Climate Change (St. Peters).
First Aid is located in the Seaport Building near the food kiosk, and outside on-site near the drop off zone. Both locations will be staffed by St John Ambulance and clearly marked.
There is no onsite public parking for the IllumiNATION Festival. There is a free Park and Ride at 360 Grafton St (across from the Charlottetown Event Grounds site). We encourage festival goers to use this shuttle service. Drop-off and pickup zones at the Festival site are at the foot of Stan MacPherson Way. Shuttles run continuously during Festival hours from daily opening to 30 minutes after closing.
All IllumiNATION events are open to the public and FREE to attend on a first come first serve basis, except for events at the Confederation Centre of the Arts (CCOA) and The Mack. Free tickets for those events can be reserved online or at the CCOA Box Office.
