20 YEARS OF CIRCUS, BURLESQUE, ART, MUSIC, WRESTLING, AND FREAKSHOW MAYHEM

SHAZAMFEST XX
WHERE THE MISFITS FIT IN!
July 10–13, 2025

Pull out your tents, bust out your best costumes and bring the whole family to this year’s 20th Anniversary Edition of Canada’s Only Neo-Vaudeville Festival!

Salin, Bob Log III, Bloodshot Bill, Taxi Girls, Francbâtards, Friendly Frogs Freak Show, Carmagnole’s Sorceress Circus, Sci-Fi Burlesque, Eastern Townships Wrestling Association, KidzZone Activities & more!

BARNSTON WEST (QC) May 27, 2025 – The grind has got you bummed? Need to escape your daily life? For two decades, ShazamFest has been a unique celebration of unbridled freedom. A place where everyone is free to express themselves, creativity flows, community thrives, and the boundaries between artist and audience fade, offering spaces for revelry and unforgettable shared experiences.

Held on a pioneering organic farm in the Eastern Townships near the Coaticook valley, Quebec’s wildest four-day festival of music, circus, performance art, and community celebrates its 20th edition with a signature blend of freaky fun and fierce commitment to inclusion, sustainability, and DIY culture more than ever before. From July 10 to 13, this year’s anniversary lineup features everything from aerial circus acts, giant puppets, musical mayhem, interactive installations, and interstellar dance parties, to free camping, local culinary delights, activities for kids, and so much more! A genuine grassroots gathering, ShazamFest is truly where the misfits fit in, and where everyone – kids, elders, artists, musicians and rebels alike – are invited to play, express, and make magic in the woods!

⚡ COSPLAY THE PART! ⚡

To crank up the creativity for this year’s 20th edition, each day comes with its own costume-friendly theme to help festivalgoers further dive into the spectacular spirit of ShazamFest:Thursday invites everyone to unleash their Inner Animal—be it a creature of land, sea, or sky.Friday goes full throttle into Sci-Fi Rock ‘n’ Roll—calling all aliens, robots, and intergalactic rock gods.Saturday transforms the site into a Land of Wonders—a day for dreamers, misfits, and fantastical beings.Sunday wraps it all up with Everything Multi-Colour—a kaleidoscopic celebration where everyone becomes a walking rainbow.

⚡ FROM TRAPEZE TO TEASE ⚡

At ShazamFest, the strange is celebrated, the surreal is standard, and the spectacular never stops. Think sword-swallowing clowns, neo-vaudevillian freaks, and towering giant puppets that dance through the trees like forest spirits on parade. The festival’s circus and performing arts lineup blurs the line between dream and reality for 4 days of magic.

Expect an extended weekend with all-day and late-night madness: a fiery Friday night show by Monsieur Poi and La Dame de Feu, spinning flames and sparking imaginations with jaw-dropping pyrotechnics; a Saturday afternoon aerial workshop with Eris D’Eir, followed by a full-on family circus show featuring Carmagnole‘s very own Éliane Bonin as the clowning MC, alongside Mania Knox on aerial chains, Mariana Plick on trapeze-dance, Leon Menes-Rodriguez on aerial silks, Kaylie Kreatrix with object manipulation, and live music by Marc Lalonde.

Don’t miss out on Saturday’s Fashion Show, where the public gets to strut their stuff in their wildest, and most wonderful get-ups—in style, all to the cosmic funk sounds of Kroco. Fugitives from the parasite-controlled planet Krooshnool, these cosmic rebels have landed on Earth to lead a joyous revolt against conformity. Dance your heart out to this alien invasion!

ShazamFest’s freakshow circus ritual is back on the Saturday night. Hosted by Éliane Bonin, the Witches Take Over this year with feats of pain, flame, and enchantment by performers like Mania Knox (iron jaw), Kaylie Kreatrix (sword swallowing), Roxy Cage (the sideshow freak from Toronto), and La Dame de Feu lighting up the night with fire walking and manipulation. The showcase culminates in a collective performance featuring a spellbinding ritualistic ceremony.

Sunday brings a forest sound immersion with Marc Lalonde’s interactive stone instrument installation, and an open aerial workshop for all ages with Nevada & Leon. Then it’s time for the epic We Are All Ninjas family cabaret, hosted by circus family trio MurGo-MéRod, with interactive performances, educational clowning, and a psychomagical crowd workout to open everyone’s hearts and minds.

There’s no shortage of wacky and wonderful fun that the whole family can experience together. Sure, it gets wild—but it never tips too far off the tightrope. This year’s staple neo-vaudeville/burlesque/sideshow mashup is stacked with thrill-seekers and stage-shakers, including burlesque bombshells Rhapsody Blue and Tristan Ginger, in the out-of-this-world ShazamFest Sci-Fi Burlesque Show. Sword-slinging daredevil and sideshow freak, Daddy Red is also set to have festivagoers gasping, laughing, and maybe even gagging—in the best way.

