Cape Breton Island 
October is the month when Nova Scotia comes alive with farmers’ markets, fall festivals, and U-picks. Make the most of the cooler weather and explore the Fall colours and fun fall activities taking place around Nova Scotia this October.
October is the month when Nova Scotia comes alive with farmer’s markets, fall festivals, and U-picks. Make the most of the cooler weather and explore the Fall colors and fun fall activities taking place around Nova Scotia this October.
For more see: Things to Do This Fall in Nova Scotia – Events, Activities & Festivals
Kentville Pumpkin People Festival
Celebrate fall at the Kentville Harvest Festival. Enjoy a vendor market, food trucks, climbing wall, bouncy castles, axe throwing, pumpkin carving, and the Kentville Play Zone. The free festival also features a Pumpkin People Workshop and Community Connection Expo.
Details
October 3, 2026
Kentville
Nova Scotia Giant Pumpkin Festival & Regatta
Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend at Shelburne’s Historic Waterfront with a Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off, Pumpkin Carving, the exciting Pumpkin Regatta, and a bustling Local Market. Fun activities for all ages make this a perfect family-friendly event.
Details
October 10, 2026
Shelburne
Don Ross & Julie Malia
Guitar virtuosos Don Ross and Julie Malia return to The Carleton in Halifax. The show features Ross’s distinctive fingerstyle guitar work alongside Malia’s accomplished playing and vocals.
Details
October 11, 2026
The Carleton, Halifax
Kentville Pumpkin People Festival
If you visit Kentville in October, you will see over 300 pumpkin people and dozens of displays set up all around the town. Who knows what kind of crazy antics you will see these gourd-headed guys getting up to! To make sure you don’t miss a display, make sure to download the Pumpkin Person Map.
Details
October 3 – 25, 2026
Kentville
Hike to Some Waterfalls
With the unique landscape of Nova Scotia, it is no wonder that there are so many waterfalls across the province. Though waterfalls are a great visit any time of the year, Fall makes it extremely fabulous with hues of red and gold backdropping gorgeous falls.
Memory Lane Fibre Arts Festival
Celebrate the vibrant world of Fibre Arts! Explore Maritime vendors in the historic buildings, shop, learn, and get inspired. Bring your projects to work on, meet fellow makers, and enjoy a creative atmosphere!
Details
October 17, 2026
Memory Lane Heritage Village, Lake Charlotte
Trecothic Creek & Windsor Railway
Enjoy a ride-on outdoor model railway. This is suitable for children and adults of all ages.
Details
October 11, 2026
133 Centennial Drive, Windsor
Entry By Donation; Rides are free
Spontaneity: Murder Mystery & Improv
Enjoy a night of comedy and suspense with Spontaneity: Murder Mystery & Improv in Halifax. The cast creates a completely improvised whodunnit using audience suggestions, with new characters, clues, twists, and a killer invented on the spot.
Details
October 8, 2026
1743 Grafton Street, Halifax
Cabot Trail Food Truck Rally
Get ready to savour the flavours of the Cabot Trail Food Truck Rally! Food trucks will be stationed at various scenic locations along the Cabot Trail, giving you time to digest their offerings while enjoying the breathtaking views before stopping for your next delicious treat.
Details
October 24 – 25, 2026
Various stops throughout Cape Breton
Devour! The Food Film Fest
Devour! The Food Film Fest
Devour! The Food Film Fest is the largest culinary film festival in the world. Gather your ‘Foodie’ friends and celebrate together at the festival with great local wines and scrumptious food. Wolfville has been called Canada’s Secret Foodie Destination’ by The Hollywood Reporter, since it is surrounded by many wineries, farmers, and other producers. There are over 90 events that make up this popular festival.
Details
October 19 – 25, 2026
Wolfville
Nocturne: Embodied City
Nocturne: Ground is a ‘must-see’ fall event. Each October, this popular festival brings art and positive energy to the streets of Halifax/K’jipuktuk. It is an independent, free, contemporary art festival that showcases contemporary and celebrates the visual arts scene in Mi’kma’ki/Nova Scotia.
Details
October 15 – 18, 2026
Halifax
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Wine Fair Halifax
Join us for an exquisite evening of wine tasting and celebration at Wine Fair Halifax! Hosted by Cellar Events Inc., Atlantic Canada’s first premier women-owned beverage event company, this premier wine event is taking place at the Halifax Convention Centre on Saturday, October 3, 2026, and promises to elevate your wine experience.
Details
October 3, 2026
Halifax Convention Centre
RiverBreeze Fear Farm
RiverBreeze Fear Farm
When night falls on the RiverBreeze Farm, the ghouls and monsters come alive. Find your way through the farm to make it out alive before what goes bump in the night gets you. Are you brave enough to enter the four haunted houses and two mazes at the fear farm?
Details
Friday & Saturday, October 3 – 31, 2026
660 Onslow Road, Truro
Fall Colour Hikes
Fiddle Concert Ceilidh
Celebrate Cape Breton’s rich musical traditions at the Fiddle Concert Ceilidh at The Barn in Margaree Valley. The evening features lively fiddle music in a warm, welcoming setting, offering an authentic taste of the island’s musical culture.
