Saint John is getting ready to rock. The Area 506 Container Village will host the very first Air Guitar Canada East Coast Regional Qualifier on May 16, 2026. You can watch competitors shred invisible guitars right on the waterfront.

How the Event Came to Saint John

The event became a reality after an Area 506 team member found the Air Guitar Canada website last year. The timing aligns perfectly with the opening weekend of the container village.

“We are always on the lookout for interesting events to bring to Saint John to put on stage in the waterfront container village,” said Sarah Tippett, director of marketing and events for Area 506.

“The dates of the nationals are just after the container village opens for the season, so the timing is great that we could have the regional qualifier for the east coast on opening weekend,” Tippett added.

Rocking for a Good Cause

Air Guitar Canada operates as a 100 percent volunteer ran organization. The group focuses on bringing people together and promoting world peace. Their motto states that when you are holding an air guitar, you cannot be holding a gun.

The Canadian chapter turns this mission into a charitable initiative. All events across the country raise money for good causes. This year, the organization partnered with Food Banks Canada.

“We can only go as far as our little gas tanks can take us and we are a 100 percent volunteer ran organization, so we have always partnered with regional organizers in different parts of the country to really give that coast to coast experience, and this year we are so excited to partner with Area 506 so that we can have some east coast representation for the first time,” said Genevieve Leblanc, co director of Air Guitar Canada.

“The more events we have, the more good that we can do, but also the more diversity we can celebrate within this great country,” Leblanc added.

The Road to Finland

The Saint John qualifier is free to attend. If you want to compete, you can find sign up details online. The winner of the east coast qualifier advances to the Toronto Air Guitar National Championships on May 23.

The national champion then travels to Finland to compete in the Air Guitar World Championships. Only one other Canadian has won the world title, Zachary Knowles, who took the crown in 2024.

“Picture it: you get up on stage at Area 506, you show out as yourself and let yourself be taken over by the music,” Leblanc said. “Then you get to have the rockstar experience of being flown out to Toronto and doing it again with all these people from across Canada. If you are the champion, then you would be our first ever east coast champion, and then you would get to represent all of Canada in Finland with representatives from all over the world who participate in the world championships.”

More Information

You can read the original story on Your Saint John or check out the Area 506 Facebook page below for updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Air Guitar Canada East Coast Regional Qualifier?

The event takes place on May 16, 2026.

Where is the event located?

Competitors will perform on the stage at the Area 506 Container Village in Saint John, New Brunswick.

How much does it cost to attend?

The event is completely free to attend.

What charity does the event support?

Air Guitar Canada is raising money for Food Banks Canada this year.

What is the prize for winning?

The regional winner advances to the National Championships in Toronto. The national winner then travels to Finland for the Air Guitar World Championships.