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Buskers performing before crowds on the Halifax Waterfront at sunset

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Don’t Miss Events in Nova Scotia in 2025

If you’re planning on travelling to or within Nova Scotia in 2025, be sure to check the calendar for the exciting events happening across the province. There is at least one festival, event, or performance happening every week July through September with monthly don’t miss events happening year-round.

Check out the list below and click through to our Festivals and Events page on NovaScotia.com for even more!

June

Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Halifax
June 27–July 1
One of the world’s premiere indoor cultural and entertainment events, featuring over 2,000 world-class Canadian and international military and civilian performers.

Visit the official Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo website: nstattoo.ca

KitchenFest! | Féis a’ Chidsin!, various locations around Cape Breton
June 28–July 6
Take in one of the dozens of concerts and events happening around Cape Breton and kick off the summer while kicking up your heels!

Visit the official KitchenFest! website: kitchenfest.ca

Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo

July

Pictou Lobster Carnival, Pictou
July 4-6
Come celebrate another successful lobster fishing season during the annual Pictou Lobster Carnival in the town of Pictou. Lobster lovers can take part in all the festivities from live music and parades, and carnival fair rides to lobster boat races, lobster banding competition, lobster trap hauling contest, and of course, delicious lobster suppers.

Visit the Pictou Lobster Carnival official website: pictoulobstercarnival.ca

Antigonish Highland Games, Antigonish
July 6–13
Held annually for over 150 years, “The Games” are a true showcase of Scottish culture, featuring athletes, pipe-and-drum bands, and highland dancers from across the country and around the world, with Scottish-flavoured ceilidhs, clan activities, and concerts.

Visit the official Antigonish Highland Games website: antigonishhighlandgames.ca

TD Halifax Jazz Festival, Halifax
July 15–20
The oldest jazz festival and largest summer festival in the Atlantic region featuring the best of the East Coast alongside a strong international lineup presenting jazz, world, blues, Latin, and much more.

Visit the official TD Halifax Jazz Fest website: halifaxjazzfestival.ca

Halifax Pride Festival, Halifax
July 17–27
Join participants at Canada’s fourth largest and Atlantic Canada’s largest and oldest LGBTQ+ Pride Festival. Come out and celebrate the community with cruises, an inter-faith service, the Halifax Pride Parade, and to close out the celebration, a dazzling fireworks display.

Visit the official Halifax Pride website: halifaxpride.com

Stanfest: Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Canso
July 21–27
Some of the finest songwriters and performers in North America gather at this international festival to celebrate the lasting contributions Stan Rogers has made to folk music.

Visit the official Stanfest website: stanfest.com

Festival acadien de Clare, Clare
July 27–August 4 and August 15
Celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025, the modern marries with the traditional at the oldest Acadian festival in the world. Take in concerts, art and quilt expositions, enjoy a nature hike showcasing the beauty of Baie Sainte-Marie, and experience the Tintamarre, a noise parade and walk on National Acadian Day on August 15.

Visit the official Festival acadien de Clare website: festivalacadiendeclare.ca

Not Since Moses 5k and 10K, Five Islands
July 13
Based on optimal low tide times, the annual Not Since Moses run takes place on the ocean floor of the Bay of Fundy near Five Islands Provincial Park. This muddy run will bring walkers and runners past views usually only seen by boat. When you finish, watch as the tide slips back in, covering the race course with oceanwater up to 50 feet deep!

Visit the official Not Since Moses website: notsincemoses.ca

Halifax International Busker Festival, Halifax
July 30–August 4
Historic Halifax waterfront comes alive with entertaining, action-packed shows. Featuring street performers from across the globe, this is a family-oriented, free-to-attend festival event with music, magic, and fun for all tastes.

Visit the official Halifax International Busker Festival website: buskers.ca

Festival de l’Escaouette, Chéticamp
July 31–August 3
The festival celebrates the rich Acadian culture and traditions with a variety of music, dance, theatre, kitchen parties, a parade, and many more activities for all ages.

Visit Festival de l’Escaouette’s Facebook page: facebook.com/FestivalDeLEscaouette

Acadian Day
Acadian Day

August

The Jubilee East Coast Music Festival, New Glasgow
August 1–3
Setting the stage for the region’s rising stars to perform alongside seasoned local and international musicians, this popular summertime music event offers an eclectic mix of rock, blues, folk, and country music.

Visit the Jubilee East Coast Music Festival’s official website: thejubilee.ca

Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival, Lunenburg
August 7–10
Nova Scotia’s longest-running folk festival brings the best in traditional and contemporary music to scenic Lunenburg, showcasing great Nova Scotian and international talent.

