Costs for Attending

Tuition

For students joining us for a full week of tuition, workshops, and concerts in June 2026, the costs will be:

Full-time tuition $645
Full-time tuition (Maine residents) $595

Afternoon workshops, jam sessions and concert tickets will be available to purchase individually at a later date.

For those just wanting to attend the festival in afternoons and evenings, daily/weekly passes for workshops and concerts will be available for purchase in spring 2026.

Meals

Full meal plan $335

Dinner on June 21
Breakfast, lunch and dinner June 22 -26
(no breakfast June 27) 

Meals will be provided in the Take-A-Break (TAB) Dining Hall, close to all on-campus accommodation and teaching rooms. College of the Atlantic sources organic locally-farmed foods, and all meat and seafood is humanely raised and sustainably sourced. Vegetarian and vegan options abound, and cookies and treats are baked fresh each morning. COA uses 100% compostable disposables wherever possible, and we encourage you to bring your own reusable beverage containers, etc.

Housing

Single room on campus $795

Shared room on campus $425

Register

Full-time Student Registration

Full-time student registration is now open.

Register here!

Registration opened on October 15, 2025 and will remain open until May 26, 2026. For those wishing to apply for a scholarship, different dates apply – please see more here.

Afternoon Workshops and Evening Concerts

Workshop and concert tickets will be available to purchase in spring 2026. Sign up to our mailing list to get the latest announcements!

Scholarships

Acadia Festival of Traditional Music & Dance offers scholarships to prospective students. This assistance is funded by generous donations from our community, and over 150 students have benefitted from this program since its inception.

Tuition Scholarships

The application period for 2026 tuition scholarship assistance opens with registration and closes on January 31, 2026. Applicants may request between 50%-100% of tuition be covered, depending on need.  All applicants (regardless of outcome) will be notified by email of their award status in February 2026.

Full Scholarships

We are thrilled to offer two full scholarships that will cover tuition, meals, and a shared room on campus for the duration of the Festival. The application period for these scholarships will open with registration and will close on December 1, 2025. All applicants (regardless of outcome) will be notified by email of their award status in January 2026. Applicants who are not awarded a full scholarship will be offered the opportunity to be considered for a tuition-only scholarship. Full scholarships are based on need, and we respectfully ask only those who would not be able to attend otherwise to apply.

Application Details

Applicants must register for the festival and complete the scholarship questions on the registration form.

All applicants will be required to pay a 25% tuition deposit at the time of application.

Applicants who are offered an award will be asked to make payment of any remaining tuition balance no later than May 1, 2026. Awards for assistance may only be used to support attending the festival of that year; funds will not carry over.

If you do not receive a scholarship, or you receive a full scholarship, and/or you opt not to attend (before the May 1 deadline according to our cancellation policy), your 25% deposit will be returned.

Scholarships are available to students at any age and with any amount of experience in their discipline.

Donate to the Scholarship Fund

If you’re looking for information on supporting our Scholarship program, please visit the Donate page for more information.

Accommodations

On-Campus Housing

Students can choose to stay in campus dormitories at College of the Atlantic, or in any of the many hotels or campgrounds nearby.

The College is a zero-emissions campus, with solar power. Dorms have shared bathrooms, and some have composting toilets. Staying on campus is a sure way to catch all of the jam sessions that carry on into the wee hours!

We utilize several different buildings on the COA campus. Some are newer and some older, and all have their own charm. Each room has a twin bed (or more if shared,) dresser or closet, and a desk. There are shared common rooms and fully equipped kitchens on the ground floor for your use, and you’ll also share a bathroom with others (even if you have reserved a single room.)

Offsite Lodging

There are many lodging options (hotels, motels, cabins, airbnb, VRBO, campgrounds, bed & breakfasts) within walking or a short drive’s distance from the COA campus. Camping is not permitted on the COA campus. We invite you to search Google Maps which yields many results, and to explore the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce’s comprehensive list of accommodations located here.

Getting Here

College of the Atlantic (COA) is located at 105 Eden Street in beautiful Bar Harbor, Maine, about an hour’s drive from Bangor ME, a three-hour drive from Portland ME, and a five-hour drive from Boston. There are a variety of good travel options to choose from.

Carpooling

In the interests of the environment – and limited parking space at COA – we encourage you to rideshare to campus. There is a carpool form for participants/concert attendees to connect for this purpose. (Note that this form is used at the discretion of participants, and AFTMD will not be responsible for organizing rides/connections.)

