July 2008
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
July 1-8
Halifax - Halifax Metro
This fast moving, exciting, fun-filled spectacular event featuring international, military and civilian performers is for the entire family.
website
Privateer Days
July 3-6
Liverpool - South Shore
This historically based festival strives to recreate the privateering era with reenactments, a downtown festival, sporting events, music and more! Step back to 1780 for a celebration of the area's colourful privateering history.
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Pictou Lobster Carnival
July 4-6
Pictou - Northumberland Shore
Honouring the lobster industry! Events include entertainment, daily contests (boat races, lobster trap hauling, etc.), parades, buskers, yacht races, lobster dinners and much more!
website
Stan Rogers Folk Festival
July 4-6
Canso - Eastern Shore
A musical adventure that pays tribute to a great Canadian singer/ songwriter. The world of folk music, jazz, celtic, gospel, bluegrass and more is yours to discover in this seaside setting.
website
TD Canada Trust Atlantic Jazz Festival
July 11-19
Halifax - Halifax Metro
The groove kicks in when Halifax comes alive with an eclectic smorgasbord of Jazz, World Beat, Blues and Urban Groove at this annual 9 day festival featuring the best of the east coast alongside a strong international line up.
Loyalist Landing 2008
July 11-27
Shelburne - South Shore
Celebrating the 225th anniversary of the "first" landing of United Empire Loyalists in Canada with historical, multi-cultural, contemporary and participative events.
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2008 Atlantic Regional H.O.G. Rally
July 16-20
Sydney - Fleur-de-lis/Marconi/Metro CB, Cape Breton
The Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) was founded in 1983 and annually holds rallies across Canada and around the world. These rallies give motorcycle enthusiasts a chance to experience the culture of the host city - this year, Sydney!
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Yarmouth Seafest
July 16-27
Yarmouth - Yarmouth & Acadian Shores
This festival of the sea features a pageant, giant sidewalk sale, open air concerts, the Great Nova Scotia Fishfeast, parades, dory and rum running races and more!
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Antigonish Highland Games
July 18-20
Antigonish - Northumberland Shore
A traditional Scottish Highland Games including clan gatherings and concerts, piping, dancing, drumming and heavy event competitions, along with one of Canada's finest outdoor tattoos and the Concert Under The Stars.
website
Halifax Pride Week Festival
July 20-27
Halifax - Halifax Metro
Atlantic Canada's largest pride celebration with a number of events leading up to the big parade at week’s end.
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Louisbourg Encampment 2008
July 25-27
Louisbourg - Fleur-de-lis/Marconi/Metro CB, Cape Breton
Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the second siege of Louisbourg with an encampment of military and civilian French, British and Native re enactors and sutlers - a truly unique opportunity to experience life inside an 18th century town and fortress.
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Festival Acadien de Clare
July 26 - August 15
Municipality of Clare - Yarmouth & Acadian Shores
Canada's largest and oldest annual Acadian cultural festival with fun filled activities for all ages promoting our Acadian culture.
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Mahone Bay Classic Boat Festival
July 31 - August 3
Mahone Bay - South Shore
A family festival celebrating Mahone Bay's heritage as a wooden boat building community. See classic boats in the water and on the wharf, take in the workshops and enjoy the parade, fireworks and entertainment.
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Riverfront Music Jubilee
July 31 - August 3
New Glasgow - Northumberland Shore
A celebration of music from Country to Celtic, Rock to Blues, Children's entertainment and even some alternative musical styles, there is something for every music lover whatever their taste.
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Alexander Keith's Natal Day Festival
July 31 - August 4
Halifax - Halifax Metro
Natal Day is the annual birthday celebration of the communities of Halifax and Dartmouth ... a time where citizens, former citizens, guests and visitors celebrate our civic holiday. Take in parades, live entertainment, sporting activities, family events and the biggest, most elaborate fireworks display of the year!
