Atlantic Canadian musicians share holiday traditions [Video]

Music is a big part of Maritime holiday tradition. In a region blessed with so many players and storytellers, instruments come out around the kitchen table on Christmas eve and often don’t get put away until the new year.

An east coast kitchen party inspires holiday cheer, but the musicians who bring the party find inspiration in holiday traditions of their own.

“When I think about Christmas, I think about friends coming home,” said singer-songwriter Elyse Aeryn. She said she looks forward hosting and attending parties with friends she only gets to see around the holidays.

“I love everyone being together,” Aeryn said. “That is my favourite part of Christmas.

Cape Breton musician Ashley MacIssac has a different kind of holiday tradition.

“I shut the doors, usually I don’t let anybody in, and I watch Scrooge all day,” MacIsaac said. “The rest of the year I try to give things to people all the time, and …