2026 Concerts & Special Events
What's Happening on the Island!
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Cost: $23 for concerts and events (plus HST & booking fees)
Includes access to Estate buildings, trails, and event
(with exception of September 12th event )
Location: Ministers Island Event Tent
Please note: Special pricing for September 12th event in the Bath House.
RAILfest
Saturday, July 25th to Monday, August 3rd
100,000 piece LEGO display in the Bath House
Sunday, August 9th
Songwriters' Circle featuring Jessica Rhaye, Hilary Ladd & Maggie Savoie
3:00 pm
Songwriter's Circles are almost like multiple shows at once. A chance to hear multiple artists at one time often offering a range of musical styles and a mix of personal stories. Ministers Island will host an all female songwriters event featuring three unique New Brunswick songstresses. Jessica Rhaye has been performing her brand of folk a pop music for more than 25years. A multi award winning performer and graphic artist she has performed her original composituons and select cover tunes across North America and overseas. Over the years, Rhaye has collaborated with a distinguished group of co-writers, including Ron Sexsmith, the late Ken Tobias, Steve Poltz, Brent Mason, Royal Wood, and Matt Andersen. She has performed on many renowned stages and festivals such as the National Arts Centre, Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Mariposa Folk Festival, Area 506 Festival, Shivering Songs, Canadian Music Café, Hugh’s Room, Hotel Café, and Half Moon Putney. Hilary Ladd is a dynamic musician, actor, writer, and educator with more than 30 years of stage experience. Known for her powerful vocals and unflinching storytelling, she draws audiences into deeply human experiences through music and performance. As a singer-songwriter, Ladd has built a reputation for transforming raw personal stories into resonant, uplifting songs. Over the past two years, Ladd has become a familiar presence across New Brunswick stages appearing at Hullabaloo, Paddlefest, Harvest, Pride, Moonlight Bazaar, and the Sussex Balloon Festival, while also performing regularly at O’Leary’s, Kennedy House, Fusion East, and the Foghorn. Maggie Savoie is an award winning francophone who performs in both French and English. Her musical style might be considered folk, but upon closer listening, a very diverse musical background can be heard. A guitarist first and foremost, her music is a blend of simple and complex melodies, thanks to musical arrangements that combine a folk foundation with bluesy, sometimes soulful, and occasionally rock influences. Her voice, like her lyrics, resonates with both the heart and the mind through their simplicity and authenticity. Alone on stage, the artist creates an intimate and enveloping atmosphere. This event is supported by grant funding from Explore St. Andrews.
Sunday, August 23rd
Catherine MacLellan with Lucy Farrell
3:00 pm
Catherine MacLellan has been captivating audiences around the world with her music for over two decades. The Juno, Canadian Folk Music and multiple ECMA Award winner was born and raised in the idyllic province of Prince Edward Island. Her songs reflect a deep connection to the land and the people that call it home. Her passion for songwriting runs in the family; her father, Gene MacLellan, wrote beloved hits like "Snowbird" and "Put Your Hand in the Hand." While Catherine's music is rooted in folk and roots, her sound has evolved to embrace a wider range of influences over the course of her 7 albums. From heart-wrenching ballads to uplifting anthems, her music has a universal appeal that speaks to the struggles, triumphs, and joys of life. Through it all, Catherine remains committed to the craft of songwriting and the art of connection. Whether she's playing to a packed theatre or an intimate gathering, Catherine's warm presence and heartfelt music create an unforgettable experience for all who hear her. She brings with her on this visit to St Andrews the talented Lucy Farrell. UK born and now Canada based Farrell brings odd, unconventional melodies, poetic, sophisticated song-writing and the bewitching clarity of a voice made elegant with sparse, careful accompaniment on tenor guitar and occasionally viola. She has definitely carved out a unique niche for an artist at the forefront of contemporary English folk music. Finding an international audience among artists like Julia Jacklin, Emily Portman, The Weather Station, The Unthanks and Eliza Carthy, Farrell was the 2017 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Winner.
