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
OX Haul
One of the most popular sports at the Shelburne County Exhibition is the “ox-hauls.” Come and see which team wins the ox hauling.
Details
September 30 – October 1, 2023
Shelburne
2nd Annual Youth Songwriters’ Circle
Hosted by Silas Bonnell, this year’s edition features performances by Myla Walker, Jahquoia Blake, Alexis Adlington, Sarah Bradford, Madeline Salter, Katelyn Ross, Sylvie Aulenback and Reese Bell.
Details
October 1, 2023
The Carleton, Halifax
$11.50
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 that 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.
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October 7 – 29, 2023
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.
Phantom’s FreakShow Haunted House
Phantom’s FreakShow Haunted House opens its doors on October 1st and will run every weekend throughout the spooky season.
October 1 – 29, 2023
23-325 Main Street, Kentville
Hal-con
If you are geek, nerd or love sci-fi, horror, comics or pop culture, then you need to make your way to Hal-con this October. It is a weekend filled with great panels, vendors, and you can meet some of your favorite stars at this Halifax convention.
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October 27 – 29, 2023
Halifax Convention Centre
Trecothic Creek & Windsor Railway
Enjoy a ride-on outdoor model railway. This is suitable for children and adults of all ages.
Details
October 1 & 8, 2023
133 Centennial Drive, Windsor
Entry By Donation; Rides are free
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.
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October 23-29, 2023
Wolfville
Nocturne: Art at Night Festival
Nocturne: Art at Night 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.
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October 12 – 15, 2023
Halifax
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 nights in October 2023
660 Onslow Road, Truro
Fall Colour Hikes
Perhaps no Fall activity is as simple or as great as going on a walk around tree-lined neighbourhoods during Fall. Kick it up a notch by going on some of the fabulous Fall hikes around Nova Scotia.
Peggy’s Cove School House Concerts
Slip into your dancing shoes and scoot over to The Schoolhouse at Peggy’s Cove, for a good old-fashioned Cèilidh. Celebrate with Cape Breton fiddle virtuosos Mairi Rankin and Wendy MacIsaac in an event that promises much more than just a jig and a reel.
Details
Select Days in October | 12 PM / 1 PM / 2 PM
120 Peggy’s Point Road, Peggy’s Cove
Dara Smith-MacDonald and Adam Young
Enjoy a fiddle concert ceilidh at The Barn with Dara Smith on the fiddle and Adam Young on the piano!
Details
October 20, 2023
The Barn, 691 Egypt Road, Margaree Valley
Bollywood Night
The annual Bollywood Night is back. Enjoy a wonderful buffet style Indian meal prepared by Chef Raj Gupta at the Best Western. Various charitable organizations and projects have been identified will be the recipients of this year’s funds.
Details
October 15, 2023
Best Western Truro, 150 Willow Street, Truro
$75
Shag Harbour UFO Expo
The Shag Harbour UFO EXPO is an annual event that brings UFO experts and eyewitnesses together to share their observations and the latest theories and research about unidentified flying objects.
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September 29 – October 1, 2023
Yarmouth
Huckle Buckle Festival
Join us in Ingonish to celebrate the splendour of fall during the 10th annual Huckle Buckle Fall Festival! Guided Hikes, fabulous food, children’s activities, pumpkins, scarecrows and ceilidhs—there is something for everyone!
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October 13, 2023
Freshwater Lake Trail, Ingonish Beach
Wine Makers Dinner Series
This October, Fox Harb’r Resort welcomes back the Wine Maker’s Dinner Series, featuring British Columbia’s best wineries in the Okanagan and Osoyoos Valleys. Join us for a two-day celebration of fine wine and food, with limited seating, as we explore BC’s world-class wine region.
Details
October 19 – 20, 2023
1337 Fox Harbour Road, Wallace
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 15, 2023
McNabs and Lawlor Islands Provincial Park
Luncheon with a Fascinating Canadian
This is a part of the Fascinating Canadian Speaker Series where well-known Canadians share their own immigration story and what immigration means to our economy, culture, and way of life. On Wednesday, October 18, meet Rania Llewellyn, President & CEO, Laurentian Bank for a luncheon event. She is the first woman to lead a major bank in Canada.
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October 18, 2023
Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Halifax
$200.00 per ticket
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 6 – 14, 2023
Baddeck
Broadway Brunch -Halloween Edition
Halifax’s hottest cabaret series Broadway Brunch is back at The Carleton on Saturday, October 28th with a Halloween Edition on the menu. Featuring the sizzling talents of our region’s finest, they will be serving up delicious and mouth-watering Broadway tunes to entertain you. Broadway and Brunch … who could ask for anything more!?
Details
October 28, 2023
The Carleton, 1685 Argyle Street, Halifax
$23
Mahone Bay Scarecrow Festival & Antique Fair
This is Atlantic Canada’s Biggest Fall Fair! Take a stroll through the neighbourhood and find your favourite scarecrow!
Details
September 23 – October 09, 2023
Mahone Bay
Brine Farm’s Haunted Halloween Trail
Spread over half a kilometre long, Brine Farm’s Halloween Haunted Trail is Nova Scotia’s longest haunted trail! This October be prepared for a hike of horror along our terrorizing trail!!
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October 20 – 21, 27 – 28, 2023
2280 Athol Road, Springhill
Wild Grazing & Stargazing SUP Camping
Take in the fall colours while spending the day stand up paddling (or sit down paddling) and exploring the pristine backcountry of Quinan Lakes and the evening sleeping under the stars in North Americas first UNSECO Starlight Preserve (Acadian Skies & Mi’kmaq Lands).
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October 21, 2023
Great Barren & Quinan Lakes
Valley Harvest Marathon
The Valley Harvest Marathon is a signature event in the Valley that takes place annually during the Thanksgiving weekend.
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October 7 – 8, 2023
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.
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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.
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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 All-You-Can-Eat All Beef Jumbo Hot Dogs (Veggie Hot Dogs and Gluten-Free Buns available upon request), Unlimited Juice, Pop, Coffee & Tea.
Details
Hatfield Farm, 1840 Hammonds Plains Road, Hammonds Plains