2016: Cancelled

It is with great regret, that we must announce the cancellation of The Forest Festival 2016 due to unresolved regulatory issues between Haliburton Forest and the Dysart et Al municipality.

Over the past nine years there have been many memorable performances from some of Canada's most talented artists and musicians. Equally memorable are the intimate moments between the songs, the laughter, the spectacular sunsets on Bone Lake, and the stories made and shared together. We wish to thank the many volunteers who have worked hand in hand with Haliburton Forest staff over many years to create an annual August event that was eagerly anticipated by people far and wide. Support from the public has seen the Festival grow steadily, without public money of any kind. Businesses and citizens alike benefit from the vibrancy and well-being that performing arts bring to a community, especially a rural community like Haliburton. Art festivals such as ours have enhanced Ontario’s cultural, social and economic life.

Our tenth anniversary season was to have featured Buffy Sainte-Marie, Ian Tamblyn, Jimmy Rankin, The Nylons, Jim Cuddy and Melissa Bel. It is our hope that the cancellation of this year's Festival is a pause rather than an ending, and that we can continue to bring artists and audiences together in the heart of the Forest in the future.

    Stuart Laughton
    Founder and Artistic Director, The Forest Festival

2015 Highlights