Saturday, August 29th
Fredericton Society of St. Andrew Pipe Band
6:30 pm
The Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew Pipe Band (FSSAPB) has been a vital part of the Fredericton community since its establishment in 1927. Starting with just three pipers and three drummers, the band has grown significantly over the decades. From the outset, the FSSAPB has proudly worn the Gordon tartan. Uniforms were initially borrowed from ex-soldiers of the First World War, with some kilts even sourced from a local army surplus store, bearing bullet holes from the battlefield. The band's presence has been a fixture at parades, concerts, and social gatherings throughout Fredericton, deeply embedding it in the community's cultural life. The mid-1960s saw the FSSAPB enter the arena, persistently fielding a competition band every year since. This commitment has solidified its status as one of the oldest piping and drumming organizations in North America. Over the years, the band has evolved into a dynamic organization with a teaching academy and two pipe bands, earning numerous Atlantic Canadian Champion Supreme titles. Renowned for its innovative spirit, the FSSAPB consistently achieves competitive success both domestically and internationally. Members have performed across North America and Europe, with appearances in Ontario, the United States, Scotland, and France. The band's trips to France include performances at the Festival Interceltique in Lorient. In addition to its performance and competitive achievements, the FSSAPB is dedicated to education through its teaching program, the Fredericton Academy of Piping and Drumming. This program nurtures the next generation of pipers and drummers, ensuring the continuation of this rich tradition.
Sunday, September 6th
Bill Stevenson & Friends
3:00 pm
The inimitable Bill Stevenson returns to Ministers Island to present an eclectic array of blues, jazz and swing. What can be said about Bill Stevenson that hasn’t been said before? A favourite of the Ministers Island concert series for years, Bill is a consummate performer. He has toured the world and been performing live for more than 5 decades. Among those he has worked and recorded with include John Lee Hooker, Amos Garrett, Tom Rush, David Grisman, Joel Plaskett, Bahamas (Afie Jurvanen), Matt Andersen, Garrett Mason and Owen Steel. For a number of years he hosted his own radio show “The Ocean Limited” and has been a “go to” piano man for many in the Halifax music scene.
Saturday, September 12th
Bath House Wellness Evening
6:00 pm
Step into a restorative two-hour wellness journey designed to gently shift you out of the busyness of everyday life and into a state of calm, connection, and renewal. Take part in an experience in an incredible historic venue - Ministers Island's Bath House. The evening unfolds in three immersive parts, beginning with a grounding, ocean-inspired rhythm circle where shared percussion creates an immediate sense of presence and collective energy. This experience is thoughtfully guided by Sebastián and Daniela, founders of Rhythms by the Sea, whose work along the Fundy Shore is rooted in the belief that rhythm is a universal language - one that helps people reconnect, release, and feel lighter together. From there, you’ll be guided through a breathwork session led by Jackie Johnstone, founder of Respoire. Your breath is a direct line to your nervous system and breathwork gets you into your body quickly, powerfully, and completely. Jackie creates a safe and supportive space to explore the power of your breath - helping participants feel lighter, clearer, and more connected to themselves. The evening concludes with a deeply restorative sound bath led by Dana Planetta of Rhythms Sound Therapy. Using crystal singing bowls and tuning forks, Dana creates a rich, resonant soundscape that encourages full-body relaxation and heightened awareness, allowing participants to drift into a meditative, restorative state. Together, these three experiences create a seamless and memorable evening—one that invites you to slow down, reconnect, and carry a sense of calm and clarity. This is an immersive wellness experience designed to support relaxation, emotional release, connection, and mindfulness through drum circle, guided breathwork, and sound healing.
Sunday September 20th
Mike Chase
2:00 pm
From humble beginnings in small-town coastal New Brunswick to becoming one of Southern New Brunswick’s most sought-after performers, Mike has built a reputation as a hardworking and authentic entertainer with deep roots in country, Celtic, and East Coast music. A seasoned performer with 75–100 live shows annually, Mike captivates audiences with strong vocals, engaging storytelling, and an energetic stage presence whether performing solo, acoustically, or with a full band. His songwriting has been compared to legendary Canadian icon Stompin' Tom Connors, blending catchy lyrics and memorable rhythms, while his 2003 album earned praise from Bob Mersereau as one of the year’s best country releases. With a warm personality and unforgettable live performances, Mike brings an authentic East Coast spirit to every stage.