Canada Day Countdown

The Canada Day Countdown is an event first started in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada as a way to re-invent the celebration of Canada's National Holiday: July 1 (Canada Day). The Canada Day Countdown is a free music festival that takes place on June 30 (Canada Eve) at New Brunswick's Festival Place, Market Square. It counts down toward Canada Day the second it arrives at midnight (similar to New Year's Eve) with Canada's National Anthem "O Canada" and fireworks. The first event in 2005 drew record crowds from across the Province of New Brunswick to enjoy this new format for celebrating Canada Day. The main advantage of the Canada Day Eve Celebration is that the Canada Day Countdown Party is always followed by the national holiday the next day so that revellers can stay out into the late evening (and early morning) hours. The event has become a respected showcase of the best in up and coming Atlantic Canadian musical talent.

2015

2015 headline act is folk rock duo Whitehorse.

Filling out the 2015 line-up was:

• Vogue Dots
• The Sadies
• Tartan Terrors
• Unseen Strangers
• Quebec Redneck Bluegrass Project
• Acres & Acres with the Saint John String Quartet
• Sleepy Driver

2014

2014 headline act was eclectic performer Rich Aucion.

Filling out the 2014 line-up was:

• Jill Barber
• Born Ruffians
• Sherman Downey and the Ambiguous Case
• The Jimmy Swift Band
• Garrett Mason
• PINEO
• Balysto Steelband
• In Dreams

2013

2013 headline act was Juno winning group Elliott Brood.

Filling out the 2013 line-up was:

• The Dudes
• Mo Kenney
• The Elwins
• Acres&Acres
• The Caravan
• The Motorleague
• Eldon King

2012

2012 headline act was Juno nominated group Mother Mother

Filling out the 2012 line-up were:

• Hawksley Workman

• Three Sheet featuring Atlantic Cirque

• Tim Chaisson

• Christina Martin

• Naked Baron

• Reagans Rayguns

• Young River Band

• After party with Tupper Ware Remix Party

2011

2011 headline act was Juno Award-winning trio, Bedouin Soundclash

Filling out the 2011 line-up was:

• Hey Ocean!
• United Steel Workers of Montreal
• Keith Mullins
• Earthbound Trio
• With Late Night Dance Party DJ

2010

2010 headline act was East Coast party band Ruby Jean & The Thoughtful Bees

Filling out the 2010 line-up was:

• The Idlers
• Enter the Haggis
• Rose Cousins
• The Deep Dark Woods
• Jon McKiel
• With Late Night Dance Party with DJ Hawk

2009

2009 headliner was multiple ECMA winner Joel Plaskett with his band the Emergency

Filling out the 2009 line-up was:

• David Myles Band
• The Got to Get Got
• Greg MacPherson
• Laurie Jones
• With a special late party featuring the Mardeen

2008

2008 headliner was juno-nominated act In-Flight Safety.

Filling out the 2008 line-up was:

• Hey Rosetta!
• Les Paiens
• Jeff Morris
• Yuk Yuks Comedy
• With a special late night jam featuring the Scientists of Sound

2007

2007 headliner was Halifax-based Wintersleep.

Filling out the 2007 line-up was:

• The Jimmy Swift Band
• Two Hours Traffic
• Divine Heist
• Gordon Gets Lost
• With a special late night jam featuring Madame Brown

2006

The 2006 event was headlined by award winning Canadian rockers The Trews.

Filling out the 2006 line-up was:

• Will Hoge
• Tom Fun Orchestra
• Carmen Townsend & The Shakey Deals

2005

In 2005, the first Canada Day Countdown was led by ECMA award winner Matt Mays & El Torpedo.

Filling out the 2005 line-up was:

• Slowcoaster
• Mr. Something Something
• The Novaks
• Jessica Rhaye
• All of Green