Brighten Your Winter with Nova Scotia’s Arts & Culture

Add vibrancy to the winter months with immersive arts and culture experiences. Paint alongside celebrated Mi’kmaw artist Alan Syliboy in an exclusive art session. Explore history with a guided tour of the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre. Take in a captivating performance at Neptune Theatre. Craft a unique keepsake with an award-winning blacksmith. If you’re enthusiastic about exploring Nova Scotia’s diverse arts and culture, keep reading!

Wildertools: Forging Lunenburg Memories

Step into the Wildertools forge in Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to discover the craft of blacksmithing firsthand. Explore the tools, techniques, and artistry behind the work of award-winning smith Rick Marchand, whose blades have appeared in films like 20th Century Fox’s War for the Planet of the Apes and Disney’s Jungle Cruise. Under Rick’s expert guidance, you’ll learn the fundamentals of bladesmithing, experience the thrill of hammering hot steel, and create your own forged keepsake to take home.

The Sutton Place Hotel: Halifax Theatre Stay

Immerse yourself in Halifax’s dynamic arts scene with the Halifax Theatre Getaway. Enjoy a luxurious stay for two at The Sutton Place Hotel, with stunning views of the city. Step out into the crisp evening air and head just steps away to Neptune Theatre, Atlantic Canada’s premier destination for live performance, for two tickets to a show of your choice. Whether you’re a theatre enthusiast or simply looking for a winter escape, visit downtown Halifax and pair modern luxury with the excitement of the stage.

Three women walk into the bright lobby of Neptune Theatre.

Membertou Heritage Park: Membertou Heritage Park Guided Tour

Explore ancient displays and interactive videos on a guided tour at Membertou Heritage Park. See a traditional birch bark canoe and wigwam, hear stories and traditions, and learn teachings from Membertou. Depending on the day, your visit may include a traditional Mi’kmaq drumming and chanting demonstration or a game of Waltes, a Mi’kmaq dice game. Be sure to stop by Petroglyphs Gift Shop for authentic arts and crafts to remember your time in Unama’ki (Cape Breton).

A Mi'kmaw interpreter gives a tour to a group at Membertou Heritage Park in Nova Scotia.

Boxing Rock Brewing Company: Taste of Birchtown

Connect to the history of the Black Loyalists with Taste of Birchtown: Guided Museum Tour & Craft Beer Tasting—a unique experience designed for curious foodies and history enthusiasts alike. On a guided tour of the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre, hear the powerful stories that bring to life the resilience of the Black Loyalists. Then, continue your adventure at Boxing Rock Brewing Company, where you’ll enjoy a charcuterie and craft beer flight pairing, including “Back to Birchtown,” a modern take on an old stock ale.

Alan Syliboy Art Studio: Paint with Alan Syliboy

Visit Alan Syliboy Art Studio this winter for a unique chance to connect with his creative process and make your own masterpiece. Explore the vibrant world of celebrated Mi’kmaw artist Alan Syliboy with a 30-minute guided studio tour where art, music, and storytelling come together. Surrounded by his colourful works, you’ll hear Alan’s stories and insights before painting your own ‘daily drum’ under his guidance.

Mi'kmaw artist Alan Syliboy sharing stories with experience participants around a table

Kitch’inn: 3 Course Thursdays + Ceilidh

Bring your friends or special someone for a fun night out in Mahone Bay. Relax in your modern queen suite at Kitch’inn before savouring a delicious three-course meal at the on-site restaurant Betty’s, specializing in wood-fired pizza and tasting boards. Then kick up your heels at the Thursday night ceilidh, a Nova Scotia kitchen party with live, local Celtic music.