Nova Scotia Events
Memorable events in the Maritimes.
From music and culture to motorcycles and marathons, the tops of the Highlands to the ocean floor, there’s always something happening in Nova Scotia! Your Maritime Ferry Trail adventure is sure to be anything but boring with a special event for every taste all season long.
Upcoming Events
Broadway in Halifax presents: Come From Away
The long awaited return of Broadway in Halifax is here! We are proud to return with exciting new titles including Come From Away!
Date: November 14-17, 2023
Where: Halifax
Antigonish Jazz Festival
Join us for three days of music across multiple venues in the Town of Antigonish, taking in the musical talents of local, regional, and international artists and ensembles.
Date: November 16-18, 2023
Where: Antigonish
Acadia Christmas Craft Expo
The Acadia Craft Expo is the longest running Christmas Craft Fair in Nova Scotia and has become an established tradition for generations of makers, crafters and the public.
Date: November 17-19, 2023
Where: Wolfville
Glow Halifax Christmas Light Festival & Market
Laugh & stroll under the twinkle of a million lights at Glow Gardens Christmas Light Festival. Towering exhibits, interactive activities and glowing playgrounds will delight the whole family. Kick back at our bar and enjoy a selection of beverages, food and festive music by local performers. Shop our winter market, showcasing local artisans and boutique businesses.
Date: November 22, 2023 – January 01, 2024
Where: Halifax
Credit: Glow Gardens / Photographer: Dylaina Gollub Photography
Pictou Christmas Light-up
Ring in the Christmas season in Pictou at the annual Christmas Light-up. Watch a festive parade in downtown Pictou, a vibrant tree lighting ceremony, a live Christmas play, story reading with Mrs. Claus, local entertainment, complimentary hot chocolate and, of course, Santa’s visit.
Date: December 1, 2023
Where: Pictou
Lunenburg Christmas Craft Festival
This Christmas event is one of the last shows of the season making it the favourite way to wrap up shopping before the holidays.
Date: December 2-3, 2023
Where: Lunenburg
Christmas Card Workshop
Get in touch with your creative side and make the perfect festive cards for your loved ones in a relaxing atmosphere with a glass of wine for $25 per person.
Date: December 3, 2023
Where: Pictou
Past Events
Nova Scotia Music Week
With over 80 artists from various genres, Country to Hip Hop and everything in between, there’s something for everyone! Nova Scotia Music Week engages musicians, fans, and industry from around the world while showcasing the exceptional emerging and established artists who call Nova Scotia home.
Date: November 2-5, 2023
Where: Yarmouth
Devour Food & Film Festival
Join us for the 13th edition of Devour! The Food Film Fest, the world’s largest food film festival focused on all things culinary. Revel in the bounty of the Annapolis Valley while taking in exceptional films, workshops, special events and experiential tourism activities that explore the largesse of our region.
Date: October 23-29, 2023
Where: Wolfville
International Ukulele Ceilidh
With its resurgence in popularity, the music of the ukulele provides a unique and delightful sound. The Ceilidh encompasses workshops, concerts, jam sessions, and restaurant performers. Musicians travel from all over the globe to play at this gathering.
Date: October 20-21, 2023
Where: Liverpool
Nocturne: Art at Night
The Nocturne program guides residents and visitors alike to a variety of exhibitions in galleries and public spaces throughout downtown Halifax, Dartmouth and beyond.
Date: October 12-15, 2023
Where: Halifax
Celtic Colours
Revel in a unique celebration of Cape Breton’s living traditional culture. Discover hundreds of events and activities in communities around the Island, with tens of thousands of visitors from over two dozen countries.
Date: October 6-14, 2023
Where: Baddeck
Bay of Fundy Sea Kayak Symposium
Join us in beautiful Southwest Nova Scotia to be amazed at what this area has to offer kayaking enthusiasts! Open to all paddling levels, sessions will take place in several popular locations during the weekend.
Date: September 29, 2023 – October 1, 2023
Where: Yarmouth & Acadian Shores
Parrsboro Film Festival
Experience the art of Maritime film makers, producers, artists, and directors. Meet and hear stories from those directly involved in making featured films and see local productions that are not yet mainstream during this three-day event!
Date: September 29 – October 1, 2023
Where: Parrsboro
Lunenburg Doc Festival
Lunenburg Doc Fest is a non-profit charity showcasing documentary films that entertain, educate, inspire and enrich the lives of Lunenburg citizens and visitors. The festival promotes local, national and international filmmakers as we share their works with audiences in a four-day celebration of factual storytelling.
Date: September 21-27, 2023
Where: Lunenburg
Canadian Deep Roots Music Festival
Each September, on the last full weekend of the month, the Deep Roots Music Cooperative brings an awesome blend of up-and-coming, alongside tried-and-true, performers to the stages in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Throughout the three-day festival, there will be plenty of events for all ages – and even some dancing!
Date: September 22-24, 2023
Where: Wolfville
FIN Atlantic International Film Festival
One of Canada’s premier film festivals, this eight-day celebration of film, media, and music from around the world will mark its 40th year in 2020. It’s an immersive escape and celebration for movie lovers, filmmakers, and industry professionals alike.
