Festival Vibes Hit Different in Winter
THE CONNECTION
Shorter days, gray skies, and a sense of isolation leave many Canadians feeling the blah of seasonal blues — 15% according to the Canadian Mental Health Association, to be exact.
But what if the coldest months of the year didn’t have to feel so... desolate?
Once upon a time, the north’s quiet winters felt like a far cry from summer’s contagious festival energy, but today’s music-centric generation isn’t having it anymore. As long as winter boots and fur coats exist, so will winter music festivals — an effort to prove that even in the heart of winter, the magic of community and live music can thrive.
Because nothing thaws a frozen spirit quite like the invigoration of bass drops under the winter stars. Right?
Photo by Mitchell Fowler
A RECIPE FOR WELL-BEING
A study from Deakin University in Australia found that people who attended live music events reported higher levels of life satisfaction. The researchers assessed self-reported levels of happiness and subjective well-being. The big takeaway? A strong sense of community at live music events was the key contributor to experiencing heightened well-being — go figure.
The music itself (which certainly plays a key role in the dopamine sector) is just one ingredient in the recipe for festival-born happiness, science says.
Moreover, it’s the act of engaging in live music, alongside like-minded people and good company, where the real magic truly happens. Benefits like lowered stress hormones, a sense of unity, and even boosted immune function are a few bonuses of attending these events. These perks are especially valuable for those prone to seasonal blues, making music festivals a perfect addition to slow winter routines when spirits require lifting.
See it this way, if feelings of isolation and reduced serotonin help seasonal slumps thrive, the camaraderie and anticipation of music festivals make for a natural antidote. Luckily, festival organizers are catching onto this, helping turn the winter gloom into something to celebrate.
Photo by Mitchell Fowler
FLIPPING AROUND THE BAD RAP
It’s no secret that winters up north get a bad rap for below-freezing temperatures and seemingly endless dusk. But Canadians aren’t strangers to making winter fun and keeping sane, thanks to the festivals popping up across the country. From Montreal’s Igloofest to Kelowna’s Fireside Festival, you might be surprised how easy (and affordable) it is to enjoy great times in below-zero weather.
Fireside Festival, for example, which started as a small living-room gathering, is now celebrating its 10th anniversary this January in Kelowna, BC. Over the years, it has promised a space of warmth and community in the heart of winter, drawing attendees back year after year.
Much like Fireside Festival and its soul-warming counterparts, winter festivals prove that good music, funky outfits that speak to free will, community, and artistry can thrive without a seasonal agenda — and so can you.
