Northern Lights Festival Boréal kicks off in Sudbury

Playing null of undefined

Northern Lights Festival Boréal kicks off with diverse lineup

Sights & Sounds: Northern Lights Festival Boréal

Northern Lights Festival Boréal lineup announced

The Northern Lights Festival Boréal (NLFB) launched at Sudbury’s Bell Park on Friday, marking the return of one of Canada’s longest-running music festivals.

Established in 1972, the event features more than 35 artists performing across seven stages until Sunday.

“We’ve got so many artists lined up,” said Kailin Kohls, NLFB’s social media and communications representative.

“We’ve got a mix of Francophone, a mix of English artists as well as some Indigenous folks, which are just going to bring us together to have one of the best weekends here in Sudbury.”

Kohls said tickets have been selling steadily, and the City of Greater Sudbury estimates the festival will draw 10,000 attendees over three days, generating an economic impact of $400,000.

This year’s lineup includes the festival’s first Punjabi artist and a trilingual performer singing in English, French and Ojibway. Kohls said organizers aimed to showcase diverse talent and foster community connections.

“We wanted to give people a chance to kind of see some of how the artists work and like their flow,” she said.

“We wanted to make a place for people to find their sense of community in the music that we’re showing here.”

Sudbury-born singer Kate Maki will perform new music for the first time in over nine years.

“I’m really excited,” she said.

“It’s just really fun to play with my band. My band is really fun. There’s seven of us, lots of great musicians and I know that there’s going to be a lot of family and friends in the crowd.”

Maki, a veteran of six or seven NLFB performances, praised the festival’s unique atmosphere.

“It’s got the best community feel – it’s always full of all of Sudbury’s artists and musicians, and a lot of family and friends come out,” she said.

“I always discover new musicians and new artists whenever I go. There’s always something for everybody.”

Headliners include Lights, Jamie Fine and Destroyer.

The NLFB Family Area offers free admission after 5 p.m. and free entry for children under 14.