Lawnya Vawnya gets its name from an old Newfoundland expression meaning “To have a good time at a dance or a party with plenty to eat”. It is a good time by the sea.

Lawnya Vawnya takes place the first week of June each year.

People interested in information about past LV lineups from the festival can check out our Poster Archive.

People interested in information about past LV lineups from the festival can check out our Past Festival Artists page.

Lawnya Vawnya is a non-profit arts organization that presents year-round multidisciplinary and collaborative artistic experiences focusing on independent music, including a multi-day festival of music and art hosted each spring in downtown St. John’s, Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland).

The LV HQ is located at 4 Clift’s-Baird’s Cove, downtown St. John’s. Look for the bright blue doors!

Billeting involves offering your space as accommodations for visiting artists during the festival. This could include allowing artists to stay in your home while you’re out of town or offering up a spare room.

Applications open in July and close end of September.

The majority of the festival is programmed through the application process, with a few select acts curated by our Programming Director. Applications are reviewed by a committee of staff, board, and community members.

Unfortunately, due to the high number of applications received each year, Lawnya Vawnya cannot accept late applications.

Keep an eye on our social media for our annual call for applications. Lawnya Vawnya can be found on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, YouTube, and TikTok.

Volunteers are an essential part of Lawnya Vawnya and are involved in a wide range of festival activities including, but not limited to, running merch tables, driving equipment and artists to venues, and setting up and tearing down events.

Volunteering is a great way to get involved while helping out your community and gaining experience in the festival world. Lawnya Vawnya volunteers also receive festival perks such as a festival wristband and a lineup tee as a thank you for their help!

People interested in volunteering or billeting with Lawnya Vawnya can fill out the relevant form on our Volunteer and Billet page.

Billeting is a great way to help out if you are going to be out of town or have extra space in your place. Lawnya Vawnya billeters also receive festival perks as a thank you for their help!

All current open positions with Lawnya Vawnya can be found on our Job Opportunities page. Open positions are also announced on our social media. Lawnya Vawnya can be found on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, YouTube, and TikTok.

Yes! Lawnya Vawnya does sell tickets for events at the door depending on capacity.

Yes, we do! Once our festival schedule is out, visit our Tickets page for more details.

You will be sent directions on how to pick up your wristband to the email address used to purchase the wristband. If you do not receive an email please contact marketing@lawnyavawnya.com.

Lawnya Vawnya does not offer refunds on tickets purchased. However, we do encourage ticket holders who can no longer attend to resell their tickets.

Lawnya Vawnya does offer a Saturday pass for festival attendees. The events on Saturday are scheduled so that festival attendees can do and see as much as possible. Find out more about the Saturday pass on our Tickets page.

For artists selling merch through Lawnya Vawnya, their merch can be found at their performances and the Merch and Print Fair. Merch may also be available at some workshops. Late night shows will not have artist merch.

Keep an eye on our social media for our annual Merch & Print Fair application call. This normally comes out about 2 months prior to the festival. Lawnya Vawnya can be found on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, YouTube, and TikTok.

Current Lawnya Lawnya merch is sold at most festival performances and the Merch and Print Fair. No merch will be sold at light night shows.

All remaining Lawnya Vawnya merch from previous festivals is sold through our website on the Merch page. These items are in limited supply and are not restocked.

If a photo of yourself or a minor has been posted by Lawnya Vawnya and you would like it removed from social media, please email marketing@lawnyavawnya.com.

If you identify a crisis, are in need of support, or would like to report an incident at a Lawnya Vawnya event, please speak to a volunteer or staff member. All staff can be identified by their Lawnya Vawnya lanyard at every event. A confidential report or complaint about an artist, volunteer, staff member, or attendee can also be made by email to director@lawnyavawnya.com at any time.

It depends on the event. Lawnya Vawnya is proud to offer a variety of events for different age groups.

Accessibility information is available on our Venues & Accessibility page.

Yes! Lawnya Vawnya offers several events and workshops each year that are free to the public.