And remember: if you encounter a puppet taller than your tent, a contortionist disguised as a plant, or a clown asking deep philosophical questions – it’s not a fever dream, it’s Shazam!

⚡ UNLEASH THE KIDDOS, IT’S A FAMILY-FRIENDLY FEST! ⚡

Since its beginnings in 2006, ShazamFest has been a proudly diverse, bracingly cutting-edge and family-friendly event. To underline its 20th edition and make it more family-friendly than ever, the KidzZone has promised 20 events & activities per day that include circus skills, hula-hoops, and arts & crafts, among other workshops, plus the kids main event: The Talent Show on the main stage! To be even more inclusive this year, the festival features a new teen hangout by the KidzZone’s Pirate Ship—a space for the youth to call their own!

Meanwhile, the crew at The Temple, a stage dedicated to the younger festivalgoers, is all set with a loony lineup of activities and workshops the likes of costumed tricycle races, giant bubbles with resident clown Lagarto, open music jam sessions, and the epic death-defying Foam Sword Battle!

ShazamFest’s famous FamFood meal option for the kiddos also serves up a 20th anniversary special: 9 meals + 6 snacks throughout the entire weekend (Thursday to Sunday) for only $20! With access to free spring water from the festival’s two pristine underground sources, kids are assured to stay hydrated—just remember to pack a reusable bottle. Another incentive to bring the children along is free festival access for under-14-year-olds and free camping for everyone!

Even the most hardcore helicopter parents can kick off their shoes and float into festival bliss, knowing their kiddos are in good hands—and having the time of their lives. With artists, organizers, and 150+ wonderful volunteers in the mix (not to mention the instant playground of new pals), ShazamFest is always ready to welcome the little ones, teens and adults alike. As KidzZone Founder/Coordinator Ginger Way puts it: “Parents can just grab the meal deal and chill. With so much programming and activities for the little ones, and a whole tribe of kids around, there’s no fuss – they know their munchkins are safe, fed, and fired up with fun all weekend long.”

⚡ MUSIC FOR THE HEART & SOUL ⚡

ShazamFest is back with an epic 20th edition of electrifying performances, blending both local talent and international artists into a tantalizing mix of musical styles that light up the hills and riversides with a blazing burst of energy. Expect nothing less than a thrilling, wild ride through punk, rockabilly, folk, reggae/dub, hip-hop, electronic, and so much more, including musical styles that defy labels altogether!

The festival kicks off in bold fashion with The Friendly Frogs Freak Show, a high-energy instrumental funk band dressed as frogs, serving up danceable grooves inspired by the rhythms and bounce of amphibians—pure funky fun with a playful twist. Catch Juno-nominated drummer, producer, and composer Salin (Révélation Radio-Canada 2025-2026) as she conjures a hypnotic brew of Thai-trance and Afro-funk fire, presented by the Pavillon des Arts et de la Culture de Coaticook. Rock to the roaring energy of Bloodshot Bill, a rockabilly force of nature known for his raucous sound and relentless stage presence, who’s joined by his band for an expanded dose of his hurricane-heavy high energy. Also turning heads are Bob Log III, the mysterious guitar wizard in a racing helmet whose slide guitar and surreal performances have captivated fans worldwide, and the vibrant Brica Brac Soundsystem, a reggae dub powerhouse ready to shake your soul with their deep basslines and mesmerizing melodies.

As the weekend unfolds, other highlights include Taxi Girls, an all-woman powerhouse of punk-infused rock that blends gritty, high-energy sounds, catchy hooks, and raw yet clever lyrics. And get down with Kahnawake’s Oddballers, a progressive hip-hop crew with indigenous roots. But the fun doesn’t stop there—Francbâtards injects a politically-charged Afrobeat, ska, and reggae vibe, while the D’Jef Trio keeps the rhythms flowing via a New Orleans, blues-infused performance with a touch of stand-up comedy that balances poetry and wit.

Over to the Amphitheatre stage, where DJs take centre stage for nightly dance parties nestled in the woods. Expect a dynamic late-night atmosphere led by DJs the likes of Digital Fire and Heartclik (Costa Rica), to name a few, who keep the beats pounding well into the early hours. During the day, this stage puts the spotlight on local Eastern Townships artists, showcasing the best of the region’s diverse and talented musical acts—including Québecois singer-songwriter Réjean Turbide, armed with his banjo, a guitar, a drum kit, a kazoo, a few harmonicas, but most importantly, a good old set of vocal cords soaked in Jack Daniel’s, and Kelowna Rose, warming hearts with her velvety voice, smooth groove, and folkish R&B stylings.

ShazamFest 2025 promises an unforgettable weekend for audiophiles, with over 20 bands and musical acts delivering a rich mix of sound, spirit, and soul.

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Discover the complete 20th anniversary edition lineup here and the full schedule here.