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August 2008
Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival
August 7-10
Lunenburg - South Shore
Celebrate roots and traditional music at its best! An intimate festival experience not to be missed as musical memories are made by the sea.
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Digby Scallop Days
August 6-10
Digby - Fundy Shore & Annapolis Valley
Celebrate one of the world’s largest scallop fleets. Come and taste how many ways succulent scallops can be prepared. Musical events, scallop shucking competitions, parades, and more!
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Halifax International Busker Festival
August 7-17
Halifax - Halifax Metro
Street performers from all over the world come to town for this 11 day event. Music, magic and fun for the whole family along the waterfront.
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Tent Dwellers Centennial Canoe Festival (Kejimkujik)
August 15-17
Maitland Bridge - Fundy Shore & Annapolis Valley
2008 marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of The Tent Dwellers by Albert Bigelow Paine, a book chronicling a wonderful canoe and trout fishing trip through the interior of southwestern Nova Scotia in the early 1900s. More exciting events are planned for the festival between May and September.
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Wild Blueberry Harvest Festival
August 15-30
Province-wide
Enjoy a variety of events sharing the wild blueberry theme.
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Atlantic Fringe Festival
August 28 - September 7
Halifax - Halifax Metro
Theatre that goes for the edges, presses the form, takes risks, is offbeat and fresh! New work from emerging / established artists from across Canada, the US and the UK.
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Wharf Rat Rally
August 29 - September 1
Digby - Fundy Shore & Annapolis Valley
An action packed weekend for motorcycle enthusiasts!
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September 2008
Discover the Wines of Nova Scotia Fall Festival
September 5 - October 30
Province-wide
Discover the passion and artistry of Nova Scotia's winemakers and some of our province's finest chefs de cuisine. Wine tastings, grape stomps, classes and wine pairing events all await your palate.
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Atlantic Film Festival
September 11-20
Halifax - Halifax Metro
A juried 10 day festival offering current films from the Atlantic region, Canada and around the world.
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Hike the Highlands
September 12-21
Ingonish - Cabot Trail, Cape Breton
10 days of guide hikes in the Cape Breton Highlands of Cape Breton Island
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DRUM!
September 12 - October 12
Halifax - Halifax Metro
One of Nova Scotia's finest musical productions, featuring our four founding cultures – Aboriginal, Black, Celtic, and Acadian – in a heart-pumping spectacle of music, dance, rhythm, and song.
website
Canadian Deep Roots Music Festival
September 26-28
Wolfville - Fundy Shore & Annapolis Valley
A blending of the music of our founding cultures with modern roots music from across North America and around the world.
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October 2008
Maritime Fall Fair
October 10-19
Halifax - Halifax Metro
Mark your calenders for Halifax’s premier family fall event - bringing the country to the city!
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Celtic Colors International Festival
October 10-18
Various Cape Breton venues
Autumn is the time when the sounds of fiddles, pipes and voices in song echo over the island with Celtic Colours International Festival. An event to remember with over 250 musicians, dancers, singers, and storytellers at venues across the Island.
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Halifax Pop Explosion
October 16-20
Various Halifax venues - Halifax Metro
One of Canada's most respected festivals of new and emerging music, art and culture.
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November 2008
Father Christmas Festival
November 29 - December 7
Mahone Bay - South Shore
Larger than life Father Christmas figures are wonderfully adorned throughout the village - it's a winter wonderland of Christmas festivities!
view details | website
February 2008
Savour Food & Wine Festival
February 1-28
Province-wide
Celebrate all the delicacies and tastes of Nova Scotia, from fresh seafood to world-class wines. The culmination of the festival happens March 1 in Halifax, with the Savour Food & Wine Show where you can enjoy signature offerings from over 60 of our finest restaurant and food producers.
view details | website
April 2008
Cape Breton International Drum Festival
April 26-27
Sydney - Fleur-de-lis/Marconi/Metro CB, Cape Breton
This diverse festival encompasses culture and rhythmic performances from around the world and right here at home ... education through performance!
view details | website