By Air

The closest major airport, Bangor International Airport (BGR) is about 50 miles away and features direct service to New York, Newark, Philadelphia, DC, Charlotte and Chicago and connecting service to hundreds more destinations. There are several ground transportation options available from BGR, including a reservation-based shuttle service, Monday-Friday bus service and rental cars. An Uber/Lyft between the airport and COA typically costs $80-$100.

Bar Harbor is also served by a local airport, Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB), located just 11 miles from College of the Atlantic. BHB features direct service to Boston Logan International Airport via Cape Air. Connections via Boston to many more destinations are available to book via JetBlue. Information on taxi operators and car rentals from BHB can be found here. By Coach Concord Coach and Greyhound both operate daily bus service between Bangor, Portland and Boston. Timetables and booking information can be found on their websites. Downeast Transportation provides Monday-Friday bus service between Bar Harbor and the Concord/Greyhound bus stations in Bangor.

By Ship

The CAT Ferry sails from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia to Bar Harbor in just 3.5 hours. Schedules can be found here.

By Boat

Since Bar Harbor is located on an island and a popular place for both sailing and powerboating, there are many suitable moorings. You can check with the Harbormaster’s Office at 207-288-5571.

Getting Around Bar Harbor

Once you have arrived on Mount Desert Island, there are a variety of ways to get between College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, and other areas of the island. The Island Explorer bus provides free summer service between COA, Bar Harbor Airport, Bar Harbor town, Acadia National Park and many more points. Routes and timetables can be found here. Please note that connecting from Bar Harbor Airport to COA via the Island Explorer requires a route transfer. Information on taxi operators and car rentals from Hancock County Bar Harbor Airport can be found here.

Cancellation & COVID-19 Policies

Cancellation

A 50% deposit will be due upon registration. A refund of this deposit, minus $100.00, is refundable by request prior to January 31, 2026.

From February 1 through April 30, 2026 the deposit amount, minus $250.00, is refundable by request.

Please make all refund requests by email to our Festival Director, April Verch.

Balances are due on May 1, 2026.  There are no refunds after May 1, 2026 for any reason, unless a medical contingency of the registrant will prevent the registrant from attending camp, for which a letter from a medical practitioner or proof of a positive COVID antigen test (from a pharmacy or clinic, not a self or at home test) are required.

In the event of a medical contingency (either before or after May 1, 2026), once adequate proof is provided, a full refund, minus $100.00, will be processed as soon as possible.

Registrations (prior to Registration closing date) are transferable to friends or family members after discussing it with the Festival Director.

Changes to Registrations (meal plans, lobsters, room type) cannot not be guaranteed at any time, and are not permitted once Registration closes.

COVID-19

Following the expiration of the COVID-19 Pandemic Public Health Emergency in 2023, College of the Atlantic fully rescinded its COVID-19 protocol. As such, Acadia Trad Festival will no longer require staff, faculty, or participants to submit proof of vaccination in order to attend the Festival. However, Acadia Trad Festival strongly encourages all staff, faculty and participants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for the health and safety of all attendees. Furthermore, all staff, faculty and participants should familiarize themselves with the Festival’s internal protocol for what to do in the event of a positive case and must have a plan in place to leave campus if they show symptoms or test positive for COVID-19. You can read our protocols for a positive case of COVID-19 here.

FAQ

We hope you’ll take time to browse around our website to learn about who we are, what we do and all we have to offer! This page answers a few common questions in case you need a little help getting pointed in the right direction or finding your way around our site.

Who is the Acadia Festival of Traditional Music & Dance for?

Acadia Trad is for you! Students of all abilities and experiences will find a comfortable place to learn, have fun, and connect with a nurturing community of traditional music and dance lovers! Classes are taught in the aural tradition, with an emphasis on learning by ear. You’ll join an intergenerational community with a wide range of ages (adults and children 12 years and up.) Participants under the age of 18 need to have a parent or chaperone attend with them (and purchase a pass if they aren’t registering to take classes themselves.)

Although our program is designed for students who are 12 years of age and older, certain exceptions may be made for children younger than 12 years who are especially promising and dedicated. If you would like to discuss such an exception with the Artistic Team, please contact our Festival Director.

People of all backgrounds are welcome at our Festival. Please visit these pages to learn more about our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement, our Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy, and our Indigenous Land Acknowledgment.

When do I arrive and depart?

