Festivals and Events in Nova Scotia
We love to have fun here on the Atlantic, and what better way to round out your Nova Scotia vacation than to get in on a fun festival or event here. Throughout the summer, it feels like there’s nearly one every night, depending on where you are. From cultural festivities to live music and fun food events you’ll find all the ingredients for a good time. Keep in mind if you are having a really great time, there are some great cottages and hotels nearby that would be great for an overnight stay.
We love our food festivals in Nova Scotia. Check out the Apple Blossom Festival in Kentville, located in the lovely Annapolis Valley, every May. Signifying the beginning of the apple season, locals and visitors alike celebrate with glow parties, games, food and great live entertainment. To close the growing season the Valley Pumpkin Fest in October celebrates the harvest with great locally grown food, a mask making competition and painting competition.
We especially love our lobster. The Pictou Lobster Carnivalcelebrates the end of the fishing season and is full of maritime culture and hospitality, while Lobsterpalooza on Cape Breton Island features tasty treats and fresh seafood all along the Cabot Trail.
The Cape Breton Island in particular loves to find every reason to celebrate. The island has inspired many musicians and artists to make a name for themselves in this world—Rita MacNeil, The Rankin Family and Natalie MacMaster are great examples. The East Coast Music Awards and the Cape Breton International Drum Festivalare two musical highlights to check out.
If you like music and love to dance until the wee hours check out the Eclipse Music Festival, voted CBC Radio 3’s top Canadian Music Festival. To experience the Celtic culture and heritage of Nova Scotia be sure to stop by the Hike the Highlands, the Celtic Colours International Festival and especially the Antigonish Highland Games—the oldest highland games event outside of Scotland. Attend a ceilidh, listen to pipe bands and watch highland dancing!
The Festival Acadien de Clare is great for those looking for a taste of Acadian culture and is great for the whole family. We love our seaside location and celebrations like the Yarmouth Seafest, and Queens County Seafest attest to this. Dig into your roots and attend the Nova Scotia Folk Art Festival or the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival, held in August. TheRoyal Nova Scotia International Tattoo festival in Halifax features bands from around the world, dancers, acrobats, and choirs.
Another unique Nova Scotia festival is the Halifax International Busker Festival, celebrated in August every year. The downtown and waterfront areas play host to jugglers, musicians, mimes, fire eaters, musicians, and many other amateur artists you’ll want to spend hours watching. Film enthusiasts will also want to visit during the Atlantic Film Festival, and Al Fresco Film Festo, which attract thousands of tourists to Nova Scotia every year to showcase films and show off Atlantic Canadian culture. Nova Scotia has a bustling arts and culture scene and there’s no better way to get in on the action than to get into a fun festival or event here.
