Fundy Sea Shanty Festival

05/04/2026

We're still accepting vendor applications for the Harbour Bazaar at the 2026 Fundy Sea Shanty Festival - get yours in today :)

⚓ Vendor Applications are now open for 2026⚓

We’re looking for a strong mix of artisans, makers, food vendors, and unique small businesses to be part of the Fundy Sea Shanty Festival Harbour Bazaar in St. Martins this coming August.

Our vendor lineup is curated to create a great experience for visitors, and spaces are limited — so we encourage you to apply early.

👉 Apply here: https://www.fundyseashantyfest.com/vendors

Questions? Check out the FAQs online or reach out to Barb at [email protected]

04/30/2026

⚓ You heard right, all hands on deck — it’s ticket time! ✨

Early Bird tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Fundy Sea Shanty Festival!
Assemble your very best crewmates and make your plans for a fun-filled weekend by the Bay!

Limited time savings 🎟️ Get your tickets!
https://www.fundyseashantyfest.com

04/29/2026

✨ Performers on Deck for Summer 2026 ✨

We’ll close out this year’s lineup with something a little different — and something truly special!

Come All Ye… and dance brings together the rhythms of sea shanties and the movement of contemporary dance in a powerful new production, premiering on our Main Stage this August in Fundy-St. Martins.

Through the power of dance, Come All Ye... and dance honours the work done by sailors and explores their lives at sea. Choreographed by New Brunswick born-and-raised artist Liam Caines, and featuring an all-Maritime cast of performers, this production will inspire and thrill audiences, while preserving the rich tradition of shanties.

04/29/2026

✨ Performers on Deck for Summer 2026 ✨ Our crew wouldn't be complete until we add...Before the Mast!

Before The Mast is eight guys who sing the sea shanties and sea songs that working men sang aboard ships in the age of sail. They sing with gusto and energy, balanced with heartfelt ballads and carefully-arranged harmonies. Like the sailors of old, they sing a ca****la (without instruments), allowing the beautiful blend of male voices in harmony to shine through.

⚓ Tickets launch April 30 — stay tuned right here and plan your visit at https://www.fundyseashantyfest.com

04/28/2026

✨ Performers on Deck for Summer 2026 ✨ We’re still adding to the crew — so let's welcome back the Yarmouth Shantymen!

Based in Yarmouth, on the southwestern tip of Nova Scotia, Canada, the Yarmouth Shantymen have been performing traditional work songs from the age of sailing ships since 1984.

The Yarmouth Shantymen began somewhat accidentally. In 1984, Eric Ruff, then Curator of the Yarmouth County Museum (retired 2005), asked a nine musical friends to accompany him to illustrate a talk on sea shanties at the museum. Sea shanties are rhythmic work songs used by centuries of sailors to coordinate their pulling to hoist sail and cargo, and to perform other tasks onboard ship before the age of steam. This was to be a "one-time" gig! Years later however, the group is still going strong.

The present group consists of five ‘shantymen’, three of whom were in the original gig: David Mahoney, David Sollows and Eric Ruff. The ‘newcomers’ who’ve all been part of our group for over twenty-five years are: Brad Fulton and Gordon Rothwell . (Sadly, we lost Jim Rideout in May, 2025.)

The Yarmouth Shantymen have performed in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Maine and are pleased to have graced several stages at the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival on a number of occasions.

⚓ Early Bird tickets go on sale April 30 — don’t miss out: https://www.fundyseashantyfest.com

04/28/2026

✨ Performers on Deck for Summer 2026 ✨
The songs are lining up and the stage is set — here’s another group that many shantyfans already know and love - it's a Dram and a Draw!

Drawing inspiration from the musical past of the Atlantic provinces, Dram & A Draw brings acoustic instruments together with a danceable energy that creates a rowdy pub atmosphere in any room.

Original storytelling and addictive melodies keep the tunes in your head long after the show is over. Their songs "She Was A Maritimer" and "East Coast Town" sing about the places we call home and the people who make them unforgettable.

Dram & A Draw are based out of Kent County, New Brunswick.

⚓ Tickets go on sale April 30 — don’t miss your chance to be part of it!

04/27/2026

⚓✨ The crew is gathering… ✨⚓

You’ve seen a few of the names joining us this summer as we celebrate 5 years of songs by the sea — and there are still more to come!

From rousing choruses to quiet, powerful moments, this year’s Main Stage is shaping up to be one worth singing about.

⚓ Early Bird tickets drop April 30!

Chart your course and get ready for a fun-filled weekend on the Bay. Who is on your crew for this year's shanty shenanigans?

2026 Fundy Sea Shanty Festival

04/27/2026

✨ Performers on Deck for Summer 2026 ✨ Another name joins the bill — and this one’s sure to get the crowd singing. You were probably waiting to hear this news...Yes, Chris Ricketts is BACK!

Chris Ricketts is an internationally acclaimed folk singer/songwriter and shanty singer, known for his unique blend of traditional sea shanties and original compositions. With a career that began after being a semi-finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards, Chris honed his craft while working on cruise ships, a formative experience that deeply influenced his music.

​In recent years, Chris has expanded his reach significantly, particularly through his tours on the East Coast of Canada. These 3 tours have seen him perform at various festivals and venues, including the Fundy Sea Shanty Festival (where he is now a regular host) and other notable events across New Brunswick and Nova Scotia including the hall in Parrsboro and the two performances at the Carleton in Halifax. Throughout these tours, self-penned songs were featured on CBC 1 further embedding the impact on the Canadian audiences. His live performances are renowned for their quick-witted comedy, heartfelt delivery, and ability to engage audiences with the stories and songs from his personal and professional life.

​Chris’s impact extends beyond his live shows. His 2023 album, "Go To Sea No More", was highly anticipated by fans. This album, like his previous work, showcases his deep connection to maritime traditions and his skill in bringing these age-old songs to contemporary audiences with a nod to Stan Rogers in his song 'Masters Of The Sea'. Through the musical tours and recordings, Chris Ricketts continues to leave a lasting impression on the global folk music scene​.

One of the standout elements of his latest album is its focus on the rich maritime heritage of East Coast Canada. Chris has crafted songs that reflect the spirit and history of the Maritimes, drawing from his experiences performing in coastal communities and his interactions with local audiences.

⚓ Mark your calendar for April 30 and get ready to grab your tickets: https://www.fundyseashantyfest.com

2026 Fundy Sea Shanty Festival