Visit the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival’s official website: folkharbour.com

Halifax Seaport Cider & Beerfest, Halifax
Check back for 2025 dates
Enjoy “beer on the pier” at Atlantic Canada’s largest gathering of craft beer, cider, and imports. Over 100 producers from all over Canada and the world join those who work their craft right here in Nova Scotia! Delicious food and toe-tapping music round out the festival.

Visit the official Halifax Seaport Cider & Beerfest website: seaportbeerfest.com

Chester Race Week, Chester
August 13–16
The Chester area is no stranger to yacht racing. With firm roots in sailing dating back to more than 150 years ago, this quintessential Nova Scotia village welcomes dozens of racers to Canada’s largest keel racing regatta each year. Enjoy lots of action both on and off the water!

Visit the official Chester Race Week website: chesterraceweek.com

Wharf Rat Rally, Digby
August 28–31
This event held annually brings motorcycle enthusiasts to the seaside town of Digby. Take in live music, stunt shows, vendor booths and custom builders.

Visit the official Wharf Rat Rally website: wharfratrally.com


September

Atlantic International Film Festival, Halifax
September 10–17
The Atlantic International Film Festival is an eight-day celebration of film, media, and music from around the world that takes place in Halifax. It features screenings, industry panels, events, receptions, special presentations, and awards ceremonies in a charming and historical coastal city setting.

Visit the official Atlantic International Film Festival website: atlanticfilmfestival.ca

2025 Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie, Saulnierville
September 13–14
Cyclists will be challenged with rides ranging from 35 to 117 kilometres in length where they will navigate rolling inland roads and pass by towering wooden churches along the panoramic coastal route that hugs beautiful Baie Sainte-Marie during the bi-annual Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie. Acadian culture is highlighted during social events on the Saturday before the ride.

Visit the official Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie website: granfondobaiesaintemarie.ca

Nova Scotia Stampede, Bible Hill
September 18–21
Experience a weekend filled with thrilling pro rodeo events such as saddle bronc, bareback riding, bull riding, gymkhana, and barrel racing, along with live musical entertainment, delicious local food, and a variety of activities for all ages at the second annual Nova Scotia Stampede.

Visit the Nova Scotia Stampede’s official website: novascotiastampede.com

Canadian Deep Roots Music Festival, Wolfville
September 26–28
Celebrating Nova Scotia’s rich and diverse musical traditions, blending the music of our founding cultures with modern roots. A blend of up-and-coming and tried-and-true performers light up festival stages. Free events for all ages.

Visit the official Canadian Deep Roots Music Festival website: deeprootsmusic.ca

New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee
New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee

October

Celtic Colours International Festival, Cape Breton
October 10–18
Autumn is the time when the sounds of fiddles, pipes, and voices in song echo over all over Cape Breton Island. With over 250 local, national and international musicians, dancers, singers, and storytellers appearing at venues across Cape Breton, this is a music event you won’t soon forget.

Visit the official Celtic Colours International Festival website: celtic-colours.com

Nocturne: Art at Night, Halifax and Dartmouth
October 16–19
Nocturne brings art and energy to the streets of Halifax and Dartmouth. Take in dozens of displays of visual art in galleries and public spaces and be sure to download the festival’s app or pick up your map before heading out to take part in this free event.

Visit the official Nocturne: Art at Night website: nocturnehalifax.ca

Devour! The Food Film Fest, Wolfville
October 20–26
This international festival celebrating cinema, food, and wine culture attracts top-notch chefs from around the globe. Festivalgoers enjoy food films, wine tours, farmers’ market events, special dinners, chef demonstrations, tastings, and pop-ups.

Visit the official Devour! website: devourfest.com

Celtic Colours International Festival
Celtic Colours International Festival

November

Hal-Con, Halifax
November 7–9
Head to Atlantic Canada’s biggest sci-fi convention for costume contests, vendors, autograph/photo sessions, panels, gaming, and much more! Here’s your change to enjoy music, stage shows, and small social gaming circles with the chance to rub elbows with the famous and infamous of geek pop-culture.

Visit the official Hal-Con website: hal-con.com

Evergreen Festival, Halifax
Check back for 2025 dates
Join in this 4-week-long outdoor late fall/early winter celebration of Nova Scotian culture, food, spirits, craft, art, and memorable experiences. Don’t miss the local vendor village, light displays, hot cocoa trail, live entertainment, and more!

Visit the official Evergreen Festival website: discoverhalifaxns.com/evergreen-festival

Evergreen Festival
Evergreen Festival

February 2026

Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl
This annual month-long festival takes place along Nova Scotia’s South Shore, from Barrington to Peggy’s Cove, and focuses on our favourite crustacean, the lobster! Sip, savour, shop, stay, and enjoy more than 100 amazing lobster experiences.

Visit the official Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl website: lobstercrawl.ca

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