In 2026, registration (and check-in for dorms) will open mid-afternoon on Sunday, June 21, with evening events starting at 7:00 PM that you won’t want to miss! Events wrap up on Friday evening (June 26) and for those staying on campus, check out is (strictly) 9:00 AM on Saturday, June 27.

Where does the Festival take place?

The Acadia Festival of Traditional Music & Dance is held at the beautiful oceanfront campus of College of the Atlantic (COA) at 105 Eden St, Bar Harbor, Maine. COA’s campus is a short drive (or free Island Explorer bus ride) to the splendor of Acadia National Park, and approximately a one mile walk from downtown Bar Harbor where there are shops, grocery stores and restaurants.

Parking on campus is limited, and we will provide information about signage, permits, etc. before the event. Our Transportation page has more detailed information about travel options by car, plane, coach and boat. We encourage ride-sharing and facilitate it with a sign-up and information sheet for participants (also found on the Transportation Page.)

Where will I stay?

Many people find that staying on campus at College of the Atlantic in a private or shared dorm room is the most immersive, economical and rewarding Festival experience. However, there are a limited number of rooms and beds available to us at COA, so if you’d like to stay on campus, be sure to register early before we sell out.

There are also wonderful nearby off-campus lodging options, including many comfortable inns and hotels just a short walk across the street from COA and campgrounds on Mount Desert Island. Our Accommodations page includes links to some of these options.

What can I study at the Festival?

Acadia Trad curates a faculty lineup that honors and celebrates Celtic-influenced traditional music and dance while contributing to its evolution. Each year, these six core disciplines will be featured in our morning classes: Fiddle, Guitar, Piano, Flute, Harp, Dance and Community Singing. In addition to these core disciplines, the festival will include additional disciplines each year, so keep your eyes peeled to see those announcements! Class sizes are limited, so it’s always best to register early to guarantee your place. Visit these dedicated pages to delve into more detail about our Programs, the Music, Dance, and Singing classes we offer, and a daily Schedule Overview.

Who will I study with?

At Acadia Trad, morning class groups study with dedicated instructors in their discipline (instrument, song, or dance.) In the afternoons, we offer faculty-led ensembles, social dances, community singing and workshops. So you’ll have a chance to study and play/dance/sing with all of our world-class faculty, whether you choose the major discipline they are teaching, or not!

Check out our Faculty page to find out who you’ll get to know at the Festival! More in-depth details on our programming, and which groups are available for different disciplines, can be found on our Programs page.

What is the “Fiddler’s Shuffle”?

The Acadia Trad Festival is dedicated to celebrating and carrying forward the music and dance traditions with Acadian roots and other related styles. Each year our Fiddle Faculty will be comprised of masters from these various styles, and together make up the “Fiddler’s Shuffle” of instructors. Each Seal and Bear Fiddle class will rotate through these instructors throughout the week, studying the repertoire and stylistic variations that define these styles.

Can I study more than one discipline?

Due to the way that our instructors rotate through class groups throughout the week, we recommend that people choose to stick with one “major” discipline for the morning core classes. Each instructor teaches their class with material progressing through the week, so switching between disciplines in the morning will mean that you miss important progressive material in one, while you’re attending the other.

However, we absolutely encourage students at Acadia Trad to explore different styles / genres / disciplines / etc. while at camp. For students wishing to explore more than one discipline (instrument, song, or dance) we recommend choosing one to focus on in the morning core classes, and exploring the other during the afternoon in our various workshops, sessions, and ensembles. There is a lot on offer!

What’s included in my registration?

Full-time registrants get it all! Core morning classes, all afternoon workshops and events, and admission to evening concerts and dances.

Can I still participate, just not as a full-time student?

Yes! Each afternoon during the Festival, we present a wealth of Workshops that are available for the public to purchase. These are wonderful opportunities to dive into the music, dance and singing traditions we celebrate at Acadia Trad. Hone your skills, learn about the history of these traditions, add tunes to your repertoire – and then share them in jam sessions with your fellow students and our world-class faculty! Our workshop schedule will be announced in spring. Tickets (individual, daily pass or weekly pass) will be on sale to buy in advance online here or in-person on campus during the Festival week.

Do you offer scholarships?

We have a robust scholarship program that is 100% funded by our generous community! We encourage you to learn all about it and apply and to make a tax-deductible donation to the Acadia Trad scholarship fund if you are able.

Are evening concerts open to the public?

