Festivals and Events

No matter what time of year it is, there are always some interesting festivals or events to attend in Nova Scotia!  Signature events include the Royal Nova Scotia International TattooAnnapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival, and the Celtic Colours.  Closer to home there is the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival, Shelburne’s Dock Street Days and Lockeport’s Canada Day Celebrations.

Nova Scotians know how to put together a good festival.  Volunteers work hard for months planning for the event. There’s usually lots of activities for the kids: bouncy castles, clowns, bubbles, and face-painting.  Often there are parades both on land and on the water.  Dances, musical performers, craft vendors and food trucks add to the atmosphere.   And fireworks.  A good festival needs fireworks.

July 1st

Canada Day Celebrations

July 1st
Mid-July

Dock Street Days

Mid-July
Early August

Folk Harbour Festival

Early August
Early October

Giant Pumpkin Festival & Regatta

Early October
Mid Augsut

Hank Snow Tribute

Mid Augsut
Mid August

Journey Back to Birchtown

Mid August
Early October

Shag Harbour UFO EXPO

Early October

Come, and join in the fun.  Are you a sea food aficionado?  Then the Shelburne County Lobster Festival is the event for you?  Have you always wanted to try rowing a giant pumpkin?  Then sign yourself up for the giant pumpkin regatta in Shelburne.  Do you like to dress up?  You could dress like a pirate and attend Liverpool’s’ Privateer Days in full pirate regalia.  For outdoor enthusiasts, there are hiking events, kayak festivals, the Lockeport sea derby.  If live music is your thing, there are always bands and musical performances at every festival.

There are far too many festivals and events for me to list here, so I have picked just a few to highlight.  All of these festivals and events are within a reasonable driving distance.