⚡ SHAZAM FOODIE FEST: A FEAST FOR ALL THE SENSES ⚡

This year, Sunday at ShazamFest brings an exciting new addition: Les Gourmands du Shazam, a mouthwatering celebration of local culinary talent. In addition to weekend-long fan favourite vendors, the festival’s adding pop-up kiosks on Sunday that promise to satisfy every craving along with bus tours to two farmer’s markets in the region—Thursday evening in Compton and Saturday morning in Ayer’s Cliff.

Throughout the weekend, festivalgoers can already enjoy a variety of delicious options, with on-site kitchens offering meals for all tastes—vegan, vegetarian, or carnivorous. The beloved Kantine at the FamFood serves up hearty dishes starting at just $5, while T’as-tu ta Tasse? keeps everyone energized with a wide selection of hot and cold drinks alongside flavourful vegan fare. Bird’s Best delights with homemade fries, tacos, and other savoury treats, and A Pizza Sherbrooke serves up its renowned New York–style pizzas all weekend long. For dessert, cool off with a scoop of famous ice cream by local legends Laiterie de Coaticook.

On Sunday, the foodie experience expands even further with a bevy of additional regional food stands joining the fun. Ô Terroir bakery tempts early risers with fresh croissants, chocolatines, and artisanal baked goods, while Chez Matante serves up everything from homemade donuts to colourful poké bowls. Also on hand, Domaine Courval‘s exquisite handmade goat cheese, alongside many more local producers and creators dishing out the best flavours the region has to offer. Come hungry, this is a feast foodies and festivalgoers won’t want to miss!

⚡ AFFORDABLE FUN AT ITS BEST! ⚡

Who says magic has to cost a fortune? ShazamFest offers four unforgettable days of music, circus, and one-of-a-kind performances, plus the simple joys of camping and swimming in a river, for less than the price of entry alone at most campgrounds! That’s right: epic vibes, big talent, and small costs all rolled into one glorious festival weekend!

Strapped for cash? Join the ShazamFam as a LOVunteer! Trade just 12 hours of time over the 4 days for a full festival pass and become part of the magic. To sign up, simply hit the ‘Get Involved’ button at shazamfest.com.

No tent? No problem! ShazmaFest’s friends over at Bivouac Underground have got everyone covered with fully-equipped, budget-friendly camping rentals—from simple solo shelters to deluxe tents fit for the whole glamping crew.

And getting to ShazamFest is easier than ever, as the festival rolls out free shuttle services to help everyone get to the party without the hassle. Free daily shuttles to/from Sherbrooke (with stops in Waterville, Compton, and Coaticook) are offered throughout the weekend. Plus, for the big-city dwellers, a free shuttle to/from Montreal (leaving Friday afternoon & returning Sunday evening) makes that weekend escape we’ve all been dreaming of more attainable than ever!

For anyone arriving on a bicycle, ShazamFest offers a 25% discount at the gate or the discounted weekend Cyclist Pass in advance online.

Want to take your Shazam experience to the next level? Join the tribe and become a Membazam! For just $35 per year, members score sweet discounts, special perks, and help families-in-need join the celebration. Affordable, accessible, unforgettable—that’s ShazamFest!

⚡ ROOTED IN NATURE, POWERED BY RESPECT ⚡

Set in a lush, bug-light riverside haven, ShazamFest isn’t just hosted in nature—it’s built with nature in mind. Hosted on a pioneering farm in organic agriculture, where Festival Founder & Artistic Director Ziv Przytyk was raised and still resides, the fest has always honoured the land it calls home.

From hand-built stages made of reclaimed materials to a long-time ban on single-use plastics, sustainability is in ShazamFest’s DNA. With onsite reusable dishware & cutlery and unlimited free spring water tapped right at the local source, even the ice is made onsite to keep coolers fresh.And for those who want to stick around, Monday’s post-fest Waste Not Sorting Party turns cleanup into a community celebration where food and drink is offered on the house to everyone that lends a hand. A total of only 9 garbage bags were left after last year’s sorting, which hosted nearly 2000 people over the fest’s 4 days!ShazamFest steps up again with free shuttle buses as part of its ongoing green initiatives—cutting emissions while keeping the good vibes rolling. And most of the ShazamMerch is handmade with even lower prices this year, giving everyone a chance to take home a little souvenir. Upcycle your own clothing at the screen-printing booth and get a special 20th Anniversary logo printed for just $5.

ShazamFest: where nature, community, and creativity grow wild—together!

SHAZAMFEST XX
July 10-11-12-13, 2025
2722 Way’s Mills, Barnston West, QC J0B 1C0
www.ShazamFest.com

Day/Weekend/Family Passes Available
Free Entry for Children 13 Years & Under
Free Admission All Day on Sunday

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ABOUT

ShazamFest is a four-day outdoor summertime extravaganza featuring live music, circus, burlesque, dance and other performance arts, as well as wrestling, workshops, activities for kids, an artisan market and locally-sourced food vendors, on a pristine multi-generational organic family farm in Quebec’s picturesque Eastern Townships.