Yes! Whether you’re local or just passing through, we invite you to join us for these incredible concerts featuring our faculty in special collaborations throughout the week. Learn more about our concert line-up here, and purchase tickets in advance. Our evening concerts often sell out, so don’t delay in purchasing your tickets (individual or a weekly pass.) If you’re attending as a student and would like to have family or friends join you, plan to buy theirs early as well!

What’s the COA campus like?

College of the Atlantic is a small environmental studies school surrounded on one side by Acadia National Park and the other by the Atlantic Ocean. You can start off your day with a dip in the ocean or a stroll along the pier, just a 5 minute walk from the dining hall. On your way to classes you are likely to pass white-tailed deer and chipmunks!

Many of the pathways are dirt and gravel, so it’s a good idea to bring layers of clothing, appropriate outdoor footwear, sunscreen, and bug spray. If accessibility is a concern for you, we encourage you to contact our Festival Director with your specific questions and needs, so we can supply further information.

The college’s wireless network is available in all buildings and many outdoor spaces (and we’ll provide instructions to help you login.) Phone service is pretty decent, depending on your provider. There are no ATMs on campus, but many are available in Bar Harbor. There are coin-operated laundry machines on campus that are available for your use (please bring quarters and your own detergent.)

Other campus rules (such as pets, smoking, alcohol and noise curfews) and information (quiet spaces, emergency instructions, storage for instruments, maps for finding your way around) will be covered in your registration package. Long story short – it’s a magical place to be. We love it and we think you will too!

What are the dorms like?

We utilize several different buildings on the COA campus. Some are newer and some older, and all have their own charm. Each room has a twin bed (or more if shared,) dresser or closet, and a desk. There are shared common rooms and fully equipped kitchens on the ground floor for your use, and you’ll also share a bathroom with others (even if you have a private room.) Buildings are stocked with cleaning supplies, garbage bags, paper products, etc. and it is up to us as a community to clean up after ourselves during our stay.

There are almost no bedrooms on the ground floor of buildings, and only one dorm building has elevators. If you have concerns about stairs, please let us know on your registration form so we can do our best to place you accordingly. If you play a heavy instrument, please know that they are often left in the classrooms so you don’t have to carry them around campus.

How’s the food?

This might be the number one question on your mind, and it’s also a top comment in our feedback surveys! “The food is so good!” You can read a lot more about it on the COA website here, but let us assure you that the kitchen staff does an excellent job of accommodating different diets, allergies and restrictions. Meals feature organic locally-farmed vegetables and ingredients, and humanely raised / sustainably sourced meats and seafood.

Full meal plans are available for purchase for registrants who are staying both on and off campus. Participants who have not purchased a meal plan in advance or are not attending full time, will have the option to buy meals à la carte 30 minutes after meal times start when there is food left over. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor space to enjoy meals, so even if you’re not staying on campus and want to bring your own meals with you, we encourage you to pull up a chair and dine with a new or old friend!

We also provide a free coffee/tea break for ALL registrants each day and some munchies at evening jam sessions (when you’re also welcome to bring some to share.)

What should I plan to bring with me?

If you’re staying on campus, you will receive a linen package consisting of twin sheets, a pillowcase, a bath towel, and a face cloth. Each bed will also have a pillow and blanket. Please see our Things to Bring to AFTMD list for other items you might want to consider packing. We will do our best to keep this list up to date as things evolve.

Can I rent an instrument?

We are sorry that this isn’t a service we are able to offer. All participants (including piano/keyboard players) are required to bring their own instrument.

What is your COVID-19 policy?

At present, Acadia Trad does not require proof of vaccination to attend the festival, though we strongly encourage all in attendance to be fully vaccinated, to self-test prior to arrival at the event, and to mask as appropriate. We invite you to read our full COVID-19 policy, and our protocols for a positive case of COVID-19 here. We will operate dynamically in compliance with state and COA guidelines.

Do you have a refund policy?

We understand that your plans may change, and we do our best to remain flexible while also making sure we can pay our bills. Read our full cancellation policy here, which also includes information about deposits, balances and medical contingencies.

What about sustainability?

We are committed to putting on a Festival with the least environmental impact possible. The College is a zero-emissions campus, with solar power, composting toilets, and organic locally-farmed foods. We use 100% compostable disposables wherever possible, and we encourage you to bring your own reusable beverage containers, etc. We’re also proud to support the efforts of the Sustainable Touring Artists Coalition. Thanks for helping us keep our planet clean and healthy!