Date: September 14-21, 2023
Where: Halifax
Hector 250 Marquee Events
September 15, 2023 marks the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the Ship Hector in Pictou. The Hector was the first ship that brought emigrants directly from Scotland to Nova Scotia in 1773. There are a variety of activities to commemorate the historical event and a major component of the weekend will be the unveiling and first opportunity to see the restoration progress on the Hector.
Date: September 15-17, 2023
Where: Pictou
Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie
The Gran Fondo has quickly become the largest cycling event in Atlantic Canada, with 970 cyclists last year. Whether you’re a recreational rider, cycling tourist, or avid racer, this fun group grand tour is for anyone who enjoys cycling and beautiful scenery.
Date: September 9-10, 2023
Where: Saulnierville
Acoustic Roots Festival
The Acoustic Roots Festival offers a variety of acoustic music spanning the genres of Folk, Blues, Celtic, Country, and Bluegrass. The annual festival provides an opportunity to showcase Atlantic Canadian talent including a strong Cape Breton component.
Date: September 1-3, 2023
Where: Grand Mira North
Wharf Rat Rally
Hear the roar of 9,000 motorcycles at a festival that attracts over 30,000 visitors annually. More than 80 events in the heart of Digby include live music and entertainment, custom builders and contests, raffles, water sport demonstrations, and guided tours.
Date: August 31, 2023 – September 03, 2023
Where: Digby
Coal Shed Music Festival
The Coal Shed Music Festival is a summer music event created as a fundraiser for the Yarmouth Food Bank.
Date: August 11-13, 18-20,25-27, 2023
Where: Yarmouth
Chester Race Week
Chester Race Week is the largest keelboat regatta in Canada and has been presented by the Chester Yacht Club for more than 100 years. Race Week is a boisterous, busy time, with hundreds of participants and spectators enjoying the associated on-shore entertainment.
Date: August 16-19, 2023
Where: Chester
Digby Scallop Days
Digby Scallop Days, the area’s longest-running festival, is a celebration of scallops, the scallop fishing industry, and the people who brave the seas to harvest them. Digby Scallop Days is celebrated over a three day period starting on Friday and ending on Sunday.
Date: August 10-13, 2023
Where: Digby
Festival Acadien du Clare
The oldest Acadian festival in the world has always been a celebration of Acadian culture and heritage. Thousands of people from all over the world gather in Saint Mary’s Bay every year for a week filled with activities for all ages.
Date: July 29-August 5, 2023
Where: Church Point
Credit: Tourism Nova Scotia / Photographer: Acorn Art & Photography
Harmony Bazaar Festival Women & Song
Harmony Bazaar began as a project of the Shelburne County Women’s Fishnet to provide a stage for female singers and songwriters. The festival grew into a weekend of activities including youth stages, workshops, industry dinners, art galas, theatre performances, and mentorships.
Date: July 28-30, 2023
Where: Lockport
Stanfest: Stan Rogers Folk Festival
See 30+ artists/bands performing on 3 stages over 3 days. Add in camping, crafts, great food and non-stop “jamming” for a memorable weekend. Get ready for a foot stompin’, sing alongin’, all around awesome weekend of music!
Date: July 20-24, 2023
Where: Canso
Credit: Tourism Nova Scotia
TD Halifax Jazz Festival
The TD Halifax Jazz Festival is the oldest jazz festival and largest summer festival in Atlantic Canada. The festival attracts up to 60,000 visitors, involves 400 volunteers and employs over 350 local musicians.
Date: July 11-16, 2023
Where: Halifax
Lobster Bash Digby
Serving delicious Lobster Rolls, Lobster Chowder, and Steamed Lobster at the Digby waterfront event. The weekend of activities comes to an end with the boat Parade of Lights, and a spectacular fireworks show over the downtown waterfront.
Date: July 7-9, 2023
Where: Digby
Antigonish Highland Games
Featuring: heavy event athletic competitions including the famous caber toss, authentic ceilidhs, evening concerts, the biggest parade east of Montreal.
Date: July 2-9, 2023
Where: Antigonish
Credit: Tourism Nova Scotia / Photographer: Gemma Taylor / Off Track Travel
Kitchen Fest Feis a Chidsin
Fiddles and bagpipes, concerts and céilidhs, food and drink, Gaelic language and song, informality and hospitality — consider this your official invitation to Cape Breton’s biggest kitchen céilidh!
Date: June 30-July 8, 2023
Where: St. Ann’s
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
A show inspired by Military Tattoos given by military bands and display teams. It has taken place annually in Nova Scotia’s capital, Halifax since 1979.
Date: June 30-July 3, 2023
Where: Halifax
Privateer Days
Visit Liverpool Queens County Nova Scotia for a fun-filled weekend of events! See a Battle Re-enactment, Historic Encampment, Rum Run, Live Musical Entertainment in the Main Stage, Reptile Zoo, Artisan and Crafter`s Market, Fireworks and Much More – it happens all weekend long!
Date: June 23-25, 2023
Where: Liverpool
Credit: Tourism Nova Scotia
89th Annual Apple Blossom Festival
A springtime celebration of traditions and agricultural heritage with parades, teas, fireworks and other family friendly, fun and mostly free events at the peak time of beautiful blooming apple orchards.
Date: May 24-29, 2023
Where: Kentville