Details
October 9, 2026
The Barn, 691 Egypt Road, Margaree Valley
Huckle Buckle Festival
Join us in Ingonish to celebrate the splendour of fall during the 12th annual Huckle Buckle Fall Festival! Guided Hikes, fabulous food, children’s activities, pumpkins, scarecrows, and ceilidhs—there is something for everyone!
Details
October 17 – 18, 2026
Freshwater Lake Trail, Ingonish Beach
Nova Scotia Forest Festival
The festival is a showcase of the many ways Nova Scotians connect to our forests for their livelihood, housing, recreation, food, and heritage. Featuring live horse logging demonstrations, enjoy axe throwing, hands-on activities & heritage demonstrations for all ages.
Details
October 3, 2026
Memory Lane Heritage Village, Lake Charlotte
The Shadow Returns – Ghost Tour at Sherbrooke Village
Sherbrooke Village invites you to step into the darkened streets for an all-new ghostly experience inspired by Washington Irving’s The Headless Horseman. Drawing from Irving’s timeless tale, its many adaptations, and Maritime folklore, The Shadow Returns weaves a chilling story uniquely rooted in Sherbrooke’s haunted past.
Details
October 2 – 3, 9 – 10, 14 – 17, 21 – 24, 26 – 31, 2026
Sherbrooke Village
Parrsboro Film Festival
This is a three-day event showcasing Atlantic Canadian films, including features, documentaries, and shorts. Enjoy guest speakers, including filmmakers and actors.
Details
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October 2 – 4, 2026
Parrsboro
McNabs Island Fall Foliage Tours
Join the annual Fall Foliage Tours of McNabs Island Provincial Park with the Friends of McNabs Island Society. Experience the island’s autumn beauty during these tours.
Details
October 18, 2026
McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park
Halifax Urban Folk Festival
Celebrate songwriting and live music at the Halifax Urban Folk Festival (HUFF), a multi-venue festival showcasing artists from Halifax and beyond. The lineup features performers including Billy Raffoul, Ria Mae, Chris Murphy, Skye Wallace, Jah’Mila, Joce Reyome, Lloyd Spiegel, and many others, with concerts and songwriter-focused performances across Halifax venues.
Details
September 27 – October 3, 2026
Various locations in Halifax
Sinister Soiree
The annual Sinister Soiree at The Fortress of Louisbourg is a 19+ Halloween bash. Dance the night away to live music and DJ sets, embark on a haunted walk through the reconstructed town, be entertained by buskers in the streets, and enjoy creepy stories by firelight. Take a peek into your future with a tarot card reading or get in touch with someone from your past with a medium. Do all this and more as you explore the historic streets.
Details
October 24, 2026
Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, Louisbourg
A Celtic Colours East Coast Party; Credit: Celtic Colours International Festival
Celtic Colours International Festival
The Celtic Colours International Festival is a unique celebration of Cape Breton Island’s living traditional culture. For nine days in October you’ll discover hundreds of events and activities taking place in communities across the Island.
Details
October 9–17, 2026
Baddeck
Maximum Overdrive
French-Algerian acoustic guitar virtuoso, vocalist and composer Pierre Bensusan finally makes his début at The Carleton on Sunday, October 19th.
Details
October 17, 2026
The Carleton, 1685 Argyle Street, Halifax
Mahone Bay Scarecrow Festival
Credit: Festivals of Mahone Bay
Every fall, Mahone Bay transforms into a whimsical showcase of scarecrows. From benches and balconies to shop windows, hundreds of handcrafted figures appear across town, each with its own quirky personality. Take a stroll through the neighbourhood and find your favourite scarecrow!
Details
September 25 – October 12, 2026
Mahone Bay
Esther Fest
Esther Fest is an annual October celebration in Amherst, inspired by Esther Cox and the infamous Great Amherst Mystery of 1878. Known as one of the best-documented poltergeist cases, Esther’s story of supernatural events, including mysterious noises, flying objects, and ghostly messages, gained international attention and remains a staple in paranormal literature.
Details
October 21 – 31, 2026
Amherst
Valley Harvest Marathon
The Valley Harvest Marathon is a signature event in the Valley that takes place annually during the Thanksgiving weekend.
Details
October 10 & 11, 2026
Wolfville
Explore a Pumpkin Patch
Would it be October without picking a pumpkin to carve into a jack-o-lantern? Luckily, there are pumpkin patches to explore and find that perfect pumpkin to carve this Halloween season. A pumpkin patch is also a great place to take fantastic fall-themed photos.
Details
Mysteries of the Keyhole House
Step into a world of illusion and intrigue with Mysteries of the Keyhole House at Chester Playhouse. Master illusionists Ted and Marion Outerbridge combine theatrical magic, dance, storytelling, and a supposedly haunted century-old house in a family-friendly show filled with mystery and surprises.
Details
October 24, 2026
Chester Playhouse, Chester
Go Apple Picking
Gather your friends and family and take a road trip to a u-pick apple orchard. Spend a fantastic day out in the crisp fall air, picking fresh apples, and even go on a fun wagon ride.
Details
Family Round Up Adventure
Round up the family and go have a great time at Hatfield Farm. Take the horse-drawn wagon ride to Fort Clayton. Meet animals at the petting farm, and enjoy hot dog and fries, Pepsi products, tea and coffee!
Details
Hatfield Farm, 1840 Hammonds Plains Road, Hammonds Plains
