Province celebrates Acadian Heritage Month

Acadians, Francophones and Francophiles across the Island will be able to participate in a variety of community-led activities throughout August during Acadian Heritage Month.

Through the newly created Acadian Heritage Month Fund, eight community-led activities will feature and celebrate Acadian history, culture, and its continued importance to the socioeconomic and cultural fabric of PEI’s identity.

“La Belle-Alliance is proud to receive $3,500 through the Acadian Heritage Month Fund, which will allow the Acadian community in the Summerside–Miscouche region to further discover and appreciate Prince Edward Island’s Acadian heritage through a visit to the Roma at Three Rivers site on August 19,” said Belle-Alliance Executive Director Harison Razafindrakoto. “This initiative will help strengthen our sense of belonging, increase awareness of our history and pass on our rich heritage to current and future generations. We sincerely thank the provincial government for its support in preserving and promoting Acadian heritage.”

The province proclaimed August as Acadian Heritage Month in 2025, and to recognize this important month for the Island’s Acadian and Francophone community, the Acadian flag will be raised and flown at the provincial administrative building in Charlottetown until August 15, National Acadian Day.

“Acadians, Francophones and Francophiles should feel a strong sense of pride and belonging this month as we raise the Acadian flag to recognize the history and the culture of this important part of our population. Proclaiming August as their month and providing financial support to eight incredible Island community organizations to deliver these fun, family-friendly activities across our province is something we are so proud to do to ensure everyone can experience what makes this community so wonderful.”

- Minister responsible for Acadian and Francophone Affairs, Zack Bell

The next intake for the Acadian Heritage Month Fund is expected to take place in the winter of 2027.

Media contact:
Andrew Spraque
Acadian and Francophone Affairs
asgsprague@gov.pe.ca

Backgrounder: 

Le Grand Cercle            
Alliance pour le développement durable de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard          
The play Le Grand Cercle, the culmination of an Acadian trilogy, will be recorded and published online so that it can be made available to the public free of charge.

Immersive Experience at Roma at Three Rivers         
La Belle-Alliance           
A day of historical and cultural immersion at Roma at Three Rivers site will be offered to the Francophone and Acadian community of Summerside. Led by a local artist, the excursion will include a guided tour, workshops on traditional skills and a historically inspired meal highlighting Acadian cuisine.

Acadian Float
Carrefour de l’Isle-Saint-Jean              
The Carrefour de l’Isle-Saint-Jean will participate in the Gold Cup Parade on August 21, 2026, with a float showcasing the colours of Acadie. On the float, a musical group and dancers will perform in a setting inspired by Acadian Charlottetown.

Festival Route 11          
Fédération culturelle de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard inc.           
A free family day will be offered on Saturday, August 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., as part of the Route 11 Festival happening July 31 to August 2, 2026, at Union Corner Provincial Park. The event will celebrate the launch of Acadian Heritage Month with musical performances, a Cajun dance workshop, youth activities, a barbecue and visual arts activities.

Celebrating Acadian Heritage in West Prince
Conseil Rév. S.-É.-Perrey inc.               
In collaboration with the Tignish Shore Association, a special day will be organized to celebrate Acadian heritage during its Best in the West summer series. The event will showcase Acadian heritage through performances by local Acadian and Francophone artists, booths highlighting Acadian traditions and a tasting of Acadian-inspired treats.

Wellington Acadian Day           
Boys and Girls Club Prince County    
BGC Prince County will host a free, public Acadian Heritage Month celebration on August 13, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., at its Wellington Club. The afternoon will celebrate and promote Acadian culture through interactive and family-friendly activities, including a live walk around magic and illusion show, Acadian cooking workshops led by a local Acadian chef, traditional crafts, yard games, face painting, balloon animals, and musical entertainment. 

Acadie – Our Culture  
Association des centres de la petite enfance francophones de l’Î.-P.-É.    
This project aims to introduce Acadian culture to children attending Francophone early years centres. During a themed week, children will participate in a variety of educational, cultural and artistic activities tailored to young learners, including traditional Acadian cooking workshops, dance and music activities, arts and crafts, French-language reading sessions and film screenings, as well as educational workshops delivered in partnership with community organizations.

Acadian Spirit 
Comité acadien et francophone de l’Est        
A one-day cultural event celebrating Acadian roots, language, joie de vivre and heritage will be offered. The day will begin with the official Acadian flag-raising ceremony and a performance of Ave Maris Stella, followed by a community barbecue, traditional toy-making workshops, heritage games and instrument-making activities for the tintamarre. Later in the afternoon, a tintamarre will take place around the Eastern Pavilion, and a local senior will share a historical story. The festivities will continue with a community supper featuring Acadian specialties before concluding with a traditional kitchen party.